No Taste of Joliet this year, but same line-up coming in 2021

Taste of Joliet has been canceled with the COVID-19 pandemic still on and time running out to prepare for what is typically the biggest summer event in the city.

The Joliet Park District announced on Monday that the June 26-28 event has been canceled, but the same performers will come in 2021 when the show will go on.

Park officials could not wait any longer and decided it would not be safe to hold the event under conditions created by the COVID-19 pandemic, said park district Executive Director Brad Staab.

"Safety is No. 1," Staab said. "We have so many volunteers and staff and fans who come. Is it going to be a safe environment for them?"

Park officials decided it was unlikely they could still pull off an event in late June that could draw 28,000 while a ban on large public gatherings is in effect at least through May.

Taste of Joliet could not be pushed back to late summer or fall because the stadium is booked for football and other events from mid-August through Thanksgiving, Staab said.

The one blessing is that the same performers that were coming to Taste of Joliet plan to come when the event is held in June 2021.

The line-up that featured rock performers Vince Neil and Bret Michael, and country singers Brett Young and Dylan Scott had proven very popular.

"We sold more tickets sooner this year than we did any other year," said park Board President Sue Gulas. "That told Brad (Staab) that people were really looking forward to this line-up."

Gulas said comments she heard from people both before and after the Monday announcement indicated the cancellation was no surprise to the public.

"For the most part, everybody was expecting it, especially as time went on and other things began to be canceled," she said.

People who already bought tickets can use them next year. Those who want refunds should visit the Joliet Park District website page for Taste of Joliet for instructions.

Staab said rescheduling the same acts for next year went pretty smoothly for both the district and the performers.

"They're doing the same thing around the country right now." he said. "We're in the same boat as everyone."

The park district already is dealing with financial losses from canceled programs and activities while its facilities closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The park district will not lose any money by canceling Taste of Joliet now, Staab said. Still, he said, the district will miss the money it usually makes from the event.

"It's another tough one for us," he said. "We banked on this making at least some revenue for us."