Wilmington, IL

Wilmington is nicknamed "The Island City" after a large island in the Kankakee River.

It is the home of the Launching Pad Drive In with the Gemini Giant, a 20 foot tall statue of a spaceman holding a rocket. The Launching pad was closed for years, but it has reopeed with some great new owners. The food is great. 

The Rustic Saloon Downtown is a good biker spot that often has live music. The Rustic has Rex the Freeze Dried Dog. Rex died over 20 years ago. The owner would hide Rex in the restaurant's freezer, but would take him out when a health inspector showed up. Once the inspector left, back into the freezer Rex would go. This went on for years until Rex essentially was freeze dried and stopped oozing when thawed out. Rex now lives on the piano in the bar.

Wilmington hosts a Catfish Days Festival each July and a Winter Wonderland Parade each November.

Wilmington participates in the Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor events each May.