Another sign that life is getting back to normal is the return of Ravinia District’s popular Thursday night Food Trucks. The good times kick off Thursday, July 8 and continue every Thursday through September 9, 2021, from 4:30 PM to dusk.

“Food Truck Thursdays has become a summer staple in the Ravinia District, bringing out crowds from all over the North Shore and beyond to enjoy the live music, great food, and family-friendly atmosphere,” said Katie Wiswald, Chair of the Ravinia Business District Association and Vice President at Highland Park Bank & Trust.

The evenings features alfresco dining and drinks from more than a dozen food trucks along with adult beverages from local restaurants, including Abigail’s American Bistro and Ravinia Brewing Company.

In addition visitors can enjoy a wide range of live musical performances.

Where

The event takes place on Dean Avenue between Roger Williams and St. Johns Avenues and Jens Jensen Park across from the Ravinia Metra Station. 

What

Each Thursday, a rotating series of food trucks will be featured along Dean Avenue, offering delicious options from such favorites as Chicago Lunch Box, Culinary Gangster, Da Pizza Dude, Fat Shallot, Funnel Cakes, Happy Lobster, La Cocinita and Louie B. Fresh, to name a few.

The line-up

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs or dine at one of the many picnic benches in Jens Jensen Park while enjoying the eclectic musical lineup of live music from 4:30 until dusk. (weather permitting). The 2021 music lineup includes:

July 8: Radio Free Honduras (Latin Folk Rock) 6:00–8:00 PM, http://radiofreehonduras.com

July 15: Ben Tatar (Kids Show) 4:30–5:45 PM, http://www.ben-tatar.squarespace.com

Jared Rabin Band (Rock N Roll) 6:00–8:00 PM, http://www.jaredrabin.com

July 22: Big Sadie (American Roots) 4:30–6:00 PM, http://bigsadie.com/

 The DB’s (Soulful Blues) 6:15–8:15 PM, https://dbsmusic.org/

July 29: Pierce Crask (Americana Blues) 4:30–5:45 PM, https://piercecrask.com/

Dave Spector & Brother John Kattke (Chicago Blues Duo) 6:00–8:00 PM, www.davespecter.com

August 5: Desert Birds (Gypsy Swing) 4:30–5:45 PM, No Website

La Tosca (Italian Mambo Ensemble) 6:00-8:00 PM, https://www.facebook.com/latosca.chicago/

August 12: Surprise Local Guest Opener 4:30–5:45 PM

Basement Band (Rock N Roll) 6:00–8:00 PM, No Website: Local Ravinia/ HP Resident Band 

August 19: Surprise Local Guest Opener4:30-5:45 PM

Akasha (Reggae) 6:00–8:00 PM, https://www.akashaband.com/

August 26: Surprise Local Guest Opener 4:30–5:45 PM

Railheart (Rock N Roll with Cosmic Country) 6:15–8:00 PM, https://www.railheart.com  

September 2: Surprise Local Guest Opener 4:30–5:45 PM

The Acoustic Generation: Matt Cantlon Aloha Ukulele’s Band (Folk Rock), https://www.theacousticgeneration.com/

September 9: Surprise Local Guest Opener 4:30–5:45 PM

The Hoyle Brothers (Country) 6:00–8:00 PM, https://www.thehoylebrothers.com 

Getting There  

The public is encouraged to walk or bike along the enhanced Green Bay Trail  – Robert McLory Bike Trail that leads into the Ravinia District. Visitors coming from outside Highland Park can ride the Metra north or south to Ravinia Station at Roger Williams in the Ravinia Business District, or take a Pace Bus.

If traveling by car, Highland Park is easily accessible 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 is an electric 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 anything a person might want. The Ravinia District is a lovely location to dine before or after visiting the Ravinia Festival or the Chicago Botanic Garden. The District is located east of Green Bay Road on Roger Williams Avenue in Highland Park. 

Ravinia District’s historic roots as a getaway from Chicago for artists and other creative people led to its establishment as an artists’ colony. Ravinia District remains separated from Downtown and other more commercial business areas.