October 2010

October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

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.

October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

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.

October 2

Bluegrass Festival
Le High Park
Noon - 6 pm
Oglesby, IL

Bluegrass at it best in one of the most beautiful settings in the Illinois Valley. This first-time event features performances, musician workshops and jam sessions all afternoon long. Raffles and food available for purchase. For more information cal 815-883-8501 or visit www.oglesbybluegrassfestival.com.

Car Show
Courtyard Park
4:30 to 10 p.m.
Oglesby, IL

Here's a chance to see all that polished chrome, neon light packages and flamethrowers under the lights. After you've cast your vote for your favorite car, enter the spark plug challenge or rock 'n' roll with Bad Dog Productions. Food served by L-P High Auto Shop. For more info, call 815-830-0543.

Harvest Fest
Dale Avenue & Walnut Street
11 am - 7 pm
Oglesby, IL

Children's games and activities, petting zoo, kiddie tractor pull, craft and farmers market, merchant sidewalk sales, horse-drawn wagon rides, musical entertainment and more can be found at Oglesby's 2nd annual Harvest Fest. In the evening, enjoy a grilled pork chop dinner to benefit the Dickinson Foundation. For more information call 815-883-9722 or visit www.oglesby.il.us or check out the Oglesby, IL Facebook page.

October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Trolley Fall Colors Tour
Starved Rock Lodge
Rte 178 & 71, Utica
9:30 am & 11:00 am

Enjoy Starved Rock during the most beautiful time of the year. Tour includes a relaxing trolley ride, hot lunch buffet and a guided scenic walk to Council Overhand and Ottawa Canyon. For more information and to purchase tickets call 800-868-7625, ext 386.

Fall Fireside Stories
Starved Rock Lodge
Rte 178 & 71, Utica
7:00 pm

Join Trish Kelly around the fire pit on our pool patio as she shares Irish tales, animal-related stories and a ghost story or two. Free and Suited for all ages. Popcorn and beverages available. Please bring your own lawn chairs and blankets.

October 3

21st Pumpkin Pie Ride
YMCA
201 E Jackson St., Ottawa
6:00 am - 1:00 pm
815-830-4291

Food, showers, sag, goodies, maps and pumpkin pie will be provided. Helmets required. Road rides 20, 60, 100 miles (light traffic and rolling hills). Mountain Bike on the I & M Canal Towpath 15, 20, 30, 45 miles crushed limestone, flat. www.starvedrockcycling.com.

October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

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.

October 4

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.

October 4, 11, 18, 25

October 8

Mary Todd Lincoln Tea
Lock 16 Visitor Center
754 First Street, LaSalle
2:00 pm

Enjoy afternoon tea with Mary Todd Lincoln. Tea sandwiches, sweets and scones are featured with a variety of hot teas. Reservations required. 815-223-1851.

October 8 – 10

Oktoberfest at Starved Rock Yacht Club
Dee Bennett Rd, Ottawa
All Day Event

Enjoy food, live music and entertainment at this three-day event! Open to the public and admission is free. Free dockage and electrical service for boat captains attending the weekend. For more information visit www.starvedrockyachtclub.org.

October 9

LaSalle Canal Boat Ride with Mrs. Lincoln
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 with Mrs. Mary Todd Lincoln as your guide. Reservations strongly encouraged. 815-223-1851.

Oktoberfest
Starved Rock Lodge
Rte 178 & 71, Utica

The beauty of fall on our Veranda will be mixed with the flavor of ten Oktoberfest beers, an Authentic German Buffet and a German Band. For more information please call 800-868-7625, ext. 386.

Cruise in Utica Car Show
Downtown Utica
4:00 pm - 8:00 pm

$5.00 entry fee to show car. Open to the public. Trophies, Music by 3D Sound, Giveaways and food booths. More Information 815-223-5555.

Jazz’n The Street
Jazz’n The Street
First Street in LaSalle
www.lasallebusinessassociation.com

This annual Jazz’n The Street has become a Fall favorite in LaSalle County. Come and listen to live jazz music outdoors all day … it's FREE. Visitors can shop one-of-a-kind, handcrafted, and painted items directly from the artists, enjoy food, sip locally crafted wines and upscale microbrew beers.

It's Our River Day
Illinois Waterway Visitor Center
950 N 27th Road, Ottawa
(815) 667-4054
10:00 am - 4:00 pm

The mission of "It's Our River Day" is to increase awareness and appreciation of the Illinois River through a series of educational, recreational and conservation events on the 3rd Saturday in September. With this mind, public tours of Starved Rock Lock and Dam are offered once a year. Weather permitting tours will start at 10:00 am and leave every hour with 4:00 pm being the last tour. Each tour will last about 45 minutes. The tours are free and will be given by the US Army Corps of Engineers Park Rangers. No fee.

USA Body Building Competition
Ottawa High School Auditorium
211 E Main St., Ottawa
11 am & 6 pm
(815) 434-3539

Join us for the nations largest Body Building and Fitness Competition. Visit www.flexgymonline.com.

October 10

10th Annual Burgoo Festival
Downtown Utica
9:00 am - 5:00 pm

It's that time again for LaSalle County Historical Society's Annual Burgoo Festival! Stroll the main streets of Utica for a day of crafts, shopping, food and fun. While you are there be sure to try the Pioneer stew.

October 10 – 16

Wizard of Oz
Engle Lane Theatre, Streator
815-672-3584
www.englelane.org

October 11

October 16 & 17

Fall Colors Weekend
Starved Rock State Park
Rte 178 & 71, Utica

Guided hikes to view the spectacular colors of fall. Meet at the Visitor Center at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm both days.

October 18

October 21

October 22 – 26

National Mule Day
Lock 16 Visitor Center
754 First Street, LaSalle

Celebrate October 26 National Mule Day at Lock 16 Center and on the LaSalle Canal Boat. There will be ongoing events throughout the weekend. For details visit www.lasallecanalboat.org.

October 23 and 24

Cemetary Tours
Hegeler Carus Mansion
1307 Seventh St., LaSalle
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
(815) 224-5891
www.hegelercarus.org

Actors portray people of the past at three LaSalle County cemetaries. Maps also available for visitors who want to tour on their own.

October 24

Music at the Mansion
Reddick Mansion
100 W Lafayette St., Ottawa
2:00 pm

Each month The Reddick Mansion Association will host a musical performance ranging from classical music, to a flute ensemble, to a choir performance. For a list of performances visit www.reddickmansion.com.

October 25

October 29

An Evening on the Boat: Ghosts Stories, Appetizers, & Drinks
Lock 16 Visitor Center
754 First Street, LaSalle
6:00 pm
(815) 223-1851
www.lasallecanalboat.org

Experience Halloween in a whole new way on the LaSalle Canal Boat. Listen to ghost stories of the past and enjoy homemade Lock 16 Cafe appetizers and drinks. Reservations required.

ONGOING OCTOBER

September 10 – October 31

Norman? Is That You!
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

Every Monday and Saturday

Every Friday

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.