IT Picks

Starting Saturday, history will come alive downtown at the Old State Capitol for spring break with a variety of family-friendly activities and presentations. On Saturday, participants can learn about toy making and crafts in the 19th century, hear the Gettysburg Address, enjoy live music by duo Peaches & Bacon and more. Different activities will be […]

St. Patrick’s Day Parade | Sat., March 14, noon | Downtown Springfield | stpatsdayparade.com HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS | Conns to lead 42nd annual parade  This weekend, thousands of green-clad revelers are expected to turn out for this popular event to celebrate everything Irish. Court and Karen Conn are the grand marshals. This year’s theme is “A […]

The old Pillsbury Mills plant is being razed on the north end. Meanwhile, artifacts from the plant have gone on display in a new exhibit at the ALPLM. Moving Pillsbury Forward, in conjunction with the ALPLM, developed this exhibit focused on the early years of the plant. “The exhibit represents an era in local manufacturing […]

This Monday, Jillian Garcia and Ace O’Malley will join 12 other students from around Illinois at the state Poetry Out Loud Contest. Garcia, from Decatur Eisenhower High School, and O’Malley, from Springfield Southeast High School, finished first and second, respectively, at the Feb. 12 regional. The state champion will get a trip to the nation’s […]

Springfield, are you ready to feel the monster truck thunder? With such names as USA-1, Veteran, Double Trouble, Skykotic and Lone Wolf, these monsters are set to rock the BOS Center for two shows on Saturday. “These 10,000-pound, car-crushing giants race, do wheelies and more,” according to the BOS Center. And get this, attendees can […]

Abraham Lincoln Long Nine Museum Open HouseFri., Feb. 13, 1-5 p.m.200 S. Main St., Athens Celebrate Abraham Lincoln’s 217th birthday and his enduring legacy by attending this open house at the Abraham Lincoln Long Nine Museum. The museum is located inside the historic Col. Matthew Rogers Building. It’s where Lincoln and his fellow “Long Nine” […]

Event celebrates Lincoln’s love of reading Celebrate Abraham Lincoln’s love of reading and lifelong learning with the Lincolns4Lincoln Literacy Jam, benefiting Compass for Kids’ afterschool program. This special kids’ event in the museum plaza features celebrity story readers, musical entertainment, a magician, local sports mascots and interactive children’s activities. Tater Tots Rock gets things rolling […]

In two short programs, local wildlife photographer Brian Bowles will present his images and talk with participants about how they can find and identify local wildlife themselves. Bowles has been photographing wildlife for about 15 years and is interested in eagles, hawks, blue herons and turkey vultures. Bowles describes what he does as “drive-by photography” […]

Thu., Jan. 29, 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. | Dana-Thomas House | 217-782-6776 OUTDOORS | Photographer to discuss his images of local bald eagles and more In two short programs, local wildlife photographer Brian Bowles will present his images and talk with participants about how they can find and identify local wildlife themselves. Bowles has been […]

This weekend the Hoogland Performing Arts Education Achievers (grades 9-12) present this classic musical. In The Phantom of the Opera. a mysterious, masked figure lurks beneath the Paris Opera House, exercising a reign of terror over all inside. He falls in love with a young soprano, Christine, and devotes himself to creating a new star […]

This popular film series, in its 34th year, features eight award-winning international and independent films from around the world. Once again it is presented by the Springfield Art Association in support of the Michael Victory II Art Library and the SAA’s creative program. The series is named after Molly Schlich, a local woman “dedicated to […]

The Harlem Globetrotters originated 100 years ago on the south side of Chicago and have been entertaining generations of fans ever since. It has been 100 years of thrills, laughs, amazing moves and fun. The team, on its 100 Year World Tour to celebrate, will be here in the capital city, too. Older fans will […]