Fine Craft Fair
Jun 13, 9am-5pm Thu. Dozens of local and regional artisans showcase their finest jewelry, sculpture, glass art, painting, wood crafts, handbags and apparel. The Gables, 2800 Plaza Dr., 793-3344. thegablesofspringfield.com.
Tales from the Vault
Jun 13, 12pm Thu. One-of-a-kind items from WWII will be displayed and a historian will be on hand to fill you in on all the facts. Free. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 N. Sixth St., 217-558-8844. alplm.org.
A Private, a Daughter and a Colonel
Jun 13, 5:15-7:30pm Thu. Music and presentations at the grave sites of John Riley Tanner, Nellie Grant Jones and Samuel Shoup. Bring a lawn chair. Free. Oak Ridge Cemetery, 1441 Monument Ave., 217-789-2340. 217-965-5443. booksonthesquare.com.
Lionel Richie
Jun 14, 7pm Fri. Bank of Springfield Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 800-745-3000. theboscenter.com.
Oh Freedom! Songs of the Civil Rights Movement
Jun 19, 7pm Wed. Chris Vallillo is joined by Springfield’s Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Choir. $8 members, $10 non. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 N. Sixth St., 217-558-8844. alplm.org.
Elijah Iles House Summer Porch Chats
Jun 19, 5:30-6:30pm Wed. Growing Up in Springfield chat with speaker Nanchen Scully. Free. Elijah Iles House, 628 S. Seventh St., 217-492-5929. 217-481-4397. iles-house.blogspot.com.
Paranormal Cirque
Jun 27, Thu. A combination theater, circus and cabaret with European-style flare. Mature audiences. $10+. White Oaks Mall, 2501 Wabash Ave., 217-787-0110. 941-704-8572. paranormalcirque.com.
Apollo 11 Moon Landing Presentation
Jun 27, 7pm Thu. Presented by NASA solar system ambassador, Art Urban. Original lithographs from Apollo 11 will be on display. Free. Jacksonville Public Library, 201 W. College Ave., Jacksonville, 217-243-5435. jaxpl.org.
Architectural Walking Tour
Jul 3, 5:30-7pm Wed. Anthony Rubano will lead a tour of the state capitol campus. The tour will conclude with a complimentary reception. Free. Illinois State Capitol, Capitol and Second St., 217-544-1723.
Paul Mickey Learning Series - Ocean-front property in Colorado
Jul 3, 7-8:30pm Wed. Mosasaurs from the Western Interior Seaway as a system for understanding evolution during greenhouse climates. Presented by Joshua Lively of UIS. Free. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782-7386. museum.state.il.us.
Stairway to Zeppelin
Jul 5, 7:30pm Fri. Led Zeppelin cover band from Nashville. Tickets are free in advance and are required for admission. Bank of Springfield Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 800-745-3000. theboscenter.com.
Tour of Carver Yocum Reserve
Jul 6, 10am-12pm Sat. Easy walking, noting species present, changes in the landscape and management recommendations. Free. Carver Yocum Reserve, Old River Road off Camp Butler Road, 217-525-1410.
Illinois History Forum
Jul 11, 12pm Thu. Discussion about Illinois in World War I with curator William Lear. Free. Illinois State Military Museum, 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd., 217-761-3910.
Casting a Historic Vote:
Suffrage in Illinois
Jul 21, 2-3:30pm Sun. Jeanne Schulz Angel will explain the paths walked by female leaders in our state. Part of the Standing on Her Shoulders series. Free. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782-7386. 217-558-6696. illinoisstatemuseum.org.
Springfield Horseshoe Festival
Jul 27, 11am-3pm Sat. $10 for food sampling, $5 for kids. Horseshoe pitching contest with entry fee. Lincoln Park, Fifth St. and Sangamon Ave., 217-544-1751. 217-626-1004. faithcoalition-il.org.
Stealing Lincoln’s Body
Aug 1, 5:30pm Thu. Hear a little-known and surprisingly humorous American tale of desperation carried out by bumbling criminals. With speaker Kevin Burke. Free. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 N. Sixth St., 217-558-8844. alplm.org.
Museum Yoga
Aug 1, 6-7pm Thu. Bring a friend, yoga mat and water bottle. No registration required. All abilities welcome. Free. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782-7386. 217-782-6044. illinoisstatemuseum.org.
Abe Lincoln Car Show Spectacular
Aug 2, 8am Fri. Including Abe Lincoln Super Cruise, Springfield’s longest police-escorted cruise (Fri. line up 5:45pm; cruise 7:30pm). Grand marshals are The Brady Bunch’s Michael Lookinland (Bobby) and Susan Olson (Cindy). Knights Action Park, 1700 Knights Recreation Dr., 217-546-8881. 553-5271. knightsactionpark.com.
Artist-in-Residence
Aug 3, 6-8pm Sat. Carol Weems. Free. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St., 217-524-0901. vachellindsay.org.
8th Annual Run United 5K
and Kids’ Fun Run
Aug 3, 6:30am Sat. All proceeds benefit the United Way of Central Illinois. 5k runner $30, virtual runner $20 and kids’ runner $15. All prices increase $5 after July 26. 217-585-7069. Washington Park, 1501 S. Grand Ave. W., 217-544-1751. springfieldparks.org.
