HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

A-Maze-Ing Corn Maze

Oct 8-9, 11am-6pm Sat, 12-6pm Sun. Four acres with miles of paths. $5. auburn-umc.org. Auburn United Methodist Church, 14100 State Route 4, Auburn, 438-3126.

Boo Bark: Party At The Park

Oct 8, 11am-2pm Sat. Dog games and activities, PAWcasso paw painting, buried treasure for dogs, dog costume contests, demonstrations, vendors, kids area, more. $3 for one dog, $5 for two. apl-shelter.org. 217- 544-7387. Stuart Park, Winch Lane (north of Jefferson).

Carve for the Carillon

Oct 8-9, 11am-4pm. Help carve, scoop and move 2,016 pumpkins for Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular. Pumpkins supplied. All ages, abilities welcome. Free. carillon-rees.org. 546-3853. Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W. Fayette Ave., 546-4116.

Girard Pumpkin Festival

Oct 8, 10am. 11th annual festival features parade, costume contest, kids activities and games, food tents and contests, pumpkin chunkin from 1-4pm, more. GirardILChamber.org. Girard.

Holiday Craft Sale

Oct 7-8, 9am-4pm Fri-Sat. Local artisans with a large display of fall, winter and Christmas decorations and home-crafted Santas, snowmen, angels, hand painted gourds, slates and signs. Free. Craft Studio - Salisbury, 5889 Grigsby Lane, Pleasant Plains, 626-1738.

Indian Knoll Pumpkin Patch and Farm

Oct 9-8, 15-16, 10am-5pm Sat, 12- 5pm Sun. Wagon rides, face painting, barnyard games and animals, corn box and barrel tractor rides, fall treats, more. No admission fee; small charge for certain activities. indianknollpumpkins.com. Indian Knoll Farm and Pumpkin Patch, 2850 N.1000 E. Road, Mechanicsburg, 827- 0317.

Oktoberfest Oct 7-8, 5pm Fri, 1pm Sat. German brats and kraut, beers, live music, more. Brewhaus, 617. E. Washington, Springfi eld, 525-6399.

Spooky Halloween Kids Night Out

Oct 8, 5-9pm Sat. Kids walk the spooky trail at the YMCA’s Wa-Kon-Tah Camp grounds on Lake Springfi eld, play traditional fall games and more.

Pick up and drop off at Downtown YMCA. $12 members, $15 public. YMCA, 701 S. Fourth St., 544-9846.

Terror on the Square

Oct 7, 14, 15, 7-11pm Fri-Sat. Haunted outdoor event with scenes, scares and special effects set in an abandoned graveyard and a creepy, winding trail in woods. $10 adults, $8 ages 8 and under. terrorontheweb.com. Menard County Fairgrounds, 18450 Fairgrounds, Petersburg.

FAIRS & FESTIVALS

Hillsboro Harvest Market

Oct 8, 9am-5pm Sat. 313-9962. Downtown Hillsboro.

Indian Summer Festival

Oct 8-9, 10am-4pm Sat-Sun. Food, crafts, entertainment and children’s activities including fairy house building and pumpkin painting. Adults $5. Ages 6-12 are $3. Ages 5 and under are free. lincolnmemorialgarden.org. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr., 529-1111.

Memorial’s Be Aware Women’s Fair

Oct 8, 9am-2pm Sat. Seventh annual event features more than 100 exhibitors devoted to women and their physical, emotional and fi nancial health. $4. BeAwareWomensFair.com. Orr Building, 217-788-4700. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave., 782-6661.

Pleasant Plains Market Days

Oct 8, 8am-3pm Sat. Pleasant Plains Market Days, 408 E. State Highway 125, Pleasant Plains, 415-0731.

