Dave Rudolf’s Family Halloween Spooktacular Oct 14, 6:30pm, Ghoulishly delightful, but not too scary interactive musical show with sound effects, props and more. Free. LLCC Trutter Center, 5250 Shepherd Road, 786-2241.
Oktoberfest and Chili Cookoff Oct 14-15, 12-10pm Sat, Wine tasting, beer tent, band on Friday night. Saturday, chili cooking, inflatable kids games, entertainment, live band. 728- 2684. Sullivan Square, Sullivan.
UIS Homecoming Weekend Oct 14-15, 4:15pm, Parade on Friday and Student/Faculty basketball game at 3-5 p.m. Saturday at TRAC. University of Illinois at Springfield.
Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular Oct 14-15, 6:30-9:30pm, Walk through display of 2011 illuminated hand-carved pumpkins. Food, Tree of Lights, spooky music. Free shuttle bus from SHG. Admission. Washington Park Rees Memorial Carillon, Fayette Rd, 753-6219.
Clayville Carnival of Carnage Oct 14-15, 21-22, 28-29, 7- 10pm Fri-Sat, 5-6pm Sat, Haunted house and haunted hayride at historic site. (Friendly hours Sat. 5-6 p.m.) $5 or $8 for both. clayville.org. 481- 4430. Clayville, Route 125, Pleasant Plains.
1776 Oct 14-16, 21-23, 8pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun, Springfield Theatre Centre presents their 64th Season. $15-$12. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523-2787.
Our Savior’s Fall Craft Festival Oct 15, 9am-3:30pm, Wide variety of vendors and homebased demonstrators from the Springfield area. Free admission. Our Savior’s Lutheran School, 2645 Old Jacksonville Rd, 217-793-6433.
Illinois Symphony Orchestra Oct 15, 8pm, “Tragedy and Triumph.” Grieg’s Piano Concerto with world-renowned and hometown-favorite pianist Awadagin Pratt. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS. 206-6160, 800-207-6960.
Cerebral Palsy Benefit Day Oct 15, 1-3pm and 6-10pm, The day starts with two hours of meet-and-greet with Illinois State Police and their cars, fire trucks and fire fighters, monster truck rides, games and prizes, photos with Dallas Cowboy cheerleader, drinks, grab bags. $10 per child. Evening includes Grammyaward winning country singer Jamie O'Neal from Nashville who performs, food, beverages and cash bar. $15. Sangamon Prairie Reception Center, 201 S. Main Street, Chatham. 638- 1176 or 220-4585.
Pike County Fall Color Drive Oct 15-16, Weekend of food, fun, history and color! 491- 2208. pikecolordrive.com. Various locations.
Fall Festival Oct 15-16, 10am-4pm, “Surviving the Winter.” Walk back into the 1830s as preparations take place for the winter. New Salem State Historic Site, 15588 History Lane, Petersburg.
Route 66 Sprint Series Oct 15-16, Regional kart racing series. Free admission for spectators. Six miles east of Springfield. 553-3613. route66kartracing.com. Midstate Kart Club, 160 Kender Lane, Dawson.
Pumpkin Give-Away Oct 16, 11am-3pm, Take home a carved pumpkin. Free, but donations appreciated. Washington Park Rees Memorial Carillon, Fayette Road, 753-6219.
Imago Oct 16, 7pm, ZooZoo - the best of Imago Theatre’s acclaimed productions FROGZ and Biglittlethings. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160, 800- 207-6960.
