As the weather cools, and the leaves turn shades of autumn, central Illinois has a wealth of festivals to keep you busy while enjoying the brisk days of fall.

One might get carried away at the Lincoln Art and Balloon Festival, which fills the air with colorful balloons, live entertainment, crafts, food vendors and more. Held Aug. 28 through 30 in downtown Lincoln and at Logan Airport, highlights include helicopter and tethered balloon launches and rides, rock climbing, bungee jumping, carnival rides, wine tasting, craft fair, bocce ball tournament, a car show and professional wrestling matches. Musical performers include True Blue Barbershop Quartet, Country Mavericks, The Brat Pack Live, and Glory Days. $5 admission. $8 wine tasting.

Lincoln also hosts its annual 1800 Craft Fair, Sunday, Aug. 30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Postville Courthouse State Historic Site, 914 Fifth Street. Lincoln impersonator Gary Simpkins strolls through the museum, while crafters demonstrate rug hooking, rope making, spinner weaving, quilting, blacksmithing and other crafts. Period music provided by Postville Express, Chris Vallillo, Prairie Aires, Dale Evans, Steve Staley and Mark Mathewson. Free. 217-753-4977.

Barbecue connoisseurs won’t want to miss Springfield’s 6th Annual Old Capitol Blues and BBQs, which serves up some of the best barbecue and blues this side of the Mississippi. More than 20 food vendors compete for titles of best ribs and pulled pork, while dishing up delicious smoked chicken, pork chops, brats, kabobs and fried green tomatoes. Performers include Modern Sounds (3 p.m.), Carl “Sonny” Leyland (4:30 p.m), Black Diamond Heavies (6 p.m.), Junior Watson (8 p.m.), Toni Lynn Washington (9 p.m.), and Big James and the Chicago Playboys (10 p.m.). The event takes place Aug. 29 from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. at the corner of Fifth and Washington. $5 admission. Food and beverage tickets $1.

Celebrate the pioneers of science and invention at Jacksonville’s 11th Annual Prairieland Chautauqua, Sept. 4 through 7 at the Jacksonville Community Park. Sponsored by the Morgan County Historical Society, Prairieland Chautauqua is filled with historical reenactments, storytelling, lectures, music, dance, food and live entertainment. Whether it’s listening to stories of the Transcontinental Railroad, the Oregon Trail, or the Brooklyn Bridge or enjoying the sounds of The Pondell Trio, Baritone Joel Tinsley, Ken Bradbury, and the Brad Floreth Band, you are sure to leave a bit more enlightened than when you arrived. Activities begin 4 p.m. nightly. Free. Communal dinner served nightly at $10 per person.

The 8th International Route 66 Mother Road Festival & Car Show cruises your way Sept. 25 through 27. The festival begins at the Capital City Shopping Center Parking lot at 6 p.m. with the Rt. 66 City Night Cruise. Serving as marshall are Mike and Jim Ring (RingBrothers). Other activities, located in downtown Springfield, include a poker race, swamp meet, family fun zone (at Springfield Boys’ and Girls’ Club) and international car auction. Performances by The Hit Men, Springfield’s Elvis, Rewind, Groove Daddies, Strange Brew and Captain Rat & The Blind Rivets. Free.

Step back in time at Logan County’s 39th Annual Abraham Lincoln National Railsplitting Contest and Crafts Festival. Scheduled Sept. 18 through 20, the festival begins Friday with a 6 p.m. performance by Brian “Fox” Ellis with Mike Anderson at the Lincoln Park District Recreation Center. Other weekend activities include a parade, Civil War Ball, and railsplitting, corn shelling, water boiling and tomahawk throwing contests, as well as antique car and tractor display, quilt show, crafts, flea