By Stephanie Irvine
Hundreds of people turned out in frigid temperatures to welcome the Gemini Giant back to Wilmington at a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony ahead of the city’s Christmas parade and tree lighting ceremony.
The Gemini Giant has found its final destination on South Island Park after a brief trip to the moon — or something like that. The Giant’s saga is long, with many twists and turns and uncertainties along the way.
Last spring, the Gemini Giant and the contents of its previous home, the Launching Pad restaurant, were auctioned. The community banded together, raising awareness and funds in an attempt to secure the Gemini Giant. They joined forces with VFW Post 5422 and, though the funds raised were impressive, they still fell short. Hearts all over collectively broke at the thought of the Giant leaving the city.
Because of the precarious circumstances of the Giant’s auction and amid concerns it could get pulled off the auction block before its sale, the city worked behind the scenes with the Joliet Area Historical Museum to secure a grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and placed the winning bid on the Giant.
Residents and Rt. 66 travelers alike are thrilled by the Giant’s new location, which is still along the iconic Rt. 66, and the Giant’s freshly restored appearance has wowed them just as much.
“I’m glad it’s here,” Regina Dickover of Wilmington said. “It looks amazing! I think the placement is great because it’s not on someone’s property who can change their mind about anything, and it looks wonderful.”
During the past six months, Wilmington Mayor Ben Dietz has shared snippets of the restoration of the Giant and the work the city did to prepare its new home.
“It’s been a long year, and I’m glad we’re at this point, finally,” Dietz said in his remarks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. He shared that there was an “Easter Egg” on the Giant, which is the American Flag, and 5422, which is homage to the people of Wilmington and VFW Post 5422, who worked tirelessly to save the Giant and help with its restoration.
“We knew we needed to have a place that was respective of such an icon, and durinp the last six months, the city has been working aggressively to create such a place,” Dietz noted.
“Right at this moment, around the world, there are people planning to come to Wilmington to see this Giant — isn’t that amazing?! This is preservation in its truest form,” said Rt. 66 Association of Illinois Preservation Chair John Weiss, kicking off the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Weiss’s words rang true, as the formal unveiling drew people from all over, like Steve and Cindy Bradberry, who drove two hours from South Bend, Indiana. Their story with the Gemini Giant and Rt. 66 began in 2016 when they first saw him, and they couldn’t get enough of it.
“We’ve done Rt. 66 four times, and every time I sit down and map out everything. There’s a few things we always do. We always stop and see him, the Blue Whale, and Cadillac Ranch,” Steve explained.
The months-long restoration effort was well received, with the new paint the star of the show.
“I work in a body shop, so I kind of understand what it took to do that. He looks great!” Bradberry added.
The Wardlow Family of Mazon came to see the Giant, with parents Tyson and Kandis bringing their kids, Eli – 11, Kaydynce – 14, and Clydel – 7. Their family is originally from Oklahoma but came to the area to raise their family.
“He looks 100 times better. The new location is perfect. It’s good, it’s right here at the park for Catfish Days and everything, it’s pretty cool,” Tyson Wardlow said, with wife, Kandis, echoing the sentiment.
The kids commented they loved the Giant’s color, with Kaydynce noting in particular that she liked the new metallic color.
“It’s an exciting moment for our town to have its beloved icon back, on Rt. 66, where he belongs. He looks magnificent!” said Ryan Jandura, one of the grassroots organizers of “Save the Gemini Giant” group (now renamed “SaveD the Gemini Giant”).
The effort to save the Giant was widespread, with people from all over helping.
“Neighbor is not a geographical term — it’s a moral concept,” said Greg Peterbolte, the CEO of the Joliet Historical Museum, reassuring everyone that the Joliet Historical Museum, which is a leading Rt. 66 organization, believes Wilmington is the rightful home of the Giant.
“Rt. 66 is the real America. A place where neighbors stand with neighbors, and our hearts and history are worn on our sleeves. We saw that vision in action and are grateful for the opportunity to have stood with our neighbors in Wilmington and served our communities,” Peeterbolte added.
“We are taking what used to just be a photo-op and making it a broader experience for the community,” Dietz noted.
Although the Gemini Giant was repainted within the past few years, the Muffler Man statue received a complete overhaul courtesy of American Giants. The Giant headed to American Giants mid-May to begin his restoration, which took several months to complete.
Lori Buckman, of Bonfield, was present with her family, including her three-year-old grandson, Miles, who resides in Bradley.
“He’s green!” Three-year-old Miles said of his favorite part of the Giant.
“Our kids grew up going to the Launching Pad, and we’ve been following the whole saga of the Giant. We wanted to see him be rededicated today,” Buckman said, sharing a little bit of what the Giant means to their family.
The event drew politicians from all over, including United States First District Rep. Jonathan Jackson, who attended the ribbon-cutting and spoke briefly, noting he’s been a regular visitor of Wilmington for more than 35 years.
Additionally, Sen. Patrick Joyce, Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino Tarrant, and several Wilmington officials were in attendance.
“It wouldn’t have been possible without Rep. DeLuca’s and Sen. Patrick Joyce’s help, because they’re the ones who found the funding from Springfield. I also want to thank Wilmington Mayor Ben Dietz — we couldn’t have done this without him. The Joliet Area Historical Museum played a big part in the transfer of the Giant to the City of Wilmington,” said County Board Member Joe Van Duyne, D-Wilmington, who was in attendance with his wife.
“It seems like the City of Wilmington is proud of what the city did, and they’re super excited to have him back home,” Van Duyne added.
“It’s a fantastic location. It’s exciting for the City of Wilmington and for all the people and tourists who will be coming through Rt. 66. This is exciting — it’s great,” Rep. DeLuca, said when he first arrived to see the Giant. He later spoke during the ribbon-cutting ceremony and echoed a similar sentiment of gratitude and excitement.
The Giant’s homecoming is just the beginning, however. The return of the Gemini Giant has sparked a revitalization of sorts, as Dietz announced the city received another Rt. 66 grant just last week. This grant will help add even more to the park, with interpretative signage and a mural.
Dietz announced that in the spring, the city will realign the park road, which will allow better access to the island and the new kayak and canoe launch that will be installed.
Stephanie Irvine is a freelance reporter.