August 2010
August 1
Art In The Park
Washington Square Park Columbus & Lafayette Streets, Ottawa
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
The Ottawa Art League presents this Fine Art Show and Sale in historic Washington Square Park held during Ottawa’s Riverfest Celebration! Art in the Park is a juried show open to all artists and media. Free admission to the public. For more information please visit www.ottawaartleague.org.
Ottawa's Riverfest
www.ottawariverfest.com
Ottawa's annual and LaSalle County's largest festival, Riverfest celebrates summer with a bang. Events include carnival rides, art show, flea markets, kids activities. Music concerts, books and sidewalk sales, car show, a parade, and much much more.
Summerfest 10
Skydive Chicago
3215 East 1969th Road, Ottawa
This summerfest is THE summer boogie to be at! Over 800 jumpers in 2009. For more info visit our website www.skydivechicago.com.
August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Trolley Tours
Starved Rock Lodge
Rte 178 & 71, Utica
Board a trolley outside of the Great Hall area of the Lodge. Enjoy a historic trolley ride with stops at the Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center where you will see a short video of the area. You will also travel to the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center where you will see Starved Rock from across the river and watch as the river traffic lock through the locks. You will also travel through the village of Utica and hear about the Illinois and Michigan Canal. While aboard, the driver will narrate the history and legends of the area. For tickets and information please call 815-220-7386.
August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Casual Dinner and Evening Cruise
Starved Rock Lodge
Rte 178 & 71, Utica
5:30p.m. - 8:00p.m.
Board a Starved Rock Lodge Trolley and travel to the “Belle of the Rock” an authentic paddle wheel boat. For a leisurely cruise on the picturesque Illinois River. After the cruise the trolley will bring you back to the Lodge where you will enjoy a special dinner served with cheesecake. Please call 800-868-7625 ext.386 for reservations.
August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Land and Water Cruise
Starved Rock Lodge
Rte 178 & 71, Utica
11:00 am
Tour includes a historical trolley ride, hot lunch buffet at Starved Rock Lodge and a leisurely 1 hour river cruise on the “Belle of the Rock”, an authentic paddle wheel boat. For ticket information, call 800-868-7625, ext 386.
August 3
Colgate Country Showdown
Starved Rock Lodge
Rte 178 & 71, Utica
Final night of this 6 week contest! Talented country music singers compete for the title of Colgate County Showdown winner and win $1000! The winner will advance to regional finals and have a chance to compete in Nashville, where Country Music Stars are Made!
August 5
Farmers Market
Dale Ave. & Walnut Streets, Oglesby
3:00 pm
Locally-grown produce, bakery items, jams, jellies, and a variety of crafts available from more than 20 vendors. Shop while enjoying performances from local musicians. Sandwiches, etc. also available. For more information, call 815-883-9722 or visit www.oglesby.il.us.
August 5, 12, 19, 26
Casual Dinner and Evening Cruise
Starved Rock Lodge
Rte 178 & 71, Utica
5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Board a Starved Rock Lodge Trolley and travel to the “Belle of the Rock” an authentic paddle wheel boat. For a leisurely cruise on the picturesque Illinois River. After the cruise the trolley will bring you back to the Lodge where you will enjoy a special dinner served with cheesecake. Please call 800-868-7625 ext.386 for reservations.
August 6, 13, 20, 27
Canal Boat & Trolley Tours
Starved Rock Lodge
Rte 178 & 71, Utica
Join us for the newest history tour that Starved Rock Lodge has to offer. Start off with a delicious Hot Lunch Buffet in the rustic dining room at Starved Rock Lodge. Next, board one of our trolleys for a ride to our State Park’s Visitor Center. Your trolley will also take you on a relaxing ride to the New Canal Boat located in LaSalle. Step back in time with period dressed interpreters on this 1-hour mule-pulled canal boat ride. Finish the tour with a final stop at the Lock 16 Visitor Center.
