Fairs & Festivals

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, Arthur.

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.

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.

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.

Edinburg Labor Day Picnic Sep 02-04, Carnival rides and games; truck and tractor pulls on Fri evening; demolition derby on Sat and Sun evening; bands each night; chili, BBQ rib cook and chicken cook off; pie contest Sat; volleyball tournament; food; fireworks Sun evening; arts and crafts stands and more. Lion’s Club Park, Edinburg.

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.

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. 735-2385. Logan County Airport and downtown on the square, Lincoln, 217-735-2385.

Old Capitol Blues & BBQs Aug 26-27, 5pm-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.

Pittsfield Fall Festival Sep 01-03, 6pm Thur-Fri, 9am Sat, Food vendors, crafts, carnival and many activities. Parade on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. 370-9846. Pike County Courthouse, 100 E. Washington St, Pittsfield.

Prairieland Chautauqua Sep 02-05, Historical re-enact-ments like Mark Twain and Walt Whitman, storytelling, lectures, music and dance. 243-2423. Jacksonville Community Park, 1201 S. Main, Jacksonville.