Food Truck Thursdays return June 6 to the City of Highland Park’s Ravinia District. The 2024 season will run through September 26, and will take place from 4:30 PM to dusk along Dean Avenue between Roger Williams and St. Johns Avenues and at Jens Jensen Park across from the Ravinia Metra Station.
“Food Truck Thursdays are a summer staple in the Ravinia District,” said Carolyn Hersch, Business Development Manager at the City of Highland Park. “The Ravinia District comes alive with great music, delicious food, and a family-friendly atmosphere that truly encapsulates what makes Highland Park a special place to be.”
Alfresco diners will experience a unique and varied selection of food and drink offerings from more than a dozen rotating food trucks along Dean Avenue every Thursday evening throughout the season. Guests can also enjoy beer and wine selections from Ravinia District restaurants Abigail’s American Bistro and Ravinia Brewing Company.
Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs or dine at one of the many picnic benches in Jens Jensen Park while enjoying live music (weather permitting) from 4:30-8:30 PM (June-August) and 4:30-8 PM (September). The eclectic musical lineup includes a robust variety of genres as well as three special theme nights for all-ages fun! During each of the three themed nights, guests are encouraged to arrive in family-friendly costume and participate in interactive kid-friendly activities. Sing along to the music of legendary performers during Diva & Soul Night on June 20, bring your dancing shoes to Noche Latina on July 18, and get ready to laissez les bons temps rouler at New Orleans Mardi Gras Night on August 15.
“To accommodate all of the families coming out early, we’ll be kicking off every concert at 4:30 sharp with live music, including special kid-centric performances peppered throughout the summer,” says Noah Plotkin, music manager with Highland Park-based Life Rhythms, Inc., which coordinates music for Food Truck Thursdays on behalf of the City of Highland Park. Opening acts and family programming will run from 4:30-5:45 PM with the headliner playing from 6-8:30 PM June-August and 6-8 PM in September.
June 6
4:30 PM – 5:45 PM: Despina Pafralides, Bluegrass Duo
6 PM – 8:30 PM: La Tosca Italian Mambo Ensemble, a melting pot of Jazz/Classical/Folk and more
June 13
4:30 PM – 5:45 PM: Gandy Gumbo, Americana
6 PM – 8:30 PM: Sara Jean Steven’s Band, Americana
June 20 (Diva & Soul Night)
4:30 PM – 5:45 PM: Pierce Crask, Americana Blues
6 PM – 8:30 PM: RJ Mitchell’s Diva Soul, curated ensemble of wedding entertainers
June 27
4:30 PM – 5:45 PM: Wincanton, Local Americana Duo
6 PM – 8:30 PM: Jared Rabin Band, Folk and Bluegrass
July 11
4:30 PM – 5:45 PM: Ryan Herrick & The Heretics, Spiritual Folk
6 PM – 8:30 PM: Nasty Snacks, Future Funk
July 18 (Noche Latina)
4:30 PM – 5:45 PM: The Chicago Jazz Dads, Latin Jazz
6 PM – 8:30 PM: Roy McGrath’s Latin Quintet, Salsa and Latin
July 25
4:30 PM -5:45 PM: The Second Chances, Folk Rock Trio
6 PM – 8:30 PM: Saturday June Band, Rock and Roll
August 1
4:30 PM – 5:45 PM: James Conway, Traditional Irish and Bluegrass
6 PM – 8:30 PM: Chris Neal & Good Trouble, Six-piece Funk / Rock band
August 8
4:30 PM – 5:45 PM: Jeanie B!, Children’s Entertainer
6 PM – 8:30 PM: Chicken Bone, Party Dance Band
August 15 (New Orleans Mardi Gras Night)
4:30 PM – 5:45 PM: Ben Tatar & the Tatar Tots, Children’s Entertainer
6 PM – 8:30 PM: Extra Crispy Brass Band, New Orleans Style Brass Band
August 22
4:30 PM – 5:45 PM: Highland Park Players, Theatrical Performance
6 PM – 8:30 PM: Radio Free Honduras, Traditional Honduran Music
August 29
4:30 PM – 5:45 PM: DJ The Graduate, Popular Hits
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM: The Drastics, Reggae
September 5
5 PM – 7 PM: The DB’s, Bluegrass, Blues and American Roots Music
September 12
5 PM – 7 PM: Basement Band, Classic Rock
September 19
5 PM – 7 PM: Dr. Mark & The Sutures, Beatles Cover Band
September 26
5 PM – 7 PM: Tom Holland & The Shuffle Kings, Blues
For sneak peeks of weekly food trucks and event updates, be sure to like and follow RaviniaDistrict.HighlandPark on Facebook, @RaviniaDistrict on Instagram, and visit enjoyhighlandpark.com/foodtrucks.
Food Truck Thursdays are presented by the City of Highland Park and the Ravinia District Special Service Area 17 property owners and is co-sponsored by the Highland Park Community Foundation. Bensidoun USA manages Food Truck Thursdays, with music coordinated by Life Rhythms, Inc. Additional sponsors include Wayfarer Theaters. For more information on how to be a part of the 2024 event season as a participating or sponsoring business, please contact the Ravinia District’s event management team, Ripple Public Relations, [email protected], or call 847.432.6000.
The public is encouraged to walk or bike along the enhanced Green Bay Trail – Robert McClory Bike Trail which leads to the charming Ravinia District. The Ravinia District of Highland Park is easily accessible from both north and south via the Metra (Ravinia Station) and Pace Bus. For vehicles, Highland Park can be reached via north Lake Shore Drive to Sheridan Road, US 41 and 294: exit Clavey Road east to Green Bay Road and east on Roger Williams Avenue. Free parking is available.
ABOUT THE RAVINIA DISTRICT OF HIGHLAND PARK
The Ravinia District offers an eclectic mix of small-scale businesses, popular restaurants, food specialty shops, and high-end personal and professional services. All located within a few walkable blocks, this creative, quaint, friendly, and historic neighborhood offers nearly everything a person might want. The Ravinia District is a lovely location to dine before or after visiting Ravinia Festival or the Chicago Botanic Garden. The District is located east of Green Bay Road on Roger Williams Avenue in Highland Park.
The Ravinia District’s historic roots as a getaway from Chicago for artists and other creative people led to its establishment as an artists’ colony, geographically separate from Downtown Highland Park and other more commercial business areas.