Star Wars Day: Why 2018 Will Be Joliet's Best Ever

JOLIET, IL - It's less than two weeks away. One of the biggest success stories in Joliet is quickly approaching. We're talking about the Joliet Public Library's annual Star Wars Day. Saturday, June 2 marks the annual event. The five-hour event typically draws more than 10,000 Star Wars fans from several Midwest states including Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin, library officials told Joliet Patch during an interview this week. It's a free event.

"It's definitely become a huge attraction. It's kind of a phenomenon," explained Megan Millen, Joliet Public Library's executive director. "There's a lot of people, but it's spread out. There's plenty to see."

Millen encourages people who have never visited Star Wars Day to come downtown to check it out. Although there will be plenty of Star Wars fanatics, "other people just want to see what it's all about," she noted.

Saturday, June 2 will also include a food tent complete with tables and chairs, Millen said.

"There's lots of photo opportunities with the costumed characters; they're everyday people who want to take pictures with these kids and make sure you're having an awesome day."

The big event, of course, is the annual Star Wars parade. The schedule says it starts in front of the Joliet Area Historical Museum at 11:15 a.m. (For information about parking, where to park, etc.,visit this website here.

Now, here's everything else you need to know about Saturday, June 2. The event begins around 11 a.m. and ends around 4 p.m.

A total of 14 Star Wars games will take place this year:

1. SCAVENGER HUNT

2. BOUNTY HUNTER BOWLING

3. JEDI TRAINING

4. LIGHT SABER BATTLES

5. BE A JEDI HERO

6. ESCAPE THE RANCOR

7. DEATH STAR DESTRUCTION

8. SURVIVE THE MUSTAFAR LAVA FIELDS

9. IMPERIAL BLASTER RANGE

10. FEED THE SARLACC

11. POD RACERS

12. BEAN BAG BATTLE FOR THE GALAXY

13. STAR WARS TRIVIA WHEEL

14. TRASH COMPACTOR

The Jedi training is new this year and will be offered at the historic Rialto theater.

2018 MUSIC ACTS

This year features several bands playing at the Clinton Street Stage. It's a good lineup, too.

11:30 a.m. Joliet American Legion Band

12:30 p.m. The Padawans

1:30 p.m. Landspeeder Band

2:45 p.m. Hot Mess Band

Also at the stage is a Costume Contest at 1:15 p.m. The closing ceremony is at 4 p.m.

JOLIET MUSEUM EVENTS

11 a.m. Opening ceremony with remarks by Congressman Bill Foster

11:15 a.m. Parade begins in front of the museum

Noon: Mr. Freeze Cryogenic Demonstration, outdoor rooftop area

12:30 The Force: Jedi, Sith And Everything in Between by Twin Suns Outpost in auditorium

1 p.m. Light Saber Duel at rooftop

1:30 p.m. "We've Said Worse" Improv Show in auditorium

2 p.m. Mr. Freeze Cryogenic Demonstration, outdoor rooftop area

2:30 p.m. Light Saber Builder Presentation by Tim Jarmusz and Rebel Legion in auditorium

3 p.m. Light Saber Duel at rooftop

3:30 p.m. Auditorium presentation by Phyllis Schulte of The Rebel Legion on Endor Build & Costume Making

FOOD VENDORS

A total of eight food vendors are on the program for Star Wars Day 2018.

Here they are:

1. THE BLUE TACO

2. SMOKIN' Z BBQ

3. BEACH BUMS TROPICAL SNO

4. NOTHING BUNDT CAKES

5. JODY'S HOT DOGS

6. PARMESANS WOOD STONE PIZZA

7. TCBY

8. GIJI'S SWEET SHOPPE

ARTISTS, AUTHORS (Joliet Public Library second floor)

1. Mikey Babinski, artist

2. Dave Dorman, artist

3. Steve Palenica, artist

4. Mark Dodson, artist

5. James Tampa, artist

6. Jamie Snell, artist

7. Bill Madia, artist, he will be at the historical museum

8. Joe Corroney, artist

9. John Jackson Miller, author,

10. Keith Ryan Kappel, author

EXHIBITORS, VENDORS

Jedi Training-Rialto

R2-Builders Droid Club-Rialto

Mandalorian Mercs-Rialto

Darkside Collectables-Rialto

Blue Brothers Mobile-Museum

Endor Bunker-Museum

Movies in Miniature-Museum

Rebel Legion-Museum

CantinaCustomz-Museum

Twin Suns Outpost-Museum

Chalk Girl-Museum

The Man Who Shot Luke Skywalker-Museum

501st Legion-Library

JPL Summer Reading Committee-Library

JPL Digital Media Studio-Library

JPL Friends of the Library-Library

Dark Empire-Library

Galactic Academy-Library

Blacky Cat Creations-Library

Cris Macht-Library

Brick & Minifigs-Library

CLINTON, CHICAGO STREETS:

Graham Cracker Comics

Chic, Geek and Antique

Shoot First Cosplay Weapons

Sue Regis Glass Art

TK Collectibles

Wayward Apple Gifts

Bicentennial Park

Heritage Corridor CVB

Joliet City Center Partnership

Joliet Slammers

The 9th annual Star Wars Day is presented by The Friends of the Joliet Public Library in partnership with the Joliet Area Historical Museum, City of Joliet, Bicentennial Park, Joliet City Center Partnership, Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet Slammers and Heritage Corridor CVB.

Images via John Ferak/Joliet Patch Editor