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Dates, times and locations are subject to last-minute changes, so we suggest calling before attending events.

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

Indian Knoll Pumpkin Patch and Farm Sept 20-Oct 26, 10am-5pm Sat, 12- 5pm Sun. Pick your own pumpkin, enjoy a wagon ride to the patch, meet farm animals, play barnyard games, face painting, pumpkin painting and special weekly events. Indian Knoll Farm and Pumpkin Patch, 2850 N. E Road, Mechanicsburg, 217-827-0317.

Light Up Wimmer Cemetery Walk Sep 27, 5-8pm. Cemetery walk, wiener roast. Free will donations. wimmerfriends.com. Wimmer Cemetery, Dixon and Dickey-John Roads, Auburn.

Rockin Nite Maze Sep 26-27, Oct. 10-11, 7-10:30pm Fri-Sat. Walk the maze to 80s music. Flashlights required (available for purchase) Under age 16 must have parent. Weather dependent. $10. 217- 341-4905. Bomke’s Patch, 605 Country Lake Road, 217-626-1806.

FAIRS & FESTIVALS

Alpaca Farm Days Sep 27-28, 10am-5pm Sat, 11am- 4pm Sun. Free family event with demonstrations on use of alpaca fl eece, shopping and concessions. Alpacas of Indian Point Hills, 17229 VanEman St., Petersburg, 217-414-0266.

Family Service Center Kite Festival Oct 5, 12-3pm Sun. Illinois Kite Enthusiasts club kite shows, giant kites display, live music by Mary Jo Curry and Lori Kretzinger, free food, face painting, decorate your own kite. $3 per child, adults free. 217-528-8406. Hope Pavilion - Southwind Park, 4965 S. Second Street, 217-788-2310.

International Route 66 Mother Road Festival Sep 26-28, 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 Springfi eld. Jubilee Farm Fall Festival Sep 27, 10am-3pm Sat. Day of fun, food and interesting facts. Free. Jubilee Farm, 6760 Old Jacksonville Rd, 787-6927.

Multicultural Fest Oct 1, 11am-1pm and 4-6pm. Celebration of diversity with food samples, dancing and music. Free. A Lincoln Commons. 786-2241. Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd, 217-786-2200. Our Savior’s Fall Craft Festival Sep 27, 9am-3pm Sat. Vendors featuring handmade items of all varieties and home-based business. Free or bring nonperishable food item for local food pantry. 217-341-5692. Our Savior’s Lutheran School, 2645 Old Jacksonville Rd, 217-546-4531.

Prairie Land Heritage Museum Steam Show Sep 26-28, 8am-5pm Fri-Sun. Horse powered equipment, antique tractors, gas and steam engines, demos, train rides, fl ea market and food. $5. www. prairielandheritage.com. 217-243-5678. Prairie Land Heritage Museum, 1005 West Michigan, South Jacksonville.

Rochester Olde Towne Fall Festival Sep 27-28, 9am-5pm Sat, 10am-4pm Sun. Two days of arts and crafts, food, live music, little miss pageant and more. Free. Rochester downtown, 129 S. John St., Rochester, 217-498-8882.

St. Aloysius FallFest Oct 4, 11am-10pm Sat. Craft and food vendors, beer tent, bags tournament, carnival games and 3-on-3 for kids, mass outside 4:30 p.m. then catered dinner and live band. Open to public. St Aloysius School, 2125 N. 21st St., 544- 4553.

Taylorville Chillifest/ 175th Birthday Celebration Oct 4-5, 9am-6pm Sat, 10am-5pm Sun. Pageants, Saturday parade, entertainment, Civil War reenactment, pumpkin races, vendors, kids rides and activities and so much more. Free. Christian County Historical Society grounds. 217- 824-4919. Taylorville square, Taylorville.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Book Signing and Talk Sep 25, 7-9pm Thu. New Berlin author Taylor Pensoneau, “Reporting on Life – and the People Along.” Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 3111 S. Veteran’s Pkwy, 546-9440. Book Signing and Talk Sep 30, 6pm Tue. Jean H. Baker, “Mary Todd Lincoln: A Biography” will talk about Mary’s spiritualism. Reservations at presidentlincoln.illinois.gov or 558-8934. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St, 217-782-5764.

Booking the Iles House Oct 4, 10am-3pm Sat. Local authors present recently released books. Children’s book authors in morning and lunch. Free, donations for lunch appreciated. 217-971-4336. Elijah Iles House, 628 S. Seventh St., 217-492- 5929. Harvest Songs Poetry Festival Sep 28, 1-4pm Sun. Interactive all-ages poetry and craft festival. No experience necessary. Enjoy cider, stroll trails. Sponsored by The Inukshuk Collective. Free. 217-415-6241. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr, 217-529-1111.

