Joliet's 2018 Summer Events

JOLIET, IL - Summer is right around the corner. It's within grasp, and fortunately there are a number of fun-filled events planned around Joliet. Some of the events take place later this week. Anyhow, here's a look at some of the key outdoor events planned in the city of Joliet in 2018. How many of them will you be attending?

THE ROOFTOP SUMMER MUSIC SERIES

Begins Thursday, May 24 featuring South Side Exiles. The Rooftop music series features live music acts performing on Joliet Area Historical Museum's outdoor rooftop. To check out the entire schedule for this summer, visit the museum's website here. Shows start at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $8 for museum members and students and $10 for the general public.

REDNECK RAVINIA

Friday, May 25 at Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park & Theatre. "A box wine and cheese wiz festival with great country music." Begins at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $5. For more details about Friday's Redneck Ravinia, visit the Bicentennial Park website here.

ROUTE 66 NATIONALS

Takes place Thursday, May 31-Sunday June 3 at Joliet's Route 66 Raceway. The world's greatest drag racers light up The World's Premier Drag Racing Facility. See stars like John Force, Ron Capps, Antron Brown and Erica Enders-Stevens take to the track! Four days of racing await and you can experience one or all of them! For ticket information, visit the Route 66 Raceway website here.

STAR WARS DAY

Free event sponsored by the Joliet Public Library. Saturday, June 2, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the downtown Ottawa Street Branch. The event features a parade, prizes, kids games, costumed Star Wars characters, live music, food vendors, artists, exhibitors and movie prop exhibits. This marks the ninth annual event, sponsored by The Friends of the Joliet Public Library. Activities will be outside on Chicago and Clinton Streets as well as inside the library, 150 N. Ottawa St., the Rialto Square Theatre, 102 N. Chicago St., and the Joliet Area Historical Museum, 204 N. Ottawa St.

FREE CONCERTS ON THE HILL

Variety of outdoor music acts every Thursday on the bandshell of Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park & Theatre. The Thursday evening concerts begin June 7 and continue through Aug. 30. For more information about the full listing of summer events at Bicentennial Park, visit its website here.

NEW ORLEANS NORTH

Beer tents, food, live music and hurricanes! Sponsored by Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce. Event goes from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, June 8 in downtown Joliet. You can buy tickets in advance for $7 otherwise it's $10 at the door. Patrons must be 21 years old to enter New Orleans North.

ROCK THE BLOCK JOLIET

An outdoor music festival presented by The Forge. June 15, June 16 and June 17 in downtown Joliet at the corner of North Chicago Street and East Van Buren Street. The Saturday lineup includes Everclear, Marcy Playground and Local H. To check out the entire lineup and for information about tickets, visit the website for Rock The Block here.

TASTE OF JOLIET

Friday, June 22, Saturday, June 23 and Sunday, June 24 at Joliet's Memorial Stadium. On Friday and Saturday, tickets in advance are $11, otherwise it's $16 on the day. Sunday tickets are $5 in advance and $10 on that day. The major music acts for next month's Taste of Joliet are Dennis DeYoung and the Music of STYX at 7:45 p.m. Friday, June 22, followed by Rick Springfield around 9:30 p.m.

Saturday's music features Chase Rice at 7:30 p.m. followed by Brothers Osborne at 9 p.m. Sunday's music lineup includes Big Dog Mercer at 2 p.m. For more details about the Taste of Joliet's events, you can visit the Joliet Park District website here.

NASCAR'S STARS & STRIPES WEEKEND

At Joliet's Chicagoland Speedway, June 28 through July 1. For ticket information, visit the Chicagoland Speedway website here.

ROUTE 66 STREET MARKETS IN DOWNTOWN JOLIET

Begins July 11 and takes places every Wednesday during the summer. Downtown location is along Chicago Street between Van Buren and Jefferson Streets. The street markets include vendors, local businesses and live entertainment.

Main image, Joliet Patch file photo from Taste of Joliet