August 6, 13, 20, 27
Mule Tender's Friday Lunch and Boat Ride Special
Lock 16 Visitor Center
754 First Street, LaSalle
11:00 am - 3:00 pm
(815) 223-1848
Enjoy lunch at the Lock 16 Center Café, a Mule Tending 101 class, and a hour long trip on the LaSalle Canal Boat for a special price every Friday. Lunch includes a lunch platter with ice cream for dessert. Reservations strong recommended. www.lasallecanalboat.org.
August 7, 14, 21, 28
Land and Water Cruise
Starved Rock Lodge
Rte 178 & 71, Utica
9:00 am and 11:00 am
Tour includes a historical trolley ride, hot lunch buffet at Starved Rock Lodge and a leisurely 1 hour river cruise on the “Belle of the Rock”, an authentic paddle wheel boat.
For ticket information, call 800-868-7625, ext 386.
Music In the Park
Washington Square Park
(815) 434-2737
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Enjoy a variety of live music in the evening at the historic Washington Square Park complete with park benches, ample shade and a water fountain.
August 8
Science, Experience, and Religion in the Evangelical World of John Wesley
Hegeler Carus Mansion
1307 Seventh St., LaSalle
4:00 pm
(815) 224-5891
www.hegelercarus.org
Presented by Samuel Rogal, Chair (Emeritus), Division of Humanities and Fine Arts, Illinois Valley Community College.
August 9
The Legacy Girls
An Andrews Sisters Musical Tribute Show
Starved Rock Lodge
Rte 178 & 71, Utica
12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Begin your trip back to the Boogie Woogie days of the 30s and 40s with a Homestyle Lunch Buffet in the Great Hall of Starved Rock Lodge. The vocal trio, The Legacy Girls, will entertain you with three-part harmonies, costumes and synchronized dances that are truly the Andrew Sisters’ style. $30.00 per person. For tickets call 815-6667-4211, ext 386.
Starved Rock Overnight Excursion
Spirit of Peoria
100 NE Water St, Peoria
800-676-8988
spiritofpeoria.com
2 days/1 night. Embark on a journey north from Peoria to Starved Rock State Park, Utica, Illinois. This excursion features two days of cruising along with an overnight at the historic Starved Rock Lodge. Cruise includes meals and non-alcoholic drinks, transportation, entertainment, taxes and gratuities as well as one night lodging at Starved Rock Lodge.
August 12 - 15
63rd Annual Mendota Sweet Corn Festival
Starts Thursday 6:00 pm and runs through Sunday 6:00 p.m.
The festival features a carnival, food, free entertainment, a parade on Sunday, and FREE Del Monte sweet corn on Sunday! Call 815-539-6507 for more information or visit www.sweetcornfestival.com.
August 13 - 15
Grand Ridge Community Fest
Downtown Grand Ridge
Live Bands, beer garden, parade, craft and vendor booths.
August 14
The Illinois Waterway through History
Illinois Waterway Visitor Center
950 N 27th Road, Ottawa
(815) 667-4054
8:15 am - 5:00 pm
This minimum eight-hour course includes instruction in equipment requirements, navigation rules, legal requirements, accident situations and how to handle them, the weather, trailering, visual distress signals, personal watercraft and special topics and the final exam. No fee.
August 15
Godspell Junior
Engle Lane Theatre, Streator
815-672-3584
www.englelane.org
August 16
Starved Rock Overnight Excursion
Spirit of Peoria
100 NE Water St, Peoria
800-676-8988
spiritofpeoria.com
2 days/1 night. Embark on a journey north from Peoria to Starved Rock State Park, Utica, Illinois. This excursion features two days of cruising along with an overnight at the historic Starved Rock Lodge. Cruise includes meals and non-alcoholic drinks, transportation, entertainment, taxes and gratuities as well as one night lodging at Starved Rock Lodge.
August 16 & August 17
Musical Tribute to the Stars
Neil Diamond (Played by Denny Diamond)
Starved Rock Lodge
Rte 178 & 71, Utica
11:30 am - 2:45 pm
Denny Diamond is not a Neil Diamond impersonator, but rather a stylist or tribute artist. Denny is also a talented, original songwriter and most recently penned a beautiful, original ballad “Sentimental Nights. Start with a delicious Homestyle Lunch Buffet or Dinner and wine tasting in the Great Hall of the Starved Rock Lodge and then relax and enjoy the show.
