Old Canal Days Celebrates 50th Anniversary This June

LOCKPORT, IL — The 50th anniversary of Lockport's Old Canal Days will be held this summer, featuring live entertainment, a carnival, artisan market, food trucks, fireworks and more.

The Old Canal Days parade and festival will be held June 8 to June 11 at 303 W. Second St., in Lockport.

The event is sponsored by CITGO and Shell, and is a partnership between the Lockport Chamber of Commerce, City of Lockport and Lockport Woman's Club, according to a news release.

“Our Old Canal Days Fest is a big part of our community that brings joy to our residents, visitors to our city and support to our local business community,” Annette Parker, Executive Director of the Lockport Chamber of Commerce, said in a release. “We are excited about the scheduled activities and are looking forward to kicking
off the festival season and another successful event.”

Old Canal Days will kick off on June 8, with a carnival from 5 to 11:30 p.m. The carnival, sponsored by Chamlin & Associates, Julian Electric and V3 Corporation, runs Thursday through Sunday. Mega passes, providing unlimited carnival rides for the whole weekend, will be for sale for $55 before the event or $65 at the event, according to a news release.

Mega passes will go on sale at 9 a.m. on May 1.

A "friends with disabilities" carnival will also run from 2 to 5 p.m. on June 8.

"This offers a unique opportunity for our friends with disabilities and their immediate family members to enjoy free, unlimited carnival rides during this time period," a news release states. Pre-registration is required.

The Old Canal Days Parade, sponsored by Baxter & Woodman, CSL Plasma, HellsGate Haunted House, Legacy Adventure Park, Paradise Bay, Tria Architecture and Life Purpose Chiropractic, will step off at 6 p.m. on June 9.

The parade celebrates area businesses and organizations as the participants stroll through downtown Lockport waving and handing out candy, according to a release. After the parade, there will be beer and wine tents, bingo and music from "Righteous Hillbillies" from
7 to 9:30 p.m. and "Infinity" from 9:30 to 11:30 p.m.

The fest will continue on June 10 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., with cemetery tours, historic trolley tours, carnival rides, Heritage Village activities, Civil War reenactors, beer tent, wine tent, artisan market, bingo and more, according to the Chamber of Commerce. Live bands include:

• The School of Rock Mokena from 12 to 1:30 p.m.
• Can’t Hear Jack from 2 to 4 p.m.
• Big Dog Mercer from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
• Wild Daisy from 7 to 9 p.m.
• RadioGaga from 9:30 to 11:30 p.m.

Family Entertainment runs from 1 to 6 p.m. with Mr. D’s House of Magic, face painting, a caricature artist, a petting zoo and duck races in the I&M Canal.

The last day of the fest, June 11, will run from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. and will include: Thrive Church worship service, World Dance Spectacular from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. featuring the Lockport Swing Thing, American Indian Dancers, Grupo Folklorico Monte Carmelo de Joliet and The Polish Dance Group Mali Hyrni. Family entertainment, tours, Heritage Village activities, carnival, beer tent and Artisan Market will continue as well.

Live bands include:

• Johnny Russler & The Beach Bum Band from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
• Five Guys Named Moe from 5 to 7 p.m.
• 7th Heaven from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

The evening will end with a firework show at 9:30 p.m.