City of Joliet Invites Community to Celebrate the Grand Opening of City Square with Two-Day Festival

JOLIET, Ill. - The City of Joliet invites residents and visitors to celebrate the grand opening of City Square during a two-day Opening Celebration Weekend on Friday, June 26, and Saturday, June 27, featuring live music, cultural performances, family-friendly entertainment, a farmers market, and a spectacular Route 66 Centennial Drone Show.

City Square's Opening Celebration Weekend provides an opportunity to officially celebrate the new public space and the community it was designed to bring together. The two-day festival will showcase local talent, regional performers, and the vibrant energy that City Square will continue to bring to downtown for years to come.

City Square's Opening Celebration Weekend will also highlight the creativity and talent of the Joliet community through a showcase of local artists on both days of the festival. In recognition of the nation's 250th anniversary, attendees will have the opportunity to sign a life-sized America 250 birthday card and participate in Design Your Own Flag: Express Yourself! This interactive activity invites participants of all ages to create a personalized flag representing their identity, interests, dreams, culture, or imagination using colorful art materials.

"City Square was envisioned as a place where our community can gather, celebrate, and create lasting memories," said Mayor Terry D'Arcy. "This weekend is about showcasing everything that makes Joliet special, from our local artists and cultural organizations to outstanding live entertainment and inviting everyone to experience our downtown together."

Friday, June 26

The celebration begins with the Chicago Street Farmers Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., bringing local vendors and fresh products to downtown.

Entertainment throughout the day includes:

• 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.: Chicago Street Farmers Market
• 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.: Limelight Music Service DJ
• 12:30 p.m.: TM Martial Arts Academy Demo Team Performance
• 3 - 4:30 p.m.: Ray Concar & the Boys
• 5 - 6:30 p.m.: The Nick Moss Band
• 7 - 9 p.m.: The Selectones
• 9 p.m.: Route 66 Centennial Drone Show

Friday evening highlights some of the region's top musical talent. The Nick Moss Band, one of today's premier Chicago blues acts and a multiple Blues Music Award winner, will bring its signature blend of authentic blues and roots music to City Square. The evening continues with The Selectones, a Chicagoland-based reggae and ska band known for energetic performances and positive vibes.

The night concludes with a Route 66 Centennial Drone Show, presented by the Route 66 Centennial Commission and Enjoy Illinois, celebrating the 100th anniversary of America's most iconic highway with a dazzling aerial display.

Saturday, June 27

Saturday's lineup celebrates theater, culture, and music with performances from local and regional favorites:

• 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.: Love's Labour's Lost presented by the Joliet Drama Guild
• 1 p.m.: Mount Carmel Folkloric Dance Group
• 1:30 - 3 p.m.: 7th Heaven
• 3 - 4 p.m.: Poetry Open Mic with Poet Laureate Uxmar Torres
• 4:15 - 5:15 p.m.: Brian Motyll
• 5:45 - 7 p.m.: Big Sky Ensemble
• 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.: John Condron and the O.G.O.

The Joliet Drama Guild, in partnership with the City of Joliet, will launch its inaugural Shakespeare in the Parks Tour with a performance of William Shakespeare's beloved comedy Love's Labour's Lost. The production will travel to Preservation Park and Heggie Park later this summer.

The Mount Carmel Folkloric Dance Group will showcase traditional Mexican dancers while celebrating the richness of Mexican culture and encouraging youth engagement through the performing arts.

The afternoon continues with a performance by 7th Heaven, one of the Midwest's most recognizable rock bands, known for its high-energy shows and decades of entertaining audiences across the country. The evening will also feature acclaimed Joliet-area singer-songwriter Brian Motyll, regional Americana group Big Sky Ensemble, and hometown favorites John Condron and the O.G.O., whose original music has become a cornerstone of the local music scene.

The City encourages residents to spend the weekend exploring downtown Joliet, supporting local businesses, and experiencing City Square as a vibrant destination for entertainment, culture, and community gatherings.

Opening Celebration Weekend is free and open to the public. The event is made possible through the generous support of Austin Tyler Construction, Inc., Chicago Street Pub, D'Arcy Motors Buick & GMC, Rock Run Collection by Cullinan Properties, and V3 Companies.