Alpaca Farm Days Sep 29-30, 10am-5pm Sat, 11am-4pm Sun, Free family event to get your hands on alpacas. Activities for kids. 632-2590. alpacasofindianpointhills.com. Indian Point Hills, 17229 Vaneman St, Petersburg, 632-2590 .

Apple & Pork Festival Sep 29-30, 9am-5pm, Great food, entertainment and shopping opportunities in Clinton at square, Jr. High, churches, and DeWitt County Homestead Museum.

Capital Area Education Fair Oct 03, 9-11am and 12:30-2pm, Approximately 100 post-secondary institutions meet with and provide info to high school students and their parents. Orr Building. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave, 217- 629-6003.

Clayville Fall Festival Sep 22-23, 9am-6pm Sat, 10am- 4pm Sun, Artisan/craftsman demos, historic building tours, pony rides, pioneer crafts/games for kids, craft vendors and entertainment. $5- $3. Clayville, Route 125, Pleasant Plains, 572-4984.

Fall Fest Sep 29, 10:30am-4pm, Join children and families of Hope to celebrate sea son with food, games, campus tours. Mums, crafts, baked items for purchase. 585-5437. Hope School, 15 E. Hazel Dell Lane.

International Route 66 Mother Road Festival Sep 21-23, 6-10pm Fri, 11am-10pm Sat, 11am-2pm Sun, Over 1,000 cool cars, free entertainment, swap meet and so much more. route66fest.com. Downtown Springfield.

Jubilee Farm Fall Festival Sep 29, 10am-3pm, Join in the fun, activities, exhibits, bake sale, trails and llama visits. Jubilee Farm, 6760 Old Jacksonville Rd, 787-6927.

LakeFest Sep 20-22, 3-8pm Thu, 3-11pm Fri, 11am-11pm, All-new fest in conjunction with Bassmaster Toyota Trucks All- Star Week. Live music on four stages, fishing industry exhibits, kids play area, festival food vendors and more. Free. Nelson Park, Decatur, 217-423- 4222.

Prairie Land Steam Show & Fall Festival Sep 28-30, Admission $5 for the whole weekend, food, old time demonstrations, huge flea market, lots of family fun. prairielandheritage.com. Prairie Land Heritage Museum, 1005 West Michigan, South Jacksonville.

Books & Authors

Book Signing and Discussion Sep 20, 7pm, Stacy Pratt McDermott, The Jury in Lincoln’s America. Reservations, 558-8934. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St, 217-782-5764.

Contemporary Fiction Group Sep 26, 6-7pm, Group discusses popular fiction and nonfiction meets fourth Wednesday of month in Carnegie Room South. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St, 217-753-4900.

Poetry/Art Contest One poem and/or art inspired by Vachel Lindsay for Quiddity. Deadline Oct. 1. Info - [email protected]. Benedictine University at Springfield.

Poets in the Parlor Sep 22, 2pm, Chicago poet, Maureen Flannery. Free. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St, 217-524-0901.

Theater & Comedy

Comedian Drew Hastings Sep 21-22, 8pm Fri, 7:15 & 9:30pm Sat, Trademark black horn-rimmed glasses and Midwest sensibility peppered with British aloofness and condescension. $20-$21. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233.