Join us for a fun-filled night of trivia to support the Ottawa Exploreum! Gather your smartest friends and test your knowledge for a great cause. 
Cash Prizes for Top Teams! 
Bar & Food Available – Enjoy delicious bites and drinks while you play. 
Teams
Join fellow women of the woods on this hike to celebrate women's role in nature. Along the trail, learn about the historical women who have quite literally paved the way. Discover the women blazing their own trails today and explore the paths chosen by women of the
Woods, dirt, mud, roots, and maybe some other adventurous trail stuff will be experienced at the 4th annual Trail Half Marathon and Quarter Marathon @ The Forge: Lemont Quarries. And now that we've earned the 4th leaf in our clover, the race is now named the MUDDY
Which city carried the nickname City of Steel and Stone? Joliet's once-thriving industrial plant rivaled Pittsburgh's steel power. Explore the stone foundations that are more than 100 years old. An interpretive naturalist will share the fascinating stories of the men and machines who worked at the Joliet
From the earliest times, Native Americans and pioneers of the Midwest made syrup from the sweet sap of the maple tree. Drop in anytime from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to learn the process of making maple syrup. Find maple trees tapped on site and even try
Which city carried the nickname City of Steel and Stone? Joliet's once-thriving industrial plant rivaled Pittsburgh's steel power. Explore the stone foundations that are more than 100 years old. An interpretive naturalist will share the fascinating stories of the men and machines who worked at the Joliet
Get ready to don your green and join the La Salle St. Patrick's Day Parade! Step into a world where Irish charm meets exhilarating festivity, as our vibrant parade transforms First Street into a dazzling display of color and cheer. This annual tradition is more than just
Meet the young families that are the co-owners of Homegrown Meat Market in Newark, IL. Learn about how they started this business and how they are providing a wonderful resource to the area. Their store is filled with fresh meats, cheeses, eggs and a wonderful ice
Storytelling is an art as old as time, and in the Illinois Valley. we are fortunate to have one of the most entertaining storytellers around, Tricia Kelly. Kelly is neither a painter, nor a quilter, nor a sculptor, instead, she uses words to create a picture through
Join us as the Bureau County United Way host their annual Beer & Wine Tasting and help us reach our 2025 goal so we can continue to financially support local nonprofits that serve our neighbors in need throughout Bureau County.
Bring the whole family to The Forge: Lemont Quarries for a St. Patrick's Day adventure! Embark on a self-guided Leprechaun Scavenger Hunt and follow an enchanting story to uncover where the mischievous Leprechaun is hiding at the end of the rainbow. Complete the hunt and return to
"Irish Need Not Apply" REMEMBER THE LADIES Series Sundays at 1PM during the Month of March Presented by Tricia Kelly, first person interpreter and famed storyteller What was life like for Irish women living in America during the 19th century? What obstacles did they have to face,
Come down and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day Utica style! The UBA will be hosting our annual St. Patrick’s Day parade. There will be many specials throughout town all weekend long! More details to come. If interested in participating in the parade please use the following link to
Participate in a group reading by Psychic Medium Michael Gourley, one of the Top 10 Chicago Psychics. Michael uses his gifts to deliver messages from loved ones in spirit and will deliver messages that come through for our guests. There may even be a message for you!
Need a break in your day? We are here for you! Grab your lunch and enjoy warblers with a naturalist. After a long winter, spring is finally here, bringing warblers to our woods. The tricky thing is that most of them look very similar. Learn the subtle
You won't need to sail off through night and day or in and out of weeks. Will County is where the wildflowers are! Anemone, Dutchman's breeches, trillium, hepatica – our wildflowers have stories to tell! Journey to Raccoon Grove, a top spot to seek wildflowers. Join a
Join us for Karaoke with Host Joe Son! Start your weekend on a high note - Food, Fun, Self Serve Beer Wall, Craft Cocktails & Giveaways!
Demanding a romantic light, the male woodcock waits until dusk before performing his theatrical display. The woodcock sky dance is quite a sight to see! We will start the evening learning about the American woodcock, then we'll take a hike to see if we can catch a
Spring is here, and it's time for our early bird migrants to arrive! Join us at Plum Creek Nature Center first thing in the morning to see our visiting flyovers. This location is a great stop for birds heading home for the nesting season. All birders are
There is a big, beautiful world of birds, and we are going to learn all about them! Junior naturalists will learn about different species of birds found here in Will County, their calls, their adaptations and some clues to spotting them in the wild. Participants will play
Discover the joys of sustainable gardening, where you'll discover easy and affordable methods to transform your home garden! Learn about techniques for rain collection, composting, saving seeds and so much more! Pearl will guide you through each step, ensuring you leave with the knowledge and confidence to cultivate
Sounds of Summer tells the story of America's band - The Beach Boys. These four incredibly talented performers have shared their love of the Beach Boys' harmonies since 2015, giving audiences an authentic depiction of the 1960's. Lunch Entree: Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken - Chicken breast with with
Prairie Iron: The Remarkable Life of Pioneer Elsie Armstrong In this emotionally charged presentation, storyteller Tricia Kelly becomes Elsie Armstrong—a mother and adventurer who relocated to Illinois in 1830 with her sons in tow. Her will knew no limits and her spiritual, physical, and emotional strength surpassed
As the VOICE of all the classic Guess Who hit songs, Burton has toured with his long-time band, for the past twenty-three years across North America as well as joining Randy Bachman onstage as Bachman Cummings, performing the songs from the original The Guess Who, Bachman-Turner Overdrive
This program tells the story of the Keeley Institute and the Keeley Cure for Alcoholism, otherwise knows as the Double Chloride of Gold Cure for Addictions. The presentation will tell the story of the Keeley Institute--from its beginnings in Dwight, through growth and franchising around the world,
