Photo Recap: BryonySeries at Bicentennial Park's Independence Celebration on July 3, 2026

For the fourth year in a row, the BryonySeries B.L.O.C.K.S. team organized and ran free children's games with free prizes at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre's annual Independence Celebration on July 3.

During these past four years, the team has seen the event grow from a one-tent idea with a spinning wheel for a BryonySeries book giveaway and Bozo buckets to several tents with eight games and free prizes, branded merchandise, and a coloring and sticker station.

As I previously said, our part of the celebration was really wonderful way to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country.

Because two very important things happened on July 3.

Entire families played games together.

And we saw a level of excitement for books and reading than we've never experienced at any event we've hosted in the fifteen years we've hosted events.

Meaning, we gave away 273 books – and could’ve given away the full 300 (the goal) if lightning didn’t cut the event short. Families were still approaching the tent as we were breaking down.

Please enjoy scrolling through the photos Timothy took during the setup.

Unfortunately, we were too busy once the event kicked off to take any more photos. We had just five volunteers -including one recently retired park employee who worked the event with us this year and did all the tent decorating.

In fact, one woman colored a picture just for her.

We are very thankful for the opportunity to bless the community in this way.

Happy 250th, United States of America!

So because the 250tyh birthday of the United States landed on a Saturday, I'd asked Ed Calkins, Stewarf of Tara to write a special blog for today.

That's because Saturdays in the BryonySeries world are dedicated to Ed and all things Irish.

However, the storms knocked out Ed's power anbd he couldn't send the blog.

That left me with the very rare occasion of having no blog ready to publish - and readers having to wait for Ed's words for another week at least.

For once, I'm short on words, since I'm still tired (physically and mentally) from hustling in the heat yesterday, despite frequent breaks into air-conditioned cars and building and staying very hydrated (the BryonySeries B.L.O.C.K.S. team ran all the games at the Joliet Eve of Independence: America 250 Fireworks and Celebration at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre in Joliet.

So although I won't post a full recap on last night's very successful event (I know everyone says their events are successful. But this one really was), I will say this.

Last night was amazing, a really wonderful way to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country.

Because two very important things happened last night.

Entire families played games together.

And we saw a level of excitement for books and reading than we've never experienced at any event we've hosted in the fifteen years we've hosted events.

I don't have all the numbers yet.

But I believe you (and I) will be very, very surprised.

And those two very important things are, I believe, a very good way to celebrate American independence.

Happy 250th, United States of America!

PHOTOS: Final Food Truck Friday

Members of the BryonySeries B.L.O.C.K.S. team will be provided a changing array of kids games every Friday in June at the Carter Realty Group's Food Truck Fridays in Joliet.

The first event took place June 5, where we engaged kids with good old-fashioned backyard games under the tent (Carter Realty Group provided some of the games) and across the grassy field. 

We also provided a coloring station (with stickers) for winding down.

June 12 was a "special" night. We will set up "tentless" closer to 4 p.m. and then left 6-ish since I had a previous "Grandma" committment for that night.

But we had plenty of giant bubble fun and Timothy engaged the kids with simple ball games in the field.

Rebekah and I missed Food Truck Fridays on June 19 due to my diverticulitis. We only had Timothy, Daniel, and Cindy working the event, and they entertained an average of twenty kids at one time! So no one thought of taking pictures.

Here are the photos the final event on June 26.

Finally, here are ten reasons to pop by our tent Friday at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park in Joliet, especially if you have kids of any age.

BryonySeries at Bicentennial Park's Independence Celebration on July 3, 2026

Come celebrate Independence Day with us!

BryonySeries powered by B.L.O.C.K.S. returns to the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre on July 3 as part of the park's celebration.

Joliet Eve of Independence: America 250 Fireworks and Celebration will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. July 3 at 201 W. Jefferson St. in Joliet.

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

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

2. Play five other carnival-style games with free prizes (while prizes last).

3. Take home a free hand-dyed and stenciled BryonySeries shirt (must be present to find out how) OR buy one.

4. Take home a free BryonySeries baseball cap (must be present to find out how) OR buy one.

5. Take home a free BryonySeries beverage container (must be present to find out how) OR buy one.

6. Teens and adults: Take this book home for free! (one book per family) while supplies last!

7. Teens and adults: Take this book home for free! (one book per family) while supplies last! 

8. Adopt a patriotic Bertrand the Mouse friend (while friends last).

9. Get your photo taken with Bertrand the Mouse.

10. Wind down with our coloring and sticker station.

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, and joliet.gov.

