The area’s longest-running Christian music festival, Powerlight Fest, returns to the Illinois State Fair’s Lincoln Stage on Sunday, Aug. 23, for nine hours of worship, music and fun. The festival, which began at Knights Action Park in 1991, has been an Illinois State Fair mainstay. Festival founder Greg Cooper, the longtime co-host of the Powerlight […]
Illinois State Fair
Posted inMusic
More than fair
Gaelic Storm rolls into Boondocks on Thurs., Aug. 20 with O’Hare & Irwin opening at 7:30 p.m. for an all ages show. As we head into the second and final weekend of the 2015 Illinois State Fair, the dust has settled, the corn dogs are setting low and the beer tents are settling in with […]
Posted inMusic
2nd Chance Band
When you get a second chance you best make the most of it, and longtime local musicians Doug Bernet (drums), Marc Camp (vocals), Ralph Carbonell (guitar, vocals), Tom Jackson (bass, vocals) and Jeff Rocco (guitar, keyboard, vocals) are doing just that. With plenty shows around town and a sweet spot on Friday at the Bud […]
Posted inMusic
Fair time
Looming hosts their album release party for Nailbiter at the Black Sheep Cafe with guests Park, Choir Vandals and Hidden Hospital on Friday, Aug. 14. It’s back. The Illinois State Fair comes to town for ten days of entertainment, excitement, exasperation, excrement (sorry, but the livestock, you know) and all around endeavors of intrepid Illinoisans […]
Posted inMusic
Festival festivities
The Timmys go crazy at the Downhome Music, Beer & Art Festival on Saturday night, 9 p.m., on the Washington Street stage. PHOTO BY SETH ADAMS PHOTOGRAPHY This weekend brings us festivals galore, bands all over town and a happening ALS benefit. Just around the calendar corner comes the Illinois State Fair and all the […]
Posted inOpinion
Fair share for Edgar?!
I’m not sure why, but the surprise appearance by former Gov. Jim Edgar at the Illinois State Fair’s Republican Day last week didn’t generate much media coverage. Despite the fact that Edgar is a Republican, this was not an easy “get” for Republican gubernatorial nominee Bruce Rauner. I’m told it took weeks of careful wooing […]
Posted inArts & Culture
That’s a wrap
TWO (2) — “The journey not the arrival matters,” wrote poet T.S. Eliot. “All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware,” stated philosopher Martin Buber. Anytime I go anywhere, it is unexpected beauty or inspiration that I eagerly anticipate. The fair is large enough there’s sure to be adventure. Unfortunately the day […]
Posted inMusic
Fair enough
Screamin’ Vatos blaze away at the Miller Lite beer tent on Friday night, August 15 at the Illinois State Fair. The large and looming presence of the Illinois State Fair continues shadowing all our entertainment choices for the upcoming weekend. As the fair winds down on Sunday, live music rules the roost on the grounds […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Family fun
PHOTO BY ERICKA HINE It’s that time of year again. The Illinois State Fair will be held Aug. 7-17. The Twilight Parade starts at 6 p.m. on Aug. 7. Great days for families are Friday, Aug. 15, which is Futures for Kids Day (activities for young kids and many of the contests take place); Saturday, […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Family fair memories
PHOTO COURTESY SANGAMON VALLEY COLLECTION It was the lodestone of my childhood summers. The Illinois State Fair was something I looked forward to almost as soon as the previous year’s fair ended. But after our annual Fourth of July picnic, I could think of little else, planning for it carefully as the fair inched closer […]
Posted inMusic
It’s not all fair
Laurie Morvan rocks the Alamo on Mon., Aug. 11 for the Illinois Central Blues Club’s Blue Monday jam. The Illinois State Fair cannot be denied. When the corn dogs and lemon shake-ups hit town, Springfield becomes a different place. Hotels are at capacity, bars can stay open until 3 a.m. and restaurants pick up extra […]
Posted inMusic
Fair and Un-fair 2
With the 2013 Illinois State Fair still in progress and plenty of hip and happening stuff going on around town, it’s time for the second installment of Now Playing: Fair and Un-Fair. I could expose you to the silly nonsense of using the word “fair” in various other contexts, but that wouldn’t be fair or […]
