Members of the Rivera-Moyao family attend Friday’s Drive-In Movie Night at Willow Trails Park. (Shawn Clisham/Journal photo)

Prospect Heights held U.S. Census events this past weekend to encourage more residents to complete their 2020 Census forms.

According to Assistant City Administrator Peter Falcone, the events were made possible through Census grants received from Cook County and partnerships with local park districts.

The city’s Census Outreach liaisons, Rebeca Rosario and Casey Fiut, helped provide residents information and translate for any Spanish or Polish speaking resident that might have needed more assistance.

“Without their efforts to break through the language barriers, we would be looking at a much reduced count for the city,” said Falcone.

Rebeca Rosario, Prospect Heights Census worker, dances to the music of Grupo Ritual during Sunday’s Census event at Willow Trails Park. (Shawn Clisham/Journal photo)

On Friday, Sept. 18, in partnership with River Trails Park District, the city held a “Movie in the Park” night featuring the Pixar film, “Onward.” The event was held at Willow Trails Park and was attended by approximately 60 people.

Registration efforts continued with a drive-in movie showing of “Grease” at Gary Morava Center on Camp McDonald Road on Saturday, Sept. 19. The event was in partnership with the Prospect Heights Park District.

The final event of the weekend was the “Concert in the Park” held on Sunday, Sept. 22, in partnership with River Trail Park District. The event featured Grupo Ritual and was attended by approximately 125 concert goers. Falcone reported that eight residents completed the Census for their households at the concert.

According to Falcone, early reports have shown that the city’s self-response rates are up 3.5% from 2010.

Members of the dance band Grupo Ritual perform at Willow Trails Park (from left to right) Juve Flores, keyboard; Freddy Rebolledo, bassist and music director; Eliseo Tapia, vocalist/dancer/percussionist; Rosy Casas, vocalist/dancer/percussionist; (not pictured are Jovan Andino on vocals, Jorge Ocampo on drums, and Javier Rodriguez on keyboards).

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