Unless otherwise noted, events are in Springfield and
Sangamon County. Information for some events was incomplete at press time;
check upcoming editions of Illinois Times for details.
JUNE
2 AmerenCILCO Summer Serenade
Elvis Presley tribute by Al Hull and Spectors.
Washington Street between Fifth and Sixth streets (217-535-5111,
www.ameren.com)
2 Vision Quest
Concert benefits Illinois Council of the Blind.
Prairie Capital Convention Center (217-622-4227)
2-5 26th Annual Pow Wow Days
Battle Creek Band, parade, Decatur Park Singers,
contests, food. City Park, Moweaque (217-774-2244, www.lakeshelbyville.com)
2-5 Black Diamond Coal Festival
Gillespie (217-839-2201, 217-839-3333)
3 Ron White: Drunk in Public
Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 7:30 and 10:30 p.m., $36.75
(217-206-6160, www.sangamonauditorium.org)
3-4 Sojourner Truth Music Festival
Showcases local music, Old State Capitol Plaza.
Downtown Springfield, Washington between Fifth and Sixth streets, $7.50,
two-day pass; $5, day pass (217-553-7534, sojomusicfest.org)
3-4 Pre-Season Musical Revue
Theatre in the Park, Lincoln’s New Salem,
Petersburg, curtain at 8 p.m. (800-710-9290, 217-632-5440,
www.theatreinthepark.net)
3-4 Springtime Funfest
Tom Davis Memorial Park, Herrick (217-774-2244,
www.lakeshelbyville.com)
3-5 Potawatomi Trail Pow Wow
Dave White Wolf Trazek, dancing, singing, crafts for
sale. Christian County Fairgrounds, Taylorville (217-529-9172)
3-5 Midstate Kart Club Midwest Sprint Series
Races Saturday-Sunday (www.midstatekartclub)
3-5 Sound of Music
Springfield Muni Opera, 815 East Lake Dr., $10
reserved; $6 adults; $5 seniors ($4 Thursdays), $5 students, $3 children 12
and under (217-793-6864, www.themuni.org)
3-6 Illinois Arabian Horse Show
Illinois State Fairgrounds, Coliseum (309-365-8695)
4 Adult Art Classes
Watercolors, architectural. Horsefeathers, Elkhart,
10 a.m.-2 p.m., $25 (217-947-2100)
4 Edgar Lee Masters Day
Oak Hill Poetry Competition, Lewistown United
Methodist Church, 10 a.m.; readings from Spoon River Anthology,
Lewistown’s Oak Hill Cemetery, 2 p.m.; “Canoeing Down Spoon
River,” a film by Merle Glick, auditorium Dickson Mounds Museum, 4
p.m.; free concert, Porter Park gazebo, Lewistown, 6:30 p.m. (309-547-3282)
4 Reel It in for Charity
Bass-fishing tournament Lindsey Boat Launch, Lake
Springfield. Benefits Prairie Center Against Sexual Abuse and Special
Olympics (217-544-2560)
4 Heart Gala
Black tie benefit for American Heart Association,
live and silent auctions, dinner. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 6 p.m.,
$150 (217-698-3838, www.americanheart.org)
4 Old Capitol Farmers’ Market
(217-544-1723, www.downtownspringfield.org)
4-5 57th Street Art Fair
More than 300 artists. Chicago’s historic Hyde
Park neighborhood, 57th Street and Kimbark (773-493-3247,
www.57thstreetartfair.org)
4 Art on the Square
Juried art event, poetry, fine art, live music.
Taylorville Historic Square, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (217-824-3555,
www.downtowntaylorville.com)
4 Bluesfest I
Big Larry and Down Home Blues Band. Von Jakob
Vineyard, 1309 Sadler Rd., Pomona (618-893-4500)
4 Illinois Gourd Society’s Arthur Gourd
Gathering
Gourd growers and artists from throughout the state
share their knowledge and expertise through workshops and presentations.
The Great Pumpkin Patch, Arthur, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (217-543-2394)
4-5 Grand Village of the Kickapoo Pow Wow
Grand Village, LeRoy, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.-5
p.m. Sun. (309-962-2700, www.grandvillage.org)
4-June 29 Horse-Drawn Hayrides
Accompanied by talks on natural, historic features of
Danada Forest Preserve on Naperville Road, Wheaton. Wednesdays, Saturdays,
Sundays through end of June (630-668-6012, www.dupageforest.com)
4-July 30 Summer Reading Program
For children, teens, and adults. Register beginning
June 4 at any branch of Lincoln Library, Springfield (217-753-4900)
4-Sept. 24 RiverFront Market
Produce, flowers, plants, fine arts, live
entertainment. Each Saturday in Peoria (309-671-5555,
www.peoriariverfront.com)
4-Oct. 30 Homestead Prairie Farm
Circa 1860 house, farm, and gardens open for tours
from 1-4 p.m. every weekend through October. Rock Springs Nature Center,
Decatur (217-423-7708, www.maconcountyconservation.org)
5 National Cancer Survivors Day
Keynote speaker Dr. Jane Arbuthnot. St. John’s
Pavilion, Ninth and Madison, noon-3 p.m. (217-544-6464 ext. 45591)
5 Eighth Annual Race Unity Rally
Capitol Rotunda, 3 p.m. (217-544-9595,
www.springfieldbahai.org)
5 First Sunday Antique Marketplace
The Warehouse (217-467-2866, www.thewarehouse.us.com)
5 Mutt Strut
Canine contests, free Frosty Paws for Fido, other
activities. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 East Lake Dr., 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
$15 advance, $20 at the gate, kids 12 and under and dogs are free
(217-546-4825)
5 Homestead Prairie Farm
Historian Dayle Irwin discusses early Decatur pioneer
Silas Trowbridge. Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, 2 p.m.
