Submit calendar listings at www.illinoistimes.com or e-mail to [email protected] or send them to:

Calendar P.O. Box 5256 Springfield, IL 62705 Deadline is Friday at noon prior to when the paper comes out on newsstands. Dates, times and locations are subject to last-minute changes, so we suggest calling before attending the event.

Fairs & Festivals

Ashland Summer Days Jun 25-27, 6pm-12am Fri, 9:30am- 11:30pm Sat, 7am-dusk Sun, Children’s games, parade (Sat), pony rides, tractor pull, beer tent and bands, fireworks (Sun). 652-3499. Ashland, Ashland.

Chatham American Legion Homecoming Jun 24-26, 5-12am Thu-Fri, 12pm- 12am Sat, Old-fashioned street festival with food, concessions, live entertainment, games and rides. Parade on Sat.

Chatham town square, 101 W. Mulberry, Chatham, 483-4084.

Convoy for Kids Truck Show Jun 19, 11am-10pm, 50-75 big rigs on show (vote for your fav), food vendors, games, activities, Truckers Convoy Parade at 7 p.m. from park to school, Smokey and the Bandit movie shown on side of semi van trailer at dark (bring lawn chairs). Downtown Mason City, Mason City.

Fun Day in the Park Jun 26, Games, activities and music all day at the top of the hill. Rain date July 17. Tickets 825-5789. Mt. Auburn, Mt. Auburn.

General Grierson Days & Historic Celebration Jun 18-20, Largest mounted Civil War reenactment in the Midwest. Also, tours of historic homes. 243-4003. Jacksonville Community Park, 1201 S. Main, Jacksonville.

Illinois Shakespeare Festival Jun 24-27, 29-30, 7:30pm Tue-Thu, Sun; 8 pm Fri-Sa, The Tempest opens Jun 24. The Three Musketeers opens Jun 25. The Merry Wives of Windsor opens Jul 16. $18-$42. (309) 438- 2535. thefestival.org. Ewing Manor, 48 Sunset Rd, Bloomington.

Olde English Faire Jun 19-20, 10am-6pm Sat, 10:30am- 5pm Sun, Sword fighting, jousting, storytellers, magicians, belly dancers, actors, archery, acrobats, musical acts and more. Grande Marche begins each day. $15 carload. wildlifeprairiestatepark.org. Wildlife Prairie State Park, 3826 N. Taylor Rd, Hanna City.

Sangamon County Fair Jun 17-20, Carnival, contests, entertainment, exhibits and more. $5- $15. 488-2685. sangcofair.com. Sangamon County Fairgrounds, northwest edge of town, New Berlin.

Sangamon Valley Rc Flyers Jun 26-27, 9am-sunset, Two day demonstration flying of medal airplanes and helicopters. Raffle and 50/50. Proceeds go to Autism Society. Refreshments and free parking. Holmes Airstrip, Pawnee Rd, 217-965-4089.

Books & Authors

Friends of Lincoln Library Book Sale Jun 18-19, 8am-6pm Fri, 8am-4pm Sat, The library plaza fills with books and more for browsing and purchase. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St.

Poetry Parnassus Jun 30, 12pm, Join Springfield Poets and Writers poetry critiquing group. Bring copies of poems to share. For more info visit www.pwlf.com. Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 3111 S. Veteran’s Pkwy, 546-9440.

Poets and Painters Jun 24, 6pm, Unique and inspiring evening of poetry and art as Springfield Poets and Writers members read poems created from the inspiration of Prairie Art Alliance Juried Artists’ fine art. Painting and poems on display and for sale. Free and open to public. Prairie Art Alliance Gallery II, 221-223 S. Sixth St.

Theater & Comedy

Alan Perry Comedy Showcase Jun 23, 30, 9pm, Broadway Nites, 210 Broadway St.

Bark! The Musical Jun 18-20, 7:30pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun, Imaginative glimpse into a dog’s day where a puppy learns to bark, a poodle