Round 2: Beloit, WI vs. Highland Park, IL
Welcome to the second round of the fifth annual Strongest Town Competition! This contest is our annual celebration of the towns and cities across North America (and even the world) who are building stronger communities, even in times of uncertainty and change.
We’re down to our top eight contestants, and for this round, we asked them to cut back on the text and instead send us five photos, with a caption for each explaining how it illustrates the strength of their city.
Check out the photo submissions from two of our elite eight contenders below, and cast your vote at the bottom of the page!
Voting closes at 12pm CDT on Thursday, March 19th.
Beloit, WI
Entry submitted by: Shauna El-Amin, Crystal Cribbs, Stephanie Knueppel, Malinda Obershaw, Jessica Hernandez
Fun for All Ages at Riverside Park
Friends of Riverfront puts on a summer concert series that brings local and regional talent to Beloit. Friends of Riverfront is a nonprofit organization comprised of a broad-based group of volunteers who share a commitment to enhancing Beloit's Riverfront. The 23-acre Riverside Park features the Beloit River Walk, a 3.5-mile paved trail; Turtle Island Playground, complete with a treehouse and sandpit for the little ones; and the Rotary River Center. You can also rent paddle boats and tandem bikes.
Photo credit: Visit Beloit
A Bustling Farmers’ Market
Downtown Beloit Association puts on the six-month-long Beloit Farmers’ Market. We average 74 weekly vendors. During peak season, an average of more than 10,000 visitors shop in the wonderful open-air market, rain or shine, in the heart of historic Downtown Beloit. They can also chat with local vendors and get the scoop on next week’s harvest and offerings!
Photo credit: Visit Beloit
A Downtown Visitors Love
Downtown Beloit—named a Most Romantic Main Street—offers many cultural, entertaining, and scenic outings. The best in original dining, shopping, performing arts, and outdoor activities are perfect for a day-trip or a long romantic weekend getaway. Visitors are guaranteed to create memories that will last a lifetime. The early 20th-century downtown vernacular architecture sets the stage, comfortably modernized with new buildings seamlessly blended into the streetscape. Seasonal plantings and artwork create a romantic charm all its own. Listen and you might hear music. Pathways along the Rock River offer walking, jogging, biking and kayaking opportunities along a corridor once commanded by industry, now converted to contemporary use. A small town with an urban flair, Beloit celebrates the arts in all its forms and embraces its American Industrial history.
Photo credit: Visit Beloit
Nature (and History) on Full Display at Big Hill Memorial Park
Big Hill Memorial Park was purchased around 1925. The land soon began to take shape as a park in the early 1930s with the construction of stone fireplaces for picnickers to use. These fireplaces can still be seen today at this massive park, along with the famous 90-foot bluff on the west bank of the Rock River. The bluff had been used to hold annual ski jumping competitions by the Beloit Ski Club. Even though the ski jump is no longer in existence, the spectacular view remains from the top of the bluff. You can now enjoy beauty from atop a wonderfully structured lookout. With the fireplaces remaining intact it reminds you of the history that was built. Beneath the towering trees you can find shelter for picnickers and playgrounds for children. There are nature trails constructed throughout the entire park allowing for abundance of wildlife sighting.
Photo credit: Visit Beloit
Empowering Students at Beloit College
Beloit College engages the intelligence, imagination, and curiosity of its students, empowering them to lead fulfilling lives marked by high achievement, personal responsibility, and public contribution in a diverse society. Its emphasis on international and interdisciplinary perspectives, the integration of knowledge with experience, and close collaboration among peers, professors, and staff equips its students to approach the complex problems of the world ethically and thoughtfully.
Photo credit: Visit Beloit
Highland Park, IL
Entry submitted by: Josh Nanus
Meeting Friends on Food Truck Thursdays
Throughout the summer, the neighborhood gets together every Thursday evening to enjoy live music, some of Chicago’s finest food trucks, drinks from local microbrewery, and great company with our friends and neighbors.
Transforming Downtown into an “Art Wonderland”
Each August, in downtown Highland Park, the Port Clinton Art Festivals transforms the city into an art wonderland. With the entire downtown closed to automobile traffic, 100,000+ people enjoy the finest from the city and revel in festival atmosphere. With over 250 artists from across the globe, more than a dozen local food vendors, and live music during the day, it is truly is one of the best weekends in the city.
“Uptown” at Downtown Highland Park
While some people call it “Uptown,” Downtown Highland Park is home to many unique boutiques, locally owned shops and stores of all shapes and colors, a ton of amazing restaurants and service businesses.
Coffee and Impromptu Concerts
The Ravinia District is a small but vibrant business district, which is home to many local businesses. Though small, it has the essentials, with a bakery cafe, restaurants, microbrew pubs, coffee shops, and more. Honestly, nothing beats strolling to grab coffee on a Sunday morning; you never know what you may find happening (like this impromptu concert we “joined in”).
Friday Happy Hours During the Ravinia Music Festival
Nothing captures the essence of summer fun like our neighborhood “happy hours.” Each Friday, we rotate from house to house, with open yards, food, drinks, etc., and catching up with neighbors old and new. With the music from the Ravinia Festival billowing in as the backdrop (if you can hear it over these crazy kids) everybody looks forward to catching up and unwinding after a long week.
Round 2 Match-Ups
Beloit, WI vs. Highland Park, IL | Sylvania, OH vs. Winona, MN | Athens, OH vs. Hamilton, MO | Pittsburg, KS vs. Watertown, SD