Abraham Lincoln historic site
Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site
15888 History Ln., Petersburg
217-632-4000
Finalists: Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Lincoln’s Tomb, Abraham Lincoln Long Nine Museum, Edwards Place Historic Home
Art studio/gallery
The Pharmacy Gallery & Art Space
623 East Adams St.
801-810-9278
Finalists: SAA Collective, Whimsy Tea Company, Studio on 6th, Wild Rose Artisans Gallery & Boutique
Charity event
Fat Ass 5K & Street Party for Charity
fatass5k.com
Finalists: Springfield St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Boo Crew Haunted House, Chatham Jaycees Sweet Corn Festival, A Night of Stars Prom, Rock & Run for Mental Health
Director of local theater
Gus Gordon (1776)
420 S. Sixth St.
217-523-2787
Finalists: Reggie Guyton, Morgan Kaplan and Andrew Maynerich, Scott Richardson, Hayden Thongsithavong (ACTT)
Drive-time radio show name and station
All Things Considered, NPR 91.9 WUIS
One University Plaza
217-206-9847
Finalists: Sam Madonia 6-9 Morning Show, AM Springfield, 97.7FM/970AM WMAY, Jim Leach, 99.7 CVS Classic Hits, Rocki & Lacey, The Morning Routine WNNS, Josh Roberts, The Ride Home & 104.5 WFMB
Festival
Old Capitol Art Fair
springfieldoldcapitolartfair.org
Finalists: Springfield PrideFest, Chatham Jaycees Sweetcorn Festival, Springfield St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Lincoln Memorial Garden’s Fall Festival
Free entertainment
Levitt Amp Music Series
springfieldartsco.org/levittampspringfield
Finalists: Old Capitol Farmers Market, Fae Folk Art Festival, Penny Lane Jerry Garcia Tribute, Annual Artisan Market
Fun activity for grown-ups
Old Capitol Farmers Market
Downtown Springfield
downtownspringfield.org/old-capitol-farmers-market
Finalists: Springfield St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Brunch at Vondra Social House, Vine & Rind, Annual Artisan Market
Holiday Event
Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at the Carillon, The Springfield Park District/Rees Carillon Society
carillon-rees.org/event/jack-o-lantern-spectacular/
217-306-1838
Finalists: Dana-Thomas House Holiday Tours, Old Capitol Holiday Walks, Springfield St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Christmas in Chatham
Local comedian group
Capitol City Improv
420 S. Sixth St.
217-523-2787
Finalists: The Portuguese Rodeo Clown Company, Rolling Laughs, Southern Fryed Radio
Local individual comedian
Chili Bowl Mullet Man
facebook.com/ChiliBowlMulletMan
Finalists: Jeremy Nunes, Tim Laffey, Cassandra Simpson, Kathy Brennan
Local living author
Shatriya Smith
garveytubman.com
Finalists: Courtney Wick, Jeremy Nunes, Ian Winterbauer, Marla Harms Judge, David M. Briggs
Local podcast
Community Voices, NPR Illinois 91.9 WUIS
One University Plaza
217-206-9847
Finalists: Ope A Ghost, Ray Lytle’s Morning Disaster, Elevate Springfield, Robert Ferriell, Derailed Podcast, The Mosaic Project SPI
Local sports team
Springfield Lucky Horseshoes
1415 N Grand Ave.
217-679-3511
Finalists: Glenwood Titans, Rochester Rockets Football, SHS Springfield Solons/Senators, Sacred Heart-Griffin Cyclones
Museum
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
212 N. Sixth St.
217-558-8844
Finalists: Kidzeum of Health and Science, Illinois State Museum, Springfield and Central Illinois African American History Museum, Illinois State Military Museum
Place to buy local art
Old Capitol Art Fair
Downtown Springfield
springfieldoldcapitolartfair.org
Finalists: Wild Rose Artisans Gallery & Boutique, Studio on 6th, Fae Folk Art Festival, Annual Artisan Market
Place to go downtownÂ
Hoogland Center for the Arts
420 S. Sixth St.
217-523-2787
Finalists: Obed & Isaac’s Microbrewery Beer Garden, Dumb Records, Anvil & Forge Brewing and Distilling Company, The Cats’ Pyjamas Cat Cafe, Whimsy Tea Company
Place to see a play or musical indoor
Hoogland Center For The Arts
420 S. Sixth St.
217-523-2787
Finalists: UIS Performing Arts Center, The Legacy Theatre, Theater in the Park – New Salem, Indoor Auditorium, Lanphier Auditorium
Place to see a play or musical outdoor
The Muni
815 E Lake Shore Dr
217-793-6864
Finalists: Sherman Village Park Amphitheater The Amp, Kelso-Hollow Amphitheater at Lincoln’s New Salem (TIP), Union Square Park
Place To Take A Selfie
Illinois State Fair
801 E. Sangamon Ave.
217-782-6661
Finalists: Downtown Springfield, Dumb Records Elephant, My Heart’s Downtown Heart, The Spot 90’s Bar & Grill
Play or musical
Come From Away, The Legacy
101 E. Lawrence Ave.
217-528-9760
Finalists: Mamma Mia, The Muni; Beetlejuice Jr., STC; Phantom of the Opera, HCFTA; Frozen, The Muni; Alice by Heart, ACTT
Portrayal of a female lead in a theatrical production
Olivia Garren (Lydia, Beetlejuice Jr – Hoogland)
Finalists: Zoe Chase (Grace, The Hello Girls – STC), Evelyn Barnard (Christine Daae, Phantom of the Opera – Hoogland), Elena Dean (Anne, SIX: Teen Ed – Main Stage Bound), Kierie Pickett (Alice – ACTT’s Alice by Heart)
Portrayal of a male lead in a theatrical production
Jackson Thornton (Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice Jr., STC)
Finalists: Devin Michael Leming (Seymour, Little Shop of Horrors – Hoogland), Layne Kretzinger (Phantom, Phantom of the Opera – Hoogland), Payne Osborn (Alfred – ACTT’s Alice by Heart), Everest Kording (Ponyboy – ACTT’s The Outsiders)
Public art/mural (intersections)
Art Alley
Downtown Springfield
downtownspringfield.org/artification
Finalists: Penny Lane, Lincoln on The Alamo, Pharmacy Art Gallery Route 66 Mural by Lyndsay & Spencer Stokes, My Heart’s Downtown Heart
Radio personality or team & station
Dina and DJ Blake, 101.9 The Wolf WFLZ
3501 E. Sangamon Ave.
217-753-5400
Finalists: Jeff Williams, Community Voices, NPR Illinois, 91.9 WUIS; Jim Leach, 99.7 CVS Classic Hits; Rocki & Lacey, The Morning Routine, WNNS; Josh Roberts, 104.5 WFMB
Tourist spot in Springfield not related to Abraham Lincoln
Dana-Thomas House
302 E. Lawrence Ave.
217-788-9452
Finalists: Lincoln Memorial Garden and Nature Center, Route 66 Motor Heads Bar & Grill, Museum & Entertainment Complex, Illinois Route 66 Experience at Illinois State Fairground, Lake Springfield
Visual artist
Felicia Olin
feliciaolin.com
Finalists: Lyndsay Stokes, Jeff C. Williams, Thom Whalen, Donald Landry
This article appears in October 29-November 4, 2026.
