Joliet's Inaugural Poet Laureate, Uxmar Torres, will be hosting the third annual National Poetry Month Open Mic. This open mic is free to attend and has hosted poets and musicians playing acoustic music in the park's indoor theatre since 2024. This year's featured guest will be none other than Chicago's Poet Laureate Mayda Del Valle. Any writers who are Joliet locals and natives (or near the area) are encouraged to take part.