Fairs & Festivals

Athens Fall Festival Aug 25-27, 7pm Thu, 5pm Fri, 10am- 12am Sat, Parade, carnival, bands, car show, vendors, entertainment and more. 636-8429. Athens Community Park, W Jackson St. at N Main St, Athens.

Cooperative Bar-B-Cue Aug 28, 12-7pm, DJs playing 50s and 60s dance music, DJ the Clown, Bob Remack Band Big Band dance music, free swim, food and more. Knights of Columbus Hall Council 364, 2200 S. Meadowbrook Rd.

Illinois State Fair Aug 18-21, So much to do we can’t list everything. Food, entertainment, exhibits and so much more. 782- 6661. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave.

Lincoln Corn Maze Aug 19-20, 26-27, 4-10pm Fri, 1-10pm Sat/Labor Day, Through Oct 31, Navigate by day or night through amazing 9-acre maze. Free hayride and activities too. 309- 242-4736. Lincoln Corn Maze, 1376 1800th Street, Lincoln.

Lincoln Art and Balloon Festival Aug 26-28, Hot air balloon launch and glow, tethered balloon rides, music, food, carnival games, fine art fair, the art of wine, children’s art activities, flea market, craft fair, car show and more. Logan County Airport, Lincoln, 217-735- 2385.

Old Capitol Blues & BBQ Aug 26-27, 6pm-12am Fri, 12pm- 12am Sat, Features 40 BBQ competitors and vendors, local and national Blues talent and children’s activities. $5, under 12 free. 544-1723. Downtown Springfield.

Books & Authors

Contemporary Fiction Group Aug 24, 6-7pm, Group discusses popular fiction and nonfiction meets fourth Wednesday of month in Carnegie Room South. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St, 217-753-4900.

Theater & Comedy

Healin’ Home Aug 19-21, 26-27, 8pm, Full-length drama of three orphans in 1910 Missouri that run away from the Orphan Train. $12, 800-710-9290. Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, 15588 History Lane, Petersburg.

Open Mic Comedy Aug 18, 25, 8pm, Every Thursday, Springfield’s best up-and-coming comedians, as well as some brave firsttimers. Hosted by Buddy Redman. Free. Chaser’s Iron Horse Saloon, 3036 N. Peoria Rd, 481-4754.

Smoke on the Mountain Aug 26-28, Sep 2-4, 8pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun, Be witness to the stories and toetapping hymns from less-than-devout Sanders Family invited to perform in church circa 1938. $18. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St. 523- 2787.

Tad Lincoln's Father Aug 27, 2pm, One-woman drama performed by local actor Linda Schneider. Memoir of a girl sent to play with the Lincoln children in the White House. Limited seating, no reservations required. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth Street, 524- 0901.

The Wizard of Oz Aug 18-21, 8:30pm, The most beloved musical of all time directed by Matthew Vala. $8-$12. The Muni, 815 East Lake Dr. 793-MUNI.

Music: General Events

Acoustic Lunch Aug 18-19, 23-26, 30-31, 12-1pm, Thu - Julie Hulvey; Friday, Dennis Darling (every other Fri.); Tue - Kathryn Raistrick; Wed - Thistle and Thyme. Trout Lily Cafe, 218 S. Sixth St. 391-0101.

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