(217-423-7708, www.maconcountyconservation.org)
5 Bells in Motion Concert
First Presbyterian Church (217-899-2128,
www.bellsinmotion.org)
5 Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour/Car Show
Illinois State Fairgrounds (317-236-6522,
www.familyevents.com/)
5 Illinois Purebred Swine Council Jr. Preview Show
Illinois State Fairgrounds, Swine Barn (309-639-2269)
5-12 International Carillon Festival
Washington Park Carillon (217-753-6219,
www.carillon-rees.org)
6-Aug. 16 Summer Festival of Films
Free weekly children’s film series. Illinois
State Museum, Mondays and Tuesdays, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. (217-782-5993,
www.museum.state.il.us)
7 Adult Art Classes
Watercolors, native birds. Horsefeathers, Elkhart, 10
a.m.-2 p.m., $20 (217-947-2100)
8 Children’s Art Classes
Tie-dye a T-shirt. Any age, bring a white shirt.
Horsefeathers, Elkhart (217-947-2100)
8 Old Capitol Farmers’ Market
(217-544-1723, www.downtownspringfield.org)
8-11 Twangfest 9
Four-day musicfest celebrates rock, country, roots,
and pop at different St. Louis venues. Neko Case, Bottle Rockets, and Brent
Best play The Pageant, 6161 Delmar, on June 11 (www.twangfest.com)
8-12 Sound of Music
Springfield Muni Opera, 815 East Lake Dr., $10
reserved, $6 adults, $5 seniors ($4 Thursdays), $5 students, $3 children 12
and under. (217-793-6864, www.themuni.org)
8-19 42nd Street
Little Theater on the Square, Sullivan (217-728-7375)
9-12 Superman Celebration
Costume contest, arm-wrestling, weightlifting
contests, lumberjack show, food, car show. Metropolis (800-949-5740)
9-11 Farmersville Irish Days
Carnival, food, bands. Farmersville (217-825-8716)
9-12 Talley’s Folley
Jacksonville Theatre Guild (217-245-1402)
9-Aug. 9 Springfield Municipal Band Concert
Marches, classical, jazz, contemporary. Douglas Park,
every Tuesday and Thursday from 7:30 to 9 p.m. (springfield.il.us click on
Springfield Municipal Band link)
10-12 Heartland Arts and Crafts Show
White Oaks Mall (217-787-0110, www.whiteoaksmall.com)
10-12 Friends Creek Bluegrass Festival
Long Creek Bluegrass, River Ramblers, High Cotton,
and the Harmons. Friends Creek Regional Park, Macon County (217-423-7708,
www.maconcountyconservation.org)
10-12 Paint Your Wagon
New Salem’s Theatre in the Park, Petersburg
(800-710-9290, 217-632-5440, www.theatreinthepark.net)
11 Old Capitol Farmers’ Market
(217-544-1723, www.downtownspringfield.org)
11 Shelby County 4-H BBQ
Fairgrounds, Shelbyville (217-774-2244,
www.lakeshelbyville.com)
11 Bicycle Safety Rodeo
Kids learn about safe biking. Bicycles provided.
Lincoln Home National Historic Site, 426 S. Seventh, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
(217-492-4241)
11 ISOBA Harness Racing
Illinois State Fairgrounds, one-mile Track & Grandstand (217-522-8781)
11 Super Saturday: Think Small, Create Big!
Making art with small objects. For children 4-8.
Illinois State Museum, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (217-782-6044,
www.museum.state.il.us)
11-12 Keep Me Warm This Winter
Quilt show, fiber arts fair. New Salem (217-632-4000,
www.lincolnsnewsalem.com)
11-12 International Horseradish Festival
Food and entertainment, Woodland Park, Pine Lake and
Olive Road, Collinsville (800-289-2388)
12 Hamel Heritage Days
Celebrates Hamel’s 50th anniversary. Lunch,
dinner, vintage car display, pottery making, 1-7 p.m. (618-633-2484)
12 Ken Carlyle
Solo performer, Hill Prairie Winery, Oakford
(217-635-9900, www.hillprairiewinery.com)
13 Croix Valley Boy Choir
First Presbyterian Church, Seventh and Capitol, 7
p.m., free
13 Teen fiction
Lincoln Library staff presents new teen fiction
books, 2 p.m. (217-753-4900)
13-14 Summer Festival of Films
Free weekly children’s film series. Illinois
State Museum, Mondays and Tuesdays, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. (217-782-5993,
www.museum.state.il.us)
13-16 Children’s Art Classes
Ages 6-7, 9-10:30 a.m.; ages 8-9, 1-3 p.m.
Horsefeathers, Elkhart, $35 (217-947-2100)
14 Springfield Municipal Band Concert
Marches, classical, jazz, contemporary. Douglas Park,
7:30-9 p.m.
