FAIRS & FESTIVALS
Abraham Lincoln National Railsplitting Festival Sep 16-17. Postville Park, 1301 Fifth St., Lincoln, 732-8770.
Clayville Fall Festival Sep 16-17, 9am-6pm Sat, 10am-4pm Sun. Pioneer artisan and craftsman demonstrations, historic building tours, kids activities, food, period music and more. $5 adults, $3 ages 7-12, free to ages 6 and under. clayville.org. 481- 4430. Clayville, Route 125, Pleasant Plains, 572-4984.
Fall Bird Fair Sep 17, 9am-4pm Sun. Hosted by the Illini Bird Fanciers. $3 admission. 836- 2836. Illinois Building, Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 S. Sangamon Ave., 782-6661.
Great Lakes Shrine Association Parade Sep 16, 11am Sat. Free. Downtown Springfi eld.
Healing Arts Festival Sep 16, 11am-10pm Sat. Learn about natural alternatives for healing. Featuring live music and speakers. Free. 527-8615. Douglas Park, 400 N. MacArthur Blvd.
Midwest Vintage Market Sep
15-16, 4-8pm Fri, 9am-4pm Sat. Featuring live music, food trucks and
more. $10 admission Fri; $5 admission Sat. savedspace.com/market. Saved
Space, 200 E. Douglas Ave., Jacksonville, 243-5678.
National Show Horse Finals Sep 14-17, 8am-11pm Thu-Sun. Free. 937-962-4336. Artisans Building, Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave., 544-7702.
Oktoberfest Street Party Sep
15-16, 5pm-12am Fri-Sat. Outdoor street party with live music by Big
Daddy Jasper, Groove Daddies, After Sunset, Take 10, The Loops and Mike
Burnett and the Blue Suns. $5. Brewhaus, 617 E. Washington St.,
525-6399.
Opa Fest Sep
16, 11am-7pm Sat. Greek festival featuring live music plus Greek food
and pastries. Free. St. Anthony’s Hellenic Orthodox Church, 1600 S.
Glenwood Ave., 522-7010.
Pleasant Plains Market Days Sep
16, 9am-1pm Sat. Featuring 20+ vendors on the third Saturday of each
month. Pleasant Plains Market Days, 408 E. State Highway 125, Pleasant
Plains, 415-0731.
BOOKS & AUTHORS
Book Sale Sep
14-16, 10am-5pm Sat, 10am-1pm Sun. Annual used book sale. Grand Prairie
of the West Public Library District, 142 W. Jackson, Virden, 965-3015.
Poets in the Parlor Sep
17, 2-3pm Sun. Kirk’s Garage Poetry Group reading. Free.
vachellindsay.org. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth
St., 524- 0901.
Pondicherry Lodge Sep
16, 12pm Sat. Annual potluck picnic and viewing and discussion of The
Sign of Four. Bring a dish to share. sherlock. lolopop.org. 620-0042.
Home of Stephen and Lisa Stone, 2021 South Wiggins, 546-8387.
SPW Open Mic Sep
20, 6-8pm Wed. A Springfi eld Poets and Writers event. Hosted by Thea
Chesley, third Wednesday of every month. Free. 544-3611. Robbie’s, 4 S. Old State Capitol Plaza, 528-1901.
THEATER & COMEDY
Artrageous Sep
15, 8pm Fri. Interactive art and music experience for the whole family
features live band, singers and artists. atthelegacy. com. $25 advance;
$30 day of. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 800-838-3006.
Capital City Improv Sep
16, 8-9:45pm Sat. A live theater performance. The ugly love-child of
“Whose Line Is It Anyway” and “Saturday Night Live.” $15. AtTheLegacy.
com. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 800-838-3006.
Comedians with Day Jobs Live Sep
16, 8pm Sat. Featuring local comedians and podcast hosts Larry Smith
and Jeremy Hughes. $10. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 3455 Freedom Dr.,
391-JOKE.
Donnie Baker Sep
15-16, 8pm Fri, 7:15pm and 9:30pm Sat. Donnie Baker is comedian Ron
Sexton’s character for radio’s nationally syndicated “Bob and Tom Show.”
