Illinois Product Farmers Fall Market
Sat., Oct. 10, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Features Illinois meats, produce, baked goods and wine. Includes children’s events and live music. illinoisproductsfarmersmarket.com. State Fairgrounds, The Shed, 801 Sangamon Ave., 217-524-9129.
Old Capitol Farmers Market
Wednesdays and Saturdays. Continues through Oct. 31. Springfield’s longest-running and most popular Farmers Market in downtown Springfield. Largest producer-only market in Illinois outside of Chicago. Old Capitol Farmers Market, Fourth and Adams streets, market@downtownspringfield.org.
Prairie Hikes
Last Wednesday of every month, 9-10:30 a.m. Continues through Oct. 28. Jamie Arntzen, Illinois Audubon Society director of land stewardship, will share her expertise about the plants and species communities during guided monthly walks along the trails of the AWS prairie as it transitions throughout the seasons. See something new every month in this evolving, dynamic landscape. Free. Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, 2315 E. Clear Lake Ave., 217-899-6150.
Edwards Place Historic Home Guided Tours
Tuesdays-Saturdays, 1-2 & 2-3 p.m. Take this guided tour through the restored first and second floors. The home, interpreted to 1857, is furnished with examples of Victorian furniture including many pieces that belonged to the Edwards family. Visitors will also see the authentic “Lincoln Courting Couch” from the parlor of the Ninian Edwards home, where Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd were married and a piano that was likely played at their wedding. $12 adults/ $10 SAA members, military and seniors; children younger than 10 free. Edwards Place, Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 217-523-2631.
Elijah Iles House Tours
Saturdays, 12-4 p.m. Continues through Nov. 14. Tour the oldest house in Springfield. Groups wishing to tour Springfield’s oldest home at other times can call for an appointment. The house was built in 1837 by Iles, one of the city’s earliest settlers. Elijah Iles House, 628 S. Seventh St., 217-494-0640.
Springfield Civic Garden Club meeting
Mon., Oct. 5, 9am. Meeting and program. Members and guests will participate in the second annual “Fabulous Floral Fun Fest” presented by co-presidents Janet Keistler and Maria Robinson. The morning will feature a light brunch, floral designing and a game. At the end of the event, the floral arrangements will be delivered to local assisted living facilities. Guests welcome. Westminster Presybterian Church, 533, S. Walnut St., 217-899-3283.
Fall Harvest Festival
Sat., Oct. 10, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sun., Oct. 11, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The garden’s highly popular Fall Harvest Festival returns to Cawley Meadow. Event features children’s activities, live music, artisan demonstrations, exhibits, food and more. lincolnmemorialgarden.org. Lincolnmemorialgarden.org. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr., 217-529-1111.
Central Illinois Mobile Home Residents Alliance
Mon., Oct. 19, 6-7:30 p.m. and Mon., Nov. 30, 6-7:30 p.m. Monthly meeting. Mobile home park residents can attend to get informed about relevant issues. Meeting will include information on actions the alliance has taken and what is next such as a tenant union. Contact:2girlsandme@msn.com. Lincoln Library, Carnegie Room, 326 S. Seventh St.
Prairie State Orchid Society Plant Sale and Talk
Sat., Nov. 7, 1-4 p.m. There will be an intermission from the sale between 2 and 3pm, during which guest speaker Dr. Lawrence Zettler will give a presentation on orchids. Zettler is the Hitchcock professor of biology at Illinois College in Jacksonville and is active in orchid conservation throughout the world. Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W. Fayette Ave., 217-546-4116.
Garden Spa
Sat., Nov. 14, 10-11:30 a.m. Children ages 7–10 can participate in a fun, hands-on class where they’ll make their own spa products using all-natural ingredients. Participants will create bath bombs, lip balms, sugar scrubs and a face mask to take home and enjoy. Visit bit.ly/SPD_Garden_Spa. Activity #361132. Residents $25, non-residents $30. Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W. Fayette Ave., 217-546-4116.
Dispose of hazardous waste properly
The city of Springfield’s Public Works Department, in collaboration with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, will host a voucher-only residential Household Hazardous Waste Collection event on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Chamberlain Park, 319 McCreery Ave.
Because the event is being held in partnership with the IEPA, it is open to all Illinois residents. Residents must obtain a voucher from the city of Springfield’s Public Works Department prior to participating. Vouchers will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis.
Residents must have their voucher available either in print or on a mobile device when arriving at the collection site. Participants must be Illinois residents, and the program is limited to residential households. Businesses and organizations are not eligible to participate.
Residents are encouraged to reserve their spot as soon as possible, as vouchers are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Vouchers can be reserved through the Public Works website at springfield.il.us/Departments/PublicWorks.
On the day of the event, residents should arrive only during their predetermined collection time.
Participants should enter from Adams Street and follow posted signs and directions from traffic wardens to the parking lot. Vehicles will exit onto McCreery Avenue. Residents will not be permitted to drop off materials without a valid voucher.
This article appears in September 24-30, 2026.
