Events starting Sep. 28

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This Weekend

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The Illinois Freedom Project

Tuesdays-Saturdays, 12-4 p.m.

Springfield and Central Illinois African American History Museum

1440 Monument Ave., Springfield North Side

History, Bulletin Board

This exhibit tells the story of Illinois' long fight for freedom from slavery. It is on loan from the National Park Service. 217-391-6323
North American Belgian Championship

Through Sept. 28, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.

Coliseum, Illinois State Fairgrounds

801 E. Sangamon Ave., Springfield North Side

Free

Fairs & Festivals

This is the premier championship show in North America and showcases the best of the best. The NABC is held every 4 years since 1988, alternating venues between the United States and Canada. This spectacular event hosts halter, riding, hitch, youth classes, farm classes, and horse pulls to show off the great diversity of the Belgian Horse. https://naclassicseries.com/standings 260-563-3205
The Lifespan of a Fact

Sept. 26-28, 7:30-9:30 p.m. and Sun., Sept. 29, 2-4 p.m.

UIS Studio Theatre

One University Plaza, Springfield Lake Springfield Area

Get Tickets
$20-$29

Theater & Comedy

A critically acclaimed 2018 Broadway play, this fast-paced story explodes with blistering comedy and timely relevance. Facts become blurry when they’re twisted into fiction in the high-stakes world of publishing. Emily Penrose, the demanding editor-in-chief of a high-end magazine, hires a determined millennial fact-checker named Jim Fingal to work on a groundbreaking essay written by the famous author John D’Agata. The deadline is tight, the essay is dense, and everyone must make a good faith effort in telling the story honestly. But the overly eager Jim perhaps takes his fact-checking too far, creating the ultimate showdown of fact versus fiction. 217-206-6160
Craft Show

Fri., Sept. 27, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sat., Sept. 28, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Springfield Carriage Co.

724 E. Edwards, Springfield Downtown

Bulletin Board

This craft show offers a chance to get a start on that holiday shopping. 217-572-1457
International Route 66 Mother Road Festival

Fri., Sept. 27, 6:15 p.m., Sat., Sept. 28, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sun., Sept. 29, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Downtown Springfield

Downtown, Springfield Downtown

Free for spectators

Fairs & Festivals, Special Music Events, Bulletin Board, Food & Drink

Hundreds of street machines, muscle cars and hot rods will rumble into the heart of Springfield's historic downtown followed by thousands of spectators for a weekend of family fun, live music and entertainment. Huge cruise at 6pm Friday night with car show 9am-10 p.m. Saturday and 9am-2pm Sunday. Show features visit from My Classic Car host Dennis Gage. Don't miss the popular Burnout Competition. 217-553-5271
Angel Brown's Smooth N' Blue Band

Fri., Sept. 27, 7-10:30 p.m. and Sat., Sept. 28, 7-10:30 p.m.

Lime Street Cafe

951 S. Durkin Dr., Springfield Springfield Area

Live Music

The Smooth N' Blue Band features Angel Brown, Rick Gasparin, Bob Hagler and Gary Niehaus. 217-726-5348
The Wild Robot, Twisters

Fri., Sept. 27, 7:30 & 9:25 p.m. and Sat., Sept. 28, 7:30 & 9:25 p.m.

Route 66 Twin Drive-In

1700 Recreation Dr., Springfield Springfield Area

Get Tickets
$9, children 4-12 $6

Film & Television, Bulletin Board, Children's Corner

On Screen 1. The Wild Robot is rated PG while Twisters is PG-13. 217-698-0066
Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Transformers One

Fri., Sept. 27, 7:45 & 9:45 p.m. and Sat., Sept. 28, 7:45 & 9:45 p.m.

Route 66 Twin Drive-In

1700 Recreation Dr., Springfield Springfield Area

Get Tickets
$9, children 4-12 $6

Film & Television

On Screen 2. Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice is rated PG-13 and Transformers One is rated PG. 217-698-0066
Bird Hike

Saturdays, 8-9 a.m. Continues through Oct. 12

Lincoln Memorial Garden

2301 E. Lake Shore Dr., Springfield Lake Springfield Area

Free

Nature, Science & Environment

Local birder Kevin Veara will lead a group in search of migrating birds. Hikes start at the Nature Center and are open to public. All levels of birders welcome. 217-529-1111
Bird Banding Demonstration

Sat., Sept. 28, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

Adams Wildlife Sanctuary

2315 E. Clear Lake Ave., Springfield Springfield Area

Free

Nature, Science & Environment

Get an up-close look at a few of the sanctuary’s resident and migrant species during this event. Spend the entire morning or stop by. Hosted by the Lincoln Land Association of Bird Banders. 217-899-6150
Chatham OCI Open Pickleball Tournament

Sat., Sept. 28, 8 a.m. and Sun., Sept. 29, 8 a.m.

