Wilmington Gemini Giant Has a New Pad
The famous Gemini Giant recently got a whole-body facelift and a new site, and now, he has a new pad.
Heritage Corridor Destinations, Joliet Area Historical Museum, City of Wilmington and Wilmington Park District announced the grand opening of The Landing Pad, a Route 66-themed souvenir shop located just steps away from the Giant’s new home.
Opened for business on Thursday, May 1, the Landing Pad will operate Thursday-Monday from noon-6 p.m. through November.
The Landing Pad’s opening coincided with the 18th annual Red Carpet Corridor Festival, taking place Saturday, May 3–Sunday, May 4 in communities along Route 66 throughout Illinois, including Wilmington.
The Landing Pad gift shop is designed to be a must-stop destination for Route 66 travelers and nostalgia lovers alike. The shop will offer an exclusive collection of one-of-a-kind collectibles, souvenirs, and memorabilia that capture the spirit of the Mother Road and celebrate this legendary stretch of American history.
“We are excited to be able to meet and welcome all our Route 66 visitors, local and from afar, with a smile and help make their trip as memorable as possible! We can’t wait to see you there!,”
said Kirsten Van Duyne, Executive Director of Wilmington Park District, in a press release.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 22, at 11 a.m., followed by a festive celebration featuring food for purchase, music, and family-friendly entertainment.
“We are thrilled to be part of such an iconic piece of Americana as the Gemini Giant,” said Robert Navarro, President and CEO of Heritage Corridor Destinations in the release.
“Not only were we able to save the Giant, but now with The Landing Pad, we’re giving travelers some mementos to take with them to remember their travels on the Mother Road. It’s a testament to the strong community spirit of Wilmington and the surrounding area.”
Wilmington Island Park District, Joliet Area Historical Museum, Heritage Corridor Destinations, and more organizations will be on site on Saturday, May 3, and Thursday, May 22, to provide resources and information regarding upcoming events and more exciting things to do in the region.
“From the moment we began formal conversations to acquire the Gemini Giant in 2022, Joliet Area Historical Museum sought to be a dependable community partner to the residents of Wilmington and ensure the Gemini Giant was held in the public trust,” said Greg Peerbolte, Chief Executive Officer of the Joliet Area Historical Museum in the release.
“Our hope is that the Gemini Giant and The Landing Pad go well beyond providing a simple ‘photo op’ by branding the First One Hundred Miles region as a premier Route 66 travel experience. We fully anticipate benefitting regional economic development, supporting jobs in the tourism and hospitality sectors and, most importantly, supporting our region’s l small business with visitors from around the world.”
The Gemini Giant, erected in the 1960s with other similar giants — advertising mufflers, hot dogs and other goodies along the Mother Road – received a larger-than-life celebration when he returned to Wilmington after months of work to restore his weather-beaten fiberglass body at the (Re)Giant shop in Marion, IL.
Officials were surprised to learn his original color was gold, flecked like a bowling ball. Once he arrived in Wilmington, the Giant was bolted into his new spot on Park Street, easily visible from Route 66/Illinois 53/Baltimore Street.
The city also built a new parking lot, installed a new walking trail around the Gemini Giant display, installed a new Route 66 monument similar to the ones in Joliet and Romeoville, and a new digital welcome message sign.