Highland Park hosts July 4th parade for first time since mass shooting

HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. (CBS) -- A day of remembrance in Highland Park on Thursday marked two years since a tragic mass shooting during their annual 4th of July Parade.

Seven people lost their lives in the attack in 2022, and on Thursday, the village's Independence Day parade stepped off again for the first time since the shooting.

This year's parade was a show of resilience; a display of the love the community has for Highland Park, while honoring the memory of those who were tragically lost two years ago.

City leaders said meticulous planning went into this day, providing space for both remembrance and family traditions. They said the community was encouraged to focus on their love for their city.

Called "Sweet Home Highland Park," the scaled-back parade marked a brave return to a years-old annual event that normally draws hundreds.

The parade featured a new route – a new path through downtown highland park – while keeping the tradition of bringing together families, children, and their pets, as organizers asked those who attended to come dressed up in their 4th of July best.

Two years ago, during the same event, seven people were killed and many others were injured during a mass shooting that shook the community and the nation.

The return of the parade was yet another example of their slogan "Highland Park Strong."

Some of the survivors of the shooting and their family members began their morning at a remembrance ceremony honoring the lives lost to years ago. The victims' names were read aloud, one by one in tribute.

Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot came to show her support, as did U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, who met with victims and their families in a closed-door meeting.

City leaders said they took into consideration feedback from victims, neighbors, and businesses when planning how to mark this day.

"We come together again 24 months since the darkest day in Highland Park. While I am so proud of how our community has supported each other, I wish, I wish it were not because of a horrific act of mass gun violence. We've experienced a range of emotions that have left us grappling to put into words how we feel at this moment day to day, month to month, and now year to year," Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering said.

Rotering said the city has been using a "trauma- informed" approach to planning this day. She said many conversations were inspired by the children in the community.

"In the aftermath of July 4th, 2022, one of the third graders who came through city hall asked me, 'Do we ever get to celebrate the 4th of July again?' and I said 'absolutely.' So today is the first step," Rotering said. "We're trying to provide opportunities; discrete opportunities for people to be heard, to be supported, to be recognized, and also to help this community not be defined by this tragedy, but to lean into the resiliency of the community."

Security was tight all day, complete with bag checks and metal detectors.

The day culminates with a celebration called "4th Fest" at Sunset Woods Park from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., featuring food, live music, games, rides, carnival games, a petting zoo, and other family-friendly activities.

On Wednesday, the mother of the youngest shooting survivor, Cooper Roberts, shared an update on his health journey. The 10-year-old was paralyzed from the waist down in the 2022 shooting. His twin brother was also hurt.

"730 days since he was able to run and chase his brother in the backyard, climb playground equipment at school or at the park, play on his soccer team, run the bases at the ballpark, or jump on his bed or my living room couches, or play at a trampoline park," Keely Roberts said. "Physically, you are left with a permanent reminders that you are not physically the same person that you were before."

Keely Roberts said her family will likely never attend the Highland Park parade again.

Last week, the accused shooter, Robert Crimo III, rejected a plea deal on murder charges , which came as a surprise to many victims and survivors.

He is expected to go to trial in February of next year.