Holiday Happenings

Boo Crew Haunted House Oct 25-26, Nov 1-2, 7pm Fri-Sat. So scary it’s only recommended for ages 10+. Younger children’s matinee Sat, Oct 19 3-6pm. Gen. admission $17, VIP, $30, matinee $7. Rain or shine. Boo Crew Haunted House, 11083 Buckhart Road, Mechanicsburg.

Confessions of a Ghost Hunter Oct 31, 7pm Thu. American Hauntings Tour Company investigator Loren Hamilton and medium Cheryl Kearns will tell favorite stories from their experiences with a question and answer session following. Free. Jacksonville Public Library, 201 W. College Ave., Jacksonville, 217-243-5435.

Goosebumps Music Concert Oct 26, 7-8:15pm. A variety of vocal pieces, dancers, dramatic readings and live artwork. Free. First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St., 217-528-4311.

Halloween Spook-tacular Oct 28, 7pm Mon. Adults $10, students $5 and ages 10 and under are free. hcfta.org. Hoogland Center for the Arts LRS Theatre 1, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523-2787.

Haunted Woods of Creek Hill Oct 25-26, Nov 1-2, 7-11pm Fri- Sat. $5 or $10 for a speed pass. illinnoistimestix.com. Haunted Woods of Creek Hill , 3078 N. 1550 East Rd., Mount Auburn, 217-561-0590.

Halloween at the Market Oct 26, 9:30am-12:30pm Sat. Costume contests for kids, families and dogs! Free. Old Capitol Farmers Market, Fourth and Adams streets, 217-544-1723.

Zoolie Ghoulie Oct 25-27, 5-8pm Fri, 1-5pm Sat-Sun. Safe trick or treating inside the zoo. Costume contest Friday at 6pm, Saturday and Sunday at 4pm. $5 with trick or treating and $4 without. Henson Robinson Zoo, 1100 E. Lake Shore Dr., 217-585-1821.

Haunted Lab Oct 25, 5:30-7:30pm Fri. Spooky science demos and experiments, bubbles, color changes, fire and more. Hands-on activities and face painting. Children are welcome to wear costumes. For ages 5+. Preregistration. llcc.edu. 217-786-2383. Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Road, 217-786-2200.

Mall O Ween Oct 27, 3-5pm Sun. Children of all ages are encouraged to dress in costumes and enjoy activities throughout the mall including music, princess pictures and interactive games. White Oaks Mall, 2501 Wabash Ave., 217-787-0110.

Museum After Hours: Rockin’ Halloween Oct 25, 5-8pm Fri. Enjoy music by Rock of Ages, drinks and fun Halloween activities. Costumes are encouraged. $10 members, $15 non. 217-782-6044. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782-7386.

SCHEELS Halloween Experience Oct 30, 4-7pm Wed. Come dressed in your best costume. A store-wide scavenger hunt with games prizes and more along the way. Free. Scheels, 3801 S. MacArthur Blvd., 217-726-6330.

Terror in the Graveyard Oct 25-27, 31, 7-11pm Fri-Sun, 7-11pm Thu. Travel through an old, abandoned graveyard and along a terrifying trail into the woods. $15 for adults, $12 ages 10 and under. Menard County Fairgrounds, 18450 Fairgrounds, Petersburg.

Trick or Treat Street Oct 27, 1-3pm Sun. A free and safe trick or treating event for kids 12 and under. Candy provided while supplies last. Adults can sign up to win a trip to Chula Vista Resort in the Wisconsin Dells. Free. 217-629-7077. Southwind Park, 4965 S. Second St., 217-753-0702.

Fairs & Festivals

Fall Festival Oct 27-28, 10am-4pm Sun-Mon. Period clothed interpreters will demonstrate 19th century daily tasks. Visitors can step down into the cellar at the tavern to see how fruits and vegetables were preserved during the winter. Free. Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, 15588 History Lane, Petersburg, 217-632-4000.

Main Street Pumpkin Festival Oct 26, 10am-3pm Sat. Pumpkin decorating, hay rides, costume contest, pet costume contest, pumpkin drop, carnival rides, food, fall vendors, petting zoo, Pumpkin Playland and trick or treating. Downtown Jacksonville, Central Park, Jacksonville, 217-243-5678.

Theater & Comedy

Comedy Open Mic Oct 25, 8pm Fri. Hosted by Josh Freeman and featuring 10-12 comedians ranging from newbies to established pros. $5 cash only at the door. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut St., Mason City, 217-482-5233.

God of Carnage Oct 25, 7:30-9:30pm Fri. Christopher Hampton’s translation of Yasmina Reza’s 2009 Tony Award winning play. $15. UIS Performing Arts Center, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160.