14-18 Midwest Charity Horse Show
American Arabian, Morgan, and Saddlebred horses, and
Hackney ponies are among breeds on display. Illinois State Fairgrounds,
Coliseum (217-787-8868, www.midwestcharity.com)
PICK OF THE SEASON
Midwest Charity Horse Show
In less than two weeks, exhibitors, trainers,
owners, and horse enthusiasts will converge on the Illinois State
Fairgrounds for the five-day Midwest Charity Horse Show. The
popular event has been annual event since 1935, when
Springfield’s 106th Cavalry National Guard unit staged a
horse show for its members at the Illinois State Fair Coliseum. The
first show featured a mix of civilian and military horses and
riders. Today the event is among the nation’s biggest
multiple-breed horse shows in the country, attracting approximately
700 horses from around North America.
Breeds to look for include American
Saddlebreds, Hackneys, Morgans, and Arabians. The show has been
named the best in Illinois by the United Professional Horsemen’s Association and the best in the
country by the American Saddlebred Horse Breeder’s Association.
The enthusiasm of the people involved in those early years lives on in
many third-and fourth-generation families of exhibitors and sponsors.
Since 1989, the show has been co-sponsored by
the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine Foundation. All
proceeds from the show are donated to the COCO (Children’s
Oncology Camp Organization) Children’s Cancer Fund, a project
of the SIU School of Medicine whose primary project is Camp COCO, a
one-week summer camp for children with cancer and blood diseases
and their siblings.
The Midwest Charity Horse Show runs June
14-18. For more information, call 217-787-8868 or visit
www.midwestcharity.com.
14-19 Decatur-Macon County Fair
Decatur (217-875-0135, 217-877-8941,
www.maconcountyfair.com)
15 Old Capitol Farmers’ Market
Features American roots music by the Good Brothers
from 10 a.m.-noon (217-544-1723, www.downtownspringfield.org)
15-19 Sangamon County Fair
New Berlin Fairgrounds (217-488-2685,
www.sangcofair.com)
PICK OF THE SEASON
Sangamon County Fair
Summer isn’t complete without a visit to
the county fair. Now in its 56th year, the Sangamon County Fair
offers everything from cotton candy and corn dogs to beer tents and
livestock competitions.
The fair began as a way to
give children the chance to exhibit and compete in county livestock
competitions for about $4,000 in prizes. About 1,000 people
attended the original fair in 1950, held at New Berlin High School.
Today there are still plenty of pigs and cows, but the exhibitions
have expanded to include floriculture, textile, fine art,
hobbies/handicrafts, and culinary arts. Focusing on education as
well as fun, the children’s area features the popular HAYLOFT
exhibit, where kids can milk a cow, dig for potatoes, gather eggs, and navigate a
hay maze. There are also carnival rides, a magic show, clowns, robots,
petting zoo, the Sangamon County Queen Pageant, and a talent show.
Adults won’t be
bored, either. On the main stage this year are local bands Lost
Boys and F-5 (June 15), Billy Currington (June 16), Montgomery
Gentry (June 17) and the Gin Blossoms (June 18).
Best of all, this fair
may be the deal of the summer. You can have as fun as you
want for one price at the gate ($10 for adults; $5 for children
ages 3-10 and seniors ages 60 and older).
The Sangamon County Fair runs
June 15-19 at the New Berlin Fairgrounds. For more information,
call 217-488-2685 or visit www.sangcofair.com.
16 Springfield Municipal Band Concert
Marches, classical, jazz, contemporary. Douglas Park,
7:30-9 p.m.
16-18 Banner Sheep Show & Sale
Illinois State Fairgrounds, Sheep Barn South
(309-785-5115, www.bannersheepmagazine.com)
16-18 National Montadale Show & Sale
Illinois State Fairgrounds, Sheep Barn North
(701-297-9199, www.montadales.com)
16-19 KDS Cards & Collectibles Show
All kinds of collectibles, including sports cards,
movies, comics, gaming. White Oaks Mall (217-787-0110,
www.whiteoaksmall.com)
16-19 Paint Your Wagon
New Salem’s Theatre in the Park, Petersburg
(800-710-9290, 217-632-5440, www.theatreinthepark.net)
17 ISOBA Harness Racing
Illinois State Fairgrounds, one-mile track & Grandstand
17-18 American Oxford Sheep Show and Sale
Illinois State Fairgrounds, Goat Barn (217-325-3515)
17-19 General Grierson Days
Tour the Governor Duncan Mansion, Strawn Art Gallery,
Grierson home and burial site as part of historical celebration in
conjunction with Civil War reenactment. Jacksonville (217-243-5676,
800-593-5678, www.jacksonvilleil.org/tourism)
17-19 South Pacific
Lincoln Community Theatre, Johnston Center for the
Performing Arts, Lincoln College
18 Bocce Ball Tournament and Wine Tasting
Teams of four, $50 per player. Centennial Park
(217-793-4337, www.springfieldparksfoundation.org)
18 The Overtones
Live ’50s music starting at 2 p.m. Hill Prairie
Winery, Oakford (217-635-9900, www.hillprairiewinery.com)
18 Old Capitol Farmers’ Market
(217-544-1723, www.downtownspringfield.org)
18-19 Muskets & Drum Muster & Craft Show
Dam East Recreation Area, Shelbyville (217-774-2244,
www.lakeshelbyville.com)
18-19 Bluegrass Festival
Mount Pulaski (217-792-3267)
18 Illini Bird Fanciers Bird Show
Signature Inn, call 217-725-7995
18-19 All in a Day’s Work
Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, New
Salem (217-632-4000, www.lincolnsnewsalem.com)
19 Iron Horse Quartermax Triathlon
Swim 0.6 mile, bike 28 miles, run 6.5 miles, Center
Lake, Lake Springfield. A qualifying event for the Half Max Championship
Triathlon in Kansas City (e-mail mcdevitt@uis.edu)
19 Midstate Kart Club Arrive and Drive
First 60 who arrive, age 8 and over, can drive. $10
for five minutes. (www.midstatekartclub.com)
19 Homestead Prairie Farm
Illinois Department of Natural Resources biologist
Carl Handel discusses animals of pioneer Illinois. Rock Springs Nature
Center, Decatur, 2 p.m. (217-423-7708)
19 The Original Headhunters with Robert Walter
Hoogland Center for the Arts, 8 p.m. (217-523-2787)
19 Father’s Day Concert
Gospel singer Lisa Herald of Austin, Ind. Clementine
Memorial Church, 2075 N. 11th St., 10:30 a.m. (217-522-4165)
19 What We Do at the Zoo
Henson Robinson Zoo, 1100 East Lake Dr.
