BryonySeries at Bicentennial Park on July 3, 2024: A Recap

June was tightly packed with health emergencies, work, and family festivities.

July was more of the same, with even more health emergencies and nearly entire month of feeling unwell for one reason or another...interspersed with moments of triumph and joy.

One of those moments was the Independence Celebration at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre.

At last year's event, we very spontaneously set up our booth as a miniature carnival. We had free Bozo buckets with free prizes, and a carnival wheel to spin where every spin was winner! 

For we had numbered each children's book, and the spinner received a free book that matched the winning number. We gave away thirty books and people walked away smiling. So much for people don't get excited about books!

We also gave away BryonySeries Tie hand-dyed tie dye shirts with the purchase of $15 or more in books.

Because last year went so well, we added two more games, Cindy's Ribbit-Ribbits, and came prepared to give away fifty books. 

New Lenox Dental also sponsored a giveaway of twenty "Cheetah Stories" by various WriteOn Joliet contributors.

Well, we gave away sixty-five books - and could have given more away more if we'd remembered to bring out tent lights (oops!).

We also gave away two tie dyed shirts to two teens that were determined to win them after Timothy challenged them.

We also sold two WriteOn Joliet anthologies...and we cannot wait until next year.

Sales were less this year, but inflation was much higher. And we came in to the event determined to foster a spirit of celebration and fun at our booth, and I think we succeeded.

We had a steady stream of people at our four games (Bozo buckets, ring toss, spinning wheel, and fishing), so we may set up two rows next year. Thankfully, the lines were long - but people did have to wait to play.

I also feel we could easily giveaway hundred children's book, and we are considering expanded that to adult books, too.

Here are five photos that showcase the fun

May today bring you plenty of reasons to smile.

Happy Tuesday!

July 3, 1998 Versus July 3, 2024

On July 3, 1998, I was a a single mother of six children, ages two through fifteen.

My neighbor, a single mom of two little girls, wanted to walk from our houses in Marycrest subdivision down Jefferson Street to meet one of her friends, and then over to the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre, approximately two and a half miles.

It was one of the first, if not THE first, Independence Day celebrations at the park. But all I remember was feeling exhausted through and through.

I was getting up seven days a week at two o'clock in the morning to deliver newspapers. Six months into the job, my body and and my life still hadn't adjusted to those hours. I was tired; I was poor, and I remember sitting at the top of the hill at Bicentennial Park with the kids, unable to buy them anything to eat or drink and feeling utterly defeated.

We still had to walk back after the fireworks. And I, who'd been on my feet since two a.m., still had to get back up at two a.m.

I wish future me could have shown up and reassured me these dark days were temporary, that the efforts would translate into a brighter future for the kids, actual life for me, and how the family, some extended family, and local artists would come together to create a literary world called the BryonySeries.

I wish future me could know that standing on Cass Street Bridge and watching the fireworks each year would become a cherished family tradition for us.

Last year, our family asked if we could vend at the event. The park said yes and we turned our tent into a miniature carnival-type experience.

This year, BryonySeries is a sponsor of Bicentennial Park's Independence Day celebration. 

And we are back with an expanded tent, more games, more giveaways, gifts with purchases, and books, Ribbit-Ribbits, and other items for purchase.

The writing critique group I helped found and co-lead - WriteOn Joliet - is developing  really nice relationship with Bicentennial Park. Several WriteOn members will also be present tomorrow night with their own table/booth/tent, ready to share their writing wares with a reading world.

And we will be giving away twenty copies of "Cheetah Stories" to the first twenty people at our booth, compliments of New Lenox Dental.

Most of all, we will be celebrating freedom.

Won't you please come join us?

BryonySeries at Bicentennial Park's Independence Celebration on July 3

Come celebrate Independence Day with us!

BryonySeries returns to the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre on July 3 as part of the park's celebration.

The Independence Day celebration will be from 6 to 10 p.m. July 3 at 201 W. Jefferson St. in Joliet.

Here are six ways you can have fun at our tent.

1. Spin for a free children's book (while supplies last).

2. Play two games with free prizes (while prizes last).

3. Take home a free hand-dyed and stenciled BryonySeries shirt with select book purchases OR buy a shirt at full price.

4. Get a summer-themed Ribbit-Ribbit at half price with the purchase of any book OR buy a Ribbit-Ribbit at full price, while supplies last. (Pictures below are only examples. The exact Ribbit Ribbits shown here may not be available on July 3).

5. Inspire a loved one (or yourself) with a BryonySeries Mystery Quotes for $1 (perfect for gift giving).

6. Plus, the first twenty people to stop at our booth will receive a FREE copy of WriteOn Joliet's "Cheetah Stories," courtesy of New Lenox Dental Group.

The Bicentennial Park's Independence Celebration will also include ,live entertainment, food trucks, and fireworks over the water.

For more information, visit bryonyseries.com, writeonjoliet.com, bicentennialpark.org, newlenoxdental.com.