A carnival, carnitas, live Latin music and a rewarding 5K are on tap July 19-21 at the Highwood Days and Taco Fest event.
Taco Fest hours are 5-10 p.m. July 19, 12-10 p.m. July 20 and 12-9 p.m. July 21 at Everts Park. The 57th annual Highwood Days Carnival hours are 5-10 p.m. July 18 and 19, 1-10 p.m. July 20 and 1-9 p.m. July 21 at the downtown Highwood Metra Station parking lot.
Highwood Days is in its 57th year, having started as a carnival. The food component slowly disappeared from the carnival. With the creation of Celebrate Highwood, the organization took over Highwood Days as a way to raise funds and that’s when Taco Fest was added, said Eric Falberg, president of Celebrate Highwood and Highwood alderman.
“You could do a taco tour of Highwood and it would take you several trips to get through all the places that love tacos,” he said. “We figured it was a good representation of the food in Highwood. We decided to add that as a main event and it worked out really well.”
One of the vendors, La Plancha Loca, even ended up building a brick-and-mortar location in Highwood after participating in an early Taco Fest.
This year, they decided to focus more on Latin music, as he said that they felt it fit better with the event.
“I think the music is going to be exceptional this year,” he said. “Also, it’s always great to see what incredible tacos are created out there. We kind of push the limits on what tacos people eat and going to Taco Fest, you eat different tacos than you would eat every day when you go order at a restaurant. You see a lot more variation, a lot more actual culture and you learn something new when you go. You want to try different things and not go after the same things you normally eat.”
Taco Fest vendors will compete for the People’s Choice Award in the categories of most authentic and most unique taco as voted on by the attendees. The first-place winner for most authentic taco in 2023 was the aforementioned La Plancha Loca for its Q Birra taco. The prize for most unique taco went to Pixca of Highland Park for its sweet potato taco. The winners will be announced onstage at 6 p.m. July 21 and will receive a trophy and bragging rights.
“That’s why you have to try as many tacos as possible,” Falberg said. “You really can’t do it in one day. You’ re not going to be able to try all the tacos in one day. It’s a multiple-trip event.”
Tacos for sale will include the traditional carne asada to the more unique, like braised short rib and Brussels sprout taco or a Mahi-mahi taco.
“And we have places that normally don’t do tacos that try and create tacos,” he said. “Sometimes they’re really successful and sometimes they’re a complete disaster. It’s always fun to see that too.”
He prefers al pastor tacos, he said, although he can name several that tickled his taste buds at Taco Fest, even vegetarian tacos.
“I love a good breakfast taco. I love a Torpedo Taco from Tacos el Norte, which has steak, onions and an egg over easy,” he said.
There will also be full booze tent featuring margaritas, palomas, mules, micheladas, Mexican beer and more.
After chowing down on tacos, head over to the carnival at Highwood Days. Then again, maybe wait before getting on the Scrambler ride. Kids can also enjoy a bounce house and face painting, he said.
There will also be craft vendors so people can enjoy a day of eating, drinking and shopping, he said.
Live music will be provided by Pamela Fernandez Duo from 5 to 7 p.m. and Wild Oates at 7:30-10 p.m. July 19; the Highland Park Players at 12 p.m., The Moonshine Bros. at 12:45 p.m., Orchestra Alta Vida at 2:45 p.m., Los Perros Cubanos at 5:15 p.m. and Soul Sacrifice from 8 to 10 p.m. July 20. And on July 21, Jose Valdez and The Mambo All-Stars at 12 p.m., Isabella at 3:30 p.m. and Rico from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
The North Shore Taco 5K Family Fun Run, Walk and Stroll benefitting Nuestro Josselyn will be at 9 a.m. July 20. Participants get a taco and a Bloody Mary or margarita or soda afterwards.
People should put this on the calendar for the chance to try a variety of tacos from many vendors, he said.
“And if you’re from anywhere on the North Shore, you’ll be able to go to these establishments after,” he said. “It’s not like they will disappear and you’ll never have them again. Most of the places will be from somewhere on the North Shore that you probably haven’t tried before. It’s a really good opportunity to try everything in one place.”
Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
Highwood Days and Taco Fest
When: July 18-21
Where: Highwood Metra Station, 317 Green Bay Road, Highwood, and Everts Park, 111 North Ave., Highwood
Tickets: free
Information: 847-432-6000; celebratehighwood.org/taco-fest-and-highwood-days
