Events

Each day of the week will be a different class, take one or all of them! Morning Session will be from 9am until 11am. On Saturday we will put the art made from all of the classes on display in the gallery and hold an opening reception

Each day of the week will be a different class, take one or all of them! Morning Session will be from 9am until 11am. On Saturday we will put the art made from all of the classes on display in the gallery and hold an opening reception

Using non-traditional tools and methods helps little artists practice thinking outside the box. New textures and effects promotes exploration and playfulness in art and helps us break free from the perfectionism that can surround art. Included with admission. Admission $5 - $15.   

Each day of the week will be a different class, take one or all of them! Morning Session will be from 9am until 11am. On Saturday we will put the art made from all of the classes on display in the gallery and hold an opening reception

Each day of the week will be a different class, take one or all of them! Morning Session will be from 9am until 11am. On Saturday we will put the art made from all of the classes on display in the gallery and hold an opening reception

Mark your calendars! The Landing Pad re-opens on April 2nd, 2026 open Thurs-Mon, 10am-4pm! Start your centennial trip off with a blast, and stop by the Gemini Giant and The Landing Pad. There's something out-of-this-world for everyone inside!  

Need a dessert for Easter? Why not make one yourself! Decorate your very own chocolate chip cookie cake inside the Hegeler Carus Mansion. All supplies included! Just bring yourself, an apron, and your creativity! This event is a partnership between the Hegeler Carus Mansion and Blue Eyed

Each day of the week will be a different class, take one or all of them! Morning Session will be from 9am until 11am. On Saturday we will put the art made from all of the classes on display in the gallery and hold an opening reception

Joey Figgiani (born 1970) is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist originally from Staten Island, New York, now based in Illinois. Joey mainly performs solo with an acoustic guitar & harmonica. He also plays bass, piano & drums. With a repertoire spanning several hundred cover songs, Joeys performances bridge

The Forge has gone a bit Topsy-Turvy and we need clever explorers to help make sense of it all! In this unusual scavenger hunt, participants are given six egg halves and must scout the area to find their perfect matches. Along the way, you'll encounter the Mad

Hop on over to Soldiers and Sailors Park for the Princeton Rotary Club's Annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 4, 2026!  

 The family-friendly event features egg hunts for various age groups, ranging from toddlers to 6th graders. Age Groups: *Toddler*Pre-School*Kindergarten*1st*2nd & 3rd*4th, 5th, & 6th.  

 Stressed out? Overwhelmed? Anger at the world? Let it out in this rage room! Get ready to rage and learn healthy ways to release anger and alleviate stress. (Grades 6-12).  

Craft Your Own Lunar-Inspired Decor! Join us for a magical, hands-on experience in our Moon Wreath Workshop, where creativity meets celestial beauty! Cost is $45 per person.  

Chris Perondi (aka the Stunt Dog Guy TM) and wife Suhey Perondi, along with their famous stunt dogs are out of this world! The Perondis and their cast of human performers and dogs will delight audiences of all ages. They guarantee high-energy excitement from beginning to end.

Maps shape how we see the world, but how often do we stop to think about how they work? Join us tomorrow evening for our next Think & Drink: MAPS! with Jason King. A former cartographer and now Department Chair of Geography at Moraine Valley Community College, King will

Explore in detail the American Indians relationship with the land. Students will learn about the seasonal preparations and activities of the Potawatomi people. This is an opportunity for homeschooled or remote learning students to experience Isle a la Caches field trip programs that are normally only offered

What was life like for a French fur trader in the 1700s? How much knowledge did these early explorers need to survive their journey in search of furs? Students learn about the challenges, risks and rewards of being a French fur trader and demonstrate the skills necessary

The NCI Artworks will host an opening reception for the Ottawa Art League group in the historic Westclox building in Peru. The work of numerous topnotch local artists will be on exhibit and available for purchase at the NCI ARTworks Gallery beginning Friday, April 10, 2026, and

Its spring trout season at Hidden Lakes! To celebrate, we are opening the gates and concessions building for fishing at 6 a.m. Find your perfect spot along the two stocked lakes. Head to the Tackle Box Bait shop for a free hot chocolate, tea or coffee. Plus,

Join other photographers for a special opportunity to view and photograph the herons, egrets, cormorants and even eagles at Lake Renwick Heron Rookery Nature Preserve. This is the beginning of nesting season, with hundreds of nesting birds in the preserve. Explore off-trail habitats and share insights into

Come to Bureau County Spring Fling for beautiful items and flea market deals!!

