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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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,
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
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,
Join The Three Rivers Library in reading and discussing Robin Wall Kimmerer's book "Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants"
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.
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
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
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
Let the full moon be your guide as you hike in the largest Urban Night Sky Place in the world.
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
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
Ignite your child’s sense of wonder and curiosity: explore, experiment, and make discoveries in the natural world. Ages 4-5 w/adult.
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.
Calling all families with preschoolers! Join us for a hands-on program designed for your little one. This program is geared toward children ages 2-5 and is complete with tons of facts, singing, story time, table activities and crafts. Registration required by Tuesday, June 6: 815-722-9301. REGISTER ONLINE(Opens
