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Through September 15

Lincoln through the Years 1846 -1865

Ottawa Scouting Museum
1100 Canal St., Ottawa
815.431.9353

Lincoln through the years: 1846-1865 is an exhibit of twelve photographs of Abraham Lincoln taken over nearly two decades of his life. The first was taken when he was a young lawyer in Springfield; the last was taken just weeks before his death. All images were taken from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library's Henry Horner Collection. The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency produced the exhibit.

August 28 – September 1

Mendota's Tri-County Fair

Tri-Country Fairgrounds
1st Ave. & 6th St., Mendota

Exhibits, Food, Entertainment, and Information on events found at www.tricountyfair.com or call 815.539.7974. Free admission to the grounds.

Roamer Cruise Nite & Car Show

Downtown Streator

500 cars and 18,000 people attended last year. Family fun with food, music and some of America's best show cars. Call 815.672.2055 for more details.

September 1

Labor Day Parade

Downtown Streator
11:00 am
Call 815.672.2055 or email streatortourism@gmail.com for more information.

September 1 - 30

LaSalle Horse Pulled Canal Boat Ride

I&M Canal Boat Dock
Rt. 351 (Joliet Street) at the Canal, just south of downtown LaSalle
Daily at 9:00 am, 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, & 3:00 pm.

Step back in time. Experience a horse pulled one hour trip along the historic Illinois & Michigan Canal. Our captain, crew and their pioneer passengers from 1848 will share their adventures as you ride along this route as it was 150 years ago. Minutes from Starved Rock. Adults: $12.00; Seniors (65+): $10.00. Special pricing for children, family, schools, charters and groups (20 or more). Call 815.588.1100 for sunset cruise information. For information you may email cca@canalcor.org.

September 4

Murder Mystery Matinee "Cereal Killer"

Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center
Rt. 178 & 71, Utica
11:30 am - 2:00 pm

You may find yourself in the middle of a murder at this interactive theatre production. One lucky guest who follows along closely will win an overnight stay at Starved Rock Lodge. $25.95 per person. For information and to purchase tickets call 800.868.7625 ext. 386.

September 5 - 6

Artisan Showcase Weekend

August Hill Winery Tasting Room
106 Mill St., Utica
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm Friday
10:00 am - 8:00 pm Saturday

See the exciting new art on display and meet the artists. Call 815.667.5211 or visit www.augusthillwinery.com.

September 6

Skydive Chicago - Pyro-Musical Fireworks Show

Skydive Chicago
3215 E 1969th Rd., Ottawa

We have a gentleman that is celebrating his birthday with a huge bang! He's funding an enormous fireworks show ($100,000 in fireworks) that will be set to music! Everyone is welcome to come out and enjoy the show! Telephone 815.433.0000 or visit www.skydivechicago.com.

September 7 - 13

Romance in "D" Comedy

Community Players of Streator
Engle Lane Theater
1012 Columbus Rd., Streator
Call 815.672.4066 or visit www.englelane.org for information.

September 12 - 14

28th Annual Line-Ball Tournament

Maple Leaf Park
1318 E. US 34, Earlville

Details on this 16in. softball event are available on www.Lineball.net or by calling 815.246.6200.

September 13

NFL Punt Pass & Kick Competition

Courtyard Park
110 E. Walnut St., Oglesby
2:00 pm

Boys and girls ages 8 – 15 test their football skills with the opportunity to advance to sectional and team championships. Call 815.883.8121 for more information.

Harvest Fest

Fox Valley Winery
2714 N. 4251st Rd., Sheridan
10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Visit the Faltz Family Vineyards in Sheridan for music, food, wine and much more! For more information call 630.554.0404 or visit www.foxvalleywinery.com.

September 14

Second Sunday Lecture Series

Hegeler Carus Mansion
1307 Seventh St., LaSalle
4:00 pm

E. C. Hegeler: "I Am the Expression of My Ideals". Presented by Dr. John Piano, Local Historian. Telephone 815.224.5895 or see website, www.hegelercarus.org for information.

September 15

Murder Mystery Matinee

"The Butcher, the Baker, the Death Maker"
Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center
Rt. 178 & Rt. 71, Utica
11:30 am - 2:00 pm

It's the national cooking finals. You will see the top chefs create culinary delights to win the top prize. Strangely enough, all of the judges have been murdered. You may have to do a little cooking yourself or you could even become one of the judges. You had better figure out who the killer is before you're the next target. It's all a fun and light hearted look at cooking in this interactive theatre production. One lucky guest who follows along closely will win an overnight stay at Starved Rock Lodge. $25.95 per person. For information and to purchase tickets call 800.868.7625 ext. 386.

September 19

Music at the Mansion - Broadway on the Balcony

Hegeler Carus Mansion
1307 Seventh St., LaSalle
7:00 pm

This Ravinia style concert, directed by Derek Buckley, is held on the balcony of the east side of the Mansion. Visitors can bring their blankets or chairs and sit on the lawn to enjoy this fun and fabulous concert. Donations gratefully accepted. Telephone 815.224.5895 or visit website www.hegelercarus.org for more information.

Celebrate Vintage Illinois

August Hill Winery
106 Mill St., Utica

Kick off the Vintage Illinois weekend with live entertainment on the patio from 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm. Enjoy a glass of wine as you take in the jazz fusion music by Human Element (weather permitting). We have extended our hours to 10:00 pm on this special night. Call 815.667.5211 or visit www.augusthillwinery.com for more information.

