Great Race Makes Only IL Stop Wednesday: Here's What To Expect

PLAINFIELD, IL — For the first time in event history, the Great Race is making a stop in Plainfield on Wednesday. Being the antique car rally's only Illinois stop, the event will likely draw crowds from across the state.

"We are excited to bring this unique event to Plainfield for the first time ever," Great Race director Jeff Stumb said in a statement. "Plainfield is an important place in the old car world as it is the only shared alignment of two historic roads, the Lincoln Highway and Route 66."

More than 130 antique cars — built between 1904 and 1974 — are participating in an eight-day cross-country trek from Warwick, Rhode Island to Fargo, North Dakota. For their ninth stop, the entourage will cruise into Plainfield, heading north on I-55 and Route 30, according to the Plainfield Historical Society, which is hosting the event.

After driving down Route 59, the cars will turn west onto Lockport Street and pass through an entry arch at the intersection with Illinois Street. Opening ceremonies are scheduled to start at 4:15 p.m. Wednesday, and the classic cars will be on display until about 8 p.m.

Jazz bands from Plainfield School District 202 will provide musical entertainment — featuring tunes associated with the eras of the two historic highways — at two spots on Lockport Street during the event.

"We are excited that Plainfield — Will County’s Oldest Community, settled in 1829 — has been selected as a stop on the Great Race route," Society President Michael Lambert said in a statement. "The Society appreciates the support of our local sponsors as well as the Village of Plainfield, the Plainfield Fire Protection District, the Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau, and nearly 100 volunteers."

RELATED: Great Race Brings Vintage Cars Through Plainfield On Only IL Stop

Along with hosting the event, the Historical Society will be feeding more than 500 Great Race participants and staff on Wednesday, historians said in a Facebook post. The menu, catered by Station One Smokehouse, is inspired by Plainfield's early 20th-century dining traditions such as pork chop dinners at the Wheatland Plowing Match and annual chicken dinners by local churches, historians said.

To accommodate the drivers and visitors, Plainfield police will be patrolling the area. Officers are expecting significant traffic delays and are asking drivers who won't be attending the Great Race event to avoid the downtown area between 2-9 p.m. Wednesday.

A handful of streets will also be closing in town. Starting at 6 a.m. Wednesday, Des Plaines Street, from Lockport Street to the alley north of Chicago Street, will be closed to all traffic. No parking will be allowed on Lockport Street, between Route 59 and James Street, starting at that time either.

As of 2 p.m. Wednesday, the following roads will also close:

• Lockport Street from James Street to Route 59
• Fox River Street at Lockport Street
• Des Plaines Street from the alley north of Lockport Street to the alley south of Lockport Street (north of Chicago Street)
• Illinois Street from the alley north of Lockport Street to Chicago Street

Route 59 will not be among the streets closing Wednesday, according to police, but drivers should expect delays.

Visitors can park in municipal parking lots north of Lockport Street, at Plainfield Village Hall and at Plainfield Central High School.

Lockport, Fox River and Illinois streets, as well as parking restrictions, will reopen when the event ends around 9 p.m., police said.