The Illinois Watercolor Society was established in 1981, committed to promoting and encouraging the pursuit of excellence in water-based media throughout Illinois. Since that time, IWS has grown from a small group of painters to a nationally-recognized watercolor society with members stretching from Vermont to California. Today,
Prairie Companion features artwork and specimens from the Illinois State Museum collection that highlight aspects of prairie ecology and how our actions have consequence for prairie survival. Presented in conjunction with Philip Juras’ exhibit celebrating the wide views of prairie preserves, this exhibition considers individual species and details
Take a walk through the Lemont Heritage & Woodland Sanctuary to see all the Scarecrow Contestants!!
A juried exhibition of 2D and 3D art for visual artists of Illinois. Theme: TIME Special thanks to Angel Ambrose Fine Art Studio for inspiring this year's theme.
The Olde English Faire is Celebrating 50 years in 2023! Join us for merriment and revelry at the Stronghold Camp and Retreat Center. The Faire will feature live performances, food trucks, artisan vendors selling handmade wares, Vikings, royalty, horses, jesters, merriment, dancing, castle tours, and much more!
Volunteers wanted for restoration of this very rare prairie. Help with invasive species plant removal, brush clearing & grounds beautification. Volunteers are needed to join us for a morning of fun, learning and a little elbow grease! No experience necessary! Wear sturdy shoes, long pants, a light
The Chicago Portage was an ancient portage that connected the Great Lakes waterway system with the Mississippi River system. Connecting these two great water trails meant comparatively easy access from the mouth of the St Lawrence River on the Atlantic Ocean to the Rocky Mountains, and the
An Arts Festival celebrating Arts and Humanities Month Featuring: Fiber Art – Betty Burian Kirk Synesthesia Abstract Painting and Illustration – Rossa Crean Photography – Lisa Beth Kochanski Watercolor Painting – John Howard Nature Photography – Penny Shnay Wheel Thrown and Sculptural Pottery, Painting and Collage –
The Burgoo Festival is an annual village street party featuring flea marketers, craftsmen, musicians, and other entertainment. More than 350 vendors will present their wares at this craft show and flea market. Established in 1969, the Burgoo Festival is one of the longest running and largest fall
Join us in a trip along the I&M Canal in our mule-powered, 1840s-replica Canal Boat. Your journey includes: a “Mule Tending 101” class in which you’ll meet Moe the Mule, interact with crew of period dressed guides, hear tales of the canal’s heyday and enjoy a 60-90
Come and see the amazing works that will be on display and enjoy the reception!
Are you one of the brave souls to seek out the underground of Dellwood Park? We dare you to attempt the Curse of the Bayou. This top rated haunted attraction has been hidden in the Canyons below the Hayride of Horror. The veil between the living and
This free public event will provide a behind-the-scenes look at architecturally, historically and culturally significant sites throughout downtown Lemont.
The expert historian will take you to 5 unique stops along the I&M Canal National Heritage Area from Lockport to Ottawa. Experience the rich history of the canal towns, hear extraordinary stories, discover fun facts and enjoy the fall colors! $50 per person Register by 9/29/23 by
The Mazon Creek fossil beds are a conservation lagerstätte found near Morris, in Grundy County, Illinois. The fossils are preserved in ironstone concretions, formed approximately 309 million years ago in the mid-Pennsylvanian epoch of the Carboniferous period. Displays of Mazon Creek Fossils. Books on Mazon Creek Fossils
Run with the Nuns is a race through natural hills and picturesque scenery and Mount Assisi and the Mount Assisi Convent. This challenging all terrain course features a variety of surfaces from asphalt to grass. All participants will receive a race medal and a dry fit shirt.
Author Patricia Camalliere and Sister Jeanne Marie of The Franciscan Convent in Lemont will be speaking about the life of Mother Theresa Dudzik. In 1881, Chicago welcomed a young woman, Josephine Dudzik, and her family who had emigrated from Poland. They settled in the vicinity of
Chicago is rich in spooky tales and electrifyingly eerie hauntings. Immerse yourself in the eerie experiences, sinister stories, delicious drinks, and something certain to be sweet at the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum. Celebrate the haunted season in an elegant fashion at the historic museum on
The Chicago Maritime Museum Third Friday lecture series on October 20th, presents a discussion on the development of the Underground Railroad. In the decades before the Civil War, several thousand freedom seekers travelled through Northeastern Illinois. This program outlines their stories and the range of encounters with
Located inside the infamous Joliet Correctional Center that closed in 2002, this immersive one-of-a-kind haunted house takes brave souls through the dark, abandoned halls of one of Chicagoland's most haunted buildings. With a rich history of disturbing stories, Chicagoans are invited inside The Old Joliet Haunted
Sunday, October 22nd: 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM Come and take a spine-tingling journey aboard "The Volunteer" and listen to ghostly legends of our haunted canal towns. Are you brave enough to venture into the unknown? This exclusive tour welcomes guest storytellers, Gary & Susan Roy, as
Carter Corsello and Jeff Poundstone of the Grundy County Veterans Legacy Center and Museum have researched and summarized in a book the 38 WWI Gold Star Veterans of Grundy County. They will briefly tell their stories from what their research has uncovered. DUE TO FIRE AT
Mark your calendars for the annual CMMFestival Fundraiser on Thursday, October 26 starting at 6:00 p.m! Enjoy an evening of lively maritime presentations, shanty songs and generous giving, hosted by renowned maritime folk singer Tom Kastle and photographer Barry Butler. This year's theme, "All Hands on Deck,"
Join St. James at Sag Cemetery for their second annual candlelit procession. Hear from saints and martyrs who "come to life." Full evening planned with games, food, ceili, and folk dancing! $2 hot dogs, saint costumes, bring a themed dessert or candy!
The Canal Corridor Association will host an Illinois Humanities Road Scholars Speakers Bureau presentation entitled “Singing Bird and the Importance of Native American Women in Illinois History” by Kim Sigafus. Dressed in her native regalia, Kim will be giving a history of the natives in Illinois