Youth Charity Horse Show

Oct 7, 9-8, 8am-10pm Fri-Sat, 8am-6pm Sun. Annual horse show features competitive showmanship and comradery from riders ages 18 and under. Proceeds support Peoria’s Central Illinois Riding Therapy program. Free. youthcharityhorseshow.com. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave., 782-6661.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Annual Used Book Sale Oct 7, 9am-4pm Fri. Hosted by Friends of UIS Brookens Library. Great selection of popular fi ction, nonfi ction, cookbooks, children’s books, music and DVDs. No admission charge. UIS Brookens Library, One University Plaza, 206-6633.

Coffee House Writing Rituals

Oct 14, 9:30-11:30am Fri. Social hour meet and greet designed to cultivate inspiration for writers. Second and third Fridays of month. $5-10 donation. 217-899-5247. Edgar’s Coffee House, 87 W. Plummer, Chatham, 391-7628.

THEATER & COMEDY

Anita Renfroe Flat Out Funny Tour

Oct 11, 6:30-9pm Tue. 753- 3939. First United Methodist Church, 2941 S. Koke Mill Road, 793-9760.

Comedian Kevin Farley

Oct 8-7, 9:30pm Fri, 7:30pm Sat. Comedian Kevin

Farley is the brother of Chris Farley. Seen on “Saturday Night Live” and CMT. $15, $17. donniebscomedyclub.com. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 3455 Freedom Dr., 391-JOKE.

Magic Show

Oct 10, 7-10pm Mon. Free. Westside Pub and Grill, 3455 Freedom Dr., 679-4998.

Once

Oct 9, 8pm Sun. Winner of eight 2012 Tony Awards including Best Musical. A story about going for your dreams, not living in fear and the power of music to connect us all. Tickets. sangamonauditorium. org. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 206-6160.

Once Upon A Mattress

Oct 14-16, 8pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun. Springfi eld Theatre Centre presents a rollicking spin on the story of “The Princess and The Pea.” Admission. hcfta.org. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.

Tres Vidas

Oct 11, 7pm Tue. Musical theater performance highlights the lives of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, Salvadoran peasant-activist Rufi na Amaya and Argentine poet Alfonsina Storni. Free. uis.edu/speakerseries. Polly Roesch Music Room, Visual and Performing Arts Building, UIS, One William Maxwell Lane, 206-6240.

Wonder Bread Years

Oct 9, 2pm Sun. Funny salute to Americana starring former Seinfeld writer Pat Hazell toes the line between standup and theater. $20-35 adults. $5 school-age kids. kirklandfi nearts. com. Kirkland Fine Arts Center, 1184 W. Main St., Decatur, 424-6318.

MUSIC: GENERAL EVENTS

Millikin University Symphonic Wind Ensemble

Oct 7, 7:30pm. Season kick-off concert features the music of Butler University Composer in Residence, Michael Schelle. Free. millikin.edu/ som. Kirkland Fine Arts Center, 1184 W. Main St., 424-6318.

ART & ARCHITECTURE

Be Charmed Downtown and Meet the Artists

Oct 7, 5-8pm Fri. Start at any location to pick up your free wine glass charm. studioon6thart.com. Studio on 6th, 215 S. Sixth St., 522-8006.

Creative Pathways Exhibition

Oct 6, 12-7pm Thu. SAA Collective Gallery, 420 S. Sixth St., 544-2787.

Cute Creep Opening and Exhibit

Oct 7-8, 6-9pm Fri-Sat. 17th group art exhibition by The Pharmacy Gallery and Art Space members. Free. thepharmacygallery.com. The Pharmacy Gallery & Art Space, 711 S. 5th St., 801-810-9278.

Fall Paint Party

Oct 9, 1-3pm Sun. Paint a witches boot doorhanger. Supplies, wine and snacks included. $30. The Melting Pot, 408 E. State Highway 125, Pleasant Plains, 415-0731.

koõ/

Oct 7, 6-8:30pm. A two-person exhibition from Washington-based artist Brandon Siscoe and Texas-based artist Mike Stephen. On display through Nov 5. demoprojectspace.com. DEMO Project, 732 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.

