Chicagoland is rejoicing in redheaded recognition!  On June 6^th and 7^th, the City of Highwood is proud to host the first Redhead Days Festival in the United States Redhead Days is a festival originating in Breda, Holland that seeks to unite the global redheaded community through their three core values of bonding, pride and recognition. 

How did this event come to be?  Highwood has their honorary hometown Redhead to thank for that.  Event organizer Jim Stoecker, the owner of Alex's Washington Gardens came upon Redhead Days in a story that can only be described as kismet. 

In 2012, Stoecker, an avid bicyclist, decided to take a trip across Europe on his bicycle. He booked a one-way ticket, brought a backpack of bare essentials, and left without a designated biking plan or hotel accommodations.  He decided to kick off his journey in Amsterdam, searching high and low to find a bicycle that could withstand his 40+ miles each day and ultimate goal of reaching Oktoberfest.

Once he reached Utrecht, Holland, Stoecker asked the receptionist at his hostel where she recommended he ride to on the next day of his journey.  She recommended the quaint town of Breda, and Stoecker immediately got online to find accommodations. A woman quickly responded to his request with apologies, explaining that she would love to host him but was fully booked from the enormous Redhead Days festival in town.  Stoecker, a natural redhead himself, immediately knew he had to be there.  He found a place to stay, made the fifty-mile trip and stayed for the rest of the weekend.  The rest is history. 

Stoecker was so enthralled with Redhead Days that upon his return he set his sights on bringing it to the City of Highwood. Stoecker fell in love with Highwood and he and his wife's favorite spot for date nights, Alex's Washington Gardens. He's now the proud owner of the spot.

Stoecker loved the community feel of Highwood, recalling how when he first bought the establishment people kept coming in and saying, "I don't care who you are or what you're doing, but don't change my favorite restaurant!"  Stoecker promised he wouldn't, and that's a promise he has stuck to.  He has the same recipes and same staff, including a busboy that has been with Washington Gardens for over thirty-three years. He even worked the door himself for the first two and a half years of business, and is on a first name basis with many of his customers.

"Highwood people are good people.  They love to have fun, and there's this genuine love of community.  Everyone here is proud to be in Highwood.  Redhead Days celebrates that same sense of pride. It's a big deal that we're the first place in the United States to hold this festival, and I know we can do the Highwood and redhead community proud," says Stoecker.  

The family-friendly festival will take place at Highwood's City Hall Park, 17 Highwood Avenue, where participants can register to be a part of the record breaking photo, purchase any signature "ginger gear, drinks, and goodies," vote for their favorite carrot cake, and then head out to stroll the streets of Highwood and see how Highwood businesses are painting the town Red!  Registration is FREE and will be open from 10am-5pm each day.

To stay up to date with the latest news on Redhead Days in Highwood, please LIKE www.facebook.com/RHDchicago or view Redhead Days official website at http://www.redheaddays.nl.