Daylily Society Plant Sale
Aug 3, 12-3pm Sat. Free. Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W. Fayette Ave., 217-546-4116. springfieldparks.org.
Paul Mickey Learning Series - Stephen Hawking and Black Holes
Aug 7, 7-8:30pm Wed. Charles Schweighauser presents Hawking’s new insights into the nature and evolution of black holes. Free. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782-7386. 217-558-6696. illinoisstatemuseum.org.
A Reporter Interviews General Grant
Aug 8, 6:30-7:45pm Thu. General Grant (Larry Werline) will be interviewed by reporter Judy Wagenblast and he is asked some tough questions. Free. Books on the Square Springfield, 427 E. Washington St., 217-965-5443. booksonthesquare.com.
The Country and the City
Aug 9, 7-8pm Fri. Operatic soprano Christine Brewer and banjo virtuoso Noam Pikelny. Free. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 217-785-7960. ilhumanities.org.
The Greatest Poem
Aug 11, 2-4pm Sun. Walt Whitman turns 200 years old. Free. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St., 217-524-0901. vachellindsay.org.
Washington Park Historic
Photography Display
Aug 17-Sep 1, 12-4 pm Mon-Fri. 12-5 pm Sun. View photographs of Washington Park dating back to its creation in 1902. Free. Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W. Fayette Ave., 217-546-4116. springfieldparks.org.
Women in the Civil War
Aug 22, 6:30-7:45pm Thu. Free. Books on the Square Springfield, 427 E. Washington St., 217-965-5443. booksonthesquare.com.
Farm Progress Show
Aug 27, Tue. The nation’s largest outdoor farm event with more than 600 exhibitors displaying new farm equipment, seed and crop protection products, and farm supplies and services. Progress City, USA, 1 College Park, Decatur, 217-875-2762. 866-264-7469.
Sangamon Valley Woodcarvers Show
Aug 31, 10am Sat. Woodcarving, intarsia, woodturning and pyrography, vendors, activities, drawings and seminars. Illinois Building, Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 E. Sangamon Ave., 217-782-6661. svwoodcarvers.org. 217-414-4790.
10th Annual Springfield Oyster and Beer Festival
Aug 31, 12pm Sat. Over 40 brands of craft beer, gourmet oysters, live music and local food trucks. Rain or shine. No ticket refunds. The Inn at 835, 835 S. Second St., 217-523-4466. 522-3123. sobfestival.com.
First Sunday Midwest Bazaar
Sep 1, 8am-4pm Sun. Rain-or-shine event featuring arts, crafts, decor, jewelry, food, furniture, antiques and vintage. $4 per person, free to ages 12 and under. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave., 217-782-6661. agr.state.il.us.
Union Square Tai Chi
Sep 5, 12-1pm Thu. Find work/life balance with outdoor lunchtime tai chi. Free. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St., 217-558-8844. st-johns.org/go217.
The Ultimate Queen Celebration
Sep 6, 7pm Fri. Starring Marc Martel. Tickets $29+. Bank of Springfield Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 800-745-3000. theboscenter.com.
Environmental author Bill Clutter
Sep 11, 6:30-8pm Wed. The author of the book, Coal Tar, is experienced in complex civil and criminal environmental investigations. Free. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St., 217-753-4900. 217-793-2178.
Spinning Weekend at Jubilee Farm
Sep 13-14, 12pm-8pm Fri, 9am-8pm Sat. Observe experienced spinners and practice on various wheels. All levels of experience welcome. Bring your own wheel, if you have one. Informal. $25 for one day, $40 for two. Jubilee Farm, 6760 Old Jacksonville Rd., 217-787-6927. jubileefarm.info.
Recurring events
Litchfield Pickers Market
Every second Sunday of each month, April through October, 9am-3pm. Vintage, antique, collectible and upcycled items. Live entertainment and food. Downtown Litchfield, 400 N. State St., 866-733-5833.
Moonlight Market
First and third Wednesday of each month, May through September, from 6-9pm. Highlights local artists, artisans, crafters and vendors from around the Springfield and the central Illinois area. Live entertainment and food. Downtown Springfield, Jackson Street between Sixth and Seventh streets. 217-670-0627.
Old Capitol Farmers Market
Wednesdays and Saturdays, May through October, 8am-12:30pm. Locally grown food and artisan products that are unique to this area. Live entertainment. Downtown Springfield, S. Fourth and E. Adams streets. 217-544-1723.
Brown Bag Lecture
Third Wednesday of each month, 12-1pm. Bring your lunch and enjoy a different speaker and topic on each Wednesday. Illinois State Museum Research and Collections Center, 1011 E. Ash St., 217-785-0037. 217-558-6696.illinoisstatemuseum.org.
Exhibit Walk and Talk
Every Friday, July 5-Aug 16, 2-2:30pm. Join a museum curator for a guided walk and talk. Explore different topics and galleries. Appropriate for all ages. Museum admission. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782-7386. 217-782-6044. illinoisstatemuseum.org.
