Summer Arrives in Streator, Just Like the Song Promised

“In the good old summertime…” even if it’s not exactly how they imagined it"

By the time June rolls in and the scent of cut grass mixes with the distant hum of ATVs doing donuts near the viaduct, Streator knows: summer has arrived.

Back in 1902, when George "Honeyboy" Evans and Ren Shields penned the now-famous tune “In the Good Old Summertime,” they probably weren’t picturing someone walking barefoot into Circle K for an icee. But the spirit remains. A slower pace, long days, and that nostalgic blend of hope and humidity. The front porches are active again. The BBQ smoke is back. And if you squint hard enough, even Northpoint Plaza can look like a picnic spot—especially if you’re eating a fresh order of tacos in the Runnings parking lot.

“You hold her hand and she holds yours, and that's a very good sign…”

The old song's lyrics talked about shady lanes and lovers’ strolls. These days, it might be a walk around Marilla Park with a Casey’s pizza slice in one hand and a vape in the other—but again, it’s the spirit that counts. Summer in Streator is about reclaiming the sidewalks, returning to the park, and finally remembering why we put up with Illinois winters in the first place.

City Park is gearing up for Liberty Fest. Jammin’ at the Clock is tuning up. Kids are darting through sprinklers—or, if the splash pad parts actually arrive—finally jumping through jets of reclaimed municipal water. The Weber House Garden is blooming, and so are the alleyway weeds behind Monroe Tap. It’s all part of the same system.

In true Streator Standard style, we’re not here to pretend everything is perfect. The mosquitos will be back with a vengeance. The railroad crossings are still teeth-rattlers. And someone’s going to launch fireworks from the middle of Bridge Street before the month is over. But none of that ruins the season—it defines it.

This is the time when optimism becomes action. Porch lights flicker back on. Projects long procrastinated suddenly seem possible. The smell of fresh mulch and overambitious garage sales drift through the neighborhoods. Even the cynics crack a smile (though they’ll still complain about whatever band is playing at the Fest).

So cue up that old tune. Maybe not on vinyl, maybe just as a meme or an Instagram reel. But let it serve as a reminder: the good old summertime isn’t a relic—it’s right now. Streator-style.

“You’ll never know how much you love her till you take her for a walk in the good old summertime.”

Now go take that walk. Just maybe leave the ATV at home.