The tradition of New Year’s Eve fireworks lives on in downtown Highland. Hundreds of visitors recently covered a large portion of Main Square Park to observe the annual event.
Among the crowd was the Litton family of Highland.
“This show is part of our party every year,” said Tyler Litton, who lives a few blocks from the park. “Everyone wraps up in blankets and we walk down here to watch the fireworks.”
Visitors also came from nearby communities as well as from Illinois.
“We heard about fireworks on this night and thought it was pretty unusual, so wanted to give it a try,” said Erica Foreman of Calumet City. “Our favorite pizza place is near the Indiana/Illinois state line and we were going there anyway, so here we are.”
Tom and Mary Jo Brown of Munster sat at a picnic table, with noisemakers handy, as they waited for the show to begin.
The couple first attended four years ago, and has continued to put it on their holiday calendar every December 31.
“This is so awesome, it brings many neighborhoods together,” Mary Jo said. “There’s no other place we would rather be right now.”
New Highland residents Lauren and Mark Alford were in the crowd with their two sons and out-of-town relatives.
“This is wonderful, all ages are here and everyone is in a good mood,” Lauren said, as her family sipped hot chocolate drinks. “I think we’ll be back next year.”
The duration of the show has usually been 15 minutes or so. This year, the timing was right on the money.
But no one was complaining about the shortness.
“Sure, we would have liked to see more fireworks, but it was still nice,” said Donna Rettinger of Griffith. “We’re just glad to get out and see people and be happy to bring in the new year in this fun way.”
Fireworks on the stroke of midnight, when the New Year begins, started in Highland in the mid-1990s by the Highland Council of Community Events.
It has since been deemed the official holiday-ending event of the year by many of the guests.
“Now, we can take down our tree and decorations,” said Susan Jackson of Highland, with a laugh, as her family headed out of the park. “It’s official — no more parties, no more holiday shopping and baking. We need a vacation now from our holiday vacation.”
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
