Summerguide

They’re coming! If the idea of our region’s massive cicada emergence gives you the creeps, you aren’t alone. I am definitely (ahem) bugged at the thought of so many airborne crawlies, but I am doing my best to put on a brave face. Since the only way out is through, why not turn up the […]

ONGOING Friday Night Jazz Every Friday, 5:30-7:30pm. Listen to some of Springfield’s finest jazz musicians with a different act every week. Sponsored by the Springfield Area Arts Council. Free, family friendly and accessible. springfieldartsco.org. Boone’s, 301 Edwards St., 217-679-3752. Kidzeum Sensory-Friendly Visit Times First Sunday of every month through Dec. 1, 9-11am. Lights and noises […]

Chicago can be a pricey destination any time of the year, but summer is a swell time to seek some savings. Just concentrate on outdoor fun with the family or friends. “As families plan their summer outings, Chicago offers a vibrant array of fun and oftentimes free activities,” says Rich Gamble, interim president and CEO […]

Outdoor music on a Midwestern summer day or night is always worth the winter’s wait. Any self-respecting community festival will have live music, and almost every day, bars and restaurants open their patios for local musicians to showcase their talents. Of course, music festivals are the powerhouse entertainment sources around here, and the perennial local […]

Something about an al fresco theater performance changes everything – the spatial relationship between the actors and the audience, the unpredictable lighting, the sound or how a slight breeze can be worked into an ad lib moment. For those passionate about theater, it all adds to the experience. We in the Springfield area are fortunate […]

“Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, drink the wild air.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson Are you wishing for a chance to get outside this summer and enjoy the fresh breezes and sunny skies? Do you have kids or dogs to entertain? If you’ve tired of the familiar confines of your own backyard or neighborhood, […]

ONGOING Farmers Market Sundays, June 25, July 2, 16, and 30, Aug. 6 and 20, 10am-2pm. Farmers market plus a flea market, crafts and food trucks. Call for more info. Knights of Columbus, Riverton, 335 S. Fourth St., 217-494-3366. Extended Summer Sensory-Friendly Visit Times Tuesdays, 9am-12pm, through Aug. 29. Reduced lights and sounds on exhibits to create a […]

Cycling is an ideal way to enjoy the outdoors and get your heart pumping. Whether you’re looking to bike to work or just take advantage of the sunshine, it’s critical that everyone using the trails and roads works together for the safety of all. The Springfield Bicycle Club has been organizing group rides, teaching bicycle […]

The roar of the cars and crowds is an iconic start to summer for many as they flock to Indianapolis for the Indy 500 on Memorial Day weekend. But a 213-mile trip east on I-72 and I-74 yields many other delights, including dinosaurs, a gondola ride, LOVE and the spiciest appetizer around. Nate Swick, senior […]

Many people look forward to summer to catch up on their reading. We asked several notable Springfield readers what books they plan to read this summer. The choices seem endless: from books that inspire with tales of courage or beautiful poetic musings to biographies and memoirs of historical figures and world leaders to novels that […]

I don’t know about you, but in our house, we have been counting down the days until summer. I’m excited for summer’s longer days, time with family and friends, wonderful sticky weather and piles and piles of farmers market produce. There is just something about the simplicity of no packed lunches, no homework in the […]