Annie
Aug 9-12, 8pm Thu-Sun. Directed by Carly Shank. Sponsored by RSM. themuni.org. The Muni, 815 E. Lake Dr., 793-MUNI.
Illinois State Fair
Aug 9-19, Thu-Sun. So much to do we can’t list everything. Food, entertainment, midway, exhibits and more. Admission. illinois.gov. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave., 782-6661.
Trinity Block Party
Aug 11, 12-2pm Sat. Annual block party featuring food and slushies, children’s games, inflatables and music. Free. Trinity Lutheran School, 515 S. MacArthur Blvd., 787-2323.
Bike and Hike Days
Aug 12, 19, 26, Sep 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 8am-4pm Sun. Enjoy safe recreation and minimized vehicular traffic. Hosted by Springfield Park District. Free. springfieldparks.org. Washington Park, 1501 S. Grand Ave. W., 544-1751.
Modified Bike and Hike Days
Aug 13-15, 20-22, 27-29, Sep 3-5, 10-12, 17-19, 24-26, 4-6pm Mon-Wed. Enjoy safe recreation and minimized vehicular traffic around a modified loop. Hosted by Springfield Park District. Free. springfieldparks.org. Washington Park, 1501 S. Grand Ave. W., 544-1751.
Family Archery Day
Aug 18, 8:30am-5pm Sat. Open to novice shooters, seasoned bow hunters and target experts. Admission includes trip to Panther Creek Bowhunters Club plus three meals. $20 per person; $80 family max. lscacamp.org. Lake Springfield Christian Assembly, 1674 Lick Creek Lane, Chatham, 529-2625.
The Enchanted Bookshop
Aug 31-Sep 2, 7pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sat-Sun. A charming, comedic play that celebrates the joy of reading in a fresh, fun-filled way. Presented by M.A.S.S. Media. Sensory-friendly performance is Sept 1 at 2pm. $12, $15. hcfta.com. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.
Labor Day Ducky Derby
Sep 3, 10-11:30am Mon. In support of the families of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois. $5 per ducky. Free admission. rmhc-centralillinois.org. Knights Action Park, 1700 Knights Recreation Dr., 546-8881.
Labor Day Parade
Sep 3, 10-11am Mon. A celebration of the achievements of working people throughout the year. downtownspringfield.org. 544-1723. Downtown Springfield.
Art Spectacular
Sep 8-9, 10am-5pm Sat, 10am-4pm Sun. A multi-experience festival consisting of art, music and children’s programs. Featuring 50 regional and national artists. Free admission; kids’ place costs $2 per child. carillon-rees.org. 787-3532. Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W. Fayette Ave., 546-4116.
Downtown Springfield Family FunFest
Sep 8, 10am-5pm Sat. Featuring inflatable obstacle courses and bounce houses, games and activities, food trucks, character appearances and main-stage entertainment. $10 per person, free to ages 2 and under. Hosted by Prevent Child Abuse Illinois. springfieldfunfest.org. 522-1129. Washington street between Fifth and Sixth streets, 1 Old Capitol Plaza N.
Youth Art Showcase
Sep 8-9, 10am-5pm Sat, 10am-4pm Sun. Featuring artworks by 10 high school artists from Sangamon and Menard counties. Free. 787-3532. Washington Park Botanical Garden Exhibit Hall, 1740 W. Fayette Ave., 546-4116.
Family Bike Ride
Sep 9, 10-11am Sun. An easy-paced 6-mile family bike ride that tours the fairgrounds and nearby Lincoln Park. All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Free. ccweekend.org. Illinois Building, Gate 1 (Main Gate), Illinois State Fairgrounds, 1101 E. Sangamon Ave., 899-9175.
Fall Festival
Sep 15-16, 9am-5pm Sat, 10am-4pm Sun. Featuring vendors, artisans, reenactments and more. $5 adults, $3 ages 6-12, free to ages 5 and under. clayville.org. Clayville, Route 125, Pleasant Plains, 572-4984.
Fall Festival and Steam Show
Sep 28-30, Fri-Sun. See an antique tractor pull, gas and steam engines, demonstrations, children’s activities, train rides, flea market, food and more. prairielandheritage.com. 243-5678. Prairie Land Heritage Museum, 1005 W. Michigan Ave., 243-7262.
Morgan Horse Demonstration
Oct 6, 1pm-12am Sat. Mississippi Valley Morgan Horse Club presents demonstrations and horse activities, educational materials for adults and kids and time to visit with MVMHC members and horses. lincolnsnewsalem.com. Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, 15588 History Lane, Petersburg, 632-4000.
Carve for the Carillon
Oct 13-14, Sat-Sun. Help carve, scoop and move pumpkins for the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular. Pumpkins supplied. All ages, abilities welcome. Rain or shine. Free. springfieldparks.org. Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon, 1740 W. Fayette Ave., 546-3853.
Hope-a-palooza
Oct 13, 3-7pm Sat. Featuring family activities, including live music by The Brat Pack, a gaming truck, inflatables, obstacle course, a bubble bus, food trucks and more. Hope Pavilion, 5220 S. Sixth St., 585-5437.
Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular
Oct 19-20, Fri-Sat. See illuminated jack-o-lanterns carved by community members and local artists. Food vendors on site. Rain or shine. springfieldparks.org. Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon, 1740 W. Fayette Ave., 546-3853.
The Great Pumpkin Grab
Oct 21, 10am-3pm Sun. Child-friendly trick-or-treating experience with fun activities. Carved pumpkins will be available to take home while supplies last. carillon-rees.org. 546-4116. Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon, 1740 W. Fayette Ave., 546-3853.
Disney Junior Dance Party! On Tour
Oct 25, 6-8pm Thu. Sing along to Disney Junior’s greatest hits and dance and play games with your favorite Disney Junior characters. $29-$59. sangamonauditorium.org. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 206-6160.
Fall Festival
Oct 27-28, 10am-4pm Sat-Sun. Period-clothed interpreters demonstrate daily tasks such as candle dipping, soap making, basket making, spinning wool, fruit and vegetable preservation, and more. lincolnsnewsalem.com. Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, 15588 History Lane, Petersburg, 632-4000.
Main Street Pumpkin Festival
Oct 27, 11am-3pm Sat. Pumpkin decorating, hay rides, costume contest, pet costume contest, pumpkin play-land, pumpkin drop, carnival rides, food, vendors, petting zoo, and much more. jacksonvillemainstreet.com. 243-5678. Downtown Jacksonville, Central Park, Jacksonville.
This article appears in Capital City Parent August 2018.
