Today in Illinois and elsewhere, the Fourth of July is a holiday for boating, barbecues and fireworks. More than 180 years ago, the celebrations were more scripted and formal, though fireworks were always a constant. Back then, revelry on July 4 was an all-day affair, complete with processions, bands and a multitude of speakers. The […]
Special Issues
Posted inHistory
Drive-in movie theaters
On a warm summer night in the 1960s, long before Netflix and HBO, I would hop in a car with family or friends and head to the Harvest Moon drive-in theater. Once there, we would crank down the driver’s window, hook a speaker over the glass, grab some snacks and settle in for movie night […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Magical marinades
A well-made marinade makes all the difference when grilling and can transform an otherwise lackluster meal into a stellar spread. Marinades and dry rubs perform two main functions to achieve this, first by allowing salt to penetrate thoroughly and evenly, resulting in a juicy, well-seasoned dish. Second, the acids and enzymes in many marinades can […]
Posted inBooks
More than a book about a baseball game
The First All-Star Game: Babe Ruth, FDR and America at the Crossroadsby Randall Sullivan (Grove Atlantic Books, 2026). Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game will be held July 14at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia as part of a nearly weeklong schedule of baseball-related events. The game coincides with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and Major League Baseball has jumped aboard the celebration with full gusto. In […]
Posted inNow Playing
July music coming in hot
Welcome to July of 2026 as our national holiday weekend celebrating Independence Day in the U.S. of A. comes in hotter than a firecracker on the Fourth of July, to borrow an appropriate phrase for the occasion. I’m sure you’ve heard plenty about the 250th anniversary of America, so let’s move on to the music […]
Posted inIT Picks
Capital City Comix present Friday Night Live
COMEDY | New local comedy venture begins Get ready, Springfield. For three Friday nights this month, the comedians of Capital City Comix will take over the upstairs stage at Arlington’s for what is billed as a fast-paced night of “unhinged sketch comedy, satirical news and music. … Like SNL, but local, louder and weirder,” reads […]
Posted inCellebrate America
Celebrate America
Between this week’s Fourth of July holiday and the America 250 activities taking place throughout the year, there are many ways to celebrate. This special issue looks back at historical observances of the Fourth of July and highlights ways to spend your upcoming holiday weekend.
Posted inArts & Culture
1776: More than a musical history lessonÂ
They say history often repeats itself. For director Gus Gordon, who has performed in or directed 1776 a half-dozen times, in this case, it’s about bringing back the perfect show to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence’s signing. “I’m old enough to remember our nation’s bicentennial and how emotional and exciting that […]
Posted inSummerguide
Summerguide Calendar 2026
ONGOING Moonlight MarketFirst Wednesday of every month, 6-9pm. Through Sep. 3. Moonlight Market highlights local crafters, artists and makers from around the Central Illinois area. Event is held on Jackson Street between Sixth and Seventh streets. Obed and Isaac’s Microbrewery, 500 S. Sixth St., 217-522-3123. History Comes Alive – Ice Cream SocialsWednesdays through Aug. 6. […]
Posted inSummerguide
Summerguide 2026
Our annual Summerguide has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for local theater, musical performances, outdoor activities or family-friendly events – many of them free of charge – we’ve got all the details. Plus, there’s an expanded three-month calendar of activities to help you keep track of everything. The International Carillon Festival is being held […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Peoria’s America 250 Exhibition with Ken Burns
There are two stories about an exhibit at the Peoria Riverfront Museum (PRM), which honors America’s history from before Europeans arrived through the Civil Rights era. One is how a museum in central Illinois got renowned American history filmmaker Ken Burns to be a guest curator – his first time doing so anywhere. The other […]
Posted inSummerguide
“Exquisite Creatures”
“Exquisite Creatures”is a unique and inspiring exhibition where nature becomes art, now on display at the Peoria Riverfront Museum through Aug. 9. Christopher Marley collects beetles, butterflies, seashells, snakes and other creatures from all over the world. He preserves and assembles them into mesmerizing artistic displays intended to spark curiosity and an appreciation of the […]