(217-753-6217, www.hensonrobinsonzoo.org)
20 Journal Writing
Learn basics of journal writing. Creative and fun
ideas for teens. Lincoln Library, 2 p.m. (217-753-4900)
20 Fathers Day at the Zoo
Henson Robinson Zoo, 1100 East Lake Dr.
(217-753-6217, www.hensonrobinsonzoo.org)
20-21 Summer Festival of Films
Free weekly children’s film series. Illinois
State Museum, Mondays and Tuesdays, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. (217-782-5993,
www.museum.state.il.us)
20-23 Children’s Art Classes
Ages 10-12, 9-10:30 a.m.; ages 13-17, 1-3 p.m.
Horsefeathers, Elkhart, $35 (217-947-2100)
21 Springfield Municipal Band Concert
Marches, classical, jazz, contemporary. Douglas Park,
7:30-9 p.m.
21-23 Frank Coffey Memorial Tournament
Pasfield Golf Course (217-753-6226,
www.springfieldparks.org)
21-25 South Pacific
Lincoln Community Theatre, Johnston Center for the
Performing Arts, Lincoln College
22 Old Capitol Farmers’ Market
(217-544-1723, www.downtownspringfield.org)
22-26 Montgomery County Fair
Butler 4-H Park, Butler (217-272-4489)
22-July 3 Swing!
Little Theater on the Square, Sullivan (217-728-7375)
23 Dance in Photography
Exhibit of photos by Szoke Photography, which
followed Springfield Ballet Company through the production season.
Reception, Hoogland Center for the Arts, 5:30-7 p.m., free.
23 Springfield Municipal Band Concert
Marches, classical, jazz, contemporary. Douglas Park,
7:30-9 p.m.
24 Murder Mystery Dinner Theater
Hill Prairie Winery, Oakford (217-635-9900,
www.hillprairiewinery.com)
24-25 Village of Palmyra Sesquicentennial
Celebration
Parade, horse show, carnival, entertainment, vendors.
Palmyra (217-436-2305)
24-25 Choral Show
New Salem’s Theatre in the Park, Petersburg
(800-710-9290, 217-632-5440, www.theatreinthepark.net)
24-26 Mother Jones Festival
Anniversary of labor activist’s birth and
death, including ceremony at Union Cemetery, as well as traditional Mount
Olive homecoming celebration. Mount Olive (217-851-2258, www.mtoliveil.com)
24-26 Ragtime
Springfield Muni Opera, 815 East Lake Dr. $10
reserved; $6 adults; $5 seniors ($4 Thursdays), $5 students, $3 children 12
and under (217-793-6864, www.themuni.org)
24-26 Million Dollar Hole In One Shootout
Knight’s Action Park (217-757-6555,
www.st-johns.org)
24-26 Washington Street Jazz Festival
Jazz and blues performers. Washington Street, between
Fifth and Sixth streets, 5:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m., $12 advance, $15 gate, $10
student with ID (217-753-3519, www.springfieldartsco.org)
24-26 Long Grove Strawberry Festival
Food, family entertainment, Long Grove Heritage
Village, Long Grove, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (847-634-0888, www.longroveonline.com)
24-July 4 Taste of Chicago
Chicago’s annual food and free entertainment
extravaganza marks its 25th anniversary this year. The line-up at Grant
Park includes Lauryn Hill, Donna Summer, Carlos Santana, Steve Winwood,
Lynyrd Skynyrd, and LeAnn Rimes; food from Chicago’s best
restaurants; cooking demonstrations; children’s activities.
(312-744-3315, www.cityofchicago.org/specialevents)
25 Juneteeth Celebration
Secretary of State Jesse White and tumblers.
Jacksonville Community Park, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. (217-245-5930, 800-593-5678)
25 Old Capitol Farmers’ Market
(217-544-1723, www.downtownspringfield.org)
25 Adult Art Classes
Watercolors, wildflowers. Horsefeathers, Elkhart, 10
a.m.-2 p.m., $20 (217-947-2100)
25 Gene Watson
Concert at Nashville North U.S.A., Taylorville, 7
p.m., $23.50 (217-287-2103)
25-26 Prairie Heritage Days
Celebrates 100-acre Schulenberg Prairie, a tall grass
prairie ecosystem, Morton Arboretum, 4100 Rte. 53, Lisle, 1-3:30 p.m.
