Rockballet: LIVE Sep 10, 8pm and Sep 11, 2pm, Springfield Ballet Company presents a multimedia celebration of dance and rock music featuring the best of Rockballet and live music provided by the newly-formed, multi-talented band, Downstate. $16-$26. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS. 206- 6160, 800-207-6960.
Art Spectacular at the Carillon Sep 10-11, 10am-5pm Sat, 10am- 4pm Sun, Juried Fine Art Fair featuring original artwork, music, food, demos, kids art sale and more. Washington Park Rees Memorial Carillon, Fayette Road, 753-6219.
Morton Pumpkin Festival Sep 10-18, Join 70,000 people at this festival with carnival, entertainment, craft show, parade and much more in the city where 80% of world’s canned pumpkin is processed. Downtown Morton. mortonchamber.org. 309-263-2491.
Breakfast with the Animals Sep 10, 15, 8-10am, Experience zoo sounds while enjoying a continental breakfast. Pre-registration required. $9-$7. 753-6217. Henson Robinson Zoo, 1100 E. Lake Shore Drive.
A-Maze-ing Corn Maze and Festival Sep 10-11, 17-18, 24-25, Oct 01- 02, 09-10, 11, 11am-6pm Sat, 12- 6pm Sun, Four-acre cornfield maze. $5. Free festival is Sept. 17-18, 24- 25 with children’s area, straw maze, food, pumpkin painting and more. Auburn United Methodist Church, 14100 State Route 4. auburnumc.org. Capital City Century Sep 11, 7-11am, Join Springfield Bicycle Club on a recreational bicycle ride of 10, 25, 40, 62 and 100 miles over flat to slightly rolling terrain. (Also, historical ride on Sept. 10, 1 p.m.) spfldcycling.org. Lake Springfield Beach House, 100 Long Bay Drive, 217-726-5560.
St. Cabrini Church Fall Festival Sep 11, 11am-5pm, Hipbone Sam, Luke Hayes Magician, games, country store, raffle, 50/50, food and beverages for purchase, clowns and more. St. Cabrini, 1020 N. Milton, 522-8555.
TAP Fest Sep 11, 12-8pm, Outdoor concert for families in support of Autism Program of Illinois. Live music by The Dave Littrell Band, Low Phatt, Post War Fords and The Blue G’s. Hickory River BBQ. Crows Mill Pub, 1220 Toronto Road, 217-529-2769.
Family Carnival Sep 11, 12-6pm, Carnival games, car show, food, Shriner’s jazz band, DJ and more. Military tribute at noon. All proceeds to Ansar Shriners. Hickory Glen Senior Living, 1700 W. Washington, 217-793- 0431.
Vigil Sep 11, 1-2pm, In commemoration of those injured or who died on 9/11, and a stand for end to violence around the world. Federal Building, Sixth and Monroe. Sponsored by Pax Christi Springfield. Downtown Springfield.
Fall Farm Day Sep 11, 1-5pm, Pumpkin and face painting, farm tour, crafts, barrel train, live bees and goats. Free admission. 447-3409 or gailspumpkinpatch.com. Gail’s Pumpkin Patch, 1709 2000th Ave, Beason.
Enchanted Evening on Elkhart Hill Sep 11, 5-8pm, Enjoy casual elegance, classical music, food and wine on lawn of beautiful and historic mansion. Cro’Hurst Mansion on Elkhart Hill, Cro’Hurst Drive, Elkhart, 947-2046.
Springfield Civic Garden Club Sep 12, 9am-11:30pm, ‘Butterfly and Moth Gardening in Illinois.’ Susan Dees Hargrove, Biological Resources Specialist, IDOT. www.scgc-il.org. Westminster Presbyterian Church, Walnut Street. 522-4415.
Volunteer Recruitment Fair Sep 12, 9:30-11:30am, Agencies set up with display and hand-outs for their volunteer needs. RSVP and FGP host. Refreshments. Erin’s Pavilion, Southwind Park, 4965 S. Second Street, 217-753-0702.
Artist Reception: Anna Grossnickle Hines Sep 14, 5-6pm, Opening of new art exhibit, Peaceful Pieces. LLCC James S. Murray Gallery, Upper level, Menard Hall, 786-2318.
Gordon Lightfoot Sep 14, 8pm, 70s hit singer of hits like “Sundown.” Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160, 800-207-6960.
Iroquois Peace Maker Legend and U.S. Constitution Sep 15, 12-1pm, Anna Grossnickel Hines presentation. Robert H. Stephens Room. Free. Lunch available for $3. Register, 786-2789. Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Road.
Pike County Fall Color Drive Sep 15-16, Atlas, Barry, Pittsfield and twenty other Pike County communities provide events, activities, vendors, crafts, food and exhibits, all to stop at during your cruise of the autumn countryside. pikecolordrive.com.
