Springfield Short Track Motorcycle Races Sep 02-03, 5-10:30pm Fri, 7pm Sat, Amateur and pro AMA races in multi-purpose arena. Admission. Enter gate 11. 753- 8866. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave.

Ethnic Festival Sep 02-04, 5-11pm Friday, 12- 11pm Sat-Sun, Weekend of local ethnic groups providing ethnic foods, music and cultural activities. 629-7871. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave.

Friends of the Sangamon Valley Sep 03, 8am-1pm, Sugar Creek canoe tour. Cookout follows. $30, $50 couple. Reserve your spot ASAP. 525-1410. Bridgeview Park, 149 N. Lakewood Dr, Chatham.

Luau at the Lake Sep 03, 3:30pm food, 6pm music, Authentic Hawaiian BBQ with Hawaiian chicken, macaroni salad, sticky rice, sweet roll and pineapples. Brooke Thomas and Blue Suns play at 6 p.m. Knights of Columbus Hall Council 4179, 141 N. Lakewood Dr, Chatham, 483-3013.

Sangamon Valley Woodcarvers Show Sep 03-04, 10am-5pm Sat, 10am-4pm Sun, Carvers from across the country exhibit. $2, 12 and under free. Illinois Building. 546-8792. svwoodcarvers.org. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave.

Casey Popcorn Festival Sep 03-05, 10am-8pm, All the free popcorn you can eat, plus three days of carnival, clowns, craft vendors, karaoke, food, music, car show and more. 217- 232-2676. Fairview Park, SE 4th St. at E. Van Buren Ave. Casey.

Arthur Amish Country Cheese Festival Sep 03-05, Three days of free cheese, entertainment, contests, car show, craft and flea markets, food and more. 800-72-AMISH. Downtown Arthur.

Build Benld Art Fair Sep 04, 9am-4pm (set-up 7- 9am), Food, drinks and music throughout the day. Benld City Park, Benld, 217-835-2135.

Ice Cream Social Sep 04, 10am-3pm, Family fun on 1800s historic farm at southern edge of town, Route 29. Educational speakers, music, vendors, displays, food, bake sale, children’s activities. Bring lawn chairs. 217-968-5808. Greenview.

Springfield Mile Sep 04, 1pm, AMA pro racing national motorcycle races on the mile. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave, 217-753- 8866.

Stone House Open House Sep 04, 1-4pm, Open house at 1830s stone house. Rain cancels. Sponsored by Rochester Historical Preservation Society. Rochester Historical Village, W. Main St, Rochester. 498-9497.

Illinois Symphony Orchestra Sep 04, 6pm, Free baseballthemed concert with guest conductor Yaniv Segal, Michigan Pops Orchestra music director. (Civil War baseball demos, craft activities and more 2-6 p.m.), Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 217-785-9363.

AKC Dog Agility Trial Sep 04-05, 7am-7pm, Watch dogs compete in timed sport as they negotiate an obstacle course. Coliseum Covered Arena. Free. Hosted by Capitol Canine Training Club. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave. 585-0937.

Dave Sinclair Labor Day Celebration Sep 05, 4-6pm, Bring lawn chairs and enjoy music and an ole fashioned ice cream social. Virginia town square, 217-452- 7786.

Labor Day Pops Sep 05, 6-7pm, Free concert on the shores of Lake Decatur with the Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra. Nelson Park, Decatur.

Carson & Barnes Circus Sep 07, 4:30pm and 7:30pm, Famous Carson & Barnes Three- Ring Circus features acrobats, jugglers, wild animals and flying trapeze. Prairie Land Heritage Museum, 1005 West Michigan, South Jacksonville, 217-479- 2318.

Pied Piper Architectural Tour Sep 07, Oct 05, 5:30pm, Free one-half hour professionallyguided architectural tour highlighting downtown buildings. Reception follows. Meets at Lincoln-Herndon Law Office. 544-1723.

Pekin Marigold Festival Sep 08-11, Lots of unique contests and events. Music, art and so much more. 309-346-2106. Pekin. www.pekinchamber.com/Marigol dFestival.

Elkhart Historical Society Dinner Lecture Sep 09, 5:30-8pm, “The Music of Rt. 66,” “Elkhart’s Place in Rt. 66 History.” $25. Reservations at 947-2046 or elkharthistoricalsociety.org. Wild Hare Cafe, 104 Governor Oglesby St, Elkhart.

History and the Arts Sep 09-10, 6-8pm Fri, 12-4pm Sat, Friday features Steve Berry, bestselling author. $30. Saturday free indoor artist, musician and dancer showcase. www.sancohis.org. 525-1961. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza.

Mt. Pulaski Fall Festival Sep 09-10, Plenty of food, carnival rides, 3-on-3 tourney, car show, beer tent with live bands, kiddie tractor pull, 5K run and lots of free entertainment and family fun. Free. Mt. Pulaski Courthouse, 113 S Washington St, Mount Pulaski.

Arenzville Burgoo Festival Sep 09-10, 8am-7pm, Get your burgoo. Kenny Carlyle & the Cadillac Cowboys (Friday night). Janie Fricke (Saturday night). Contests Saturday. burgoo.org. 300 W. Main, Arenzville.

Havana Oktoberfest Sep 09-10, 5pm-12am Fri, 8am- 12am Sat, Food, fun, bands and entertainment for all. Join ZumbaFest on Saturday morning. 227 W Main Street, Havana, 309-543-3849.

Illinois Patriot Guard Gathering Sep 09-11, 7am-1pm, Free. Illinois Building Main Floor. 229- 4219. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave.

Arcola Broom Corn Festival Sep 09-11, 9am Fri, 7am, Sat, 7am-5pm Sun, Find out how brooms are made and why they are a big part of Arcola’s past. National Broom Sweeping  Contest and parade known for its length, plus all the regular festival activities, drink and unique food. Free admission. Arcola. 268-4530.

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