It’s Just Not My Scene (or is it?) Oct 5, 1-4pm Sun. Screenwriting and playwriting workshop. $15. Register via Vachel Lindsay Association. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St, 217-524-0901.

THEATER & COMEDY

Adult Christian Comedy/Gospel Jazz Sep 26, 7-9pm Fri. Comedians Ted Denson and Rev. “Little Nate” Nathaniel Brown. Musicians Kenny Humble, Jarrod Hill and Jaro House. $20, $15 in advance. Union Baptist Church, 1405 E. Monroe St, 217-544-8115.

Basket of Hope Presents Come to the Cabaret Sep 27, 7-10pm Sat. Broadway tunes sung by locals. Free but offerings taken during show. 217-415-0552. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 217- 523-2787.

Mary Todd Lincoln: Taking Leave Oct 4, 4pm and 7pm. Springfi eld’s Pam Brown gives dramatic presentation. $10. Tickets elkharthistoricalsociety. org. 217-947-2238. Elkhart Christian Church, 113 South Gillett Street, Elkhart.

Pete ’N’ Keely Oct. 3-5, 10-12, 8pm Fri-Sat, 4pm Sun. comedy musical about divorced couple who are forced back together to revive their failing singing careers. Stars Gus Gordon and Cynda Wrightsman. $18. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523- 2787.

MUSIC: GENERAL EVENTS

An Evening with Sarah Jarosz Sep 28, 7pm Sun. Grammynominated singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. UIS Studio Theatre, One University Plaza, 217-206-6160. Beaverfest Oct 4, 2-11pm Sat. Make-A-Wish fundraiser in outdoor pavillion. Live music at 2 p.m. and Captain Geech and the Shrimp Shack Shooters playing at 7. Free, beer tickets $2. 217-414-9379. Sangamon County Fairgrounds, northwest edge of town, New Berlin.

Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra Sep 27, 7:30pm. French music. $15. Tickets available at door at 7 p.m. 217-245-1181. Illinois College Rammelkamp Chapel, 1101 W. College Ave, Jacksonville, 217-245-3000.

Juvae Jazz Society Oct 5, 2-7pm Sun. Bob Draga and All Star Band, plus Miss Jubilee and the Humdingers. Food at 4:00. $35, 277-877- 4527 or 277-877-2813. Decatur Conference Center & Hotel, 4191 US 36 West, Decatur.

Localicious First Friday Part Deux Oct 3, 5-8pm Fri. Make slime, watch a pumpkin explode ooze, create earrings, mapping activity, art and museum exhibits, music of Brooke Thomas and the Blue Suns, artisans store, food and drink. Free admission and parking. 217-782-5949. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 217-782-7386.

Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra Sep 27, 7:30pm Sat. Special guest violinist Tai Murray. $13- $16.50. Kirkland Fine Arts Center, 1184 W. Main St, Decatur, 424- 6318. Riders in the Sky Sep 25, 7:30pm Thu. Internationally known comedy western quartet famous for song “Woody’s Roundup” from Toy Story 2. $30, $27 seniors, $23 kids. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523- 2787.

Special Concert Sep 26, 7-9pm Fri. The Sweet Potatoes of Southern California playing blend of country, folk and Americana. Freewill offering. 217-625-4831. Pawnee Methodist Church, 4026 Street, Pawnee.

Springfield Classical Guitar Society Concert Oct 4, 8pm Sat. Matt Palmer, named 2010 Up and Coming Guitarist of the Year by Guitar International Magazine. Admission. 217-816-8832. Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2313 Whittier Ave, 217-522- 7331.

Sunday Afternoons in the Chapel Oct 5, 4pm Sun. Amy Catron, cello; Silvan Negrutiu, piano; Visual Artist Michael Houseror. Reservations required, jwallace@ ben.edu or 217-717-3671. $12. Benedictine University at Springfi eld, 1500 N. Fifth Street, 217-525-1420.

Venice Oct 3, 8pm Fri. With a rocking sound reminiscent of The Eagles and Jackson Brown, the California band returns for what promises to be their four sold-out appearance. $45. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 800- 838-3006.

Worship Arts Explosion Sep 27, 5-7pm Sat. Praise and worship through gospel mimes, praise dancers and music. Freewill offering toward building fund. Cherry Hills Baptist Church, 2125 Woodside Rd.

