Gigantar, a 24-foot-long guitar that was fashioned for the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in downtown Joliet, was installed and later dedicated during a lighting ceremony attended by hundreds of people on Friday evening despite near-freezing temperatures. Cheap Trick guitarist and co-founder Rick Nielsen, a member of both the Illinois Rock & … Continue reading Giant guitar added to the side of Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet
Tag: Joliet
Largest handmade guitar sculpture coming to Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet
A 24-foot-tall handmade guitar sculpture proclaimed as the world's largest will be coming to the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in downtown Joliet, Illinois. The work, called Gigantar, will begin a nearly one-week road trip to the museum with a launch party at the legendary Stone Pony nightclub in Asbury Park, New … Continue reading Largest handmade guitar sculpture coming to Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet
City of Lockport erects Route 66 monument sign despite it never being on Route 66
The City of Lockport, Illinois, a few days ago erected a Route 66 monument sign that celebrates the city's dubious heritage with the highway and Route 66's approaching centennial. According to the Homer Glen-Lockport Patch, the monument was placed on State Street near the Metra lot. "To commemorate Lockport’s role in the Route 66 centennial, … Continue reading City of Lockport erects Route 66 monument sign despite it never being on Route 66
Route 66 Experience at Illinois State Fair gets $500,000 grant; Old Joliet prison gets $250,000
The Route 66 Experience at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield will receive a $500,000 grant to help add to the exhibit, according to a news release from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The Old Joliet Prison in Joliet also will receive $250,000 from the same program for exterior illumination of the … Continue reading Route 66 Experience at Illinois State Fair gets $500,000 grant; Old Joliet prison gets $250,000
Dan Aykroyd, James Belushi to perform next month at Old Joliet Prison
Dan Aykroyd and James Belushi will perform at the Old Joliet Prison in Joliet, Illinois, on Aug. 19 as part of an elaborate Blues Brothers Con at the historic site. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Joliet Area Historical Museum, reported The Herald-News. “He [Dan Aykroyd] made a significant donation of his time to … Continue reading Dan Aykroyd, James Belushi to perform next month at Old Joliet Prison
‘World’s Ugliest Courthouse’ on Route 66 in Joliet placed on endangered historic places list
Landmarks Illinois recently released its annual list of its most endangered historic places in the state, and one of them has the dubious distinction of being labeled the "world's ugliest courthouse." It is the Will County Courthouse in downtown Joliet, Illinois, along a southbound alignment of Route 66. Landmarks Illinois wrote this about the Brutalist-style … Continue reading ‘World’s Ugliest Courthouse’ on Route 66 in Joliet placed on endangered historic places list
Illinois announces $4 million in grants for projects along Route 66
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday announced $4 million in grants for various projects along Route 66, including a visitors center in a former Edwardsville gas station, reopening the old Cannonball Jail in Carlinville and a new Muffler Man on a restaurant in Berwyn. According to Riverbender.com and … Continue reading Illinois announces $4 million in grants for projects along Route 66
Illinois Rock and Roll Museum to open later this year after first Hall of Fame induction
The Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet will open to the public later this year after it holds its first Hall of Fame ceremony on Aug. 31. Inductees of the inaugural class are Buddy Guy, Chicago, Cheap Trick, REO Speedwagon, Muddy Waters, The Buckinghams, The Ides of March and longtime disc … Continue reading Illinois Rock and Roll Museum to open later this year after first Hall of Fame induction
Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway awards $5,000 in grants to various projects
The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway announced Thursday it has awarded grants totaling $5,000 to byway members for various projects. These are the grant awardees: Sky View Drive-In theater in Litchfield, Illinois: $1,000 to help repaint its screen;Old Joliet Prison in Joliet, Illinois: $1,000 to build a series of informative and interpretative banners and signage … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway awards $5,000 in grants to various projects
Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 to hold first induction Aug. 31 at Rialto Square Theatre
The Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet will hold its first induction ceremony on Aug. 31 at the city's Rialto Square Theatre after it was postponed from March 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic. The announcement about the ceremony was made Friday on WJOL radio: “Last year’s debut event was postponed due … Continue reading Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 to hold first induction Aug. 31 at Rialto Square Theatre