(630-968-0074, www.mortonarb.org)
25-26 A Cure for What Ails You
1830s medicine, Lincoln’s New Salem State
Historic Site, New Salem (217-632-4000, www.lincolnsnewsalem.com)
26 Lincoln Park 100th Birthday Celebration
Lincoln Park, noon-4 p.m. (217-525-0358)
26 Exploration, Encounter, and Exchange
Former Dickson Mounds Museum curator Duane Esarey
lectures on French colonial Illinois. Dickson Mounds Museum, Lewistown
(309-547-3721, www.museum.state.il.us)
26 Creole Stomp
Dennis Stroughmatt and Creole Stomp performs Creole,
Cajun, and Zydeco. Dickson Mounds Museum, Lewistown, 2 p.m. (309-547-3721,
www.museum.state.il.us)
26 Music in the Park
Acoustic rock with Prairie Pranksters, Jill Manning,
Bent Feather. Lincoln Park, 4-7 p.m. Order picnic food from Conn’s
Catering by noon June 24 by calling 217-523-4466
(www.springfieldparksfoundation.org)
26 The Symphony of Country Gardens Tour
The Illinois Symphony Guild presents seven garden
tours on the west side. (217-546-5563)
26 Annual Home Tour
Sponsored by Springfield Historic West Side
Neighborhood Association, 12-4 p.m., $8 advance; $10 day of event. Tour
starts at Trinity Lutheran School, MacArthur and Governor.
27 Teen Book Discussion and Paperback Swap
Readers 12 and older are invited to talk about their
favorite reads. Lincoln Library (217-753-4900)
27-28 Summer Festival of Films
Free weekly children’s film series. Illinois
State Museum, Mondays and Tuesdays, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. (217-782-5993,
www.museum.state.il.us)
27-July 2 Reunion on the River
Six-day event features 16-mile tractor ride, day
trips to John Deere factories and regional attractions, special film,
auctions, seminars, community street dance, and other events celebrating
legacy of John Deere (877-255-2008, www.johndeereattractions.com)
28 Springfield Municipal Band Concert
Marches, classical, jazz, contemporary. Douglas Park,
7:30-9 p.m.
28-July 2 CPS National Swine Show & Sale
Illinois State Fairgrounds, Swine Barn Commodity
Pavilion (309-691-0151, cpsswine.com/)
29 Old Capitol Farmers’ Market
(217-544-1723, www.downtownspringfield.org)
29-July 3 Ragtime
Springfield Muni Opera, 815 East Lake Dr. $10
reserved; $6 adults; $5 seniors ($4 Thursdays), $5 students, $3 children 12
and under (217-793-6864, www.themuni.org)
30 Springfield Municipal Band Concert
Marches, classical, jazz, contemporary. Douglas Park,
7:30-9 p.m.
JULY
1 Light up the Lake
Fireworks over Lake Springfield, festivities at 6
p.m.; fireworks at 9:45 p.m. (217-683-3625, www.lakespringfieldmarina.com)
1 Victor Wooten
Hoogland Center for the Arts (217-523-2787)
1-3 Guys and Dolls Jr.
New Salem’s Theatre in the Park, Petersburg
(800-710-9290, 217-632-5440, www.theatreinthepark.net)
2 Midstate Kart Club Arrive and Drive
First 60 who arrive, age 8 and over, can drive. $10
for five minutes. (www.midstatekartclub.com)
2 Old Capitol Farmers’ Market
(217-544-1723, www.downtownspringfield.org)
2-3 What’s Cooking
1830s cuisine, Lincoln’s New Salem State
Historic Site, New Salem (217-632-4000, www.lincolnsnewsalem.com)
2-4 Fair Saint Louis
Air shows, family activities, entertainment, food,
fireworks. Riverfront on the grounds of the Gateway Arch, St. Louis, 11
a.m.-10 p.m. daily (314-434-3434, www.fairstl.org)
3 First Sunday Antique Marketplace
The Warehouse (217-467-2866, www.thewarehouse.us.com)
3-10 AMA Dirt Track Grand Championship
Illinois State Fairgrounds, One-half Mile Track
4 Cookout
Live music by Antone, old-time rock & roll, some
R&B, starting at 2 p.m. Hill Prairie Winery, Oakford (217-635-9900,
www.hillprairiewinery.com)
4 Independence Day Celebration
Largest free fireworks display in the area.
Knight’s Action Park and Caribbean Water Adventure, Route 66 Twin
Drive-in (217-546-8881, www.knightsactionpark.com)
4 Fireworks over the Lake
Dam West Recreation Area, Shelbyville (217-774-2244,
www.lakeshelbyville.com)
4 Capital City Celebration
Band concert with fireworks finale. New State Capitol
lawn (217-546-2782)
PICK OF THE SEASON
The Beach at Lake Springfield
With water depths to 12 feet, a dive tower, a
cordoned-off shallow area for non-swimmers, water slides, a beach
volleyball court, and plenty of sand, The Beach at Lake Springfield
gives locals a way to frolic in our mini-Gulf of Mexico. Think of
it as our Destin, without any roaming sharks or jellyfish or
Southerners.
Admission is free, the water is chlorinated
and tested regularly, and lifeguards are on duty. The Beach House
at The Beach has dressing rooms, restrooms, and showers — and
the city promises to keep ’em clean.