$21. mclimits.com. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut,
Mason City, 482-5233.
MUSIC:
GENERAL EVENTS
Bobby Whitlock and CoCo Carmel Sep
20, 7:30pm Wed. Concert by quintessential southern blues/ soul singer
Bobby Whitlock and his wife, singer CoCo Carmel. sangamonauditorium.org.
Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 206-6160.
Jazz Night Sep
15, 6-7pm Fri. Intergenerational jazz performance features
Williamsville High School jazz band members along with other local
musicians. Free. shermanlibrary.net. Sherman Public Library, 2100 E.
Andrew Road, Sherman, 496-2496.
Music and Mezze Sep 15, 5:30-7:30pm Fri. St. Anthony’s Hellenic Orthodox Church, 1600 S. Glenwood Ave., 522-7010.
Music at the Museum: Patchouli Sep
14, 7-9pm Thu. Concert by a new American folk duo that blends elements
of folk, pop, fl amenco and jazz with world beat rhythms. $10 adults, $8
museum members and children. illinoisstatemuseum.org. 558- 6696.
Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 782-7386.
Music in the Park: Celtic Fest Sep
17, 4-7pm Sun. Featuring oldest art fair. Free admission. springfi
eldart.org. Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.
Enos Park Home Tour Sep 16, 1-5pm Sat.
Self-guided tour of historic homes in Springfi eld’s oldest
neighborhood. Refreshments and live music by Kneller from 5-7pm in the
Sculpture Garden. $10. epnia.com. 553-4629. Enos Park, Seventh and
Enterprise streets.
FILM & TELEVISION
Movie in the Park: Moana Sep
15, 8-10:30pm Fri. Film begins at dusk. BYO lawn chairs and blankets.
Concessions available for purchase. Free. springfi eldparks.org.
544-1751. Rotary Park, Iles Avenue and Archer Elevator Road.
Short Films Sep
14, 6:30-8pm Thu. View award-winners and favorites from past Route 66
Film Festivals. Free. Food available for purchase. route66fi
lmfestival.net. 544-3611. Z Bistro, 220 S. Sixth St., 522-4049.
CHILDREN’S CORNER
Aladdin Sep
16, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm Sat. A children’s ballet presented by Springfi eld
Dance Theatre. $12, $15. hcfta.org. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S.
Sixth St., 523-2787.
Leaf ID Hikes Sep
17, 1:30-3pm Sun. Naturalist-led leaf identifi cation and collection
hikes to assist students with leaf collection projects. Identify and
collect more than 25 leaves. Free to members, $5 non.
lincolnmemorialgarden.org. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore
Dr., 529-1111.
Monarchs and Me Sep
16, 10am-12pm Sat. Two-session program geared towards children ages
8-10 about Monarch butterfl ies. Preregistration required. Free.
lincolnmemorialgarden.org. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore
Dr., 529-1111.
Zooper Edventures Sep
16, 1-3pm Sat. Themerelated games, crafts, zoo discovery walk, and
other fun learning activities for ages 7-9. Advance registration
required. $13 resident, $15 non. springfi eldparks.org. Henson Robinson
Zoo, 1100 E. Lake Shore Dr., 585-1821.
SCIENCE
ISM Brown Bag Lecture Series Sep 20, 12-1pm Wed. Presentation titled “Alligator Gar: An Overview of History, Research and Prospects in
Illinois” by Nathan Grider. Free. illinoisstatemuseum.org. 558- 6696.
Illinois State Museum Research & Collections Center, 1011 E. Ash
St., 785-0037.
NATURE
Bird Hikes Sep
16, 8-9:30am Sat. Led by volunteer birding expert Kevin Veara. Open to
birders of all experience levels. Binoculars recommended. Free.
lincolnmemorialgarden.org. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore
Dr., 529-1111.
Leaf ID and Collection Hikes Sep
16, 10am-12pm Sat. Fun, educational way to collect more than 50 leaves.