Jesse Tuttle Oct 26, 8-9:30pm Sat. $12.50 prepay online or cash only at thedoor.mclimits.com. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut St., Mason City, 217-482-5233.

Rocky Horror Show Live Oct 24-26, 8pm Thu, 8pm & 11:30pm Fri & Sat. Survival kits will be available for purchase one hour prior to show to the first 125 patrons. Only the approved survival kit may be brought into the theatre. $20-$32. Hoogland Center for the Arts LRS Theatre 1, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523-2787.

Steve Hirst Oct 26, 7:30pm and 9:30pm Sat. $17 and $15. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 3455 Freedom Dr., 217-391-JOKE.

Music: General Events

Boz Scaggs Oct 26, 8-10pm Sat. Scaggs brings his signature style of rock, blues and rhythm and blues-influenced ballads. $59+. uis.edu. UIS Performing Arts Center, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160.

Dogs of Society: The Ultimate Elton Tribute Oct 25, 8pm Fri. Rocket through some of the most epic songs of the 1970s as this rock band delivers Elton John’s smash hits. $25-$30 in advance, $35 at thedoor.atthelegacy.com. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 800-838-3006.

Halloween Spook-tacular Oct 28, 7pm Mon. Join the Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony and Civic Orchestra for a frightfully fun evening. Adults $10, students age 11-18 $5, ages 10 and younger are free. Hoogland Center for the Arts LRS Theatre 1, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523-2787.

Salsa Nights - Halloween Oct 26, 9:30pm-1am Sat. 217-787-6425. AZTCA Mexican Grill, 2753 Chatham Road, 217-546-6906.

Saved by Grace Homecoming Concert Oct 26, 7pm Sat. Featuring Saved by Grace, Marlene Wiker, Hearts for One, John Eddy, Carol Beasley, Pam and Mark Fisher and The Peeks. Light refreshments. Public is invited. 217-248-5999. Athens New Life Baptist Church, 207 N. West St., Athens, 636-8076.

Soul’d Out Quartet Concert Oct 25, 7-8:30pm Fri. Free will offering. 217-825-3817. First Christian Church of Petersburg, 210 S. Eighth St., Petersburg, 217-632-2533.

Youth In Harmony Festival Oct 30, 6:30pm Wed. High school choruses, Sound of Celebration Chorus, the Land of Lincoln Chorus and a guest quartet or two. Adults $10, students 18 and younger are free. Hoogland Center for the Arts LRS Theatre 1, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523-2787.

Art & Architecture

Art History Happy Hour Oct 24, 5:30-7:30pm Thu. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and beverages while experiencing Surrealism and mask-making with Marianne Stremsterfer. Free and open to the public. Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 217-523-2631.

Art Opening Oct 25, 6-8pm Fri. Art opening, live music with Dennis Mayberry and refreshments in Margaret Cain Hall. Unity of Springfield, 417 Cordelia, 523-5897.

Eleanor Spiess-Ferris: Daphne’s Sister Oct 26-31, 9am-4:30pm Sat, 12-4:30pm Sun, 9am-4:30pm Mon-Thu. Paintings and drawings by the artist trace the development of her distinctive figures across her career and compares studies and sketches with final works. $5 adults ages 19-64. 217-782-6044. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782-7386.

Rocked and Rolled Oct 26-31, 9am-4:30pm Sat, 12-4:30pm Sun, 9am-4:30pm Mon-Thu. A celebration of music that has defined the culture combined with timeless geological specimens embodying the structure of the earth. $5 adults ages 19-64. 217-782-6044. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782-7386.

Sacred Heart Convent Chapel Tour Oct 27, 1:30pm Sun. Enjoy an up-close encounter with this pristine mid-century modern architectural gem. Accessible facility. Free, but preregistration required. 217-787-0481. Sacred Heart Convent Chapel, 1237 W. Monroe.

Film & Television

25 Texans in the Land of Lincoln Oct 26, 2-3:30pm Sat. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. Film showing will be followed by an open discussion on Abraham Lincoln’s role in building the United State’s relationship with Mexico. Lincoln Home National Historic Site, 413 S. Eighth St., 217-391-3221.

Fright Fest Oct 26-27, Sat-Sun. A whole weekend featuring some of the best horror films of all time. atthelegacy.com. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 800-838-3006.

Children's Corner

Rosie the Riveter Oct 26, 10am-12pm Sat. Explore the different roles women played during the war, make a key chain using rivet technology. Selfie station, arts and crafts activity and 3D printers. Free with museum admission. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St., 217-558-8844.

