Summerguide

The 2.25-mile-long River Trail at Rock Springs Conservation Area and Nature Center features a variety of habitats including woodland forest, river bottoms, meadows, hills and more. PHOTO BY NAN BULLI You don’t have to leave central Illinois to have an enjoyable, authentic hiking experience. This summer, get close to nature and have fun with friends […]

The Farewell Ride, black and aluminum glass-sided coach Harley-Davidson Road King Trike conversion, offered to avid bikers by Butler Funeral Homes in Springfield. PHOTO COURTESY OF BUTLER FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATION TRIBUTE CENTER For bikers like Phil Cornell, longtime motorcyclist, a fun summer is a safe summer. “I do this because I love to ride,” […]

The classic recipe calls for dark rum, but amber works fine for a Dark and Stormy. PHOTOS BY PATRICK YEAGLE Ahhhh – the summer cocktail. Both refreshing and teasing, the perfect elixir for summer’s dog days evokes a happier time of spring, with cherry blossoms bursting and everyone’s team with a chance to win the […]

Dave Hupke (left) and Andy Look paddle a canoe Hupke built. The pair won the Wooden Boat category in the 2015 Abe’s River Race. PHOTO BY DAN WILLIAMS There’s something timeless and pure about pushing the limits of our bodies while surrounded by the majesty of nature. It satisfies that primeval urge to test our […]

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee appears at The Hoogland Center for the Arts May 20-22 and May 27-29. Central Illinois is the place to be for family-friendly summer shows. New Salem’s Theatre in the Park The Dixie Swim Club June 3-5, 9-11. A comedy about a reunion of five lifelong female friends who […]

Grunge fans might want to take a trip to The Peoria Civic Center for a show by Soundgarden vocalist Chris Cornell on July 11. Photo by Jeff Lipsky COUTRESY OF THE ARTIST To paraphrase Martha and the Vandellas, summer’s almost here and the time is almost right for dancing in the streets. Here’s a handy guide […]

Photo BY DAVID HINE Farmers markets are festive community events and showcase the Land of Lincoln’s other local treasure – its food! Buying local produce not only supports Illinois farmers, but also physical health and the environment. They just may perk up your social life, too. Though not all vendors grow organic, many do, limiting […]

Saturday, Aug. 1, 8am-4pm The largest car show in central Illinois rolls into Springfield on Saturday, Aug. 1, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For the third year in a row, the show, which offers free admission to spectators, will take place at Knight’s Action Park. This year’s event will move to the southeast side […]

Thursday, Aug. 6, 7-11pm • Friday, Aug. 7, 5-11pm Saturday, Aug. 8, 11am-11pm • Sunday, Aug. 9, 11am-9:30pm This summer, hundreds of thousands of people will flock to downtown Decatur to attend one of the largest free street festivals in the Midwest. The “Midwest’s most exciting street festival,” the Decatur Celebration, runs Thursday, Aug. 6, […]

Capital City Biathlon 2014. PHOTOS COURTESY THE HARDY BREED Springfield is quickly becoming a hot spot for cool races. Whether you’re looking for a hardcore challenge or just something to keep you from languishing on the couch all summer, there’s likely a race in or near Springfield matching your intensity level. Pick a race from […]