FAIRS & FESTIVALS

BBQ, Blues & Cruise Festival Jul 28, 10am-11pm, Amateur BBQ cook-off, blues music, Classic Car Cruise and Show, Bring Your Hog to Taylorville Motorcycle Ride and Show and more. Christian County Fairgrounds, 700 W. Spresser St, Taylorville.

Chatham Sweet Corn Festival Jul 20-21, 4:30pm-12am Fri, 10am-12am Sat, Features world famous sweet corn and cow chip throw, plus entertainment and more. chathamjaycees.net. Chatham Community Park, S. Main St, Chatham. Logan County Fair Jul 31, Aug 01, 8am-12am, Jul 31-Aug. 5, Carnival and concerts daily. 732- 3311. Logan County Fairgrounds, 1408 Short 11th St, Lincoln. Macoupin County Fair Jul 19-26, Tractor pull, demolition derby, livestock competition, food and carnival. Free, $5 parking per car. 854- 9422. Macoupin County Fairgrounds, 21368 Rte. 4, Carlinville. Menard County Fair Jul 19-22, www.menardcountyfair.com. Menard County Fairgrounds, 18450 Fairgrounds, Petersburg.

BOOKS & AUTHORS Contemporary Fiction Group Jul 25, 6-7pm, Group discusses popular

fiction and nonfiction meets fourth Wednesday of month in Carnegie Room South. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St. Friends Sweet Corn Book/Bake Sale Jul 21, 9am-3pm, Friends of the Library host one day sale. Bargain book sale of $2 a bag begins at 2 p.m. Chatham Area Public Library, 600 E. Spruce, Chatham, 483-2713. Nature Book Group Jul 19, 10:30am, Hour book discussion, John Muir: Apostle of Nature by Thurman Wilkins, followed by walking tour. Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, 2315 East Clear Lake Ave, 217-544-2473.

THEATER & COMEDY Civil War Journeys Jul 19-22, 8-10:30pm, July 13-15, 19- 22, Original script by John Woodruff that follows three sets of people through war. Free 7 p.m. pre-show. $13-$8. Theatre in the Park, Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, 15588 History Lane, Petersburg, 217-632- 5440. Insane with Power Jul 26-28, 7:30pm (July 29 - 2pm), The Less Is More Independent Theatre Company presents play. Must be 21 years or older, except on Family Funday July 29, 2 p.m. Catch 22, 11 W. Old State Capitol Plaza. Jer-Dog Jul 21, 8pm, Comedian. Trails End

Saloon, 6445 Old Route 54, Curran, 217-483-7078.

Once On This Island Jul 20-22, 25-29, 8:30pm, Young peasant girl used by island gods to settle their argument about which is stronger - love or death. $8-$14. The Muni, 815 East Lake Dr.

The Lighter Side of Springfield History Jul 20-22, 27-29, Comedy about funny events and people from Springfield’s past, written by Tara McClellan McAndrew. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St.

MUSIC: GENERAL EVENTS Artist on the Plaza Jul 19, 24, 26, 12-1pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays, free outdoor performances. 753-3519. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza. Blues Concerts Jul 19, 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. Bossa Azul Jul 21, 28, 11:30am-12:30pm, Playing every Saturday. Golden Frog Cafe, 218 S. Sixth, 299-6576. Carillon Concerts Jul 22, 25, 29, Aug 01, 7pm Wed and Sun, 3pm Sun, Local sub Carillonneur Jim Rogers plays free weekly concerts this summer. Washington Park Rees Memorial Carillon, Fayette Rd.