Holiday Happenings

Halloween Hoopla

Oct 15, 10am-3pm Sat. Become a mad scientist, catapult a pumpkin through the sky, meet creepy crawlers, collect treats, walk to Boo at the Zoo. Costumes, Halloween attire encouraged. $2 members, $7 non. Children’s Museum of Illinois, 55 South Country Club Road, 423-KIDS.

Indian Knoll Pumpkin Patch and Farm

Oct 15-16, 22-23, 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.

Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular

Oct 14-15, 6:30-9:30pm Fri- Sat. 2,016 hand-carved, illuminated jack-o-lanterns carved by community members and local artists. Plus tree of lights, spooky music, fi re pits, food vendors. Rain or shine. No pets. $7 adults, $5 ages 4-11, 3 and under free. carillon-rees.org. 217-787-3532. Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon, 1740 W. Fayette Ave., 546-3853.

Spooktacular Evening with Abe

Oct 15, 6:30-8:30pm Sat.

See historical characters haunt the museum plus special lighting and music, spooky storytelling, kids’ costume contest, crafts, games and more. Free to members, $10 non. presidentlincoln.illinois.gov. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 N. Sixth St., 558-8844.

Terror on the Square

Oct 14-15, 21-23, 7-11pm Fri-Sat, 7-11pm Fri-Sun. 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.

Trunk or Treat

Oct 15, 5-7pm Sat. Theme is “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.” Prizes for most creative trunk. Costumes encouraged. Free. springfi eldymca. org. Springfi eld YMCA Gus & Flora Kerasotes Branch, 4550 West Iles Ave., 679-1625.

Fairs & Festivals

Annual Cat Show

Oct 16, 10am-4pm. CFA Cat show features 225 purebred cats. Plus cat adoptions and vendors featuring cat-oriented toys, gifts and clothing. $5 adults, $4 seniors, $3 children. acadiacoons.com. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave., 782-6661.

Fourth Annual Oktoberfest

Oct 15, 4pm-12am Sat. German food, craft beers, Springfi eld Breweriana Club members, live music, more. Lake Press Club, 13 Club Area, 529-1221. Books & Authors Coffee House Writing Rituals Oct 14, 21, 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.

Poets in the Parlor

Oct 15, 2-3pm Sat. Poet and professor Jessical L. Walsh, author of How to Break My Neck, Knocked Around and The Division of Standards. Free. vachellindsay. org. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St., 524-0901.

Pondicherry Lodge

Oct 15, 9am Sat. Meeting of the Sherlock Holmes Society of Springfi eld and west central Illinois. Discussion of The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge. Public welcome. sherlock. lolopop.org. 217-546-8387. Scheels, 3801 S. MacArthur, 726-6330.

SPW Open Mic

Oct 19, 6-8pm Wed. 217-725- 9058. Robbie’s, 4 S. Old State Capitol Plaza, 528-1901.

Theater & Comedy

Comedian Andrew Frank

Oct 15-14, 8-9:30pm Sat-Fri. Winner of Go Bananas Comedy Club’s Funniest in Cincinnati 2016; winner of Make Me Laugh 2015 plus other accolades. $12.50 cash only at door, $13.50 online. mclimits. com. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233.

Comedian Charlie Wiener

Oct 15-14, 7:30pm Sat, 9:30pm Fri. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 3455 Freedom Dr., 391-JOKE.

Once Upon A Mattress

Oct 14-16, 21-23, 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.

The Great American Trailer Park Musical

Oct 16-18, 23-25. Performed by Theatre 7. Directed by Kathy Zientara and Tanya Haubner. Admission. theatre7.net. Decatur Civic Center, 1 Gary K Anderson Plaza, Decatur.

Music: General Events

Foddershock Festival

Oct 15, 11am-7pm Sat. Live music, wine, beer, pumpkins, food, tournaments, more. $5 entry fee. West of Wise Winery, 14096 State Highway 97, Petersburg, 632-6003.

Halloween Costume Dinner Concert

Oct 20, 5:30pm Thu. Hosted by The Fleming Academy of Performing Arts. Call 787-6556 for tickets. Sangamon Prairie Reception Center, 8855 State Route 4, Chatham, 483-7999.

Vocalosity

Oct 19, 7:30pm Wed. Fastpaced, live concert by artistic producer Deke Sharon featuring an all-star ensemble of diverse young vocalists singing today’s chart-topping hits and songs from other genres. Tickets. sangamonauditorium.org. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 206-6160.

Dance

BAM

Oct 14, 8-11pm Fri. Playing the Friday night dance. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 546-9515.

Illinois Chapter Po.L.K. of A. Dance

Oct 16, 2-5:30pm Sun. Featuring Fred and Button Box Club. $9 members, $10 non. illinoischapterpolkofa.org. Riverton Knights of Columbus, 335 S. 4th St., Riverton, 629- 9018.

USO Veterans Dinner Dance

Nov 4. Music by the Don Smith Quartet. Members and guests. RSVP by Oct 21 to 529- 0158. Springfi eld Elks Lodge #158, 409 E. Lake Shore Dr., Springfi eld.

