IT Picks

International Route 66 Mother Road Festival Fri.-Sun., Sep. 27-29 Downtown Springfield Free 217-553-5271 Hundreds of street machines, muscle cars and hot rods are rumbling into the capital city for this annual, major car show. They will be followed by thousands of spectators for this weekend of family fun, live music and entertainment. The festival, in […]

For 200 years, the Broadwell Inn and Tavern have stood west of Springfield. Moses Broadwell, a Revolutionary War veteran, built the inn in 1824 and was its first proprietor. This year’s Fall Festival – a local favorite – will recognize this key anniversary with some special events. According to organizers, Batterton and Edwards will provide […]

Local folk singer-songwriter Ben Bedford, known for his storytelling and evocative lyrics, is making his debut in the visual arts world. He’ll become this fine art gallery’s newest 2D-artist when his ink and pencil drawings and watercolor paintings – which he has enjoyed doing for decades – go on display for the first time. Gallery […]

It’s once again time for the Springfield Oyster and Beer Festival at the Inn at 835. The event, now in its 14th year, has raised more than $170,000 for local charities. Festival organizers will prepare thousands of oysters for the event. Now that’s a lot of oyster shucking and char-grilling. The event will feature 150 […]

Balloons Over 66 Fri., Aug. 23, 1:30-11 p.m.; Sat., Aug. 24, 6:15 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun, Aug. 25, 6:15 a.m.-4 p.m. Downtown Lincoln and Open Arms Lincoln Up, up and away! See 34 hot air balloons rise to the skies starting Friday for the Balloons Over 66 weekend. All balloon flights and evening balloon “glows” will […]

Counting today, there are four more days of the Illinois State Fair. Have you been yet? It’s not too late, you know, to get a corndog at Vose’s, see a Grandstand show or take that ride on the Sky Glider. Once again, the Grandstand has a great lineup of remaining shows with the Jonas Brothers […]

Beauty and the Beast Fri., Aug. 9, 7-8 p.m., and Saturday, Aug. 10, 1-2 p.m., 3-4 p.m., 5-6 p.m. The Legacy Theatre 101 E. Lawrence St.800-838-3006 atthelegacy.com This is the classic tale of Belle,a kind-hearted young woman who finds herself imprisoned in a castle by a fearsome Beast. Belle discovers the Beast’s gentle soul hidden […]

The Dance Arts Youth Company and Dance Arts Studio combine memorable music and dancing in this retelling of the famous German fairy tale first recorded by the Brothers Grimm. This version of the famous tale follows “the enchanting adventure of a lost princess as she discovers who she really is – all while standing up […]

Macbeth July 25-28, 7:30 p.m. Theatre in the Park New Salem Historic Site 15588 History Lane, Petersburg 217-725-0239 theatreinthepark.net Abraham Lincoln once remarked, “I think nothing equals Macbeth.” The nation’s future 16th president cherished Shakespeare’s play. So it seems fitting that it be brought to the stage at Theatre in the Park in the village […]

Chatham’s big summer event celebrating that delicious, golden food staple is almost here. It’s none other than the long-running, annual Sweet Corn Festival by the Chatham Jaycees. This is the 49th year for the event. Things start at 4:30 p.m. Friday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Little Miss Sweet Corn pageant, games for children, more than […]

Four comics will take the stage Saturday during a comedy night fundraiser for the Forever Home Feline Ranch, an organization dedicated to finding homes for cats. “We started in 2009 and continue to grow. Last year we adopted out 351 cats. We are 100% volunteer, receive no grants, and we rely on fundraising and generous […]