‘It’s really starting to grow’: Rantoul welcomes back Freedom Fridays

RANTOUL, Ill. (WCIA) — The Fourth of July is over, but the celebration continues in Champaign County. The village of Rantoul welcomed back Freedom Fridays for another year.

The festivities offer people a chance to go check out downtown and support local businesses. One couple said it’s nice to see the downtown filled with sunshine and smiles.

“Coming out to get to know more folks in the community and the like. And plus, just being outdoors it’s a beautiful day for it,” said Jim Just.

Freedom Fridays are back for the fifth year in Rantoul. The weekly community party brings people downtown for a good time every Friday evening in July.

“We’ve been excited and very happy with what’s happened previously in the last four years, and we’re excited about what we have planned this year,” said Village Administrator Scott Eisenhauer.

Eisenhauer said the event is better than ever with a slew of new additions.

“This is really the first year that we’ve done sort of a kids area. And so we’ve got inflatables, different types of games for the kids, different entertainment this year,” Eisenhauer said. “And in fact, the fourth Friday of the month, we’re going to try a DJ — not had one of those here before and see what kind of vibe that brings.”

Some old acts also returned, like live music, food, and drinks. All with a focus on supporting local business downtown.

“There’s a few fabulous restaurants to go to — that’s one of my favorites over there,” said Rene Just.

Rene Just came for date night with her husband Jim, they’re both new to the area. She says events like this help them grow closer with their community.

“Just walking around meeting people that you haven’t met before and just immersing ourselves into the community as much as we can,” Rene Just said.

Jim Just says it’s nice to see the area filled with excitement for the festival.

“It’s really starting to grow, starting to really come into its own here in the last couple of years. After, you know, several tough years,” Jim Just said.

Creating a thriving and musical scene downtown, one Friday at a time.

“That’s the beautiful part, being able to watch the city grow and to start having wonderful events like this,” says Jim Just.

Eisenhauer says the event kicks off a busy schedule moving forward for the city and downtown area. They’re getting ready to begin a five-million-dollar renovation beginning with underground work next month.

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