Art & Architecture

Artsy Tot Time

Oct 18, 9-10am Tue. Parents enjoy coffee while little ones create. Hosted by Our Vibrant Community. For more information, call 331-2027. $5. No registration needed. Twisted Deli, 330 S. Grand Ave. 679-4896.

Color With Friends

Oct 18, 6:30-8pm Tue. Color custom coloring pages drawn by local artists and other general pages for a wide range of interests. Hosted by Our Vibrant Community. rhiannonsarbor.com. Fore more information, call 331-2027. $5 cash. Boones Saloon, 301 W. Edwards St., 679-3752.

Paint Nite

Oct 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 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 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.

Reserved For Loitering

Oct 13, 17-20, 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.

Film & Television

Free Films - Best Of Route 66

Oct 13, 6:30-8pm Thu. 217- 725-9058. Z Bistro, 220 S. Sixth St., 522-4049.

LFF Grand Opening Gala

Oct 14, 5:30-10:30pm Fri. Screening of Stephen Spielberg’s Lincoln and postscreening reception featuring hors d’oeuvres, spirits, and a seminar by Dr. Samuel Wheeler entitled “Searching for the Lincoln Legacy.” $20. lincolnfi lmfestival.com. Logan County Courthouse, 601 Broadway St., Lincoln.

Lincoln Film Festival

Oct 14-16, 5:30pm Fri, 9:30am Sat, 1pm Sun. Threeday fi lm festival with grand opening gala; two days of independent live-action and animated short fi lms, features and documentaries; Saturday morning fi lm industry seminar with Brenda Chapman and Kevin Lima, free Saturday morning animation program, much more. $15 single-day fi lm pass, $25 two-day fi lm pass. lincolnfi lmfestival.com. Lincoln Grand 8, 225 S. Kickapoo St., Lincoln, 732-9600.

Children’s Corner

Healthy Kids Running Series

Oct 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.

Science

Friday Night Star Parties

Oct 14, 21, 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.

Nature

Fall Bird Hikes

Oct 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

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.

Chatham VFW Dinner & Meeting

Oct 17, 5-8pm Mon. 217-414- 9637. Chatham VFW, 501 W. Mulberry St., Chatham, 483- 4613.

Grief Support Group

Oct 18, 5-6pm Tue. Curriculum follows the fi ve stages of grief. Ages 12 and up. Free. Advance registration required at MemorialHomeServices. com/Hospice or 788-3333. Memorial’s Center for Learning and Innovation, 228 W. Miller, 545-6314.

GriefShare

Oct 19, 6:30pm Wed. 13-week grief recovery program utilizes video seminars, a support group and a workbook. Registration, 414-0126 or griefshare.org. Athens Christian Church, 1411 E. Route 29, Athens, 636-8463.

GriefShare

Oct 18, 6:30-8:30pm Tue. 14- week program utilizes video seminar series, workbook and sharing time as participants work through their stages of grief. Register, 899-9418 or [email protected]. griefshare.org. Trinity Lutheran School, 515 S. MacArthur, 787-2323.

Lincoln and Reconstruction

Oct 20, 7-9pm Thu. 14th Annual Lincoln Legacy Lectures. Theme is “Lincoln and Reconstruction: America’s Struggle for Equality” featuring speakers Michael Burlingame, Allen Guelzo and Brooks Simpson. Free. uis.edu. UIS Brookens Auditorium, One University Plaza, 206-6073.

Mr. Lincoln’s Hometown Civil War Roundtable

Oct 13, 7pm Thu. Presentation by Journalist Steven Spearie entitled “Is This Going to be on the Test? Putting a Liberal Arts Major to Work.” Free to public. Stratton Building, Room A1, 401 S. Spring St.

National Alliance on Mental Illness

Oct 19, 7pm Wed. For families, caregivers, friends and those with mental illness. Free. 217- 341-3125. First Christian Church, 700 S. Sixth St., 528-3407.

Overeaters Anonymous

Oct 17, 5:30pm Mon. 12-step meeting. Mondays. 217-369- 0386. Unity of Springfi eld, 417 Cordelia, 523-5897.

Overeaters Anonymous

Oct 15, 10am Sat. 12-step meeting. Saturdays. 217-369- 0386. First United Methodist Church, 2941 S. Koke Mill Road, 793-9760.

Self-Injury Conference

Oct 20, 8:30am-4pm Thu. Human Services Education Council conference provides human service professionals with therapeutic interventions to help individuals who engage in self-injurious behavior and their families. Registration, hseconline.org. Dove Conference Center, Prairie Heart Institute, 619 E. Mason St., 544-6464, ext. 44619.

Sertoma Club

Oct 17, 12pm Mon. Noon, fi rst and third Monday of every month. More information, 546- 2782. 217-494-2099. Hibachi Grill Supreme Buffet, 2309 S. MacArthur Blvd., 698-6033.