Chatham Community Park

731 S. Main St., Chatham Chatham

Get Tickets
$55

Sports, Health & Fitness

Fourth annual Chatham OCI Tournament presented by Friends of Chatham Pickleball. Event featurs Saturday men's and women's doubles on Saturday and mixed doubles Sunday. Sign up at Pickleballbrackets.com. Food and drink available for purchase. Levels of play from 3.0 to 5.0. Need a partner? Reach out to [email protected].
Walk to End Alzheimer's - Greater Springfield

Sat., Sept. 28, 8:30-10:30 a.m.

Erin's Pavilion, Southwind Park

4965 S. Second St., Springfield Springfield Area

Get Tickets
Free

Fundraisers for Families

Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's is the world's largest fundraiser for Alzheimer's care, support and research. Register your Walk team at Act.ALZ.org/Springfield. 309-696-0911
Crafters Treasure Sale

Sat., Sept. 28, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Springfield Ceramics and Crafts Club

2626 S. Pasfield St., Springfield Springfield Area

$20 for a bag

Bulletin Board

Crafters, artists, paper crafters, up-cyclers, DIYers, fiber artists, needleworkers and quilters will have their choice of a vast array of reusable materials for arts, crafts, education and beyond. All items are donated by Springfield Ceramics and Crafts Club members.See the Facebook page for more info. 217-381-4550
56th annual Apple ’n Pork Festival

Sat., Sept. 28, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sun., Sept. 29, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

C.H. Moore Homestead DeWitt County Museum

219 E. Woodlawn St., Clinton Central Illinois

Free

Fairs & Festivals

One of downstate Illinois’ most popular festivals offering more than 25 booths featuring numerous types of old-fashioned, apple and pork foods, tours of the home of Abraham Lincoln’s law partner and personal friend C.H. Moore, an art show; and large flea market. 217-935-6066
Forest Therapy

Sat., Sept. 28, 9:30-11 a.m. and Sat., Oct. 26, 9:30-11 a.m.

Lincoln Memorial Garden

2301 E. Lake Shore Dr., Springfield Lake Springfield Area

Get Tickets
$20

Health & Fitness

Forest Therapy, is a practice of deepening a sense of connection with nature through a 1.5- 2-hour slow wander through nature. Our Forest Therapy sessions are led by Cassandra Claman, a certified guide, whose role is to open possible natural connections by offering invitations that help develop a more sensory and embodied relationship with the surrounding nature and forest. In addition, this experience has been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety and depression and help us slowdown from our hectic lives. Register online 2175291111
Growing Garlic in the Home Garden

Sat., Sept. 28, 10-11 a.m.

Illinois State Fairgrounds

801 Sangamon Ave., Springfield North Side

Nature, Science & Environment

Learn how to plant garlic for a 2025 summer bounty. Program by University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener volunteers at the Master Gardener demonstration garden in front of Building 30 along Eighth Street. 217-782-4617
Leaf Identification Hikes

Sat., Sept. 28, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. & 1-3 p.m.

Washington Park Botanical Garden

1740 W. Fayette Ave., Springfield Leland Grove

Residents $7, nonresidents $10

Children's Corner

Does your child have a leaf collection project for school? Help get that homework done in a fun, educational way during this hike. More than 50 types of leaves will be collected. Bring notebook, pencil and dress for outdoors. Register at bit.ly/Leaf_ID-Trails. Activity #261109. Pre-registration and parent/adult chaperones required. 217-546-4116
APL Dog Wash/Adoption event

Sat., Sept. 28, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Car Wash City

3316 Robbins Road, Springfield Springfield Area

Donations encouraged

Bulletin Board, Fundraisers and Galas

Do you have a dirty dog? A foul smelling fur baby? Our friends at Car Wash City and Jane Hay Sales and Staging Team are sponsoring an APL Dog Wash / Adoption Event!For a donation to APL, volunteers will lather your dog up, scrub them squeaky clean and leave them smelling like a rose! ALL who attend will receive a free car wash. APL adoptable cats and dogs will be onsite in the climate controlled Mobile Adoption Unit where you can can start the adoption process while you wait! 217-544-7387
Steele Wheels

Sat., Sept. 28, 1-4 p.m.

