bicentennial park’s “concerts on The Hill” kicks off June 1

It’s time to load your favorite lawn chair and picnic blanket into the car and head to Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park! The 49th season of free “Concerts On The Hill” kicks off Thursday, June 1 at 6:30 p.m. Plan to get there early – it’s a big night!

Every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in June, July and August, enjoy a variety of musical entertainment on the big bandshell with hill seating. The downtown Joliet park along the Des Plaines River is located at 201 West Jefferson Street, with plenty of free parking in the park and south of Jefferson Street.

Enjoy new acts, alongside returning favorites like Eddie Korosa Polka with the Ukelele Moonshiners for a Polka Luau and the American Legion Band (once again crowned the National Champs in 2022!), which will be appearing June 1, July 6 and August 31 for the season’s finale.

For the grand opening concert on Thursday night, June 1, the park is honored to have the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra, with Musical Director Peter Lipari, for the first act. For the second act, and grand finale to the first evening, Bicentennial Park is proud to present the champion Joliet

American Legion Band, with Musical Director Mike Fiske.

The full concert schedule concludes this article. Lori Carmine, the Park Manager/ City of Joliet Cultural Affairs Manager/ City of Joliet Event Liaison, is excited to feature the following theme nights: June 8 - Reggae Night, June 22 and August 3 – Country Night, July 13 –Jazz Night, July 20 – Fine Tunes Center for the Arts Night, July 27 – Polka Luau Night, August 10 – Blues Night, August 17 “Drunken Donut” Singer/ Songwriter Night and August 24 – “Women Singing our Stories” Night, an encore of the park’s Women’s History Month performance featuring hit songs by women across the decades (from Billie Holiday to Taylor Swift). A few more acts will be added, so stay tuned!

As tradition for every concert season, audience members will get a sneak peek at the two summer musicals appearing at Bicentennial Park’s indoor theatre: Godspell (concert preview June 8 and 15, shows June 16-18 and June 23-25) and The Wizard of Oz (concert preview July 20 and 27, shows July 28-30 and August 4-6).

Bring a favorite chair or blanket for hill seating. There’s plenty of room to keep a comfortable distance while enjoying quality entertainment on the large, lighted bandshell by the waterfront. Concessions will be available, courtesy of Lightning Concessions. Picnic baskets are welcome. A cash bar will also be available. As a friendly reminder, no outside alcohol is allowed.

The park and its non-profit, the WillJoliet Bicentennial Park, Inc., truly appreciate those who have supported this community tradition for over 40 decades: our audiences, the City of Joliet, Wadsworth Golf Charities Foundation, Joliet Kiwanis Club ushers, Joliet Lions Club ushers, the dedicated volunteers, emcees and anthem soloists.

For more information, contact Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park: www. bicentenialpark.org, bipark@joliet.gov and 815-724-3761

49th FREE “Concerts On The Hill” 2023

Thursdays at 6:30 pm in June, July and August

June 1

Season Opening

Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra

Joliet American Legion Band

June 8

Reggae Night

Godspell Musical Preview by Bicentennial Park Theatre

The Selectones (Reggae Funk)

June 15

Godspell Musical Preview by Bicentennial Park Theatre

Just Us (Soft Rock)

Ray Koncar & The Boys (Polka)

June 22

Country Night

Silverstrings (Classic Country)

Righteous Hillbillies (Southern Rock/ Boogie Blues)

June 29

Cloggin’ Craze & Kidz Clog (Dancers)

Larry Crawford & Band (R&B)

July 6

Vocalists Matt Persicketti & Mike Eulitz (Rat Pack)

Joliet American Legion Band

July 13

Jazz Night. . . stay tuned!

July 20

The Wizard of Oz Musical Preview by the Joliet Drama Guild

Fine Tune Center for the Arts (Musical Showcase)

July 27

Polka Luau Night

The Wizard of Oz Musical Preview by the Joliet Drama Guild

Eddie Korosa Jr & Boys & Girl of IL (Polka)

Ukulele Moonshiners (Party Tunes)

August 3

Country Night

Neon Lights (from the Fine Tune Center for the Arts)

August 10

Blues Night

Al Spears and the Hurricane Project

August 17

“Drunken Donut Night”

Alex Ziech hosts various singer/ songwriters from the Joliet hot spot

August 24

“Women’s Singing Our Stories” Night Hit songs by women thru the decades – encore from park’s Women’s History Month performance

August 31

49th Season Finale

Joliet Township High School Orchestra

Joliet Township High School Central Band

Joliet America Legion Band ouT aND abouT