Downtown to Become New Orleans North for Joint Fundraiser

The reason to plan the New Orleans North festival in downtown Joliet this upcoming weekend was simple.

"We wanted to bring people downtown, start the summer off with a summerfest," Russ Slinkard, president and CEO of the Joliet Chamber said.

And the plan seems to have been well-received.

"We have over 3,000 tickets out; we have about 1,500 tickets turned in so far that have been sold," Slinkard said.

The event, which is 21 and older, begins at 5 p.m. Friday and continues through 11:30 p.m. Four bands will be featured during the festival. From:

• 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., a strolling Dixieland band
• 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Chicago Blues Angels
• 9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. T-Bird Huck

To prepare for the New Orleans theme, the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce bought 6,000 beads. In addition, vendors will be handing out beads to attendees.

The theme extends to the food as well, although Slinkard said there will be non-New Orleans-themed food as well.

Local businesses Just Toni’s, Duke's Catering and Woody's, all of Joliet, will be preparing food as will Papa John’s Woodstone Pizza, of Frankfort, who will be preparing Cajun pizza.

Still need to buy tickets? Admission is $5 and more information can be found on the Facebook site for the event or by calling the chamber at 815-727-5371.