DANCE Dance Sep 26, 8-11pm Fri. Kevin Turner 9/26. $10. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 217-546- 9515. Salsa Nights Sep 27, 9pm-12:45am Sat. $3. Abe’s Southside Cafe & Pub, 3751 S. Sixth St., 217-529-5511.

ART & ARCHITECTURE

Art Exhibit Sep 29-30, Oct 8-7, 6, 11am- 6pm Mon-Thu, “I’m Jealous of Your Failure” on display until Oct. 23. Over 30 contemporary artists from all over country. Opening reception Oct. 2 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. UIS Visual Arts Gallery, HSB 201, One University Plaza, 217- 206-6506.

Art Exhibit Sep 25-26, 29, Oct 1-3, 6-8, 9am-5pm Mon-Fri, “Inspirations from Nature,” Christy Freeman. Closing reception Oct. 16, 5-7 p.m. Charles E. Becker Library, Benedictine University at Springfi eld, 1500 North Fifth St.

Gallery 1227 – Around the Town Sep 26, 5-7pm Fri. Area photographers Lou Fremgen, Tom Handy, James Hawker and John Record present more than 20 new pieces on theme “around the town.” Free. 217-836-7774. Gallery 1227, 1227 S. Pasfi eld Ave.

Inspired Journeys Sep 25-27, Oct 1-4, 7-8, 12- 7pm Tue-Sat, James Johnston (paintings, prints, photographs), Pam Allen (jewelry) and E. Vern Taylor (painting, pastels). Prairie Art Alliance Gallery in the Hoogland, 420 S. Sixth St., 217- 544-2787. On the Prairie Sep 25-27, 29, Oct 1-4, 9am- 5pm Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm Sat. Bronzes by Marshall Mitchell. Free. Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St, 217-523-2631.

Pied Piper Architectural Tour Oct 1, 5:30pm. Free professionally-guided architectural tour. Meets outside. 544-1723. Lincoln-Herndon Law Offi ce, 112 North Sixth St.

The Picture of Health Sep 27, 6-9pm Sat. Bring a bottle of wine, enjoy desserts and make children’s health-themed art to benefi t genHkids. Chic casual. Register in advance genhkids. webconnex.com/PictureofHealth. Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St, 217-523-2631. theGallery Oct 2, 6-9pm Thu. Fine Art Exhibit. Spoken Word performances. 217-503- 8428. Joe Gallina’s Pizza and Restaurant, 432 E. Monroe St., 217-522-5271.

FILM & TELEVISION

ECCE Speakers Series Oct 1, 6pm Wed. Storming the Gates: The Struggle for Access to Higher Education in Illinois. Documentary that traces history of how minorities gained admission into major academic institutions in Illinois. UIS Brookens Auditorium, One University Plaza, 217-206-6073.

Gone With the Wind Sep 28, Oct 1, 2pm and 7pm. Four screenings of classic fi lm in its original 1:37 aspect. AMC Showplace Springfi eld 12, 3141 Mercantile Dr.

CHILDREN’S CORNER

Satur-Play! Sep 27, 11am-3pm Sat. “Cloud in a Bottle” for ages 3-10. Free. 217-782-5955. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 217- 782-7386.

Touch A Truck Oct 4, 10am-12pm. See a fi re truck, helicopter, tractor and more. 753-0700. Lincoln Park, Fifth St and Sangamon Ave, 217- 544-1751.

SCIENCE

Friday Night Star Parties Sept. 26-Oct 3, 8-10pm. Fridays in Sept.-Oct. Enter southeast corner, Brookens Library. Free. Weather question, 206-8342 at 7 p.m. or UIS Observatory on Twitter. University of Illinois at Springfi eld, 217- 206-6073.

NATURE

Bird Fair Sep 28, 9am-4pm Sun. Pet birds for sale by professional and hobbyist breeders, speakers, kids’ activities, food. $3. Illinois Building. 217-801-5191. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave, 217-782-1698.

Demonstration Garden Programs Sep 25, 5:30pm Thu. Half hour free programs. Straw Bale Gardening (Sept. 25). University of Illinois Extension Sangamon-Menard Unit, 2501 N. Eighth St, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Bldg #30.

Fall Bird Hikes Sep 27, Oct 4, 8am Sat. Led by Kevin Veara. Birders of all skill levels welcome. Free. Meets at Nature Center. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr, 217-529-1111.

