Savor Summer At Forest Preserve's Free 'Rock The Woods' Concert

Jam to some tunes, grab a bite to eat and chill out in a preserve at a free Forest Preserve District of Will County “Rock the Woods” concert that will be complemented by food truck fare.

Rock out to the tunes of Midlife Crisis and Replay and dine on some tasty treats from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 31, at Lower Rock Run Preserve – I&M Canal Access in Joliet.

Midlife Crisis will dish up classic rock, pop, disco and funk as it performs more than five decades of music. Replay will belt out classic rock music from the 60s, 70s and 80s, with some added surprise selections. Food trucks scheduled to appear are: Grumpy Gaucho, Puff Truck Pizza, Joe's Street Kitchen and cookiesw/flavor.

"Adding several food trucks to the free concerts is a new twist this year,” said Ben Hecke, community partnership and outreach coordinator for the Forest Preserve. “The food and music combination is sure to entice new patrons to the preserves, and the goal is to make them repeat visitors who enjoy other programs and special events.”

Concerts and food are a great way to celebrate summer and to get people outside, agreed Lynn Kurczewski, the District’s director of visitor services.

"For the people who don’t visit the preserves to walk or bike the trails, ‘Rock the Woods’ allows us to offer a different type of experience,” she said. “We provide a picnic setting for the public to enjoy the preserve while listening to live entertainment.”

So pack a blanket, cooler and chairs, and claim a spot on the lawn so you can savor all that summer has to offer.

Visit ReconnectWithNature.org for more information on this event and other Forest Preserve offerings.