Events

The exhibit opening will be accompanied by a screening of a documentary film commissioned to commemorate the Arsenal's history that has aired on WTTW.  

Join us for a fun and spooky art class where we'll transform ordinary thrifted paintings into haunting masterpieces! In this class, you'll learn how to creatively add ghostly figures, eerie details, and atmospheric effects to old or unwanted artwork, breathing new (after)life into them. No previous painting

Relax and enjoy one of our various trolley tours! Trolley transportation is included with every tour. It’s the perfect way to learn about the rich history of the Starved Rock area. Reservations are required. Book online or call our Activities Office at (815) 220-7386. *Online bookings subject

Get ready for a frightfully fun evening of creativity and cocktails! Join us for our Halloween Coir Run Painting Party, where the spirit of the season meets artistic flair. This event is perfect for adults who enjoy a good sip while unleashing their inner artist. We'll provide

Experience the woods like never before! Come dressed in costume and hike along a glowing trail to learn what goes bump in the woods at night. Visit spooky stations, but beware! Will tricks or treats await? Enjoy a crackling fire while roasting marshmallows for s'mores. This program

Experience the woods like never before! Come dressed in costume and hike along a glowing trail to learn what goes bump in the woods at night. Visit spooky stations, but beware! Will tricks or treats await? Enjoy a crackling fire while roasting marshmallows for s'mores. This program

Experience the woods like never before! Come dressed in costume and hike along a glowing trail to learn what goes bump in the woods at night. Visit spooky stations, but beware! Will tricks or treats await? Enjoy a crackling fire while roasting marshmallows for s'mores. This program

Experience the woods like never before! Come dressed in costume and hike along a glowing trail to learn what goes bump in the woods at night. Visit spooky stations, but beware! Will tricks or treats await? Enjoy a crackling fire while roasting marshmallows for s'mores. This program

Fall in the forest is an experience of the senses. The air feels cool and crisp with hints of earthy smells. The trees are a collage of oranges, yellows and reds until their leaves turn brown, fall and become crunchy under your feet. Embrace these natural wonders

Ladder Trucks, Fire Engines & Ambulances! Firefighter Paramedic Demonstrations and Displays! Together with community partners we invite you to a day of safety kicking off Fire Prevention Week. This year's Fire Prevention WeekTM (FPWTM) campaign, Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!, strives to educate everyone about

Join us for our annual meeting as we look back at the storied 55-year history of Friends of Thorn Creek Woods. Naturalist April Richards will narrate a slide show identifying the movers and the shakers, the Herculean efforts and the milestones of this preservation work. President Penny

Join the Lemont Park District for this fun, fall event! Food vendors, beer tent, hayrides, pony rides and petting zoo, kid's zone and activities, pie eating contest, band and more!  

Do you have memorable, magical moments in nature that have inspired, amazed or surprised you? Come celebrate National Storytelling Day with an evening campfire and the camaraderie of fellow nature lovers. Bring a camping chair, beverages (beer and wine only for alcoholic drinks) and a story to

The Joliet City Center Partnership (CCP) is excited to host the 3rd annual Stone & Steel Spooky 5K on Sunday, October 6th, 2024 at 8 a.m. This chip-timed race starts in Downtown Joliet and runs through the Joliet Iron Works Historic Site. Walkers and runners are welcome

Celebrate International Archaeology Day with a naturalist as we dig deeper into the role of an archaeologist. What do they do? Where do they go? What do they find? Participants will have the chance to be archaeologists themselves as we piece together clues about history and humankind.

Experience the exhibits and trails of Four Rivers on your own terms. This independent program is for guests with sensory-processing needs, social anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and those who would benefit from a small-group experience. Buddy bags with sensory gadgets and a limited supply of noise-canceling headphones

Meet local beekeeper Mike Rusnak to discuss the art of beekeeping. Ask questions, chat and troubleshoot. Rusnak has more than 18 years of beekeeping experience. Pick up specific beekeeping tips or simply learn more about the world of bees. Fee: Free! Age: All ages. No registration required.

Learn all about bats and other amazing animals!!

Board a trolley outside of the Great Hall of the Lodge. The Trolley takes you to the Eagle 1 to enjoy an hour long boat ride where you will get to spy the Waterfowl of the Illinois River. The trolley will return you to the Lodge. Reservations

Tour begins with lunch at 11am in the historic dining room at the Lodge, followed by a narrated trolley tour with history and legends of the area. The trolley will then take you to the new river boat, The Eagle I where you will see the beautiful

Join us for this monthly nature-themed program for 3- to 5-year-olds. The flowers may be fading, but something else is popping up on the forest floor – mushrooms! Let's look for fungi in all different shapes and sizes while finding out the important jobs they do. Fee:

Fiber Artist- Jacqueline JoAnn will be showing you how fun and interesting needle felting is. Needle felting is the process of taking raw fibers with a special barbed needle to sculpt into any desired form. Flat or 3 dimensional. In this class we will be making needle