Although the outdoor temperature was in the single digits, the traditional New Year’s Eve celebration at Highland’s Main Square Park went off without a hitch. Hundreds of people filled the park to observe the annual fireworks display.
“We stayed warm in our car until the show started,” said Pat Harris, of Highland. “We’ve never missed a year of this — through rain, sleet, snow — and now frigid air.”
Some visitorw came before the midnight entertainment to enjoy the hot chocolate or other refreshments offered by Deez Eatz concessions,
“This (event) is one-of-a-kind,” Deez Eatz employee Jamie Thomas said. “I think that’s what makes it so special.”
The Highland Council of Community Events sponsors the annual event, which has been around for almost three decades. It has always been presented in Main Square Park, save except for one year when it was held at Highland High School during the renovation of the park’s gazebo.
“Highland has always had a small town feel to it, especially during its celebrations,” said Liz Breslin, the secretary for the Highland Council of Community Events. “The New Year’s Eve fireworks help keep that small-town celebration feeling alive.”
The council is staffed 100 percent by volunteers, Breslin said.
The New Year’s Eve colorful display, presented by Mad Bomber Fireworks of Illinois, was a first for the Garcia family, who moved to Northwest Indiana from Fostoria, Ohio, in 2017.
“We were looking for something fun to do on New Year’s Eve and found out about this event from the Highland Parks Department website,” Valparaiso mom Sarah Garcia said. “I thought this would be fun, so we bundled up and brought the kids. And we have blankets in the car.”
The come-as-you-are party in the park continues in popularity each year.
“Where can you go out in public in your pajamas carrying a blanket?” Donny Linton, of Munster, said with a laugh. “My cousin lives in Highland and he insists we go here every year, so we dress warmly in layers.”
There was no shortage of oohs and aahs once the fireworks began.
“Blue and red ones are my favorite,” said Justin Prentiss, 8, of Highland, as he snuggled under a blanket with his sister Yasmine, 4. “I hardly ever see a lot of blue ones; maybe, I will before this is over.”
Although the show didn’t last very long — about 15 minutes — it was enough of a fix for most of the attendees.
“No one else has this (fireworks at midnight) in a public park, so we’re really psyched to be here,” said Lynda Grieger, who was visiting relatives in Highland. “This is a truly unique way to ring in the new year, no matter what the weather gives us.”
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
