IT Picks

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library holds an unparalleled collection of books, documents, photographs, artifacts and art, as well as some 12 million items pertaining to all aspects of Illinois history. The Illinois History Forum gives historians and other experts opportunities to discuss particular books from the collection or museum exhibits and also offers audience members […]

Art Spectacular is a multi-experience festival of art, music and children’s programs. Founded by Rees Carillon Society board member Barb Walker, the art show is a professionally juried fine art and craft show featuring collector- and museum-quality works. The participating artists are among the region’s and nation’s most recognized for their original work in a […]

Join Springfield Bicycle Club (SBC) on a casual and easy-paced bicycle tour of historic sites in the capital city. SBC vice president Troy Gilmore will lead the traditional, neighborhood-style ride, and the anticipated site visits include the Lincoln Home, the Old State Capitol, Lincoln Tomb and others. Site tour guides will be on hand to […]

The memorial parade and ceremony to honor first responders and others who lost their lives on 9/11 occurs annually on the second Sunday of September. Vehicles will begin lining up at Hall’s Harley Davidson at 9 a.m. and the parade will begin at 10 a.m., ending at the 9/11 Memorial on the Illinois State Capitol’s […]

The Inn at 835 is hosting the 10th annual Springfield Oyster and Beer Festival (SOB Festival), presented by Marine Bank. The festival features over 40 different craft beers brands from across the Midwest, over 5,000 gourmet oysters and local food trucks. The Lovdahls and Fireside Relics will be on stage providing live entertainment. All of […]

W.E. Sullivan, owner of a bridge construction company in Roodhouse, visited the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago, where he marveled at the original Ferris wheel designed by George W. G. Ferris, who also owned a bridge company. Sullivan was determined to build a wheel of his own and debuted his first, Big Eli, in Jacksonville’s […]

We have not had a burger week since clear back in February and we think it is definitely about time to give it another run. The restaurants seem ready for another go at it, too. No less than 20 of them have signed up to try their hand at creating the most enticing of burger […]

The courtyard of the Dana-Thomas House will once again be alive with jazz, food and drinks for the annual evening garden party. Music by Sharpen Up with Damien Kaplan (piano and vocals), Tim Niemeyer (guitar) and Brandt Sitze (percussion) will entertain guests. This is the second event of three hosted by the Dana-Thomas House Foundation.  […]

Summer is still going strong, but you are running out of chances to spend a warm evening strolling through the Moonlight Market. The market highlights local artists and artisans, crafters and vendors from Springfield and central Illinois. It’s a great place to find unique items and locally made products. The market is hosted by Conn […]

Many of us are under an illusion about our prairie state’s past – bison roaming a prairieland fresh from a cleansing glacial scour, the arrival of Native Americans who centered their life around the wondering herds until Euro-Americans arrived and extirpated both bison and Indians, while destroying the prairie. But is this accurate? Bring your […]

New Salem’s Theatre in the Park is closing its season with Walking Across Egypt, a play adapted by Catherine Busch from the novel by Clyde Edgerton and directed by Phil Funkenbusch. The play’s protagonist is Mattie Rigsbee, a 78-year old churchgoing, God-fearing woman. Upon discovering a stray dog on her back porch, she decides she’s […]

In October 1853, with a net profit of $853 after paying $1,500 in premiums and with an attendance of over 15,000, the first Illinois State Fair was deemed a success. For the admission price of 25 cents that year you could visit the cattle, horse and sheep venues and also see displays of reapers, mowers, […]