Eagle Watch Weekend

Bird of Prey shows and family activities at Starved Rock Visitor Center, Starved Rock Lodge and Illinois Waterway Visitor Center. Take a short hike to the top of Starved Rock for live eagle viewing or join the park naturalist for a guided eagle viewing tour. Call for

The Chicago Portage – A Lasting Gift – Lecture Series

Lyons Public Library 4209 Joliet Avenue, Lyons, IL, United States

Presented by Richard Lanyon.  The Chicago Portage is not just history; it is still a main vein of Midwest commerce. Local author and historian Dick Lanyon takes us on a journey through the development of a waterway route that includes the Chicago Portage, and connects the Chicago

Grundy County Historical Society’s 100th Anniversary Open House

Museum of the Grundy County Historical Society 510 West Illinois Avenue, Morris, IL, United States

Join the 100 Year Celebration at the Museum of the Grundy County Historical Society! Helpful experts will be present at various exhibits in the museum, including the I&M Canal, fossils, tool shed, and more. You can even watch a demonstration on an old fashioned loom! Refreshments will

CCA President/CEO Speaks At Lemont Library

Lemont Public Library 50 E Wend Street, Lemont, IL, United States

This year the I&M Canal celebrates its 175th anniversary and Lemont, its 150th. That's not a coincidence that Lemont was born soon after the canal was opened. Ana Koval, the President/CEO of the Canal Corridor Association, which is the nonprofit, coordinating agency that oversees the I&M Canal

“Forgottonia, An Intimate Portrait of Rural Illinois”

Lock 16 Cafe 754 First Street, LaSalle, IL, United States

The whole family will enjoy this FREE performance at the Lock 16 Visitor Center! The Canal Corridor Association will host an Illinois Humanities Road Scholars Speakers Bureau presentation entitled "Forgottonia, An Intimate Portrait of Rural Illinois" by Chris Vallillo. Don’t miss Chris Vallillo as he performs his

Lockport Clean Sweep

Clean Sweep Lockport 10th Street and I&M Canal, Lockport, IL, United States

  Beautify the Historic District this Saturday!!! It's that time of year again for CLEAN SWEEP!!!   CLEAN SWEEP Action Plan… • Plant Annual Flowers • Maintain Our Public Gardens • Add Fresh Mulch To Planting Beds • Remove Weeds, Invasive Species & Trash   CLEAN SWEEP

“A Walk thru Time” Living History Event

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

Take a tour through time from the Roman Empire to the 20th Century. Explore Heritage Village buildings furnished to the time period. Historical reenacts and activities throughout the weekend.

“Railroad Days” Pullman Historic Foundation

Join Historic Pullman Foundation for its annual "Pullman Railroad Days", taking place at Pullman National Historical Park. This weekend-long celebration about the important Pullman story: railroad innovation and the people who drive it. In partnership with Metra, and the American Association of Private Railroad Car Owners, visitors

Turtles of Will County

Isle a la Cache Museum 501 E Romeo Road, Romeoville, IL, United States

In shell-ebration of World Turtle Day on May 23, a naturalist will be giving a turtle-ly informative presentation on the different turtle species that can be found in Will County, followed by a feeding of our resident Blanding’s turtles. No registration required. Isle a la Cache Museum

History On The Rocks

The Forge: Lemont Quarries 1001 Main St, Lemont, IL, United States

The Forge: Lemont Quarries will be the perfect backdrop to learn about the rich history of the rocks that built the cities around us. Jason Berry, Lemont Community Development Director, will share information and images of the area with the assistance of the Lemont Area Historical Society.

“Nature is Accessible”

Little Red Schoolhouse

Visitors of all abilities are invited to celebrate nature through accessible activities. Little Red Schoolhouse's 6,000 square foot garden with an accessible trail encourages people of all abilities to physically interact with nature.

Museum Campus Exploration Days

Isle a la Cache Museum 501 E Romeo Road, Romeoville, IL, United States

If you've never visited Isle a la Cache Museum, take advantage of this opportunity to see what's going on in our 18th-Century Traders Cabin and peek inside the Native American longhouse.

“Blues and Brews” at the Forge

The Forge: Lemont Quarries 1001 Main St, Lemont, IL, United States

The Forge Blues & Brews Fest is coming up! This event is only $5 for admission and includes live blues music all day from renowned artists, including Joanna Connor. Drink tickets will be available for pours from more than 15 featured Illinois breweries. Park food & beverage,

Wild Bill Days

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

Celebrate the life and times of Deadwood’s most famous gunslinger and the I&M Canal's most famous mule tender—Wild Bill Hickok at Wild Bill Days. See big name artists and your favorite bands perform live concerts on Main Street all weekend long and Outlaw Square will host a

Reclaiming the Narrative

Gaylord Building, Lockport 200 W. 8th Street, Lockport, IL, United States

Now on display in the Gaylord Building’s first-floor gallery through July 14th! African Americans called the Joliet region home before its incorporation in 1852. They have built up the community, found jobs, and enjoyed life in the Des Plaines River Valley. In spite of this long history,

Ottawa Wine Festival

Washington Square Park 101 E. Lafayette St., Ottawa, Illinois

Blue skies, a warm breeze, music in the air and refreshing beverages will be a great way to kick off the lineup of summer events.  Ottawa 2 Rivers Wine festival is a 3-day event in the heart of downtown, featuring wineries, breweries, and distilleries from across Illinois. 

CabinFest

Goose Lake Prairie

Learn and celebrate life on the Prairie in the 1800s at the Cragg Cabin that served as the county's first tavern, polling place, and post office. Travelers were treated with courtesies and comforts of a frontier inn. Stage coach passengers and drovers moving cattle to Chicago stock

fForestfest

Goold Park 308 Northern Avenue, Morris, United States

fForest is a Norwegian word that means to Be, Do & Make under the Trees; so fForest Fest seemed like the perfect name for this one day festival. Don’t miss this fun day filled with live music, shopping, eating, drinking, and creativity. This year it will include booths

Underneath the Bark

Isle a la Cache Museum 501 E Romeo Road, Romeoville, IL, United States

There’s a great, big world out there, but what’s underneath? From tiny organisms and mysterious creatures to covert ecosystems, discover the hidden life we usually ignore in this summer series. Join for one program or come to all four, each held at a different visitor center throughout

Moon Walk at Little Red Schoolhouse

Little Red Schoolhouse

Let the full moon be your guide as you hike in the largest Urban Night Sky Place in the world.  

Lemont Downtown Days

Village of Lemont

You can’t celebrate 150 years of Lemont without acknowledging the locally-owned and operated businesses that makeup Historic Lemont Downtown. Celebrate with us all week-long during Legendary Lemont Week by enjoying deals and special menu items from participating retailers and restaurants. From June 5 -11, we want you

Lemont 150: Plein Air Session with Lemont Artist Guild

Lemont Safety Village 55 Stephen St., Lemont, United States

Join us as we celebrate the artists and authors who have been inspired by Lemont. “Plein Air” is the art of painting and drawing in the outdoors. Lemont Artists Guild will make Lemont Downtown their studio. There are no requirements to join this session so feel free

I am a Scientist: Ichthyology

Little Red Schoolhouse

Ignite your child’s sense of wonder and curiosity: explore, experiment, and make discoveries in the natural world. Ages 4-5 w/adult.  

Lemont Legends Cruise Night

Village of Lemont

Calling All Cars! The first Cruise Night of the season is dedicated to Lemont’s 150th Anniversary. Join us in Lemont Downtown to view the classic collection of cars and take home giveaways in celebration of the night.