Joliet Public Library's Star Wars Day Returns On June 1

JOLIET, IL — It’s that time of year again. Joliet Public Library’s award-winning Star Wars Day festival is back and better than ever. The festival is set to celebrate its 10th year on Saturday, June 1, with a series of events for the entire family to enjoy, including more than 200 costumed Star Wars characters, a variety of games, live music, exhibits and more.

This year, the festival is bringing a fun, new aspect with a vow renewal ceremony. To participate in this ceremony, couples must pick up a free ticket at the Rialto Square Theatre lobby starting at 8:30 a.m. on June 1. There will be a limited number of tickets. Therefore, interested couples are encouraged to arrive and claim their tickets early. The entertaining ceremony will then take place promptly at 9:30 a.m. under the observant eye of the Empire. The ceremony will be light-hearted and fun and will not involve any legal or spiritual implications.

Following the vow renewal ceremony, fans can get ready for the parade of costumed Star Wars characters taking over the downtown Joliet streets beginning at 11 a.m. Thousands of fans are expected to line the streets on Cass, Chicago and Clinton Streets to see their favorite characters. The parade will kick off at the Joliet Area Historical Museum on Ottawa Street, make its way east on Cass Street, south on Chicago Street and finally west on Clinton Street. The parade is not set to go in front of the Rialto.

In addition to the parade, other outdoor activities will be available as well. The Main Stage on Clinton Street will include performances by several bands and an all-ages costume contest at 1:15 p.m. Clinton Street will also be filled with fun games for the kids. Games such as Trash Compactor and the Scavenger Hunter will also be available on the first floor of the Library and at the Museum, respectively.

Throughout the day, festivalgoers can visit exhibitors and enjoy activities at the Joliet Area Historical Museum and the Rialto Square Theatre. The Museum will feature such vendors and exhibitors as the Rebel Legion, Blues Mobile, Movies in Miniature, Cantina Customz, Bug Pals and Federation Toys. Mr. Freeze's Cryogenic show as well as presentations on costume building and light saber duels will also take place at the Museum. Exhibitors at the Rialto will include Darkside Galactibiles, the Mandalorian Mercs, R2-Builders Droid Club, A. Tom Rehn, and Civilized Galactic Gear as well as a Jedi Training Academy on the Rialto’s Main Stage.

If all of those activities aren’t enough, several authors and artists are making their return to Star Wars Day again this year. Authors will include John Jackson Miller and Keith Ryan Kappel. Fans can catch artists like Dave Doorman, Steve Palenica and more at Artist Alley on the second floor of the Library.

The exciting day will cause one to work up an appetite. Therefore, attendees can expect to try food from different vendors throughout the day. Vendors such as Jody’s Hot Dogs, Smokin’ Z BBQ, Beach Bums Tropical Sno, Cheesecakes by James, DeWitt’s Gourmet Cookie Shop, Parmesans Wood Stone Pizza, TCBY, Life’s a Slice, and Taco Maui will line the streets near Clinton and Chicago Street. The Museum will also have food available from Initiative Coffee Company and Candy and Corn.

Due to the full day of events, Chicago Street from Cass to Van Buren will be shut down. Those driving to the festival should plan to arrive early for a parking spot in one of the garages or at the Joliet Area Historical Museum.

A complete list of activities for Star Wars Day festivities can be found at jolietLibrary.org/starwarsday. Fans can also pick up a Star Wars Day Jedi Passport on the website or the day of at the entrances to the Joliet Public Library, Joliet Area Historical Museum and the Rialto Square Theatre as well as information booths. If help is needed while onsite, volunteers in purple shirts will be available to assist.

Star Wars Day is possible due to partnerships with the City of Joliet, Joliet City Center Partnership, Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau, Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet Slammers, Bicentennial Park, and Joliet Area Historical Museum as well as sponsorships from the Friends of the Joliet Public Library, D’Arcy Automobiles, Joliet City Center Partnership, Klein, Thorpe & Jenkins, Ltd., and First Midwest Bank.

Find out why the Joliet Public Library was awarded the 2018 ALA Excellence in Library Programming Award for Star Wars Day on June 1. You won’t want to miss this fun, family-friendly day.

Images via Joliet Public Library