No less an authority than Todd Renfrow,
general manager of City Water, Light & Power and the chief of
all things lake-related, calls The Beach “the best
entertainment bargain in town this summer.” (The City Council is the second best.)
Located near Center Park, just north of the
Vachel Lindsay Bridge, The Beach is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. every day
through Aug. 7 with the exceptions of June 19 and July 16, when
triathlons are scheduled. For more information, call 217-786-4032
or 217-757-8660 ext. 1011 or go to www.cwlp.com.
5-6 4 Adult Art Classes
Acrylics, painting Elkhart Chapel. Horsefeathers,
Elkhart, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., $35 (217-947-2100)
5 Springfield Municipal Band Concert
Marches, classical, jazz, contemporary. Douglas Park,
7:30-9 p.m.
5-Aug. 13 Emerging Artists: SAA Student Art
Springfield Art Association Exhibit Showcases works
of community members who’ve participated in SAA classes, Edwards
Place, 700 N. Fourth St., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat.
(217-523-2631, www.springfieldart.org)
5-9 Mary, Mary
Dinner theater at Marcia’s Waterfront
Restaurant, Decatur (217-422-7202)
6 Pied Piper Downtown Architectural Walking Tour
(217-544-1723, www.downtownspringfield.org)
6 Old Capitol Farmers’ Market
(217-544-1723, www.downtownspringfield.org)
6-10 Morgan County Fair
Jacksonville (217-245-2709)
6-Aug. 27 A Place for Everything
Art exhibit, Prairie Art Alliance (217-544-2787,
www.prairieart.org)
7 AmerenCILCO Summer Serenades
Atlanta’s Banks Burgess and Paul Shane, along
with band, perform. Washington Street between Fifth and Sixth streets
(217-535-5111, www.ameren.com)
6 Wild About Reading
Henson Robinson Zoo, 1100 East Lake Dr.
(217-753-6217, www.hensonrobinsonzoo.org)
7 Springfield Municipal Band Concert
Marches, classical, jazz, contemporary. Douglas Park,
7:30-9 p.m.
7-10 Summer Sidewalk Sale
Clearance items. White Oaks Mall (217-787-0110,
www.whiteoaksmall.com)
7-10 Region XI Championship Arabian Horse Show
Illinois State Fairgrounds, Coliseum Artisans
Building
7-10 Guys and Dolls Jr.
New Salem’s Theatre in the Park, Petersburg
(800-710-9290, 217-632-5440, www.theatreinthepark.net)
8 Tutu BBQ
Springfield Ballet Company performs. Illinois State
Fairgrounds, 6-10 p.m., adults $15, children 12 and under free. Details to
be announced.
8-10 I Hate Hamlet
Lincoln Community Theatre, Johnston Center for the
Performing Arts, Lincoln College
8-10 Prairie Land Bluegrass Festival
Jacksonville (217-243-5678)
8-10 Lurie Garden Celebration
Millennium Park between Michigan Ave., Columbus Drive
and Randolph and Monroe streets, Chicago, featuring walking tours of the
garden, lectures and demonstrations by landscape architects and
horticulturists, music and dance performances, and a plant sale
(312-742-1168, www.millenniumpark.org)
8-16 Heart of Illinois Fair
Truck and tractor pulls, horse shows, demolition
derbies, lawn-mower racing. Exposition Gardens, Peoria (309-691-6332)
9 Artists Reception
For Springfield Art Association’s
“Emerging Artists” exhibit, Edwards Place, 700 N. Fourth St., 5:
30-7:30 p.m. (217-523-2631, www.springfieldart.org)
9 Zoofari
Henson Robinson Zoo, 1100 East Lake Dr., 10 a.m.-6
p.m. (217-753-6217, www.hensonrobinsonzoo.org)
9 Old Capitol Farmers’ Market
American roots music with the John Wilde Group at 10
a.m.-noon (217-544-1723, www.downtownspringfield.org)
9 Third Annual Miller Lite Live Rooftop Roots
Festival
Southern Culture on the Skids, Corey Harris, Paul
Burch and the WPA Ball Club, and Last Train Home. Sponsored by the Sangamon
Valley Roots Revival and Miller Lite Live. Tickets $23 (advance); $28 at
the door, and available at Recycled Records (217-522-5122)
9 Super Saturday
For kids 4-8. Illinois State Museum, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
(217-782-6044, www.museum.state.il.us)
9 Billy Dean
Concert at Nashville North U.S.A., Taylorville, 7:30
p.m., $25 (217-287-2103)
9-10 Can Johnny Come Out to Play
19th-century children’s games, Lincoln’s
New Salem State Historic Site, New Salem (217-632-4000,
www.lincolnsnewsalem.com)
10 Ken Carlyle
Solo performer, Hill Prairie Winery, Oakford
(217-635-9900, www.hillprairiewinery.com)
10 WUIS Bluegrass and Barbecue Birthday Bash
Celebrate WUIS-WIPA’s 30th anniversary with
live music and food on UIS campus. Suggested donation $10 (217-206-6516,
www.wuis.org)
10 Garden Walk
Sponsored by Master Gardeners of University of
Illinois Extension, Sangamon-Menard Unit, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at five
lakeside properties including two Master Gardener home gardens. Tickets $8
(advance), $10 day of the event (217-782-4617,
www.extension.uiuc.edu/sangamon)
10 Showcase of Bands Food Drive
State of Mind, Enamel, Pound for Pound, NIL8, and Low
as I. Warehouse, 2-8 p.m. Admission: Five or more canned goods (or other
nonperishable food items). Benefits Central Illinois Foodbank. Sponsored by
WQLZ and Budweiser True Music Live Event (217-533-4022)
11-12 Summer Festival of Films
Free weekly children’s film series. Illinois
State Museum, Mondays and Tuesdays, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. (217-782-5993,
www.museum.state.il.us)
12-Aug. 23 Chicago Outdoor Film Festival
Every Tuesday, after 8 p.m., Chicago screens a film
classic selected by critic Roger Ebert in Grant Park (312-744-3315,
cityofchicago.org/specialevents)
12 Springfield Municipal Band Concert
Marches, classical, jazz, contemporary. Douglas Park,
7:30-9 p.m.
