May 2010
May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Waterfall & Canyon Tour
Starved Rock Lodge
Rte 178 & 71, Utica
9:30 am and 11 :00 am
Experience the fun of outdoor adventure at Starved Rock State park with a guided walk to 3 spectacular waterfalls and canyons. We will visit French, and St. Louis Canyons as well as Ottawa Canyon. The tour will also include your selection from our Special lunch menu and a relaxing historical trolley ride. $30.00 adult, $25.00 children. For reservations, please call 1-800-868-7625 ext. 386.
May 1 & 2
27th Annual Bluebell Festival
Maple Leaf Park
1318 E U.S. 34, Earlville
(815) 246-6200
The only Bluebell Festival in Illinois features thousands of bright, centuries old bluebells covering much of the park's eight-acre forest, complimented by hundreds of daffodils and tulips.
May 2
Blessing of the Bikes
Starved Rock Lodge
Rte 178 & 71, Utica
12:00 pm and 1:30 pm
Stop by Starved Rock Lodge’s East parking lot and have your motorcycle blessed by local clergy in one of two ceremonies. The blessings remind us that life is a journey and we need to ask for God’s protection. A great kick-off for biking season! Open to the public. 800-868-7625 ext. 386.
May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
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. For tickets and information, call (815) 220-7386.
May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Waterfall & Canyon Tour
Starved Rock Lodge
Rte 178 & 71, Utica
11:00 am
Experience the fun of outdoor adventure at Starved Rock State park with a guided walk to 3 spectacular waterfalls and canyons. We will visit French, and St. Louis Canyons as well as Ottawa Canyon. The tour will also include your selection from our Special lunch menu and a relaxing historical trolley ride. $30.00 adult, $25.00 children. For reservations, please call 1-800-868-7625 ext. 386.
May 7, 14, 21, 28
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.
May 7, 14, 21, 28
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.
May 8
Dinner & Music on the LaSalle Canal Boat
Lock 16 Visitor Center
754 First Street, LaSalle
(815) 223-1848
6:00 pm
Experience dinner and music on the LaSalle Canal Boat. Enjoy your homemade dinner while drifting along the Illinois & Michigan Canal on an 1848 replica canal boat listening to music. Reservations required. www.lasallecanalboat.org
Spring Wine Fest
Carey Park, Utica
4 pm - 7 pm
$18 ($16 pre-sale)
www.lasallecountymuseum.org
Wine tasting of local and regional wineries along the banks of the I&M Canal at Carey Park in Utica, Illinois, near Starved Rock State Park & Lodge. A fundraising event for the LaSalle County Historical Society Museum Complex, showcasing Illinois Valley shopping, dining, outdoor and cultural activities. Call LCHS Museum for tickets & information: (815) 667-4861.
May 14
Mule Tender's Friday Lunch & Boat Ride Special
Lock 16 Visitor Center
754 First Street, LaSalle
11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Enjoy lunch at the Lock 16 Center Café, a Mule Tending 101 class, and an hour-long trip on the LaSalle Canal Boat for a special discounted price every Friday. Lunch includes a lunch platter with ice cream for desert. Reservations strongly recommended. 815-223-1851.
Music at the Mansion
Hegeler Carus Mansion
1307 Seventh St., LaSalle
5:45 pm
(815) 224-5891
www.hegelercarus.org
Twinklers, Age 3 to 11 years old, Suzuki Students perform on the Violin.
May 15
Earlville Cruise Night
Downtown Earlville
5:00 pm - 8:30 pm
(815) 246-9545
(815) 246-8412
DJ, food, park and playground for the kids, 50/50 raffle, booths, t-shirts, Old Fashion Fun! Dash plaques for 1st 150 cars, NSRA-safety inspections, pin striper available, free registration. Previous years 300 vehicles.
May 15 and 16
Native American POW-WOW
6th Annual Honor the Eagle Pow Wow
Matthiessen State Park
Saturday 11:00 am - 9:00 pm and Sunday Noon – 5:00 pm
Native American dancing, drumming, cultural demonstrations, special presentations, storytelling, children’s games & crafts, raffles and tipis. Co-Sponsored with Midwest SOARRING Foundation.
May 22
Illinois Department of Natural Resources Boating Safety Classes
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.
May 23 – 29
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Engle Lane Theatre, Streator
(815) 672-3600
www.englelane.org
A musical comedy for adults kicks off the 2010 Engle Lane Theatre season.
May 24
The Legacy Girls
Fabulous 50’s & 60’s Review
Starved Rock Lodge
Rte 178 & 71, Utica
12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Take a trip back to the 50’s & 60’s and get ready to rock to the songs that shaped the decades! From the Supremes to the Chordettes, and the Beatles to Elvis Presley, The Legacy Girls will bring their own sassy style to all your favorites. Start with a delicious Homestyle Lunch Buffet in the Great Hall of the Starved Rock Lodge and then relax and enjoy the show. For tickets call 815-667-4211 ext. 386.
May 27-29
Wild Bill Hickok Day on the LaSalle Canal Boat
Lock 16 Visitor Center
754 First Street, LaSalle
10:00 am - 3:30 pm
Experience a one-hour trip on a replica 19th century canal boat and learn all about the life of the famous Wild Bill Hickok. Reservations strongly encouraged. www.lasallecanalboat.org.
May 28-30
Streator Park Fest
Streator City Park, Streator
All Day
Join us for this two day free event. This outdoor festival includes flea market, food vendors, entertainment, magician and other attractions. For more information, call 815-672-3600.
May 29, 30 and 31st
Water Safety Weekend
Illinois Department of Natural Resources Boating Safety Classes
Illinois Waterway Visitor Center
950 N 27th Road, Ottawa
(815) 667-4054
8:15 am - 5:00 pm
Start your summer activities and celebrate National Safe Boating Week by visiting the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center for a holiday weekend of WATER SAFETY FUN for children and adults. Learn how to be safe when you are swimming, boating, fishing, water skiing, canoeing or any other type of water activity. And to help you learn about "water safety fun" be sure to pick up free coloring books, posters, and stickers. We'll have videos and life jackets to try on. No fee.
Ongoing May
April 10 - June 20
Come on Get Happy!
The Judy Garland Music Tribute Show
Follies Theatre
122 Mill Street, Utica
(815) 667-7008
www.folliestheatre.com
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 Saturday
Waterfall & Canyon Tour
Starved Rock Lodge
Rte 178 & 71, Utica
11:00 am on Mondays, 9:30 am and 11:00 am on Saturdays
Experience the fun of outdoor adventure at Starved Rock State park with a guided walk to 3 spectacular waterfalls and canyons. We will visit French, and St. Louis Canyons as well as Ottawa Canyon. The tour will also include your selection from our Special lunch menu and a relaxing historical trolley ride. $30.00 adult, $25.00 children. For reservations, please call 1-800-868-7625 ext. 386.
Every Friday
Canal Boat and 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
8:00 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.
