Taste Of Joliet: 50,000 Expected By Park District This Weekend

JOLIET, IL — If the weather holds up as predicted and no major thunderstorms roll through the area, Friday, Saturday and Sunday's Taste of Joliet could attract 50,000 people to Memorial Stadium on West Jefferson Street, Joliet Park District director Brad Staab predicted.

During Thursday afternoon's interview at Memorial Stadium, Staab told Joliet Patch's editor that he's extremely pleased with the Taste of Joliet's food vendor line up and the music entertainment planned throughout the weekend.

The two biggest headliners take center stage after 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Friday night's concert features well-known pop band Train. Train has more than 4 million Facebook likes.

Saturday's country music night, which often outdraws the attendance for Friday night's kickoff, will feature Tyler Hubbard of the popular band Florida Georgia Line.

On Friday, Joliet Patch interviewed two of the new first-time food vendors as they set up their booths. Carlisa and her husband Mercedes Brown of Bolingbrook operate ELC, which is shown in the photograph at the top of this story.

"One of our most popular items is the jerk chicken," Carlisa Brown explained. "With him being the pit master, our ribs are really good."

Patch asked what the Browns expect to be their top Taste of Joliet seller. "Our top would be the jerk chicken," she said. "It's the flavor. It's the tenderness and flavor. We also do pulled pork sandwiches with slaw, ribs, fried catfish sandwiches."

Holy Smokz BBQ out of Joliet is another newcomer to the Taste of Joliet. It's owned by Mike Blan.

The family-owned food vendor said that their pork belly burnt ends are one of the unique items available at the Taste of Joliet. "It's a sell out item. Everybody loves them," remarked Chris Blan.

What you need to know:

Dates, hours and admission costs:

Friday: 3 to 11 p.m., Saturday noon to 11 p.m., Sunday noon to 9 p.m.

For Friday and Saturday, Taste of Joliet general admission tickets are $19 online and $20 on the day of the performance. Sunday's general admission is $15 in advance and from noon to 3 p.m. and $20 from 3 to 9 p.m.

Children 10 and under accompanied by an adult are free all weekend. Senior citizens, 62 and older, are $10 all weekend.

Unlimited carnival daily rides are from 4-8 p.m. on Friday or 1-5 p.m. on Saturday or Sunday at the Carnival Midway for $30; unlimited daily rides are also available Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m. for $35.

2023 Taste of Joliet Food Vendor Lineup:

Blackhawk BBQ: Fish & Chips, Pulled Pork Sandwich, Boneless Rib, Cheeseburger, Hotdog, Italian Beef, Bacon Cheese Fries, Calamari Rings, Sweet Plantains, Chicken Tenders

Cemeno’s Pizza: Cheesy potatoes, Pizza, Sausage Sandwich, Pop & Water

Cold Stone Creamery: Ice Cream, Single, Double, Triple

Creamery: Ice Cream, Colossal Cookie, Cheesecake On Stick, Italian Ice, Ice Cream Nachos, Mini Ice Cream Cakes

Dumpling House: Potato Pancake, Polish Plate Combo, Pierogi, Polish Sausage, Combo Plate

Eva Lee Cooking: Grilled Polish, Ribs, Rib Tips, Jerk Chicken, Pork Sandwich, Catfish Sandwich, Baked Beans, Slaw, Potato Salad, Fries

Genoa’s Italian Concession: Nachos, Italian & Polish Sausage, Italian Beef, Brats, Eggplant Sandwich, Chicken Sandwich, Homemade Chips

Greek Delights: Chicken Bites, Gyros, Shishkabobs, Sausages, Philly Cheesesteak, Cheeseburger, Mac And Cheese, Cheese Fries, Chicken Tenders, Lemonade

Holy Smokz Bbq: Pork Belly Burnt Ends, Smoky Chicken Sandwich, Loaded Nachos, Pork Grilled Cheese, Pork Chop Sand, Polish Dog, Pulled Pork Sandwich

Joliet Fire Fighters Charities Association: Corn On The Cob

LC Restaurant: Chocolate Cheesecake, Burger/fries, Chicken Tenders, Bacon Hotdog, Cheese Fries, Lemonade

Lee Concessions: Egg Roll, Grilled Chicken & Rice, Orange Chicken, Corn Dog, Chicken Tenders, Cheese Fries, Shave Ice

Marino’s Kitchen: BBQ Pulled Pork, Pork Chop On Stick, Italian Sausage, Italian Beef, Meatball Sandwich, Pretzel & Cheese, Pop & Water

Pancho’s Mexican Food: Tacos, Burritos, Quesadillas, Enchiladas, Flautas, French Fries, Nachos, Pina Tropical Pina Colada, Flavored Coladas, Lemonade, Loaded Fries

Pizzas By Marchelloni: ½ Beef Roll, Pizza, Soda, Water

Popus Gourmet Popcorn: Gourmet Popcorn, Beef Polish, Beef Hotdogs, Jalapeno Polish, Chips

Sunshine Mexican Café: Tacos, Nachos, Elote, Churro, Fresh Fruit, Shave Ice, Flautas

Ricas Nieves Estilo Acapulco: Mangonadas, Italian Ice, Elotes, Mexican Flavored Water

RS Concessions: Italian Ice, Pretzels, Nachos, Lemonade and Water

Tacos Before Vatos: Tacos, Rice, Beans, Guacamole W Chips, Corn In Cup/bowl, Hibiscus Tea, Rice Water

TCBY: Frozen Yogurt, Water & Pop

Music lineup:

Friday

9:15 p.m. Train

8:30 p.m. Thunderstorm Artis

6:45 p.m. 7th Heaven

5:30 p.m. Don’t Matter To Me

4:30 p.m. Cornerstone Drumline

Saturday

9:30 p.m. Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line

8 p.m. Mitchell Tenpenny

6 p.m. Adam Doleac

4:30 p.m. Drake Milligan

3:30 p.m. Tanner Adell

2 p.m. Gen FuZe

Sunday

6:45 p.m. Banda Los Sebastianes

6:15 p.m. DJ Events Pro

5:30 p.m. La Nueva Lexion

4:45 p.m. DJ Events Pro

4:00 p.m. Conjunto Sable

3:00 p.m. DJ Events Pro

2 p.m. Will Carter

For more, visit the Taste of Joliet website.