The Great Pumpkin Patch Sep 15-Oct 31, 9am-6pm, Toddler Corn Mazes are free. Great Maize Maze, $2. Wanda’s Crib, haunted. The Great Pumpkin Patch, 1749A CR 1900 N, Arthur. the200acres.com. 543-2394.
Constitution Day Program Sep 16, 12pm, Presentation about U.S. Constitution and its history. LLCC Trutter Center, 5250 Shepherd Road, 786-2414.
Miracle Soiree Sep 16, 6-10pm, Enjoy a night of casual elegance with wine tasting, a complimentary wine glass, hors d’oeuvres and live music. Hill Prairie Winery, 23753 Lounsberry Road, Oakford.
An Evening with Groucho Sep 16, 7:30pm, Award-winning actor/director/playwright Frank Ferrante recreates his acclaimed portrayal of legendary comedian. Illinois College Sibert Theatre, McGaw Fine Arts Center, Jacksonville, 217-245-3000.
Harvest Fest Sep 16-17, 5pm Fri, 8am Sat, Enjoy the beauty of Petersburg, plus food, crafts, bands, activities, parade Sept. 17 at 10 a.m. Free, some activities have a fee. 632-7363. Petersburg Square, N. Seventh Street at W. Douglas Avenue, Petersburg.
Abraham Lincoln National Railsplitting Festival Sep 16-18, 7-10pm Fri, 10am-4pm Sat-Sun, Something for everybody including old-fashioned rail-splitting, tomahawk throwing, antique cars and tractors, historical displays, flea market. $3 day, $5 weekend. Logan County Fairgrounds, 1408 Short 11th Street, Lincoln.
Route 66 International Film Festival Sep 16-18, 10am-11pm Sat, 10am- 8pm Sun, See 62 of the best independent films from around the world, meet the filmmakers. Session, day and weekend passes. Tickets, 523-2787. route66filmfestival.net. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 220-0669.
Griggsville Apple Festival Sep 16-18, Weekend full of pageants, contests, food stands, crafts, parade (Saturday) and musical entertainment during 40th anniversary. 833-2637. Griggsville.
Riverfest 2011 Sep 16-18, 5pm Fri, Riverfest has been going on for 20 years. Includes carnival, games, food and music. Riverton Center Park, Fourth Street at Jackson Street, Riverton, 836-7692.
Be Aware Wellness Fair Sep 17, 10am-1pm, Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. 245- 2174. Jacksonville Community Park, 1201 S. Main, Jacksonville.
Fall Music Festival Sep 17, Outdoor music fest hosted by several downtown bars. Screaming Vatos, Trippin Billies and others to be announced. Fifth Street. Downtown Springfield.
Artacular Spectacular Family Event Sep 17, 11am-3pm, Learn about the art that is all around you through crafts, games, hands-on activities and more. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring Street, 782-5993.
Edwards Place Fine Art Fair Sep 17-18, 10am-5pm Sat, 11am- 4pm Sun, National artists present and sell their works. Tours of Edwards Place Home where Lincoln entertained, hands-on activities for kids, food, music and book sale. 523-2631. Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St.
Clayville Fall Festival Sep 17-18, 9am-6pm Sat, 10am- 4pm Sun, Two days of great activities, demonstrations, tours, pony rides, crafts and games for kids, food and entertainment at an old stage coach stop. $3-$1. Clayville, Route 125, Pleasant Plains, 481- 4430.
Leaf Identification and Collection Hikes Sep 17, 24, 10am-12pm, Register for one of two free Saturday guided hikes around the garden grounds with approximately 50 trees. Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W. Fayette Ave.
A-Maze-ing Corn Maze and Festival Sep 17-18, 24-25, 11am-6pm Sat, 12-6pm Sun, Free festival with children’s area, straw maze, food, pumpkin painting and more. (Fouracre cornfield maze. $5.) Auburn United Methodist Church, 14100 State Route 4, Auburn. auburnumc.org. Jerry Garcia Tribute Sep 18, 1-9pm, Free food, drinks, kids games music and fun. Sponsored by Penny Lane. Douglas Park, 400 N. Macarthur Blvd.
Gandhi Event Sep 18, 3-4:30pm, Rajmohan Gandhi shares the mission of peace and compassion as lived by his grandfather, Mahatma Gandhi. Laurel United Methodist Church, 631 South Grand Ave West.
Harvest Celebration Sep 18, 5-8pm, Six local chefs prepare tasting plates with fresh, seasonal, locally produced food. Guest speaker Author Deborah Niemann Boehle. Inn at 835, 835 S. Second Street. 528-1563. www.ilstewards.org.
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