12-16 Cass County Fair
Virginia (217-452-3541)
12-16 I Hate Hamlet
Lincoln Community Theatre, Johnston Center for the
Performing Arts, Lincoln College
12-17 Christian County Fair
Taylorville (217-824-3100,
www.christiancountyfair.com)
13 Sousa Sesquicentennial Concert
The Springfield Municipal Band at the Washington Park
Gazebo, Washington Park, at 7:30 p.m. Free. Bring a lawn chair or blanket
(217-789-2974)
13 American Quarter Horse Show
Jumping, reining, barrel racing, cutting, roping,
pole bending, Illinois State Fair Coliseum (217-997-5848, www.aqha.com)
13 Old Capitol Farmers’ Market
(217-544-1723, www.downtownspringfield.org)
14 Springfield Municipal Band Concert
Marches, classical, jazz, contemporary. Douglas Park,
7:30-9 p.m.
15-16 Quincy Area Blues Fest
Washington Park, Quincy (www.quincyblues.com)
15-16 Chatham Jaycees Sweet Corn Festival
Cow-chip-throwing, sweetcorn-tasting Chatham
Community Park, Chatham (217-483-6930)
PICK OF THE SEASON
Chatham Jaycees Sweet Corn Festival
Michigan celebrates cherries. Wisconsin loves
cheese. In Illinois, it’s all about the golden kernel,
especially in Chatham, where about 11,000 ears of corn are consumed
during the annual Chatham Jaycees Sweet Corn Festival.
The event, held in Community Park on Main
Street, is a fundraiser for the Chatham Jaycees and staffed by
about 200 volunteers. The corn is shucked and then boiled in
300-gallon cauldrons of sugar water before being slathered in butter and served.
But there’s more here than meets the eye (or ear).
Entertainment includes a chili cookoff,
helicopter rides, arts and crafts, music by local bands, a Tour de
Corn bicycle rally, and a “corn-a-pult” competition,
but the Illinois Championship Cow Chip Throw may be the most
interesting attraction of all. That’s right: After pigging
out on locally grown corn, you can see how far you can toss cow
pies. Who says central Illinois doesn’t know how to have fun?
For more information, call 217-483-6930.
15-16 Third Annual Peace and Applique Charity
Quilt Show
Internationally known teacher Elinor Peace Bailey,
Masonic Hall, Rochester, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (217-498-6771,
www.peacenapplique.com)
15-16 Denny Yeary
Country music from Branson, New Salem’s Theatre
in the Park, Petersburg (800-710-9290, 217-632-5440,
www.theatreinthepark.net)
15-17 Annie Get Your Gun
Springfield Muni Opera, 815 East Lake Dr., $10
reserved, $6 adults, $5 seniors ($4 Thursdays), $5 students, $3 children 12
and under. (217-793-6864, www.themuni.org)
16 Springfield Sprint Triathlon
Lake Springfield
16 Celebrating Changes: Bugs!
Illinois State Museum, 1-4 p.m. Dr. Tim Cashett,
curator of zoology presents “Bugs of Illinois” at 2 p.m.
(217-782-5993)
16 Adult Art Classes
Pastel and charcoal portrait. Horsefeathers, Elkhart,
10 a.m.-2 p.m., $20 (217-947-2100)
16 Bluesfest II
Big Larry and Down Home Blues Band, Von Jakob
Vineyard, 1309 Sadler Rd., Pomona (618-893-4500)
16 Old Capitol Farmers’ Market
(217-544-1723, www.downtownspringfield.org)
16-17 Beauty and the Beast
Little Theater on the Square, Sullivan (217-728-7375)
16-17 Pioneer Living
Agriculture, Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic
Site, New Salem (217-632-4000, www.lincolnsnewsalem.com)
16-17 Cache River Wine & Arts Festival Music
Wine tasting, barbecue, shrimp. Cache River Vineyard,
315 Forman Lane, Belknap (618-658-2274)
16-17 Illinois Waterways through History
Storyteller portrays French fur traders, sings, plays
flute, exhibit, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Illinois Waterway Visitors Center, Ottawa.
17 Music in the Park
Rhythm & Blues with Debbie Ross Band, John T.
Crisp’s CHARMN with Ada Loui, Razin Kane. Comer Cox Park, 4-7 p.m.