Nature

Annual Tree Tour Oct 26, 1-4pm Sat. The star tree this year is the Osageorange tree that dates back to the mid-1800s. Six of the trees on the tour this year are original to the cemetery, some dating back 100 years. Oak Ridge Cemetery, 1441 Monument Ave., 217-789-2340.

Star Party Oct 25, 8-10pm Fri. Hosted by John Martin, UIS associate professor of astronomy/physics. The observatory’s telescopes will be used to view a number of celestial objects. Weather permitting. Free. 217-206-8342. UIS Brookens Library, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6605.

Lectures & Meetings

Alateen and Al-Anon Oct 27, Nov 3, 6:30pm Sun, 6:30pm Sun. Two separate group meetings that take place at the same time and location, but in different rooms. 502-6777. spi-alanon.weebly.com. Real Life Church, 2701 Hermitage Rd.

An example of myths’ creations about women Oct 28, 6pm Mon. Salome’s Image Throughout History. Free. uis.edu. UIS Brookens Auditorium, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6073.

Identity and Misrecognition Oct 24, 5:30pm Thu. To name it is to see it. Part of the ECCE Speaker Series. Free and open to the public. UIS Brookens Auditorium, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6073.

Sex Addicts Anonymous Nov 4, 31, 6-7pm Mon & Thu. A 12-step meeting for those seeking freedom from addictive or compulsive sexual behavior. Confi dentiality assured. Email [email protected] or phone 217-306-7335 for meeting location.

Springfield Breakfast Optimist Club Oct 25, Nov 1, 7am Fri. Meets every Friday. Visitors are welcome. 217-546-5021. Peace Lutheran Church, 2800 W. Jefferson St., 217-546-7646.

Bulletin Board

APL's Annual Chili Supper and Paw Paw Patch Bazaar Oct 27, 11am-5:30pm Sun. Chili and vegetable soup. Price includes hot dog, dessert and drink. Unique gifts, 50/50 raffle, craft and baked goods. All proceeds benefit the cats and dogs at APL. 217-544-7387. apl-shelter.org. Knights of Columbus 364, 2200 S. Meadowbrook Road, 217-787-2360.

Springfield Stamp Bourse Oct 27, 10am-3:30pm Sun. A great opportunity if you are interested in stamps or if you have an old collections that you would like evaluated. Door prizes and displays. Route 66 Hotel and Conference Center, 625 E. St. Joseph St., 217-341-4838.

Business Women’s Expo 2019 Oct 26, 10am-2pm Sat. Hosted by Crossroads Transitional Living Program, an organization that serves former foster care females in their transition to independence. Vendors include consultants, nonprofits, banks, financial planners, realtors, merchants and more. Free admission. The Salvation Army Corps, 1600 E. Clear Lake Ave., 525-2196.

Family and Friends of Prisoners Support Group Oct 29, 6pm Tue. Meets the last Tuesday of each month. King of Kings Christian Assembly, 520 S. Livingston, 217-525-2337.

Politics

Get the facts on single payer options Oct 30, 6-7:30pm Wed. The Illinois Single Payer Coalition will give a presentation on the various single payer health care options that are being discussed nationwide. Free. 217-416-8793. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St., 217-753-4900.

Faith & Philosophy

Death Cafe Oct 29, 10:30am-12pm Tue. Drink tea, eat cake and discuss death to increase awareness in order to help people make the most of their lives. Led by two experienced facilitators with no agendas, objectives or themes. $10. Chiara Center, 4875 Laverna Road, 217-523-0901.

Finding the Pathway to Unity Oct 25, 6:30-8pm Fri. Presentation and discussion. Light refreshments and fellowship follow. Free. 217-546-9171. Springfield Baha’i Center, 1131 S. Eighth St., 217-544-9595.

Silent Retreat/Directed Retreat Oct 27, 12:30am Sun. The silent retreat is for those who would like an experience of silence and solitude. The directed retreat is for those who would like to meet daily with a spiritual director to engage in spiritual work. Retreats are from 3-5 days. Chiara Center, 4875 Laverna Road, 217-523-0901.

Sports & Fitness

5K and Kid’s Fun Run Oct 26, 7am Sat. The route will take runners through Jacksonville including scenic views down College and State streets and the historic downtown square. Registration fee increases after Oct. 1. ic.edu. Illinois College Lincoln Hall, 1101 W. College Ave., Jacksonville, 245-3030.

Sangamon Valley Trail Runs Oct 26, 7:30am Sat. 5k, 10k and half marathon. triharderpromotions.com. 217- 341-1309. Lewis Memorial Acres, 399 S. Koke Mill Road.

More events, more details in our online calendar atillinoistimes.com

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