Good morning, Joliet.

Joliet police held National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug.

5 at Memorial Stadium on Jefferson Street, with teams from the Neighborhood Oriented Policing Team, patrol division, K9 unit + recruitment team in attendance.

Fry the Coop will open its newest location on Aug.

14 at 2611 W. Jefferson St.—Mayor Terry D’Arcy and chain founder Joe Fontana will cut the ribbon at 4 p.m. before guests who RSVP online receive a free chicken sandwich from 5 to 10 p.m.

Joliet’s Chamber of Commerce announced that New Orleans North will be held Friday, Aug.

15 at the Joliet Slammers Stadium from 5 to 11 p.m. for adults, offering Mardi Gras themed food, live music and street performers, with tickets at $10 in advance—rising to $20 at the gate.

Hadley Valley Preserve in Joliet will host a celebration from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, Aug.

8 to mark 20 years of wetland restoration linked to an O’Hare Airport expansion project. Officials from the Forest Preserve District of Will County and Openlands will lead site tours and discuss how a $26 million grant restored 530 acres of wetlands — 1,620 acres of natural space.

The City Council approved an agreement Tuesday that lets Joliet move its vehicle maintenance division from the old Chevy dealership into a former Pace bus garage downtown—city officials said the move will let mechanics perform Ford warranty repairs in-house while the city plans to eventually purchase the 65,000-square-foot building from Will County.

Local fall sports teams in the Daily Journal area are preparing for the season, with Bradley-Bourbonnais girls flag football aiming to improve on last year's strong run, Manteno’s cross country star Klarke Goranson emerging from a successful middle school career, and Beecher’s Peyton Serafin returning to golf with state hopes. Teams in girls tennis and swimming are also set to compete as experienced players and new talent face tough local rivals — all eager to start the season strong.

Birding by Boat

9-11 a.m. — Rock Run Rookery — $20 per person — Explore birds from a unique water vantage point.

12 Stones and Smile Empty Soul Concert

6:30-9 p.m. — The Forge — Ticket prices vary — Experience the hard-hitting sounds of 12 Stones and Smile Empty Soul live in Joliet.

Concerts in the Park 2025

6:30-8:30 p.m. — Preservation Park — Free entry — Enjoy live music in the beautiful surroundings of Preservation Park, perfect for a summer evening.

12th Annual 815 Day Celebration

12-5 p.m. — Nowell Park — Free entry — Celebrate community spirit with live music, local vendors, and activities for all ages.

Old-Growth Measurements Workshop

9 AM – 12 PM — Pilcher Park Nature Center — Free — Engage in measuring and photographing features of rare old-growth forests for community science.

Wine, Jazz and Art Fest

3:30-9 p.m. — Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park — $20 entry — Savor fine wines and enjoy local jazz while browsing unique art by local artists.

LAPS Track Days Event #3 (High Performance Driver Education)

All day event — Autobahn Country Club — Pricing varies — Experience high-speed driving and improve your racing skills in a safe environment.

Lake Erie Crushers vs. Joliet Slammers

1-4 p.m. — Duly Health And Care Field — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an exciting baseball game featuring local favorites, the Joliet Slammers.