More Food Truck Friday Fun: Bring the Kids!

Members of the BryonySeries B.L.O.C.K.S. team will be providing a changing array of kids games every Friday in June at the Carter Realty Group's Food Truck Fridays.

The last two Food Truck Fridays will take place 4 to 8 p.m. June 19, and June 26 in the Carter Realty Group parking lot, located at 1214 Essington Road in Joliet.

The first event took place June 5, where we engaged kids with good old-fashioned backyard games under the tent (Carter Realty Group provided some of the games) and across the grassy field. 

We also provided a coloring station (with stickers) for winding down.

June 12 was a "special" night. We will set up "tentless" closer to 4 p.m. and then left 6-ish since I had a previous "Grandma" committment for that night.

But we had plenty of giant bubble fun and Timothy engaged the kids with simple ball games in the field.

We also left bottles of bubbles at the Carter Realty Group tables for kids to enjoy and added a special guessing game to keep the kids enaged.

On June 19 and June 26, we will set up games sometime between 5:30 and 6 p.m. and stay until close.

Kids can also get their picture taken on their parents' or guardians' cell phones with Bertrand the Mouse.

Finally, we'll also be selling all titles of the BryonySeries that night, either for people to take home and read or for B.L.O.C.K.S.' two large events this year: hosting children's games at the July 3 Independence Day celebration at Bicentennial Park in Joliet or the WriteOn Joliet tent in downtown Joliet for Kidz Fest on Aug. 1.

Food Truck Fridays features a food trucks, music, and other local venders.

If you're hungry, like music and shopping, and/or have kids who need some entertaining, stop out.

Kids Fun at Food Truck Fridays in June

Members of the BryonySeries B.L.O.C.K.S. team will be providing a changing array of kids games every Friday in June at the Carter Realty Group's Food Truck Fridays.

Food Truck Fridays will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. June 12, June 19, and June 26 in the Carter Realty Group parking lot, located at 1214 Essington Road in Joliet.

The first event took place June 5, where we engaged kids with good old-fashioned backyard games under the tent (Carter Realty Group provided some of the games) and across the grassy field. 

We also provided a coloring station (with stickers) for winding down.

June 12 is a "special" night. We will set up "tentless" closer to 4 p.m. and then leave 6-ish since I have a previous "Grandma" committment for that night.

But we have two special kids activities planned and will leave a few more activities behind to keep the kids occupied and having fun.

But  June 19 and June 26, we work until 5 p.m. So we will set up games sometime between 5:30 and 6 p.m. and stay until close.

Kids can also get their picture taken on their parents' or guardians' cell phones with Bertrand the Mouse.

Finally, we'll also be selling all titles of the BryonySeries that night, either for people to take home and read or for B.L.O.C.K.S.' two large events this year: hosting children's games at the July 3 Independence Day celebration at Bicentennial Park in Joliet or the WriteOn Joliet tent in downtown Joliet for Kidz Fest on Aug. 1.

Food Truck Fridays features a food trucks, music, and other local venders.

If you're hungry, like music and shopping, and/or have kids who need some entertaining, stop out.

And before you praise us for any of our efforts, please know we left richer than when we arrived since one young artist named Chase provided us with original art he created under our tent.

B.L.O.C.K.S. Kids Games at Food Truck Fridays in June

Join members of the B.L.O.C.K.S. team every Friday in June at the Carter Realty Group's Food Truck Fridays, where we were asked to provide children's games for two hours of the four-hour event.

Food Truck Fridays will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. June 5, June 12, June 19, and June 26 in the Carter Realty Group parking lot, located at 1214 Essington Road in Joliet.

We work until 5 p.m. so we will set up games sometime between 5:30 and 6 p.m. and stay until close.

The only exception is June 12, where we will set up closer to 4 p.m. and then leave 6-ish since I have a previous "Grandma" committment for that night.

We will engage kids with good old-fashioned backyard games, a coloring station for winding down, and maybe a few surprises we haven't devised yet.

Kids can also get their picture taken on their parents' or guardians' cell phones with Bertrand the Mouse (who will not be hanging around any food, despite the photo below).

We will also be selling all titles of the BryonySeries that night, either for people to take home and read or for B.L.O.C.K.S.' two large events this year: hosting children's games at the July 3 Independence Day celebration at Bicentennial Park in Joliet or the WriteOn Joliet tent in downtown Joliet for Kidz Fest on Aug. 1.

Food Truck Fridays will also feature a food trucks, music, and other local venders.

If you're hungry, like music and shopping, and/or have kids who need some entertaining, stop out.