Fairs & Festivals
Capital City Celebration Jul 04, 3pm, Free kids inflatables and activities. Municpal Band 6 p.m. Sunburst Beauty Pageant 4 p.m. Still Kick’n 5:30 p.m. Fireworks 9:30 p.m. Second in front of State Capitol. springfieldjaycees.org. Downtown Springfield.
Christian County Fair Jul 10-11, Gate admission is free. Grandstand prices $8-$15. Christian County Fairgrounds, 700 W. Spresser St, Taylorville.
Clara Irwin’s Strawberry Party Jul 04, 5:30-8:30pm, 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.
Fireworks Extravaganza Jul 04, 9:30pm, One of the area’s most popular fireworks displays. Free. Knight’s Action Park and Caribbean Water Adventure, 1700 Knights Recreation Dr, 217-698-0066.
July 4th Celebration Jul 04, 8am-2pm, Town wide sales, dinner, fireworks at dusk. Mt. Pulaski, 217-792-5217.
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 Sun, 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.
Taste of Downtown and American Music Show
Jul 06-07, 6pm-12am Fri, 12pm-12am Sat, Downtown restaurants present ethnic, classic and eclectic cuisine; American Music Show and children’s entertainment. Between Fifth and Washington. $2. Downtown Springfield.
Books & Authors
Book Signing Jul 04, 12-1pm, Pam Stone of Mechanicsburg will be at the 4th of July Celebration, signing copies of her book, The Watermelon Party. Mechanicsburg Park, 208 Main Street, Mechanicsburg.
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.
Submissions Sought Local poets mail one poem by Oct. 1. to Vachel Lindsay Contest, Quiddity, 1500 North Fifth Street, Springfield, IL 62702. Various locations.
Theater & Comedy
Bye, Bye, Birdie Jun 29-30, Jul 01, 8-10:30pm, Jun. 22-24, 28-29, July 1, 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, Jul 01, 05-08, 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.
Sangamon Songs Jul 07, 8-10:30pm, Local musician uses 1893 journal entries as inspiration to write songs and CD. $13-$8. Theatre in the Park, Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, 15588 History Lane, Petersburg, 217- 632-5440.
The 39 Steps Jun 29-30, Jul 01, 8pm Sat, 2pm Sun, Four Theatre 7 actors play over 140 characters in fast-paced comedy loaded with Alfred Hitchcock film references. $18. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St.
Music: General Events
33rd Volunteer Regimental Band Jul 07, 11am, Union Square Park, 212 N. Sixth St.
4th of July Patriotic Concert Jul 04, 6:30-8pm, Mark Gifford, organ/piano; Damien Kaplan, percussion; and Joe Kath, violin. Free, donations accepted. Parkway Christian Church, 2700 Lindbergh Blvd, 217-787- 3445.
Artist on the Plaza Jun 28, Jul 03, 05, 10, 12-1pm, Springfield Poets and Writers (Jun. 28). Tuesdays and Thursdays, free outdoor performances. 753-3519. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza.
Carillon Concerts Jul 01, 04, 08, 11, 7pm Wed and Sun, 3pm Sun, Local sub Carillonneur Jim Rogers plays free weekly concerts this summer. Washington Park Rees Memorial Carillon, Fayette Rd.
Craig Morgan Jul 06, 7pm, Macon County Fairgrounds, Route 121 NW, Decatur, 217-412-8139.
Jennifer Holliday Jul 01, 7pm, Legendary singer performs one show in Springfield. $35-$50. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 1-800-838-3006.