Geared towards school-age children with leaf collection
projects. Preregistration and adult chaperones required. $7 per student
for residents; $10 per student non. springfi eldparks. org. Washington
Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W. Fayette Ave., 546-4116.
Volunteer Naturalist Training Sep
20, 12-3pm Wed. Seasoned and new volunteers learn tips and tricks for
leading nature hikes through the Garden. RSVP.
lincolnmemorialgarden.org. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore
Dr., 529-1111.
LECTURES & MEETINGS
Adult Children of Alcoholics Sep 19, 5:15pm Tue. Weekly meeting. New attendees welcome. [email protected]. Discovery Club, 313 W. Cook St., 544-9049.
Central Illinois Civil War Roundtables Sep
14, 7pm Thu. Address by Dr. Samuel Wheeler, Illinois State Historian.
Dinner optional. Free. MCL Cafeteria, 2151 Wabash Ave., 787-8706.
Central Illinois Numismatic Association Sep 14, 7pm Thu. Monthly meeting. Knights of Columbus Hall Council 4175, 2801 West St., 528-5740 .
Constitution Day Presentation Sep
15, 12pm Fri. Featuring presentations on presidential pardons by Dr.
Chris McDonald and Dr. John Vinzant, two political science professors.
Free. LLCC Trutter Center, 5250 Shepherd Road, 786-2200.
Finances 50+ Sep
19, 6pm-8am Tue. AARPhosted program teaches ages 50+ about savings and
asset protection. Free. RSVP. AARP Springfi eld Offi ce, 300 W. Edwards
St., 877-926-8300.
Financial Peace University Sep 20, 6:30-7:30pm Wed. Nineweek Dave Ramsey program takes participants through
the basics of budgeting, dumping debt, planning for the future and more.
$102.30. daveramsey.com. Athens Christian Church, 1411 E. Route 29,
Athens, 636-8463.
GriefShare Sep
19, 6:30pm Tue. Nondenominational grief-recovery program utilizes video
seminars, a workbook and a support group environment. Two-hour sessions
weekly for 13 weeks. $15. 899-9418. Trinity Lutheran School, 515 S.
MacArthur, 787-2323.
GriefShare Grief Recovery Program Sep
20, 6:30-8pm Wed. A 14- week program built around video seminars, a
support group and a workbook. Cost of book. griefshare.org. Athens
Christian Church, 1411 E. Route 29, Athens, 636-8463.
Healthy Eating Lunch and Learn Sep
19-20, 11:30am-1:30pm Tue-Wed. Hosted by HyVee. Emphasis on key fruit
and vegetable issues as they relate to selection, convenience,
preparation, budgeting and health. Free. RSVP. aarp.cvent. com. AARP
Springfi eld Offi ce, 300 W. Edwards St., 877-926- 8300.
Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #55 Auxiliary Sep
14, 6pm Thu. Swearing in ceremony for Illinois Fraternal Order of
Police Lodge #55 Auxiliary. Sangamon County Sheriff’s Offi ce, 1 Sheriff
Plaza, 753-6880.
Ins and Outs of Medicare Sep
18, 11am-12pm Mon. Presentation by Mitch Hudson an American Republic
Insurance Services. Registration required. Free. shermanlibrary.net.
Sherman Public Library, 2100 E. Andrew Road, Sherman, 496-2496.
Life Reimagined Sep
20, 6-8pm Wed. An AARPhosted program. Learn how to dust of your dreams
and make life changes. Free. RSVP. aarp. cvent.com. AARP Springfi eld
Offi ce, 300 W. Edwards St., 877-926-8300.
REBOOT Recovery Course Sep
20, 6-7:30pm Wed. Program helps helps combat veterans and their
families heal from the moral and spiritual wounds of war. Free.
athenschristian.net. Athens Christian Church, 1411 E. Route 29, Athens,
636-8463.
Stamp Collecting Club Sep 18, 7pm Mon. Meets third Monday of each month. 546-5021. Carpenters Union Hall, 211 W. Lawrence Ave., 528-7571.