Whiskey Jack's Sports Bar

430 E. Monroe St., Springfield Downtown

Live Music

217-572-1490
Wreckless Whiskey, Pizzazz, Horizon

Sat., Sept. 28, 1-10 p.m.

Route 66 Mother Road Festival

Downtown Springfield, Springfield Downtown

Live Music

At the Isringhausen Imports main stage at Sixth and Washington streets. Wreckless Whiskey opens at 1pm followed by Pizzazz at 4pm and Horizon at 8pm. Horizon is a horn-infused band from Chicago that plays party/dance-oriented, high-energy soul, R&B, funk and classic hits. 217-553-5271
Joel Honey

Sat., Sept. 28, 2-5 p.m.

The Stadium Bar & Grill

2300 N. Peoria Road, Springfield North Side

Live Music

217-241-0905
Amy Battles and Tom Irwin

Sat., Sept. 28, 2:30-5:30 p.m.

West of Wise Winery

14096 State Highway 97, Petersburg Central Illinois

Live Music

217-632-6003
Mandy Rose

Sat., Sept. 28, 3-5 p.m. and Sat., Oct. 26, 3-5 p.m.

Pease's at BUNN Gourmet

2941 Plaza Dr., Springfield West Side

Free

Live Music

Hear some acoustic covers.
Dead Man's Dog, Square of the Roots

Sat., Sept. 28, 4 p.m.

Boone's

301 W. Edwards St., Springfield Downtown

Live Music

Part of the A Family Affair Street Affair event. 217-679-3752
Hollow Creek

Sat., Sept. 28, 4-6 p.m.

The Crowbar

1964 Taylorville Road, Decatur Decatur

Live Music

217-330-7908
A Family Affair Street Affair

Sat., Sept. 28, 4 p.m.

Boone's

301 W. Edwards St., Springfield Downtown

Special Music Events, Live Music

Family Affair Street Affair features bands Dead Man's Dog, Square of the Roots and a special guest performer. Includes vendors. 217-679-3752
The Encounter-Worship Arts Explosion 2024

Sat., Sept. 28, 4 p.m.

Fresh Visions Community Church

1551 J. David Jones Pkwy., Springfield Grandview

Free

Dance, Special Music Events, Faith & Philosophy

Fresh Visions Community Church, Expressions of Praise Ministry is hosting Worship Arts Explosion 2024 on September 28, 2024, and we invite you to join us. The Worship Arts Explosion Theme is The Encounter, I John 1:1-4. Saturday evening, September 28th at 4:00 PM, join us and share in the experience of The Encounter!, an evening of worship and celebration expressed through dance, flags, and mime. This event is open to the public. We look forward to worshipping with you. Feel free to contact the church at 217-726-5988 or [email protected] if you have any questions… 217-726-5988
BoomBox All 80's Band

Sat., Sept. 28, 6-10 p.m.

Curve Inn

3219 S. Sixth St. Road, Springfield Springfield Area

Live Music

217-529-5806
Boots & Bowties

Route 66 MotorHeads Bar & Grill, Museum & Entertainment Complex

600 Toronto Road, Springfield Springfield Area

Fundraisers and Galas

Sat., Sept. 28, 6pm. Annual fundraiser benefiting Senior Services of Central Illinois. Live music by Sushi Roll starts at 7pm. Admission $10 or $25 for dinner and entertainment. Advance tickets can be purchased online at centralILseniors.org . Order dinner tickets by Sept. 20.
Backyard Bash

Sat., Sept. 28, 6-10 p.m.

Spartan Sports Park

7250 Ironbridge Road, Chatham Downtown

Free admission, $10 suggested donation

Fundraisers and Galas, Food & Drink, Bulletin Board

Live music by Fuedin’ Hillbillys, food trucks, mechanical bull rides, traditional ballpark fare and beverages. Must be 21 to attend. Benefits Ball-Chatham students and teachers for special classroom projects, educational field trips and innovative technology. 217-483-2500