Bulletin Board APL Pet Adoptions

Oct 15, 11am-4pm Sat. Adoptable cats available. aplshelter.org. 217-544-7387.

Petsmart, 3183 S. Veterans Pkwy, 698-3091.

APL Pet Adoptions

Oct 16, 12-4pm Sun. Adoptable cats available. apl-shelter.org. 217-544-7387. Petsmart, 3183 S. Veterans Pkwy, 698-3091.

Budgeting Makes Cents

Oct 19, 10am Wed.

Budgeting program presented by the Offi ce of Illinois Comptroller Leslie Geissler Munger. Prairie Skies Public Library District, 125 W. Editor St., Ashland, 476-3417.

Business After Hours

Oct 20, 4:30-7pm Thu. Connect with other area professionals and gain exposure for your business in a casual atmosphere. $5 chamber members, $15 non. 217-525- 1173. Flooring America, 4100 Conestoga Dr., 744-7711.

Denim and Diamonds

Oct 15, 6:30pm Sat. 217-545- 2955. Crowne Plaza Hotel, 3000 S. Dirksen Pkwy, 529-7777.

League of Women Voters Springfield

Oct 19, 5:30-7pm Wed. Newcomers welcome to help organize renewed Springfi eld area League of Women Voters chapter and be involved with studies. INCIL, Myers Building, Fifth Floor, Room 501, 1 W. Old State Capitol Plaza.

Mid-America Mane Event Horse Show

Oct 20-23, 12pm Thu-Sat, 10am Sun. 14th annual show featuring barns and their American Saddlebred horses and Hackney ponies. Free. midamericahorseshow. org. Coliseum, Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave., 782-6661.

PFLAG Monthly Meeting

Oct 17, 7pm Mon. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, 585-9550.

Springfield Christian Women’s Connection Luncheon

Oct 19, 11am-1pm Wed. Speaker Christine Bassett gives her talk called “Growth Occurs in the Valley.” $15. 217-691- 7153. Northfi eld Inn Suites and Conference Center, 3280 Northfi eld Dr., 523-7900.

Women Who Code

Oct 16, 3:25pm Sun.

Discussion with Lincoln native Elizabeth (Pegram) Leake on her experience as an advocate for girls and women who code. Part of Lincoln Film Festival. lincolnfi lmfestival.com. By The Bean, 113 S. Kickapoo St., Lincoln, 605-0091.

Food

Chili Lunch

Oct 16, 11am-2pm Sun. Second annual event featuring chili and a baked potato bar. Hosted by Northside Children’s Library. northsidechildrenslibrary.org. $7, $10. 217-741-3255. Third Presbyterian Church, 1030 N. Seventh St, 528-0457.

Local Flavors Dinner

Oct 20. Local Flavors events occur on the third Thursday of each month from June through October. Each meal features seasonal ingredients sourced directly from local farmers. buyfreshbuylocalcentralillinois. org. American Harvest Eatery, 3241 W. Iles.

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 15, 19, 8am-12:30pm. Shop local produce, meats, cheeses, more. Enterainment 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.

Taste of St. Katharine

Oct 16-17, 4-8pm Sun-Mon. Food, desserts, games for kids, basket raffl e. St. Katharine Drexel Parish, 722 S. 12th St., 523-5963.

History

19th Century Cooking Event

Oct 15, 3-6:30pm Sat. Hosted by the Christian County Historical Society and Museum. Ages 18+ only. $10. Reservations requried, christiancountyhistorical. com. 217-824-6922. Christian County Historical Museum, Near IL Routes 29 and 48 on Morrison Dr., Taylorville.

Pilgrimage to the Tomb of Lafore Lock

Oct 18, 4-5:30pm Tue. 217- 891-8719. Oak Ridge Cemetery, 1441 Monument Ave., 789- 2340.

The First 20 Years

Oct 19, 5:30-7pm Wed.

Recently retired director of the Sangamon Valley Collection Linda Garvert on the people, places and events that created and shaped Springfi eld. Free. ileshouse.org. Elijah Iles House, 628 S. Seventh St., 492-5929.

Auditions

Capital City Men’s Chorus

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

Health

Cancer Companions

Oct 17, 6:30-8pm Mon. Nine-week session hosted by Bringing Hope to the Journey, a ministry to current or former cancer patients, their loved ones, friends and co-workers. oursaviors-church.org. Our Savior’s Church and School, 2645 Old Jacksonville Road, 546-4531.

DBSA Central Illinois Support Group

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

Flu Shots

Oct 15, 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.

Faith & Philosophy

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

Sports & Fitness

Celebrate Sound Walk

Oct 15, 10:30am Sat. Sponsored by the Springfi eld Sertoma Club. Featuring a sound-testing mannequin, free hearing tests, more. Registration, events.sertoma. org/springfi eld. Washington Park, 1501 S. Grand Ave. W., 544-1751.

MMRD/CCH Fresh Meat Program

Oct 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.

Springfield Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K

Oct 16, 7:30am Sun. Registration, springfi eldmarathon.net. University of Illinois at Springfi eld, 206-6073.

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

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