August 19
Farmers Market
Dale Ave. & Walnut Streets, Oglesby
3:00 pm
Locally-grown produce, bakery items, jams, jellies, and a variety of crafts available from more than 20 vendors. Shop while enjoying performances from local musicians. Sandwiches, etc. also available. For more information, call 815-883-9722 or visit www.oglesby.il.us.
August 22
Hummingbird Workshop
Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center
Rte 178 & 71, Utica
Join us to hear about the lives of hummingbirds. Hummingbird banding will be done on live birds at 11 am.
August 25-29
Ottawa River Rescue Carnival
Lincoln Douglass Park
Norris Drive, Ottawa
Carnival rides and games. www.cityofottawa.org.
Ongoing August
June 25 - August 29
Hot Country Nights
Follies Theatre
122 Mill Street, Utica
(815) 667-7008
www.folliestheatre.com
August 28 - October 24
Land of Oz Corn Maze
2662 E 1951 St, Ottawa
815-488-5000
Get lost in some corn! Open weekends in the fall. The corn maze will accommodate groups during the week. Night hikes are available by reservation only, with a minimum of 6 participants required. Event is weather permitting.
Every Sunday
Trolley Tours
Starved Rock Lodge
Rte 178 & 71, Utica
Board a trolley outside of the Great Hall area of the Lodge. Enjoy a historic trolley ride with stops at the Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center where you will see a short video of the area. You will also travel to the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center where you will see Starved Rock from across the river and watch as the river traffic lock through the locks. You will also travel through the village of Utica and hear about the Illinois and Michigan Canal. While aboard, the driver will narrate the history and legends of the area. For tickets and information please call 815-220-7386.
Every Monday and Thursday
Casual Dinner and Evening Cruise
Starved Rock Lodge
Rte 178 & 71, Utica
5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Board a Starved Rock Lodge Trolley and travel to the “Belle of the Rock” an authentic paddle wheel boat. For a leisurely cruise of the picturesque Illinois River. A special dinner will be served at the Lodge upon your return. 800-868-7625, ext 386 for reservations.
Every Monday and Saturday
Land and Water Cruise
Starved Rock Lodge
Rte 178 & 71, Utica
11:00 am
Tour includes a historical trolley ride, hot lunch buffet at Starved Rock Lodge and a leisurely 1 hour river cruise on the “Belle of the Rock”, an authentic paddle wheel boat. For ticket information, call 800-868-7625, ext 386.
Every Friday
Canal Boat & Trolley Tours
Starved Rock Lodge
Rte 178 & 71, Utica
Join us for the newest history tour that Starved Rock Lodge has to offer. Start off with a delicious Hot Lunch Buffet in the rustic dining room at Starved Rock Lodge. Next, board one of our trolleys for a ride to our State Park’s Visitor Center. Your trolley will also take you on a relaxing ride to the New Canal Boat located in LaSalle. Step back in time with period dressed interpreters on this 1-hour mule-pulled canal boat ride. Finish the tour with a final stop at the Lock 16 Visitor Center.
Mule Tender's Friday Lunch and Boat Ride Special
Lock 16 Visitor Center
754 First Street, LaSalle
11:00 am - 3:00 pm
(815) 223-1848
Enjoy lunch at the Lock 16 Center Café, a Mule Tending 101 class, and a hour long trip on the LaSalle Canal Boat for a special price every Friday. Lunch includes a lunch platter with ice cream for dessert. Reservations strong recommended. www.lasallecanalboat.org.
Every Saturday
Old Town Farmers Market
Washington Park
Jackson & LaSalle, Ottawa
8 am - 12:30 pm
Purchase freshly grown goods at the Ottawa Old town Farmers Market. With a motto of we BAKE it, we GROW it, we SELL it FRESH, you're sure to find something fantastic.