Order picnic food from Conn’s Catering by noon July 15 by calling
217-523-4466 (www.springfieldparksfoundation.org)
17 Pioneer Hands-On Day
Visitors will see how pioneers lived at Blackberry
Farm’s Pioneer Village, featuring soap-making, butter churning,
doll-making, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Aurora (630-892-1550)
18-19 Summer Festival of Films
Free weekly children’s film series. Illinois
State Museum, Mondays and Tuesdays, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. (217-782-5993,
www.museum.state.il.us)
18-21 Shelby County 4-H Junior Fair
Fairgrounds, Shelbyville (217-774-2244,
www.lakeshelbyville.com)
19 Springfield Municipal Band Concert
Marches, classical, jazz, contemporary. Douglas Park,
7:30-9 p.m.
19-21 InfoAg 2005
Conference on integration of technology in crop
production. Crowne Plaza Hotel (217-762-2074, www.infoag.org)
19-23 Macoupin County Fair
Carlinville (217-854-2172)
19-24 Menard County Fair
Petersburg (217-632-3848)
20 Old Capitol Farmers’ Market
(217-544-1723, www.downtownspringfield.org)
20-31 Fiddler on the Roof
Little Theatre on the Square, Sullivan (217-728-7375)
20-24 Annie Get Your Gun
Springfield Muni Opera, 815 East Lake Dr., $10
reserved, $6 adults, $5 seniors ($4 Thursdays), $5 students, $3 children 12
and under. (217-793-6864, www.themuni.org)
21 Springfield Municipal Band Concert
Marches, classical, jazz, contemporary. Douglas Park,
7:30-9 p.m.
21-24 Elkhart Sesquicentennial
Concessions, carnival ride, historical displays,
youth pageant, live music, arts, craft, classic cars. Elkhart
22-23 Bluegrass Jam
Sherwood Forest Campground, Hillsboro, free; $12 camp
fee (217-532-5211, www.hillsboroillinois.net)
22-24 Little Shop of Horrors
New Salem’s Theatre in the Park, Petersburg
(800-710-9290, 217-632-5440, www.theatreinthepark.net)
29-31 Sugar Grove Corn Boil
Homegrown sweet corn cooked by an antique steam
engine is the main feature, Volunteer Park, Main and Cross streets, Sugar
Grove. (630-466-5166) www.sugargrovecornboil.org
22-30 Champaign County Fair
Urbana (217-367-8461,
www.prairienet.org/ccfair/homepage.htm)
23 Old Capitol Farmers’ Market
(217-544-1723, www.downtownspringfield.org)
23 Taste of Downtown Springfield
Classic, gourmet, ethnic fare from more than 25
downtown restaurants. Old State Capitol Plaza (217-544-1723,
www.downtownspringfield.org)
23-24 Eckert’s Farm
Peaches, bike rides, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Belleville
(618-233-0513, www.eckerts.com)
23-24 Springfield Women’s City Golf Tournament
Bunn Golf Course, Lincoln Greens
23-24 Tailcoats and Petticoats
1830s fashion, Lincoln’s New State Historic
Site (217-632-4000, www.lincolnsnewsalem.com)
23-24 Fourth Annual Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball
Tournament
Fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Clubs of
Springfield. Slam dunk contest, health and wellness pavilion, tips on
athletic training, athletic apparel, and more. Horace Mann complex,
Springfield. Team entry fee: $108. Deadline July 5. (217-544-0548 ext. 239,
www.macker.com)
24 Animal Enrichment
Henson Robinson Zoo, 1100 East Lake Dr.
(217-753-6217, www.hensonrobinsonzoo.org)
25-26 Summer Festival of Films
Free weekly children’s film series. Illinois
State Museum, Mondays and Tuesdays, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. (217-782-5993,
www.museum.state.il.us)
26 Springfield Municipal Band Concert
Marches, classical, jazz, contemporary. Douglas Park,
7:30-9 p.m.
27 Old Capitol Farmers’ Market
(217-544-1723, www.downtownspringfield.org)
27-31 City of Girard Sesquicentennial Celebration
Carnival, crafts, husband-calling, watermelon-eating,
and more (217-627-3441, www.girardilusa.com)
28 Springfield Municipal Band Concert
Douglas Park, 7:30-9 p.m.
28-31 Little Shop of Horrors
New Salem’s Theatre in the Park, Petersburg
(800-710-9290, 217-632-5440, www.theatreinthepark.net)
28-31 Oliver!
Jacksonville Theatre Guild, Sophie Leschin Theatre,
Jacksonville (217-245-1402)
29 Murder Mystery Dinner Theater
Hill Prairie Winery, Oakford (217-635-9900,
www.hillprairiewinery.com)
29-30 SummerFun!
Car show, cruise-in, live music, crafts,
children’s activities, food.Lincoln Land Community College campus, 5250 Shepherd Rd.
Saturday’s featured performers: Little Feat (217-786-2785 or
800-260-6582, www.llcc.edu)
29-31 Children of Eden
Lincoln Community Theatre, Johnston Center for the
Performing Arts, Lincoln College
30 Old Capitol Farmers’ Market
(217-544-1723, www.downtownspringfield.org)
30 Adult Art Classes
Acrylics, painting Abe Lincoln. Horsefeathers,
Elkhart, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., $25 (217-947-2100)
30 Morgan Horse Exhibit
Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, New
Salem (217-632-4000, www.lincolnsnewsalem.com)
30-31 Blackberry Jam Festival
Wagon rides to blackberry brambles, fiddle contest,
Eckert’s Farm, Belleville (618-233-0513, www.eckerts.com)
30-31 Springfield Men’s City Golf Tournament
Lincoln Greens, Bunn Golf Course
This article appears in Jun 2-8, 2005.