Fall Migratory Bird Walk Sep 27, 8am Sat. Morning walk with local bird expert. Adults and attentive kids ages 7 and older welcome. Meet in parking lot. Carpenter Park Nature Preserve Pavilion, Cabin Smoke Trail off North Business Route 55 (Peoria Road), Sherman, 217-544-1751. Fur, Feather, Fin Fall Fling Oct 4, 10am-6pm. Final free admission day of the season. Activity packed day includes animal programs. Henson Robinson Zoo, 1100 E. Lake Shore Dr, 217-585-1821.

Leaf Identification and Collection Hikes Sep 27, 10am-12pm Sat. For students accompanied by adult. Pre-registration required by phone. Free for residents. Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W. Fayette Ave, 217-546-4116.

LOESS Rock, Fossil and Gem Show Oct 4-5, 10am-6pm Sat, 10am- 5pm Sun. Demos, kids activities and more. Illinois Building. $2-$1. 309-838-7782. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave, 217-782-1698.

Nature Buddies Kickoff Sep 28, 4:30-5:30pm Sun. Intro program for nature club with hikes, scavenger hunts, nature walks, leaf collections, bird watching and more. At least one parent with child or children. Henson Robinson Zoo, 1100 E. Lake Shore Dr, 217-585-1821.

LECTURES & MEETINGS

Springfield ICON Monthly Meeting Sep 29, 7-8:30pm Mon. Springfi eldICON.org. 217- 528-9803. First Church of the Brethren, 2115 Yale Boulevard, 217-523-5212.

BULLETIN BOARD

WUIS/Illinois Issues Education Forum Sep 27, 4-5:30pm Sat. Free, open to public. Seating limited. Reservations at WUIS.org. WUIS 91.9 Public Radio, One University Plaza, 217-206-9847. Academy of Lifelong Learning Kickoff Oct 1, 1pm Wed. Individuals 50 and over. Ronald Solberg, “Those Magnificent ‘Whizbang’ Traveling Salesmen of Illinois.” Register 786- 2477. LLCC Trutter Center, 5250 Shepherd Road, 217-786-2200.

Annual Craft and Food Festival Sep 27, 9am-2pm Sat. Amish quilt and afghan raffl e, holiday gifts and crafts, books, and homemade soup, sandwiches and pies for lunch. 217-483-5997. Chatham Community Center, 109 W. Mulberry St., Chatham, 217- 483-2488. Beer School Oct 4, 10-11am Sat. Tour brewery, learn about beer making process, sample a few of brews. Free class limited to 20 participants. Phone to register. . Obed & Isaacs, 500 S. Sixth St, 217-670-0627.

Boo Bark Party at the Park Oct 4, 11am-2pm Sat. Costume contest for dogs, pet related vendors, demonstrations, games for dogs, food for everyone and more. Proceeds benefi t animals in APL’s care. $3 per dog. Stuart Park, Winch Lane (north of Jefferson).

Building Racial Unity Sep 26, 7pm Fri. A Grassroots Discussion. Springfi eld Baha’i Center, 1131 S. Eighth St, 217-544-9595. Citizens Club Policy Breakfast Sep 26, 8am Fri. Dr. Jennifer Gill, Springfield School District 186 superintendent. Coffee reception at 7:30. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523-2787.

Community Program Sep 29, 5-6pm Mon. Ray Bruzan gives vocal tour of village history, Rochester Historical Preservation Society displays of renovations, Janice Petterchak, biography of fi ve-star Gen. Omar Bradley. Rochester Public Library, 1 Community Drive, Rochester, 498-8454.

Enos Park Historic Homes Tour Oct 4, 10am-2pm Sat. Self-guided tour of 16 homes. Tickets $10, $5 in advance. Tour book, tickets at Springfi eld Art Association. [email protected].

ERA Forum Oct 2, 7-8:30pm Thu. Sponsored by AAUW and NOW, panel discussion features women who were and are currently prominent in ongoing efforts to pass ERA in Illinois. American Lung Association, 3000 Kelly Lane, 217-787-5864.

Fall Festival /Amish Quilt Raffle Sep 27, 9am-2pm Sat. Chatham Community Center, 109 W. Mulberry St., Chatham, 217-483- 2488. Foot in the Door Sep 25, 11am-2pm Thu. Bringing students, local employers and organizations together to discuss career opportunities in a broad range of available positions. 217- 206-6508. UIS Recreation and Athletic Center, 217-206-6073.

Junior League Springfield Celebrity Bartender Sep 25, 5-8pm Thu. Free to attend; buy drinks and tip well. J.P. Kelly’s, 300 E. Adams St, 217- 494-5976.