Paint Nite

Oct 10, 17, 7-9pm Mon. No experience necessary. All supplies provided. $25- 45. paintnite.com. Omar’s Latin Fusion Restaraunt, 6901 Preston Dr., 415- 5568.

Paint Nite

Oct 12, 19, 7-9pm Wed. No experience necessary. Ages 21+ only. All supplies provided. $25-45. Registration required, paintnite.com. Fire and Ale, 35 Illini Boulevard, Sherman, 496-2236.

Paint Nite

Oct 6, 13, 7-7pm Thu. No experience necessary. Ages 21+ only. All supplies provided. $25-45. Registration required, paintnite.com. Arlington’s, 210 Broadway St., 528-1563.

Prayer for Springfield

Oct 7, 6-8:30pm. Exhibition encourages the viewer to contemplate the ambiguous nature of the word “ordinary.” Presented by Industry of the Ordinary, a Chicago-based two-person collaborative. Free. demoprojectspace. com. DEMO Project, 732 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.

Reserved For Loitering

Oct 6, 10-13, 17-19, 11am-6pm Mon- Thu. Multi-media exhibition by Paul Shortt that attempts to recontextualize the act of loitering. Free. uis.edu/ visualarts/gallery. UIS Visual Arts Gallery, HSB 201, One University Plaza, 206-6506.

Watercolor Society Annual Members Exhibition Reception

Oct 7, 5:30-7:30pm Fri. With judge and visiting artist Donna Jill Witty. On display through Oct 29. M.G. Nelson Family Gallery, 700 N. Fourth Street, 523-2631.

CHILDREN’S CORNER

DIY Costume Party

Oct 10, 12:30-3:30pm Mon. Kids of all ages spend the afternoon making their own Halloween costumes. Requistration required. $40, includes all supplies. urbansassafras.com. 217-210-2303. Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.

Fun Fall Fling

Oct 8, 10-11:30am Sat. Ages 3-5 do fun fall activities, create a fall craft and make a treat. $25 resident, $35 non. springfi eldparks.org. Washington Park Pavilion, 1400 Williams Blvd, 544-1751.

Healthy Kids Running Series

Oct 9, 16, 4:30pm Sun. A positive, educational and fun introduction into the world of running for kids in Pre-K through 8th grade. 50 yard dash, 1/4 mile and 1-mile options available by age. Registration, healthykidsrunningseries.org. Williamsville Park, Williamsville.

PIG Tournament

Oct 10, 10am-1pm Mon. PIG tournament for ages 9-12. $10 members, $15 public. springfi eldymca. org. Springfi eld YMCA Gus & Flora Kerasotes Branch, 4550 West Iles Ave., 679-1625.

Spooky Halloween Kids Night Out

Oct 8, 6:30-9:30pm Sat. Drop-off event for kids ages 8-12 featuring Halloween-themed games and crafts, swimming, fun and more. Costumes encouraged. $8 members, $12 public. springfi eldymca.org YMCA, 701 S. Fourth St., 544-9846.

SCIENCE

Speaker Richard Louv

Oct 6, 7:30pm. Presentation by Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods. Collaboration with the Macon County Conservation District. Part of the Fall 2016 Science Entrepreneurship Speaker Series. Free. millikin.edu. Kirkland Fine Arts Center, 1184 W. Main St., Decatur, 424-6318.

Friday Night Star Parties

Oct 7, 14, 8-10pm Fri. Hosted by John Martin. Presentation and viewing of skies. Enter observatory from southeast corner, Brookens Library. Free. Weather questions, 206-8342 at 7pm or UIS Observatory on Twitter. University of Illinois at Springfi eld, 206-6073.

Photovoltaic Site Assessment

Oct 8, 8am-5pm Sat. Learn how to evaluate a site for solar panels in a home or small business. Registration, illinoissolar.org. Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Road, 786-2200.

