FAIRS & FESTIVALS
Ashland Summer Days Jun 22-24, Kids’ games, pony rides and food all weekend. James Park, just east of Caseys. Bands Friday and Sat. 652- 3499. Ashland.
Capital City Celebration Jul 04, 3:30pm, Free kids inflatables and activities. Sunburst Beauty Pageant 3:30 p.m. Still Kick'n 5:30 p.m. Fireworks 9:35 p.m. Second in front of State Capitol. springfieldjaycees.org. Downtown Springfield.
Chatham American Legion Homecoming Jun 21-23, 5pm-12am Thu-Fri, 12pm- 12am Sat, Old-fashioned street festival with food, entertainment, games and rides. Parade Sat, 2 p.m. chathamlegion759.com. Chatham town square, 101 W. Mulberry, Chatham, 483-4084.
Clara Irwin’s Strawberry Party Jul 04, 5-8pm, Enjoy fresh strawberry desserts and other food for purchase, music, tour, storytelling, games and more. Free admittance. Elijah Iles House, 628 S. Seventh St, 217-492-5929. Clinton IL July 4th Celebration Jul 04, 8am-6pm, Free breakfast, contests, The Original Havanna Ducks, New RR3, Salty Strings and Nelson Bros.
Bands, bed races, free entertainment. Downtown Clinton, Lincoln square, Clinton, 935-3872. July 4th Celebration Jul 04, 8am-2pm, Town wide sales, dinner, fireworks at dusk. Mt. Pulaski, 217- 792-5217. Middletown Homecoming Jun 22-24, Live music, craft booths, free kids games, Saturday 10 a.m. parade. Facebook or 445-2835. Middletown downtown square, Middletown. Montgomery County Fair Jun 21-24, Queen pageant, lawn mower, tuck and tractor pulls, ATV races, MMA Fight Night, car-demolition derby, horse show. $3 includes free carnival rides. 217-272-4489. Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 300 Water Street, Bulter.
Rock the Dock Jun 29, 6pm-1am, Large fireworks display launched from barges over Lake Springfield. Music, food, refreshments. Lake Springfield Marina, 17 Waters Edge Blvd, 217-483-3625. Sparks in the Park Jun 29-30, Jul 01, 6pm Fri, 7am-10pm Sat, 5-9:30pm , Carnival and music each day. Parade on Jun. 30, 4:30 p.m. Community talent show contest and fireworks on July 1. Rochester
Community Park, Rochester.
BOOKS & AUTHORS
Contemporary Fiction Group Jun 27, 6-7pm, Group discusses popular fiction and nonfiction meets fourth Wednesday of month in Carnegie Room South. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St.
Poets in the Parlor Jun 30, 2pm, ‘Presidents and Poetry,’ Dr. Dan Guillory. Historical commentary and various poems featuring White House gardens. Free. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St, 217-524-0901.
THEATER & COMEDY Bye, Bye, Birdie Jun 22-24, 29-30, Jul 01, 8- 10:30pm, Musical about rock star visiting hick town to meet fan selected in contest. Free pre-show 7 p.m. $12- $8. Theatre in the Park, Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, 15588 History Lane, Petersburg, 217-632-5440. Comedian Todd Yohn Jun 29-30, 8pm Fri, 7:15 & 9:30pm Sat, “Todd Yohn is the funniest live comedy show you will ever see,” says Tom Griswald. $15. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482- 5233.
Crazy For You Jun 29, July 1, 5-8, 8:30pm, $8-$12. High energy comedy with Gershwin tunes about 1930s rich playboy whose dream is to dance. $14, $6. The Muni, 815 East Lake Dr. Moses and the Red Sea and Other Stories Jun 23, 7pm, Favorite Bible stories made modern by The Black Rep Touring Company. For ages K-8. $11. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523-2787. The 39 Steps Jun 29-30, Jul 01, 8pm Sat, 2pm Sun, Four Theatre 7 actors play over 140 characters in fastpaced comedy loaded with Alfred Hitchcock film references. $18. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St. Theatre in the Park & Petersburg Chamber of Commerce Reception Jun 22, 6:30-8pm, Food and wine and seat to the opening of Bye, Bye, Birdie. $15. Theatre in the Park, Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, 15588 History Lane, Petersburg, 217-632-5440.
MUSIC: GENERAL EVENTS 10th Illniois Volunteer Calvary Band Jun 23, 10:30am, Union Square Park, 212 N. Sixth St. Artist on the Plaza Jun 21, 26, 28, Jul 03, 12-1pm, Thistle and Thyme (Jun. 21), TIP Cast, Bye Bye Birdie (Jun. 26). Tuesdays and Thursdays, free outdoor performances. 753-3519. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza.
Bells in Motion Jun 24, 4pm, “Bronze Images” handbell concert. $10 at door. St. John’s Lutheran Church, 2477 W. Washington St, 793-3933. Blues Concerts Jun 21, 7-10pm, June 21, July 19 and Aug. 16, Bring your lawn chairs and appetite for great BBQ and blues. Food vendors open at 6 p.m. Decatur Central Park, Decatur.
Jennifer Holiday Jul 01, 7pm, Legendary singer performs one show in Springfield. $35-$50. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 1-800-838-3006.
Kamen Petkov and Russel Brazzel Jun 23, 7pm, Violinist Petkov and classical guitarist Brazzel perform duo recital. free, donations accepted. 726-8991. Unity of Springfield, 417 Cordelia, 523-5897. Lincoln Troubadour Thursday Concerts Jun 21, 28, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 4pm, Every Thursday, performance by local group. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza. Lincoln’s Man Concert with Ben Bedford Jun 29, 5pm, Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 217-785-9363. Prairie Voices Concert Jun 22, 29, 5pm, Fridays, music and poetry from the prairie performed by professional actors and Lincoln Troubadours. 785-9363. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza.
Sentimental Journey - The Music of Doris Day Jun 24, 2pm, Chicago cabaret artist Laura Freeman in her one woman show. $18-$20. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217- 523-2787. Springfield Municipal Band Jul 04, 4pm, Kicking off downtown fireworks with a concert of lively American music. In front of the Lincoln statue. Illinois State Capitol, Capitol and Second St, 217-789-2974. Springfield Municipal Band Concert Jun 21, 7:30pm, Free concert. Bring a chair or blanket. Washington Park, South Grand and MacArthur, 217-753-6225.
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