Festival of Gnomes Tradition Continues This Saturday

For many, attending the Festival of Gnomes is a family tradition. This year, it's being held Dec. 7 at Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park on the riverfront across from downtown Joliet. Here's everything you need to know about the show, courtesy of www.bicentennialpark.org/gnomes/GnomeDetails.html:

On Saturday, December 7, the 37th Annual Festival of the Gnomes returns to the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park, downtown Joliet.

With over 370 years of collective experience as gnomes, the 30-plus-member cast giggles their way onto stage for shows at 1:00pm and 3:30pm. Tickets are $5.00 for all ages.

The doors open at noon to the music-filled lobby, gift shop showcasing handmade crafts and lady gnomes sewing tassels on gnome caps. It's a show for all ages!

The Festival of Gnomes is known as a family tradition for many. From the opening introduction about gnomes through the stories acted out, the cast of all ages imparts the legends and lore of the wee people from European folklore.

"Much of the resource material is from the gnome book by Will Huygen and Rien Poortvliet." 

Through the story lines crafted by Georgiann, the audience hears the gnomes’ holiday messages of doing good works for man and nature, sharing our blessings and believing in one's self. Since 1999 Mrs. Goodson enjoyed retirement, until May 2008 when she passed away.

Before retirement, Georgiann saw to the festival's longevity by passing the director's chair to Jan Novotny, who had been Mrs. Goodson’s assistant director for many years. Since nearly the beginning, Jan and her family have been in the gnome show. Jan is married to Tom Novotny. The Novotny's grown children, Lori and Jamie, have also been gnomes for many years. And now Jan and Tom's grandchildren are gnomes, some making their debuts as newborns!  Not only is the event for families, but of many such family ties.

Tying the story lines together is the original music by pianist and local attorney, Mr. Tom Cowgill. He improvises on the grand piano for every mood and has done so for over 30 years. The live music adds to the special lighting effects, created by Mr. Richard Liebich, the park's present manager. More music fills the lobby courtesy of flutist Cindy Butler and her talented students. 

The action-filled show lasts a little over an hour and moves quickly, especially with audience participation and action in the aisle. Watch out for the scary troll "Snotgurgle" who lurks through the audience searching for gnomes. The beastly troll has been played by Tom McCabe for just about each of the 30-plus years of the show — and in the original costume! 

Eric Moniger portrays the main Gnome hero, Kostja. The poor woodsman and his wife are played by Tom and Jan Novotny. They also narrate many scenes throughout.

Gnome Cheryl Foster is also one of the main narrators, along with being the loveable rat and Gnome Kostja’s wife. Many recognize her as a "Concert On The Hill" soloist, Joliet Evening Lions Club President, Joliet Auxiliary Police member and photographer, just to name a few of her many talents.  

Everyone has a favorite character from the show, but none quite compare to "Grandma Gnome," portrayed by Mrs. William C. Limacher. Known as "Billie" to many, Mrs. Limacher has played numerous roles in the Joliet community. In December, she becomes "Grandma" to all gnome audience members.

Besides “Grandma Gnome”, the other gnome that has been involved the beginning was Seth Magosky, who passed in 2007. He played many characters with exuberance and great comical timing.

For each 10 years one attends the show, Grandma Gnome personally sews on a special "dried moon beams and dehydrated star" tassel onto their gnome hat. She also invites them to take packets of birdseed to feed the birds, as gnomes are known to take care of their winter friends.

After each show, children are invited up onto the stage to draw their own gnome to take home. Mingling with the actors is often the highlight of many children. 

More memories of the fest can be found in the gift shop. A wide variety of "gnomemade" treasures range form 25¢ on up. From ornaments to toys, there's something for everyone. Many of the creative-one-of-a-kind items have come the talented Char Squier. Char has been with the show since the beginning and is still coming up with new treasures to tickle your fancy!

First year at the fest? Get your own gnome cap here. Every year after, visit the Gnome ladies sitting besides the hearth to have a free tassel sewn on your cap. Look around and you'll see some caps are highly tasseled and decorated. Each one is as special as every gnome!   

Grandma Gnome also sews the tassels for the baby girl and boy gnome dolls, which are lovingly handmade each year by Sue Shetina. She begins early in the year, carefully selecting material and designing their custom made bodies and clothes - even down to the pantaloons and shoes. Each huggable, soft-sculpture doll is signed by Sue and then raffled off each year. Sue smiles as she knows many of her "babies" come back each year to the show and are sure to get their tassels, too!  

For decades, Gnome Tom Devine rallied the crowds for the doll raffle. In 2007 Tom passed, but he will always be remembered for his tender heart, booming voice and raising the excitement for all. His grown children Ryan, Colleen and Molly have been gnomes for many years and carry on their "devine" gnome tradition.

Tickets are available at the Park during office hours: Tuesday through Thursday 8:00am to 4:30pm, and Friday 8:00am to noon. The park is located on Bluff Street between Jefferson Street and Western Avenue, right along the waterway downtown Joliet.

The last day for phone reservation/ office pick-up is Thursday, December 5 at 4:30 pm. After this, any unsold tickets will be available the day of the show, Saturday, December 7 beginning at 12:00 noon, when the park lobby opens.

Tickets may be reserved by calling the park office at 815-724-3760 or e-mailing bipark@jolietcity.org.