Old Fashioned Tea Sep 27, 2-5pm Sat. Outdoor event with ogranizations each having their own tea table. Well known re-enactor Kathryn Harris as Harriet Tubman, period storytelling, music, sing-along to benefi t African-American History Museum. Strawbridge Shepherd House, 5251 Shepherd Road, 217-525-2781. UIS Student Union Campaign Kickoff Sep 30, 4:30pm-12am Tue. Carnival-themed kickoff with free food, giveaways and games. Student Union fl oor plans. Colonnade (center of campus). 217-206-6058. University of Illinois at Springfi eld, 217-206- 6073.

Used Book Sale Sep 26-27, 3-7pm Fri, 8:30am-1pm Sat. Pre-sale Friday $5 admission; Free admission Saturday. 217-529- 8065. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 S. Walnut Street, 217- 522-4415.

FOOD

East Side Farmers Market Sep 29, 8:30am-12:30pm Sangamon County Department of Public Health, 2833 South Grand Avenue East, 217-535-3100 or 888-217-3505

Illinois Products Farmers Market Sep 25, Oct 2, 4-7pm Thu. Thursdays through Oct 16, local food, entertainment. Commodity Pavilion. 785-4873. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave, 217-782-1698.

Old Capitol Farmers Market May 14-Oct 25, 8am-12:30pm Wed and Sat. Cheese, produce, meats, art and more. Third Saturdays include entertainment, cooking demos and more. Adams between Fifth and Second.

HISTORY

Candlelight Tour Oct 3-5, 7-9pm Fri-Sun. Only opportunity to see the village at night. Period clothing and talk about life in 19th century Illinois. Gingerbread, cider at Rutledge Tavern. Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, 15588 History Lane, Petersburg, 217-632-4000.

HEALTH

Adaptive Yoga Sep 28, Oct 5, 1:30-2:30pm Sun, In chair stretching and relaxation. Bring own water bottle. 217-381- 2358. Heritage Free Will Baptist Church, 3436 S. Douglas Ave , (217) 691-8968. Beginning Yoga Oct 1, 8, 7:30-8:30pm Wed. Every Wednesday. Bring your own yoga mat, water bottle and pillow or block. 217-381-2358. Heritage Free Will Baptist Church, 3436 S. Douglas Ave , (217) 691-8968.

DBSA Central Illinois Sep 30, Oct 7, 6:30-8:30pm. Tuesdays. For those affected by mood disorder, friends/family. Fellowship Hall, lower level. 414- 7368. First Christian Church, 700 S. Sixth St, 217-528-3407.

GriefShare Grief Recovery Program Sep 30, Oct 7, 6:30pm Tue. Tuesdays for 13 weeks with video seminars, support group and workbook. Register 217-414- 0126 or griefshare.org. Athens Christian Church, 1411 E. Route 29, Athens, 217-636-8463.

FAITH & PHILOSOPHY

A Place at the Table Sep 28, 2-6:30pm Sun. Fifty million people in the U.S. don’t know where their next meal is coming from. Enter through Kosciusko St. door. Elevator available. Free. 217-953-0613. Congregational United Church of Christ, 520 West College, Jacksonville, 245-8213.

Bob Goff Live Sep 28, 7pm Sun. New York Times best-selling author of Love Does, founder of Restore International. Free. First United Methodist Church, 2941 S. Koke Mill Rd, 217-793-9760.

Healing Arts Festival Sep 27, 12-10pm Sat. Speakers including national speaker Richardo Saldivar, live music, orginal fi lm shot in Springfi eld. Douglas Park, 400 N. Macarthur Blvd. Prayers for Peace Gathering Sep 25, 1:30-2pm Thu. Public invited to gather at Peace pole in front of church house and share thoughts and prayers for peace during International Day of Prayer for Peace week. First Church of the Brethren, 2115 Yale Boulevard, 217-523-5212.

SPORTS & FITNESS

Arrive and Drive Sep 27, 10am-4pm Sat. Ages 8 and up can test drive a real racing kart. $10. 971-5599. Mid-state Kart Club, 160 Kender Lane, Dawson, 217-553-3613.

Dance Dash 5K Sep 28, 2-4pm Sun. Learn parts of a line dance at three stations along 5K route. All ages. $45. 217-544- 5437. Southwind Park, 4965 S. Second St, 217-753-0702.

Wounded Warrior Sep 27, 10am Sat. Wounded warrior team against police and fi re department teams. Concessions available. Proceeds to Wounded Warrior Project. Spartan Sports Park, 7250 Ironbridge Road, Chatham, 217- 483-2500.

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