NATURE

Community Forum Oct 6, 3:30pm. Community forum on “How we can become a nature-rich community.” In collaboration with the Macon County Conservation District. Free. millikin.edu. Kirkland Fine Arts Center, 1184 W. Main St., Decatur, 424-6318.

Fall Bird Hikes Oct 8, 15, 8-9:30am Sat. Hike through the Garden and search for migratory birds with Kevin Veara. Free. lincolnmemorialgarden.org. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr., 529- 1111.

LECTURES & MEETINGS

AARP Chapter 195

Oct 10, 12pm Mon. 217-529- 9763. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 546-9515.

Avoiding Litigation

Oct 6, 7:30am Thu. Seminar on avoiding litigation in business 217-525-1173. The State House Inn, 101 E. Adams St. Catholic War Veterans Post 1916 Oct 13, 7-8:30pm Thu. Monthly meeting. post1916.cwv.org. 217-487-7470. VFW 10302 Northenders, 2349 Stockyard Road, 523-7523.

Central Illinois Numismatic Association

Oct 13, 7pm Thu. Monthly meeting. Public invited. Knights of Columbus Hall Council 4175, 2801 West St., 528-5740.

Local Beans and Brew: Craft Beer and Chili

Oct 7, 11:30pm Fri. A UIS Lunch and Learn Series event. Brent Schwoerer discusses the history of craft beer making and microbrewing. William Furry discusses the history and culture of chili. $23 per person, includes hot buffet lunch. UIS Public Affairs Center (PAC), One University Plaza, 206-6073.

Womens Overseas Service League

Oct 11, 12:30-1:30pm Tue. Monthly meeting. Open to military women who have served overseas. 217-891-8719. American Legion Post 32, 1120 Sangamon Ave., 522-3110.

BULLETIN BOARD

APL Pet Adoptions

Oct 8. Adoptable cats and dogs from 11am-4pm. apl-shelter. org. 217-544-7387. Petsmart, 3183 S. Veterans Pkwy, 698- 3091.

APL Pet Adoptions

Oct 7. Adoptable cats available from 4-8pm. apl-shelter.org. 217-544-7387. Petsmart, 3183 S. Veterans Pkwy, 698-3091.

Fall Car Show

Oct 8, 3-6pm Sat. Featuring vintage cars and motorcycles 25 years and older. Hosted by the Central Illinois Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America. Free to vehicles, spectators. Roberts Automotive, 4440 Wabash Ave., 408-4869.

Little Black Dress Gala

Oct 7, 6-9pm. Open to all women. Wear your favorite LBD and enjoy local celebrity bartenders, hors d’oeuvres, raffl es, more. $30. Ticket inquiries 248-1272. Barnes House, Illinois College, 1101 W. College Ave., 245-3000.

North Grand Association Officer Elections

Oct 6, 6:30-8pm Thu. All welcome. avenueassociation. com. Goodenow (Former Lincoln Library), 719 N. Grand Ave. E., 638-1938.

Trivia Night

Oct 7, 7pm Fri. In support of the Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony. Featuring host and trivia expert Russ Friedewald. Cash bar, snacks for purchase. Reservations, 753-8000 or [email protected]. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.

Trivia Night: School of Rock

Oct 7, 6-10pm Fri. Prizes for top three fi nishing teams and best costumed table. $20 per person; $160 per table minimum. 217-522-3387. Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach (Warehouse), 4930 LaVerna Road, 525-8843.

UIS Homecoming Weekend

Oct 7-8, 12am Fri-Sat. Events include Homecoming parade, UIS men’s and women’s soccer versus Drury University, fi reworks to follow game. uis. edu/homecoming. University of Illinois at Springfi eld, 206- 6073.

FOOD

New Berlin Farmer’s Market

Oct 13, 4-7pm Thu. Second and fourth Thursday of each month from May through Oct 13. Free admission. nbacdl.org. Wabash Park, New Berlin, 717-4408.

