Great Joliet Prison Break-In, Saturday August 24th
Jun 19, 2019 0:05:23 GMT -5
Post by scmods55 on Jun 19, 2019 0:05:23 GMT -5
I was in contact with the Joliet Historical Museum today to see if we can get multiple Bluesmobiles inside the walls of the prison, so put this on your calendar if you're anywhere near Joliet on Aug. 24!
Great Joliet Prison Break-In returns Aug. 24
By BOB OKON
June 7, 2019
The Great Joliet Prison Break-In returns Aug. 24 with organizers hoping to surpass last year’s inaugural event.
About 3,500 people attended the Great Joliet Prison Break-In in 2018, when what now is called the Old Joliet Prison officially was opened to the public.
The event serves as the major fundraiser for the prison, generating revenues for restoration and improvements as the city and Joliet Area Historical Museum try to develop the site as a visitor and tourist attraction.
The event last year raised about $135,000, and organizers hope to exceed that amount this year.
“I want to remind people that this will go into a dedicated restricted prison fund,” museum Director Greg Peerbolte said. “Everything that we get goes to improve the site.”
For most of the people who attended last year, it also was their first experience inside the former Joliet Correctional Center, which has stood along Collins Street since the mid-19th century.
Organizers are expanding the event this year, Peerbolte said.
“We’ve beefed up our entertainment. We’ll have more food options,” Peerbolte said. “We’ll have more tour opportunities. We’ll have a couple more buildings open.”
Tickets are $40, the same as last year, and went on sale this week. Ticket information is available on the Old Joliet Prison website, jolietprison.org.
“I think the bands were all very generous in keeping their prices low so we could keep our ticket prices low,” Peerbolte said.
The headline act is The Ides of March, a band that dates back to 1964 with Chicago roots.
Other bands include Hot Mess, which features Joliet Mayor Bob O’Dekrik on drums; Great Moments in Vinyl, which plays songs from famous albums at performances; and The Nikki Hill Band, which will play rock, soul and blues music.
The committee organizing the Great Joliet Prison Break-In is chaired by Clay Johnson, owner of Joliet Technologies.
The Great Joliet Prison Break-In will run from 4 to 11 p.m.
Great Joliet Prison Break-In returns Aug. 24
By BOB OKON
June 7, 2019
The Great Joliet Prison Break-In returns Aug. 24 with organizers hoping to surpass last year’s inaugural event.
About 3,500 people attended the Great Joliet Prison Break-In in 2018, when what now is called the Old Joliet Prison officially was opened to the public.
The event serves as the major fundraiser for the prison, generating revenues for restoration and improvements as the city and Joliet Area Historical Museum try to develop the site as a visitor and tourist attraction.
The event last year raised about $135,000, and organizers hope to exceed that amount this year.
“I want to remind people that this will go into a dedicated restricted prison fund,” museum Director Greg Peerbolte said. “Everything that we get goes to improve the site.”
For most of the people who attended last year, it also was their first experience inside the former Joliet Correctional Center, which has stood along Collins Street since the mid-19th century.
Organizers are expanding the event this year, Peerbolte said.
“We’ve beefed up our entertainment. We’ll have more food options,” Peerbolte said. “We’ll have more tour opportunities. We’ll have a couple more buildings open.”
Tickets are $40, the same as last year, and went on sale this week. Ticket information is available on the Old Joliet Prison website, jolietprison.org.
“I think the bands were all very generous in keeping their prices low so we could keep our ticket prices low,” Peerbolte said.
The headline act is The Ides of March, a band that dates back to 1964 with Chicago roots.
Other bands include Hot Mess, which features Joliet Mayor Bob O’Dekrik on drums; Great Moments in Vinyl, which plays songs from famous albums at performances; and The Nikki Hill Band, which will play rock, soul and blues music.
The committee organizing the Great Joliet Prison Break-In is chaired by Clay Johnson, owner of Joliet Technologies.
The Great Joliet Prison Break-In will run from 4 to 11 p.m.
