The Force Will Be Strong Here
Saturday, June 3, will be no ordinary day in downtown Joliet, as it is transformed into the Joliet Public Library’s 12th Annual Star Wars™ Day — a family friendly festival of galactic proportions complete with over 100 costumed Star Wars™ characters, games, a DJ, exhibits and more.
Started in 2009, Star Wars Day has attracted thousands of visitors. More than 200 individuals for the 501st Legion, a worldwide Star Wars costuming organization, dress up in authentic costumes and participate in a Star Wars Day Parade in downtown Joliet complete with several Star Wars vehicles.
The free event will kick off at 11 a.m. with a parade of costumed characters and Star Wars vehicles. The parade will start at the Will County Office Building, 302 N. Chicago St., head south on Chicago Street, west on Clinton Street, and end on the Library’s front lawn.
New this year at the Joliet Area Historical Museum will be author Dr. David West Reynolds. Dr. West Reynolds is the author of multiple Star Wars reference books, including “The Archaeology of Star Wars,” which includes finding the lost desert filming locations of the original Star Wars movie in the Sahara desert.
The event will shut down a portion of Chicago Street including the Library’s parking lot, and a portion of Clinton Street for the day’s activities, including food vendors and live music. Parking is available at both the Ottawa Street and Clinton Street parking garages.
The fun will include the Joliet Area Historical Museum and Renaissance Center, where all of the Star Wars merchandise vendors will be hosted. Stop by to see what they have to offer!
This event is made possible through partnerships with the City of Joliet, Joliet City Center Partnership, Heritage Corridor Destinations, 501st Legion and Joliet Area Historical Museum as well as the generous sponsorships from the Friends of the Joliet Public Library, Joliet Township Government and TBS (Today’s Business Solutions), D’Arcy Buick GMC, and Old National Bank.
To learn more, visit https://www.jolietlibrary.org/en/star-wars-day.