Sylvia Mendez Sep
18, 4pm Mon. Sylvia Mendez, recipient of the 2011 Presidential Medal of
Freedom, speaks about her life as an American civil rights activist. An
ECCE Speaker Series presentation. Free. uis.edu. UIS Brookens
Auditorium, One University Plaza, 206-6073.
BULLETIN BOARD
Fall Bazaar Sep 16, 10am-4pm Sat. Featuring local vendors and crafters. Free to public. Navy Club USA Ship 32, 3100 Stanton Ave., 585-9132.
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event Sep
16, 8am-1pm Sat. Hosted by the City of Springfi eld for city residents
only. Enter fairgrounds through gate 11. Full list of acceptable items
at springfi eld.il.us/recycling. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801
Sangamon Ave., 782-6661.
Springfield Christian Women’s Connection Luncheon Sep
20, 11am-1pm Wed. Theme is “What is...?” Special speaker is Wanda
Hansen with her talk titled “From Riches to Rags To Peace and
Prosperity.” $15. 303-9768. Northfi eld Inn Suites and Conference
Center, 3280 Northfi eld Dr., 523-7900.
The Vietnam War Sep
14, 6:30pm Thu.Preview of The Vietnam War, the latest documentary by
Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, along with a discussion of the war’s legacy.
Reservations. Free. PresidentLincoln.Illinois.gov. Abraham Lincoln
Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St., 782-5764.
FOOD
Ribfest Sep 16. lakespringfi eld.org. Anchor Boat Club, 407 E. Lake Shore Dr., 529-1174.
HISTORY
Fall Fireside Chats Sep
20, 5:30pm Wed. Presentation titled “The Women in Lincoln’s Family” by
Erika Holst. Free. Elijah Iles House, 628 S. Seventh St., 492-5929.
Illinois History Forum Sep 14, 12pm Thu. Showing of Mother Jones: America’s
Most Dangerous Woman followed by a discussion led by Devin Hunter about
Jones’ life and the history of labor activism in Illinois. Free. Abraham
Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 N. Sixth St., 558-8844.
FAITH & PHILOSOPHY
Inner Vision Sep 15, 7-8:30pm Fri. Refreshments. Free. 546-9171. Springfi eld Baha’i Center, 1131 S. Eighth St., 544-9595.
SPORTS & FITNESS
Arrive and Drive Sep
16, 10am-4pm Sat. Ages 8 and up can test drive a real racing kart. $10
to drive; free to spectators. midstatekartclub.com. Mid- State Kart
Club, 160 Kender Lane, Dawson, 309-241-0504.
Bike and Hike Days Sep
17, 8am-3pm Sun. Enjoy safe recreation and minimized vehicular traffi
c. Hosted by Springfi eld Park District. Free. springfi eldparks.org.
Washington Park, 1501 S. Grand Ave. W., 544-1751.
Cruise Nite and Car Show Sep
16, 9am-9pm Sat. One of the area’s largest cruise nights featuring
classic and antique automobiles. jacksonvilleil. org. 243-5678.
Jacksonville Community Park, 1201 S. Main, Jacksonville.
Curvy Challenge Sep
14, 18, 6:30-7:30pm Thu and Mon. Fitness group for curvy women. $10 per
session; $25 per month. 638-8989. St. John AME Church, 1529 E. Capitol
Ave. 533-3969.
Danielle Elizabeth Allen Memorial 5K Sep
17, 12-5pm Sun. Walk in support of scholarships for Pleasant Plains
High School graduates. getmeregistered. com. 415-9101. Pleasant Plains
High School, 500 N. Cartwright St., Pleasant Plains, 626-1044.
Moonlight Miles Sep
16, 6:30pm-1am Sat. Run either a 5K (3.1 miles), Quarter Marathon (6.55
miles) or Half Marathon (13.1 miles) through the cemetery at night.
Registration. triharderpromotions.com. Oak Ridge Cemetery, 1441 Monument
Ave., 789-2340.
More events, more details in our online calendar at illinoistimes.com.
Searchable by date, venue, genre, name and more.
