New Orleans North Takes Over Downtown Joliet

JOLIET, IL - One of Joliet's most fun-filled nights happens Friday. It's a night out for adults. Sorry teenagers. And sorry parents with young children. Babies in strollers are not allowed. Those are the rules. It's New Orleans North, downtown Joliet's seventh annual Mardi-Gras themed block party festival along Chicago Street. It's organized by the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce. The event gets bigger and better every year, promoters told Joliet Patch.

"Last year, we had about 6,500 people, and that was about a 1,000 person jump from the year before," explained Kelly Baltas, director of member events at Joliet's Chamber.

"I wouldn't be surprised if we hit 8,000 people this year," she added.

If you want to save a few bucks, you can still purchase your admission tickets for New Orleans North at one of several Joliet area businesses including Johansen & Anderson on Plainfield Road, Great American Bagel on Essington Road and TCBY Frozen Yogurt on Brook Forest Avenue in Shorewood as well as the David Nelson Jewelers and First Midwest Bank locations both on Jefferson Street.

You can also purchase your New Orleans North tickets ahead of time at this Chamber website.

New Orleans North tickets are only $7 until 1 p.m. Friday. Otherwise, it's $10 at the gate.

The fun goes from 5 to 11 p.m.

Besides Chicago Street, there will also be a couple of alleys open for live music including two bands that came up from New Orleans, Miss Sophie Lee and The Parish Suites and Paul Sanchez with the Joliet Road Show.

There will be stilt walkers, mimes and a fire eating performer.

This year features the addition of Carnivale Chicago, a lively eatery with food from South America, Spain and the Caribbean. Other popular food venues will include Moe Joe's in Plainfield, Big Fish Grille out of Wilmington and Parmeseans Wood Stone Pizza out of Frankfort and Firewater BBQ of Crest Hill.

Of course, the signature dishes and drinks include New Orleans style Hurricanes as well as soft shell crab sandwiches, Baltas noted.

The presenting sponsor for New Orleans North is downtown Joliet's Harrah's Casino.

Images supplied by Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce