Holiday Happenings

Loami Fourth of July Celebration Jul 7, 3pm Sat. Parade at 3pm, plus food vendors, car show, bounce houses, children’s activities, tractor games, silent auction, fireworks at dusk. Loami.

Fairs & Festivals Litchfield Pickers Market Jul 8, 9am-3pm Sun. Open-air market specializing in vendors featuring items prior to 1980. Plus live music, food and more. Free. visitlitchfield.com. Downtown Litchfield, 400 N. State St., Litchfield, 866-733-5833.

Morgan County Fair Jul 10-11, Tue-Wed. Carnival, food, talent show, pageant, livestock, tractor pulls, live entertainment and more. Admission: $5 adults, $2 kids 8-13, free to kids under 8. Free admission on Sunday. themorgancountyfair.com. 245-6800. Morgan County Fairgrounds, 110 N. Westgate, Jacksonville.

Theater & Comedy

200 Years of Illinoisans and Their Stuff Jul 8, 2pm Sun. A series of vignettes inspired by the objects in the “Bicentennial and Beyond” exhibit. $15 SAA members; $20 non. illinoisstatemuseum.org. 558-6696. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 782-7386.

Anybody’s Story: 200 Years of Illinoisans and Their Stuff Jul 6-7, 7:30-9:30pm Fri-Sat. A series of vignettes inspired by the objects in the “Bicentennial and Beyond” exhibit. $15 SAA members; $20 non. edwardsplace.org. Edwards Place, Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.

Comedian Ryan Singer Jul 6-7, 8-9:45pm Fri-Sat. Uncompromising and unpretentious comedian Ryan Singer. Host of the “Me & Paranormal You” podcast on iTunes. $15. mclimits.com. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut St., Mason City, 482-5233.

Freedom of Speech Jul 7, 8pm Sat. Hosted by Al Nimpson. Featuring Jeff Bailey, Maurice Shaw, Tim Laffey, Jake Merch, Zach Boblitt and Ty Poppenhouse. $5 cash. Capital City Bar & Grill, 3149 S. Dirksen Pkwy, 529-8580.

Mamma Mia! Jul 6-8, 11, 7pm Wed-Thu, 8pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun. A young woman’s quest to discover her father’s identity brings her back to the Greek island paradise they last visited 20 years ago. $20 adv; $30 day of; $22 seniors and children. atthelegacy.com. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 800-838-3006.

Peter Pan and the Pirates Jul 7, 11am and 2pm Sat. A delightful children’s play by AlphaBet Soup Productions about the boy who wouldn’t grow up and his adventures in Neverland. $16 adults, $14 seniors, $12 for students and children. hcfta.org. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.

The Enchanted Bookshop Auditions Jul 7, 10am-3:30pm Sat. Play written by Todd Wallinger. Presented by M.A.S.S. Media Productions. Hoogland Center for the Arts LRS Theatre 1, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.

Music: General Events Artist on the Plaza Concert Series Jul 11, 12-1pm Wed. Familyfriendly outdoor performance series featuring local talent. Hosted by the Springfi eld Area Arts Council. Free. springfi eldartsco.org. 753-3519. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 785-9363.

Music at the Market Jul 7, 10am-12pm Sat. Entertainment provided by local performers. Free. springfi eldartsco.org. 753-3519. Old Capitol Farmers Market, Fourth and Adams streets, 544-1723.

Music from the Edwards Family Songbooks Jul 6, 1-1:45pm Fri. A fun piano concert featuring sheet music owned by the Edwards family. Free. edwardsplace.org. Edwards Place, Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.

Springfield Municipal Band Concert Jul 5, 7pm Thu. Southwind Park, 4965 S. Second St., 753-0702.

Springfield Municipal Band Concert Jul 7, 11am Sat. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St., 558-8844.

Springfield Municipal Band Concert Jul 10, 11am Tue. Old State Capitol Plaza, between Sixth and Fifth streets at Adams.

Springfield Municipal Band Concert Jul 10, 7pm Tue. Douglas Park, 400 N. MacArthur Blvd.

The American Rogues Jul 6, 5:45-9pm Fri. Part of the Oakleaf Crypto Tech Concert Series. BYO picnics, blankets and lawn chairs. Food and beer vendors on site. Free. jacksonvillemainstreet.com. Central Park, 32 N. Central Park, Jacksonville, 245-6884.

Dance

Dance for Hope Jul 6, 7:30-10:30pm Fri. Latin dance night every fi rst Friday of the month. $8 per person. Free admission to one dance of your choosing during your birth month. danceforhope3111. com. Normandy Hill Plaza, 3111 Normandy Road, Suite 104, 522-9106.

Art & Architecture

Art Exhibition Opening Jul 7, 5:30-7:30pm Sat. Featuring artists Jan Sorenson Hill, Rosalinda Post-Lucas, Carolyn Sommer and Kate Worman-Becker. Exhibition on display through July 31. davidbourlandgallery.com. David Bourland Gallery, 939 C Durkin Dr., 381-4735.

First Friday Gallery Walk Jul 6, 5-7:30pm Fri. Featuring exhibitions, music and talks at the Madden Arts Center, Gallery 510, the Blue Connection and the ArtFarm. Funded in part by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency. Free. decaturarts.org. 423-3189. Downtown Decatur, Decatur, 423-7000.

Golden Age Exhibit Jul 6-7, 12-6pm Fri-Sat. A continuing exhibit by artist members of the Pharmacy Gallery and Art Space that honors Springfield writer and poet Vachel Lindsay. Free. pharmacygallery.com. The Pharmacy Gallery and Art Space, 711 S. Fifth St., 801- 810-9278.

Children’s Corner Happy Birthday Illinois! Super Saturday Jul 7, 11am-3pm Sat. Enjoy cake, activities, games, and wish the state of Illinois a happy birthday. Free with admission. illinoisstatemuseum.org. 558-6696. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 782-7386.

Reading Takes You Everywhere Jul 9, 10am Mon. Summer reading program for children of all ages featuring Wild Times Exotics, a mobile zoo with a hands-on approach to teaching about animals. Prairie Skies Public Library District Ashland, 125 W. Editor St., Ashland, 476-3417.

Reading Takes You Everywhere Jul 9, 1pm Mon. Summer reading program for children of all ages featuring Wild Times Exotics, a mobile zoo with a hands-on approach to teaching about animals. Prairie Skies Public Library Pleasant Plains, 555 Buckeye Road, Pleasant Plains, 626-1553.

Summer Film Fest: Prairie Animals Jul 10-11, 10-10:30am Tue- Wed. 30-minute fi lms every Tue and Wed in June and July for ages 3-8. Part of the Bob Steffan Summer Film Fest. $5 adults 19-64; free to members, youth, seniors, military and veterans. illinoisstatemuseum. org. 782-6044. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 782-7386.

Summer Passport Series Jul 5-11, 9am-4:30pm Mon- Sat, 12-4:30pm Sun. Series of fi ve search activities enables families to take a closer look at the exhibits that they love. $5 adults 19-64; free to members, youth, seniors, military and veterans. illinoisstatemuseum. org. 558-6696. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 782-7386.

Science

Springfield Makerspace Open House Jul 5-7, 2-7pm Thu-Sat. Free. 744-9682. Springfi eld MakerSpace, 1000 S. Spring St., 553-9172.

Nature Enos Park Community Garden Night Jul 11, 6-8pm Wed. Every Wednesday. Help garden and share the vegetable harvest. Free. Enos Park Community Garden, 1022 N. Fifth St., 847-341-0591.

Lectures & Meetings

AARP Chapter 195 Jul 9, 11am Mon. Presentation by Brad Gentry, LLCC’s chief of police, on active shooter situations at 1pm. Business meeting at 2pm. Lunch available for $6. 529-9763. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 546-9515.

Breast Cancer Support Group Jul 10, 5pm Tue. Meets second Tuesday of the month. Topic: Photography for Healing and Art Therapy. 757-7684. Clarke Conference Room (E-118), Memorial Medical Center, 701 N. First St.

Bulletin Board APL Pet Adoptions Jul 7-8, Sat-Sun. Cats available 11am-4pm. Dogs available 12-3pm. apl-shelter. org. 544-7387. PetSmart, 3183 S. Veterans Pkwy, 698- 3091.

Centennial Department Convention Jul 11, Wed. Celebration of the American Legion Department of Illinois. 847-345-4200. Bank of Springfi eld Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 800- 745-3000.

Christmas in July Jul 7, 12-4pm Sat. Enjoy fun carnival games with prizes, a celebrity dunk tank, photos with Santa, shopping and more. Free. apl-shelter. org. Animal Protective League, 1001 Taintor Road, 544-7387.

Wrestling For A Cure Jul 7, 6-9pm Sat. Professional wrestling show featuring concessions, silent auctions, raffl es and more. In support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. $5. 572-8054. Illinois State Fairgrounds Illinois Building, 801 Sangamon Ave., 782-6661.

Food Illinois Products Farmers Market Jul 5, 4-7pm Thu. Every Thursday. Shopping, health and wellness information, live entertainment and more in a street party atmosphere. SNAP cards accepted. Free. agr.state.il.us/nightmarket. Illinois State Fairgrounds, The Shed, 801 Sangamon Ave.

Red, White and Brews Event Jul 11, 6-10pm Wed. Featuring live music by Poor Farm Road plus wine, beer and cheese from Central Illinois Growers. themorgancountyfair.com. 473- 9304. Pavilion, Morgan County Fairgrounds, 110 N. Westgate, Jacksonville.

History Bicentennial and Beyond: The Illinois Legacy Collection Jul 5-11, 9am-4:30pm Mon- Sat, 12-4:30pm Sun, Featuring rare and rarely-seen artifacts from the museum’s Illinois Legacy Collection to highlight the dynamic story of Illinois. Free with museum admission. illinoisstatemuseum.org. 558-6696. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 782-7386.

Entertaining and Etiquette with Mrs. Edwards Jul 11, 1-1:45pm Wed. Mrs. Helen Edwards chats with guests about being a hostess in Lincoln’s Springfield. Free. edwardsplace.org. Edwards Place, Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.

Grant Goes To War: The March From Springfield Jul 5, 6:30-8:30pm Thu. Fifth in a series of 12 programs about Illinois and the Civil War. Sponsored by the Civil War Roundtables of Macoupin County and Springfi eld. Free. booksonthesquare.com. Books on the Square Springfi eld, 427 E. Washington St., 965-5443.

Tales from the Vault Jul 11, 12:30-1:30pm Wed. Historian Ian Hunt gives visitors a look at unique artifacts with expert commentary on what makes these items signifi cant. A collaborative program with the Illinois State Museum. Free. PresidentLincoln.Illinois.gov. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 N. Sixth St., 558-8844.

The President Will See You Now Jul 10, 6pm Tue. Book signing and presentation by Peggy Grande, former assistant to Ronald Reagan and author of The President Will See You Now: My Stories and Lessons from Ronald Reagan’s Final Years. $5 members, $8 public. PresidentLincoln.Illinois.gov. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St., 558-8844.

Walk and Talk: Bicentennial and Beyond Jul 6, 2-2:30pm Fri. Journey through 200 years of Illinois history on this curatorled gallery walk through the “Bicentennial and Beyond: The Illinois Legacy Collection” exhibition. Free with museum admission. illinoisstatemuseum.org. 558-6696. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 782-7386.

Faith & Philosophy

Centennial Department Convention Jul 11, Wed. Celebration of the American Legion Department of Illinois. 847-345-4200. Bank of Springfi eld Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 800- 745-3000.

Fireside: Tests, Trials and Divine Intervention Jul 6, 7-8:30pm Fri. Open discussion on elevated subjects of a spiritual nature. Light refreshments and fellowship to follow. Free. 546-9171. Springfi eld Baha’i Center, 1131 S. Eighth St., 544-9595.

Spirituality and the Environment Jul 8, 4:30-6pm Sun. Presentation on Jubilee Farm by Sister Anita Cleary followed by interfaith prayers and a light supper. Free. 546-9171. Springfi eld Baha’i Center, 1131 S. Eighth St., 544-9595.

Sports & Fitness

Bike and Hike Days Jul 8, 8am-4pm Sun. Enjoy safe recreation and minimized vehicular traffic. Hosted by Springfield Park District. Free. springfieldparks.org. Washington Park, 1501 S. Grand Ave. W., 544-1751.

Capitol Takeover and Row Raiser Jul 7, 8am-6pm Sat. Teams of 10 race to pull a marathon distance (26.2 miles) on a row machine. Event features live music by Fun DMC. Hosted by Rail Splitter CrossFit and Jones Chiropractic in support of Special Olympics Illinois athletes. Rail Splitter CrossFit, 300 W. North St., 312-882- 2440.

Modified Bike and Hike Days Jul 9-11, 4-6pm Mon-Wed. Enjoy safe recreation and minimized vehicular traffic around a modified loop. Hosted by Springfield Park District. Free. springfieldparks.org. Washington Park, 1501 S. Grand Ave. W., 544-1751.

Pickleball for Beginners Jul 11, 5:30-10pm Wed. Learn the basics of pickleball from the Springfi eld Pickleball Club. Paddles and balls provided. For ages 12+. Free. springfi eldparks.org. 544-1751 x 1012. Iles Park, Sixth and Ash streets.

Women’s Distance Festival Jul 7, 8am Sat. Two-mile race and kids’ fun run. Registration. srrc.net. Washington Park, 1501 S. Grand Ave. W., 544- 1751.

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

Searchable by date, genre, name and more.