Old Capitol Farmers Market

Oct 8, 12, 19, 15, 3-6:30pm Wed, 8am-12:30pm Sat. Shop local produce, meats, cheeses, more. Entertainment on Saturdays includes chef demonstrations, live performances, activities, more. Free admission. downtownspringfi eld.org. Downtown Springfi eld, Inc., 3 W. Old State Capitol Plaza, 544-1723.

HISTORY

2016 Conference on Illinois History,

Oct 6-7, Sponsored by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation. $90 both days; $50 single day. Student prices: $45 both, $25 single. $15 each luncheon session. Registration, PresidentLincoln.illinois.gov. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 N. Sixth St., 558- 8844.

Candlelight Tour

Oct 7-9, 7-9pm Fri-Sun. See Lincoln’s New Salem Historic Site at night. Staff and volunteers in period clothing discuss life in 19th century Illinois. Live music, gingerbread, cider, more. lincolnsnewsalem.com. Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, 15588 History Lane, Petersburg, 632-4000.

Echoes of Yesteryear: A Walk through Oak Ridge Cemetery

Oct 9, 12-4pm Sun. Costumed actors tell the stories of several interesting people at their respective grave sites. Hosted by Sangamon County Historical Society. Free, donations suggested. sangamonhistory. org. 217-525-1961. Oak Ridge Cemetery, 1441 Monument Ave., 789-2340.

AUDITIONS

Capital City Men’s Chorus

Oct 9, 16, 5:30-7pm Sun. Open fall rehearsals for men’s chorus. Laurel United Methodist Church, 631 S. Grand Ave. W., 525-1866.

HEALTH

DBSA Central Illinois Support Group

Oct 11, 18, 6:30-8pm Tue. 217-816-8523. First Christian Church, 700 S. Sixth St., 528- 3407.

Flu Shots

Oct 10, 15, 9am-1pm Mon, 9am-1pm Sat. Shots provided by Meijer Pharmacy. Individual must provide insurance card. Springfi eld YMCA Gus & Flora Kerasotes Branch, 4550 West Iles Ave., 679-1625.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

Oct 8, 8-10:30am Sat. 5K walk to end breast cancer hosted by the American Cancer Society. makingstrideswalk.org. 217-523-4503. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave., 782-6661.

FAITH & PHILOSOPHY

A Course in Miracles

Oct 11, 18, 6pm Tue. 217- 415-5823. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, 585-9550.

SPORTS & FITNESS

MMRD/CCH Fresh Meat Program

Oct 11, 18, 7-9pm Tue. New skaters practice with Mayhem and Hooligan roller derby skaters every Tuesday night, allowing them to learn quickly about the sport plus roller derby culture and community. Bring mouthguard. MidStateMayhemRollerDerby. com. $5 admission; gear rental for $5. Skateland South, 1500 Recreation Dr., 546-4543.

Monster Match

Oct 8, 9:30am Sat. Halloweenthemed co-ed sand volleyball tournament. $120 per team. 217-528-3694. Spartan Sports Park, 7250 Ironbridge Road, Chatham, 483-2500.

PIG Tournament

Oct 10, 12am Mon. Play basketball, PIG and enjoy pork. Proceeds support the Springfi eld YMCA Strong Kids Scholarship Fund. Springfi eld YMCA Gus & Flora Kerasotes Branch, 4550 West Iles Ave., 679-1625. Run, Walk, Bike, Skate Club

Oct 6, 5:45-6:45pm Thu. All levels of riders, walkers, runners, skaters welcome. Free. scheels.com/events. Scheels, 3801 S. MacArthur, 726-6330.

Why Not You Today Conference - Beautiful Things

Oct 8, 9am-3pm Sat. One-day inspirational, motivational women’s conference hosted by Sonya Jones, Finalist on NBC’s The Biggest Loser, with special guest Courtney Westlake. $40. itickets.com/events/365376. Calvary Church, 501 West Hazel Dell Road, 546-9700.

---

More events, more details in our online calendar at illinoistimes.com.

Searchable by date, venue, genre, name and more.