September 20

It's Our River Day

Illinois Waterway Visitors Center
Starved Rock Lock & Dam
Dee Bennett Rd., Ottawa

Public tours of Starved Rock Lock and Dam are offered only once a year, and today's the day! Weather permitting, tours will start at 10:00 am and leave every half hour, with 4:00 pm being the last tour. Each tour will last about 45 minutes. US Army Corps of Engineers park rangers will be tour guides. The mission is to increase awareness and appreciation of the river through education, recreational and conservation events. Call 815.667.4054 for more information.

Lincoln/Douglas Symphony

Washington Square
Downtown Ottawa
Sunset

The Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra is presenting this sesquicentennial concert to commemorate this significant event. Sponsored by Exelon Nuclear.

Say No to Drugs Fun Day

Oglesby Elks
800 E. Walnut St., Oglesby
1:00 pm

On the grounds of Oglesby Elks, grade school children participate in a variety of old fashioned games and activities to help promote a drug free lifestyle. Call 815.883.8367 for more information.

September 20 - 21

Vintage Illinois Wine Festival

Matthiesson State Park
Rt. 178, Utica
11:00 am - 6:00 pm Saturday
Noon - 5:00 pm Sunday

Sponsored by the Illinois Grape Growers & Vintner's Association. Featuring 21 Illinois Wineries from around the state. Bring your blankets, lawn chairs and enjoy Illinois wine, great food, music and the atmosphere of beautiful Matthiesson State Park. For information and tickets call 800.868.7625 ext 386.

September 21

Fly-In Drive-In Breakfast

Illinois Valley Regional Airport
Ed Urban Dr., Peru
For more information call 815.223.2003.

September 26 – 28

Fall Fallout Wakeboarding competition

Busted Prop
935 E. Main St., Ottawa

Nobody wants summer to end, but at least we can end it in style -- Fall Fallout. Double up competition for Cash and Prizes, free-riding and camping all weekend. Hosted by Midwest Militia Wakeboarding. Telephone 815.433.4502 or go to www.midwestmilitia.net.

September 27

Art on the Prairie

City Park
N. Park St., Streator

Fifth annual Fine Arts Festival & Wine tasting sponsored by Streator Tourism. Festival includes juried art displays, demonstrations, wine tasting and food vendors. Call 815.672.2055 or Pam at 815.672.6215 or email streatortourism@gmail.com for information.

BesPhoto Workshop

Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center
Rt. 178 & Rt. 71, Utica

Interested in photography? Do you want to learn more about how to operate your specific camera? We will cover camera operation, photographic theory and composition while hiking the trails of Starved Rock. We will spend one-on-one time with you working with your specific camera. We welcome all types of cameras and photographers. Cost is $100. For more information see www.besphoto.com or to sign up contact Mike Bessler at 630.667.5174 or email mike@besphoto.com.

Lincoln/Douglas Symposium

Washington Square
100 W. Lafayette St., Ottawa
10:00 am

This symposium will feature a special presentation by a Lincoln/Douglas presenter on the historical significance of the famed debates.

National Public Lands Day

Isle a la Cache Museum
501 E. 135th St., Romeoville
9:00 am – Noon

Activities for the day will include seed collecting, removal of non-native species. A hike identifying flora and fauna of the area also will be offered after lunch at approximately 1:00 pm. Please bring a sack lunch. Participants are encouraged to RSVP as there are age, waiver and group requirements for this activity. Call 815.722.7364 for more information.

September 27 – 28

Alpaca Farm Days

Apple Tree Acres Alpacas
3037 E. 11th Rd., Utica
11:00 am – 4:00 pm

Learn about alpacas, get hands on. Visit the farm store to purchase alpaca products. Free food. Call 815.667.5100 or email appletreealpacas@il-ottawa.com for more information.

September 28

Valley Carvers Woodcarving Expo

Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center
Rt. 178 & Rt. 71, Utica
9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Come view magnificent wood carvings first hand as well have the opportunity to purchase your own and meet with carvers from all over the Midwest! Event open to public – no admission. 800.868.7625 ext. 386

Archaeology Afternoon

Illinois Waterway Visitor Center
Dee Bennett Rd., Ottawa
11:30 am - 4:00 pm

As a part of "Archaeology Awareness" month in Illinois, this event features an afternoon of exploration into the past with posters, exhibits and displays. In addition to the Center's own materials, members of the Illinois Archaeological Society will share their knowledge, scrapbooks, experiences and pieces of history, from places and peoples of the past. Free! For more information call 815.667.4054.

Ongoing September

Casual Dinner and Evening Cruise

Starved Rock Lodge
Rt. 178 & 71, Utica
5:30 pm - 8:00 pm Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays

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. $34.95 per person. Please call 800.868.7625 ext.386 for reservations.

Land and Water Cruise

Starved Rock Lodge
Rt. 178 & 71, Utica
9:30 am - 1:00 pm & 11:00 am - 2:30 pm Mondays and Saturdays

Tour includes history trolley ride, soup and salad bar lunch at Starved Rock Lodge, and a leisurely 1 hour river cruise on the "Belle of the Rock" an authentic paddle wheel boat. Tickets are $32.00 per person for tickets and information call 800.868.7625 ext. 386.