Vernon hills 4th of july parade 2022

Approximately 10,000 people attended Vernon Hills Days at Century Park.

The four-day event that began Thursday has not been held since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to event communications director Toni Pastorino.

“We’re feeling a little rusty, I think, since it’s been a while since we’ve done this, but we’re really excited that we’re able to bring this back to the community,” Pastorino said. “We’re thrilled.”

This year, there is a fundraiser component, she confirmed.

Taken from the Ferris wheel, along the sunset shores of Little Bear Lake. Images from Vernon Hills Days on July 14, 2022 at Century Park in Vernon Hills. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press)

“We’re doing a 50/50 raffle for the first time, and we’re going to donate all of our proceeds to the Highland Park Community Foundation’s victims fund” in the wake of the July 4 parade shooting, Pastorino said, adding Sunday’s “Cream-A-Cop” tossed whipped pie event generated 100% of its donation receipts to the fund.

Additionally, “Any tips that we collect at the bar, that’s all going to go there (to Highland Park fund) this year,” she said.

On Sunday, Pastorino reported Highland Park fundraiser donation proceeds totaled $2,775.

Pastorino was raised in Vernon Hills, and is a 1998 Libertyville High School graduate.

“I’ve been coming here since the fourth grade myself,” Pastorino said of the event, and “volunteering definitely for over 20 years. We just think it’s a great time to come spend with your family. Just the memories that you make.”

The Grayslake band, Temporary Binge, performs. On guitar on right is Walter Delaney of Lindenhurst. Images from Vernon Hills Days on July 14, 2022 at Century Park in Vernon Hills. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press)

Vernon Hills Days featured a large stage with live entertainment. The itinerary included bingo, carnival rides such as a Ferris wheel, children’s activities and food for purchase.

On the Vernon Hills Days website at http://vhdays.com/#schedule-home, attendees were given a friendly heads up about security and what they could not bring in to the event premises. People were required to check in at the front entrance and have bags checked.

A child watches police check bags at the front entrance. Images from Vernon Hills Days on July 14, 2022 at Century Park in Vernon Hills. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press)

“We did meet with the police officers shortly after that (Highland Park parade mass shooting),” Pastorino said. “We did discuss having some enhanced security measures following that.”

Center row on Pharaoh’s Fury, from right to left are Patty Fitzgerald, Jasmine Wascow and Jasmine’s sibling Jayla Wascow. All three youngsters are 11, rising sixth graders and of Vernon Hills. Images from Vernon Hills Days on July 14, 2022 at Century Park in Vernon Hills. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press)

Adrienne Fitzgerald of Vernon Hills brought her daughter Patty and Patty’s friends Jasmine and Jayla Wascow, also of Vernon Hills.

All three youngsters are 11 and rising sixth graders. The trio rode the popular Pharaoh’s Fury ride.

“We feel very safe,” Adrienne Fitzgerald said. “We’re very grateful for what they do every day and what they’re doing here tonight. We felt really great with the police officers here. We’re having a great time,” Fitzgerald added.

Nelly Kvaterman of Vernon Hills attended the Thursday night opener, which featured weather at 73 degrees and clear skies for evening fireworks over Little Bear Lake.

Snezhanna Kvaterman, 5, a rising first grader, waved to her mother Nelly while riding kiddie attractions with a friend.

“This time, it’s very cool new rides that we never had before,” Nelly Kvaterman said of the event. “I’ve been coming for a long time because I have a 13-year-old, so I’ve been doing this for a while. We love it.”

Bottom, center row on Pharaoh’s Fury, from right to left are Patty Fitzgerald, Jasmine Wascow and Jasmine’s sibling Jayla Wascow. All three youngsters are 11, rising sixth graders and of Vernon Hills. Images from Vernon Hills Days on July 14, 2022 at Century Park in Vernon Hills. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press)