• Volunteer Workday at the Santa Fe Prairie

    Santa Fe Prairie 7300 River Road, Hodgkins, IL

    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

  • Free Public Interpretative Tours of the Chicago Portage

    Free Public Interpretative Tours of the Chicago Portage

    Chicago Portage 4800 Harlem Ave, Forest View, IL, United States

    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

  • Burgoo Festival

    North Utica 101 E. Canal, North Utica, United States

    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

  • Olde English Faire

    Olde English Faire

    Stronghold Camp and Retreat Center 1922 N. IL Route 2, Oregon, IL, United States

    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!

  • Lemont Art on the Green

    Lemont Art on the Green

    Lemont Village Green 322 Main Street, Lemont, IL, United States

    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 –

  • Lemont “Unlocked”

    Village of Lemont

    This free public event will provide a behind-the-scenes look at architecturally, historically and culturally significant sites throughout downtown Lemont.

  • I&M Canal History Tour

    Will County Heritage Village 249 West 2nd Street,, Lockport, IL, United States

    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

  • Mazon Creek Fossil Day

    Coal City Public Library 85 N. Garfield St., Coal City, IL, United States

    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

    Mt. Assisi Field 13900 Main St, Lemont, IL, United States

    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.

  • The Life of Mother Theresa Dudzik

    St. James at Sag Bridge 10600 Archer Avenue, Lemont, IL, United States

      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

  • Eerie Evening at the Chicago Bridgehouse Museum

    Eerie Evening at the Chicago Bridgehouse Museum

    McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum 99 Chicago Riverwalk, Chicago, IL, United States

    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

  • Freedom Seekers & the Underground Railroad in Chicago & Northeast Illinois

    Chicago Maritime Museum 1200 W. 35th St., Chicago, IL, United States

    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

  • Scary Stories on “The Volunteer”

    Scary Stories on “The Volunteer”

    Lock 14 Access Canal Rd &, IL-351, LaSalle, IL, United States

    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

  • WWI Gold Star Veterans of Grundy County

    Wesley Center 111 W. North St., Morris, IL, United States

      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

  • All Hands on Deck

    Chicago Maritime Museum 1200 W. 35th St., Chicago, IL, United States

    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,"

  • Hayride of Horror

    Hayride of Horror

    Dellwood Park Woods Drive, Lockport, United States

    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

  • Old Joliet Haunted Prison

    Old Joliet Haunted Prison

    Old Joliet Prison 1125 Collins St., Joliet, IL, United States

      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

  • Cemetery Walk All Hallows Eve

    St. James at Sag Bridge 10600 Archer Avenue, Lemont, IL, United States

    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!

  • Louis Jolliet: A Solid Path through Water

    Joliet Area Historical Museum 204 N Ottawa St, Joliet

    Louis Jolliet: A Solid Path Through Water, is a one act, one person play written and performed by Jim Healy, in honor of the 350th anniversary of the voyage of Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet down the Mississippi River. Their four month voyage began  May 17th,

  • 15th Annual Utica Veterans Parade/Air Show

    Utica Downtown Community Center 200 Mill Street, Utica, IL, United States

    The Utica American Legion Pierce Davis Post #731 Invites you to the 15th Annual Utica Veterans Parade/Air Show Noon Commencement & Introductions 1:00 p.m. Parade Complimentary Brunch for All Veterans at the Downtown Community Hall from 8:00 am to noon. TBM WWII Torpedo Bomber T-6 Marine Trainers

  • 2023 Canal Alliance Congress

    Four Rivers Environmental Education Center 25055 S Walnut Ln., Channahon, IL, United States

    Wednesday,  November 8th, 2023 Canal Alliance Congress is back at the Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon, but with a different schedule – half-day planning for the second half of the 175th Anniversary of the Canal, and then time to celebrate all the great events, activities,

  • “Braiding Sweetness” Book Discussion

    Sagawau Learning Center 12545 W. 111th St., Lemont, IL, United States

    Join the folks at Sagawau Learning Center for a book discussion about “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer. REGISTRATION REQUIRED:Call Sagawau at 630-257-2045.