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Arts & Entertainment

Bolingbrook Jubilee Brings Block Party Atmosphere to Village Celebration

Bolingbrook's Jubilee enters its 25th Anniversary as fun as ever.

The annual Bolingbrook Jubilee is a trip down memory lane for Mayor Roger C. Claar—a chance to travel back to his childhood when his most anticipated event of the summer was the block party.

Now, in its 25th year of operation, the Jubilee offered residents a block party on a grander stage Aug. 20-22.

"I'm really big on block parties. I grew up in an era where we looked forward to events like this," Claar said. "It's something we put together because it was something we could all do this summer."

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Fun For All Ages

The Jubilee featured fun for all ages. Upon entering, visitors were greeted with the infectious giggling of children enjoying a summer festival, the raucous joy of carnival rides and the alluring scents of  local eateries.

Faces in the crowd ranged from Bolingbrook-lifers such as Claar to first timers like Christopher Johnson of Naperville Bags.

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Johnson was the ringleader of this year's tournament of cornhole. For the unfamiliar, it's a popular game with widespread appeal in which you toss bean bags toward a wooden box in hopes of landing the bag in a hole. This year's bags tournament featured more than 50 teams and handed out nearly $1,000 in prize money.

Among those participating in the tournament were Bolingbrook-native Jake Steffens, who even solicited the help of a coach, Geno Randazzo, proprietor of mycorncoach.com.

Steffens said Randazzo tweaked his throwing motion in the fall of 2009, which has helped his game ever since. The renowned bag-tosser said it only took minutes to get Steffens on the right path. He's helped many others with their throwing technique, a sign of the increasing popularity and competitiveness in the game.

"This game is incredible. Two years ago, it wasn't much but now everyone's tough," Randazzo said.

Thanks to a solid turnout, Johnson said the tournament provided a turnaround compared to last year's.

"This is all about bringing people together and having a good time," he said.

The Best Car Show Around

While the bags tournament climbed the rungs of popularity this year, down the walkway stood a staple of Jubilee – the car show, which featured all sorts of models from fresh-off-the-lot Mustangs to classic Corvettes.

Eric Dybas, the car show's emcee, said the Jubilee boasts possibly the best auto show among suburban festivals.

"The Jubilee is a great event and our car show is probably the best in the suburbs as far as festivals go. And we couldn't do it without them," Dybas said.

And The Encore: The Music

But it wouldn't be a true block party without a musical act. Rock Of Ages, Cover Gurl and Infinity rocked the main stage as they serenaded fans lined up along the stage all the way back to those laid back on the hill in the distance.

Twelve years and counting, the stage has been the epicenter of the music scene at the Jubilee. Though not always grand, prior to its current construction, Bolingbrook Jubilee once rented equipment and built stages.

"They know the quality of this and we want to keep it going," said facilities coordinator Dale McClannahan. "On a nice summer night, there's no place better to be."

Mayor Claar echoed the sentiments.

"We just encourage people to get out of the house and enjoy the fresh air," he said.

Not to mention, the block party atmosphere.

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