Scenic 10-acre downtown park with theatre along the waterway, bluffs and Joliet's historic Bluff Street. FREE outdoor concerts!
www.bicentennialpark.org
History of Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park
Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park is a scenic 10-acre Park that sits between Cass and Jefferson streets along the river in downtown Joliet, Illinois. The park was created and built as a commemorative project for the Bicentennial of the United States of America. Once built, it was deeded to the City of Joliet. It is now Co-managed by the Will- Joliet Bicentennial Corporation ( the 501 (c) (3) organization that raises funds for the park) and the City of Joliet. It is the only park owned and operated in the City of Joliet that is not a Joliet Park District facility.
The Will-Joliet Bicentennial Park Inc.’s mission is to provide an inexpensive and highly accessible forum for the enjoyment of and participation in the performing and fine arts without regard to the race, religion, ability, or creed of the performers or audience and desires to continue to make the fine and performing arts available inexpensively to the community. The Board of Directors of the Will-Joliet Bicentennial Park, Inc. is desirous of providing a regular source of funds which can be utilized for the promotion of the fine and performing arts and the recognition of the diverse cultural heritage of the region.
Bicentennial Park provides a venue for a wide variety of events for the people of Joliet and Will County. We have an outdoor band shell and a viewing hill and surrounding area that can hold up to 5000 people as well as a 350 seat indoor theatre. Bicentennial Park is home to: Cultural Arts and music of all types, Children’s Drama Camps, Community Theatre Groups, and it is used as a general Community gathering place. Our camps are all inclusive with approximately 20% of our participants from the disabled population. We work with Special Recreation Joliet/Channahon and the Kiwanis Aktion Club on a regular basis. The plays and camps that we do enhance the quality of life of our community and build public speaking skills and confidence in all who participate. We have been serving the Will County area for the past 40 years with free Concerts on the Hill for the community every Thursday night in June, July and August.
Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre is owned by the City of Joliet with the Will Joliet Bicentennial Park Inc. a 501(C)3 nonprofit raising funds for community events.
"Scenic 10-acre park along historic Bluff Street and the Des Plaines River downtown Joliet. Grounds open dawn to dusk. Follow brick pathways past overlooks, lift bridges, fountain and flower beds with boulder plaques commemorating the history of Joliet's first street, Bluff 1832. The bandshell with hill seating and indoor theatre provide cultural arts for the surrounding communities in every season. Over 40 years of free "Concerts On The Hill" every Thursday June through August. Home to: Joliet Drama Guild - 2nd oldest community theatre group in IL, "Summertime On-Stage Drama Camp" for children, "Festival of the Gnomes" for over 40 years, musicals, festivals, Joliet City's Cultural Affairs office and possibly your next event! 815-724-3761."
