Wilmington’s Gemini Giant to return in time for Christmas celebrations

The Gemini Giant, as seen in 2017 in front of the now-closed Launching Pad Drive-In on Illinois Route 53 in Wilmington, will be resurrected at a new roadside attraction at the entrance to South Island Park, about a half mile west of its original location. The Gemini Giant Homecoming event is set for Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m., with the official ribbon cutting at 2 p.m.

After more than 60 years of looking over historic Route 66 in Wilmington, the iconic Gemini Giant will return to duty in time for the city’s Christmas celebrations.

The Gemini Giant homecoming will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, with the official ribbon-cutting at 2 p.m. at South Island Park, 201 Bridge St. in Wilmington, where the towering 28-foot-tall statue will be resurrected at a new roadside attraction.

The Route 66 Band, Route 66 Mobile Diner and Route 66 Memorabilia will be on-site, with the nearby downtown Christmas festivities also kicking off at 2 p.m.

The Gemini Giant had stood watch over the Launching Pad Drive-In since 1965 until the business closed and the most recent owner put the Gemini Man and its trademark rights up for auction in March.

The owner of The Launching Pad, a closed restaurant, is auctioning off the Gemini Giant in an online auction.

The Joliet Area Historical Museum placed the winning bid of $275,000 – made possible through a grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity – after residents, officials and the local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5422 sprung into action to find a way to save the town’s iconic green statue.

The giant then was donated by the Joliet Area Historical Society back to the city of Wilmington, and, guided by the technical expertise of the American Giants Museum out of Atlanta, Illinois, was carefully taken down and transported off-site for storage and restoration.

Now, starting Saturday, he will greet travelers for years to come from South Island Park, which sits directly along Route 66 about a half-mile from the original location, adjacent to the city’s downtown and along the Kankakee River National Water Trail.

“Over the last six months, the city has been working on preparing a site worthy of one of Route 66′s most iconic and photographed stops,” Wilmington Mayor Ben Dietz wrote in a news release. “I cannot wait for the Gemini Giant to see what Wilmington has created for him.”

The VFW Post 5422 JR Miller, left to right, Jerry Mass, Wally Wink and his wife Marian, and Scott Durano (not pictured) has teamed up with Ryan Jandura to try and save the Launching Pad restaurant’s Gemini Giant in Wilmington.

Dietz said he’s excited for the community and visitors alike to experience the Gemini Giant in its new location, which features a new parking lot, a walking trail around the display, a Route 66 monument, a digital welcome sign and native landscaping.

Plans are in place to continue to enhance the area next year with new entrances to the island parks, additional amenities and a kayak launch, Dietz said.

The Gemini Giant’s homecoming also marks an important milestone for Route 66, the mayor said.

Entering into the Route’s 99th year, the homecoming will be the first centennial-certified Route 66 event.

“Having the backing and full support of the federal Route 66 Centennial Commission is truly an honor, and I know the Gemini Giant is up to the task of leaving a lasting impression on all those that get to see him,” Dietz said. “I am beyond excited for Wilmington to once again have the Gemini Giant on display for everyone to enjoy.”

Ryan Jandura and the VFW Post 5422 have teamed up to try and save the Launching Pard restaurant’s Gemini Giant in Wilmington.

Christmas celebrations

Only a quarter-mile east of the Gemini Giant’s new home, downtown Wilmington will be bustling with holiday cheer as the Wilmington Park District’s Christkindl Market runs from 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday.

The market, hosted in the downtown parking lot along North Water Street, features more than 30 vendors as well as food trucks and treats, with businesses staying open late for shopping. A Kids Corner will be open from 3 to 6 p.m. next to The Scoop on Jackson Street.

At 5 p.m., the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade will step off with the theme “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”

The parade will be followed by the downtown tree lighting at 5:45 p.m., and Santa Claus and the Grinch will be available for photos at 6 p.m. at Claire’s Corner at North Water Street and Route 53.

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