Old Canal Days Returns June 6 To Lockport

LOCKPORT, IL — The annual Old Canal Days Parade and Festival will be held June 6 to June 9, the Lockport Chamber of Commerce announced.

The Chamber, the City of Lockport and the Lockport Woman's Club have partnered to bring the weekend of events to the area.

The annual festival celebrates the I&M Canal and its contributions to the success of Lockport, according to a release. The free, family-friendly fest offers a parade, carnival, beer garden, live entertainment, an artisan market, Bingo, food trucks a wine tent and more.

“Our Old Canal Days Fest is a big part of our community that brings joy to our residents, visitors to our city and support to our local business community,” Annette Parker, executive Director of the Lockport Chamber of Commerce, said in a release. “We are excited about the scheduled activities and are looking forward to kicking off the festival season and another successful event.”

New this year is the kick-off of Old Canal Days starting on June 6 with added entertainment along with beer and food truck sales, a release states. The event will also feature an open-air stage,
sponsored by Bettenhausen and Old National Bank which will allow for more seating and viewing
of bands.

Thursday night will be themed “Glow Night” and will feature a DJ from JPW Productions. The first 200 teens will receive free glow wands and necklaces, and the first 100 adults will receive free souvenir mugs.

Carnival rides provided by All Around Amusement will be 5 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. The carnival runs Thursday through Sunday, and mega passes are available for $60 sold prior to the event or $70 if purchased at the event. Mega passes go on sale on May 1.

There will also be a special "Friends with Disabilities" carnival from 2 to 4 p.m. Pre-registration is required.

Food Truck Vendors for the weekend include: Auntie Anne's Pretzels, Creamery, Dairy Queen,
Embers, Frosty Dogs, Grzgrub, Kona Ice, Los Razos Mexican Grill, Mr. Salty, Pierogi Rig, Smokin’ Z BBQ, Supermercado, and Villa Nova Pizza.

The Old Canal Days Parade, sponsored by Bath Planet, Baxter & Woodman, Homer Tree Service, HellsGate Haunted House, HR Green, Legacy Adventure Park, Lockport Township Government, MJ Integrity, Paradise Bay, Prologis, Springview Sweets, Susie Shehan- State Farm Agency, Tria Architecture and Window World of Joliet is scheduled for June 7 at 6 p.m. Participants stroll through downtown Lockport, waving and handing out candy.

The parade route is on State Street beginning at 12th Street and ending at Third Street, according to a release. Immediately following are the beer and wine tents, bingo and live music of LP Vinyl from 7 to 9 p.m., and the Tim Gleason Band from 9:30 to 11:30 p.m.

Old Canal Days continues June 8 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. with cemetery tours, historic trolley
tours, Powerhouse Tour, carnival rides, Heritage Village activities, Civil War reenactors, beer tent, wine tent, Artisan Market, Bingo and more. Live bands include The School of Rock Mokena from noon to 1:30 p.m., Crook County Blues from 2 to 4 p.m., Righteous Hillbillies from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Fletcher Rockwell from 7 to 9 p.m. and Bostyxx from 9:30 to 11:30 p.m. Family entertainment runs 1 to 6 p.m. with face painting, caricature artist, a petting zoo and duck races in the I&M Canal, according to a release.

Old Canal Days concludes on June 9, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. with events including
Crosspoint Church worship service, World Dance Spectacular from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. featuring the Joliet Police Pipes & Drums, Blackbird Academy of Irish Dance, Lockport Swing Thing and Grupo Folklorico Monte Carmelo de Joliet. Family entertainment, tours, Heritage Village activities, carnival, beer tent and Artisan Market will continue as well, according to a release.

Live bands for your musical enjoyment are Johnny Russler & The Beach Bum Band from 3 to 4:30 p.m., Simple Remedy from 5 to 7 p.m., and 7th Heaven from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. The evening closes with a fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.