Enjoy an afternoon discovering the wondrous world of weather through hands-on activities and art. Craft your own clouds, construct a rain stick, measure the wind and more in this self-guided program!  

Join us in welcoming Little Starr Farm! Their mobile petting zoo will include small animals such as bunnies, chickens and a hedgehog! (Animal feed optional, $.50 per cup.)    

Join Marjorie Myers, a local artist who has learned from Dana Jester, Steve Ross and Kevin Hill as she helps you step by step create a beautiful landscape oil painting. All materials provided. We will be painting on a 16x20 canvas. $65.00 per person.  

Join us for a relaxing and hands-on Kokedama Workshop at RejuveNate—where plants meet creativity and mindfulness. In this guided class, you'll learn the beautiful Japanese art of kokedama (moss ball planting), where plants are wrapped in soil and moss instead of traditional pots. It's a unique and

Slow down, get creative, and connect with fellow plant lovers at our Garden Journaling & Seed Swap Night! This cozy, community-focused evening is all about capturing the beauty of your garden while sharing inspiration—and seeds—with others. Bring your favorite journal and a selection of seeds from your

David Duncan returns for the third year in a row to treat us to another deep dive into the many cars of the Pullman company. Last year’s program explored the early editions of Pullman’s steel cars, but like a fine wine, Pullman’s designs continued to evolve into

We will be welcoming author Denise Moran who will be giving a talk about her recently published book, Dr. Letitia Westgate: Medical Pioneer. This work explores the life of Dr. Westgate who was the first female physician to build and manage a hospital in the United States.

Explore the rich, velvety world of gouache in this guided landscape painting workshop! Perfect for beginners and experienced artists, this class will walk you step by stepthrough creating a beautiful landscape while still encouraging your own creative style and personal touches. You’ll learn techniques for layering, color

Are you tempted by the lure of mystery? Come with an open mind and leave with a new favorite ... animal, plant, who knows what. Dont worry, the naturalist knows what! This program will include games, stories and more. Admission is free. Registration required by Thursday, April

An exhibition featuring the art and accounts of local survivors of sexual assault for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Come learn more about what it means to be a survivor of sexual violence and how you can help the survivors in your life and community.  

Folk-country Troubador, John Till plays the Star Union Spirits Tasting Room. John Till channels the storytelling of Jim Croce, the intimate songs of life, and delivers them with country blues. Beautiful vocals and incredible slide guitar technique. A foot-stomping good time. No cover charge.  

Discover the art of wire wrapping in this hands-on, small-group workshop! With a maximum of just six participants, this class offers a relaxed, intimate setting where you’ll receive plenty of guidance as you learn a semi-intricate wrapping technique. Guests will choose from a variety of stones/crystals and

Did you know the Forest Preserve District of Will County operates six dog parks within the county? Each park is equipped with fenced areas allowing dogs to roam off leash, separate enclosures for small and large dogs, shade structures, waste bags and drinking water. An annual permit

Woah! Whats going on outside? Junior Naturalists will learn about climate, weather and some of the weird and wondrous things we can experience here in Will County. Participants will play some games, get crafty and do some scientific work! Ages 8-12. Children must be accompanied by an

Family Event Searching for the elusive bunny eggs all over the City Park featuring age-grouped, staggered start times for children aged 0–10. The event includes visits from the Easter Bunny, prize opportunities, and is held rain or shine.   

Join us at Blue Eyed Rascal for a class with Co-Op Charcuterie! Each spot is $50 a person and includes a specialty drink of your choice, and all the materials to make your own charcuterie board. The girls from the Co-op will guide you through your creation!

Capture the essence of the butterfly with this unique dip/dye craft. Create dozens of stunningly realistic, fluttering, delicate- yet- durable- dazzling butterflies! Pure colorful magic! These butterflies can be used for crowns, mobiles, curtains, barrettes, pins and so much more! Admission TBD.  

You won't need to sail off through night and day or in and out of weeks. Will County is where the wildflowers are! Trout lily, Dutchmans breeches, cut-leafed toothwort our wildflowers have stories to tell! Journey to Hidden Oaks Preserve, a great spot to seek wildflowers. Join

Explore the creative possibilities of appliqué in this technique-focused class designed for all skill levels! You’ll learn a variety of approaches including hand-stitched, machine-stitched, no-stitch (fusible), and reverse appliqué methods. Whether you try one technique or experiment with all of them, you’ll gain the skills to add

STORYTIME is the best morning on the farm. YAY! Grab the kids and come out to listen to story reading, enjoy an interactive experience, and then visit the farm animals at 10:00 am every Wednesday of our season! Want more time on the farm after? We have

A silly, hands-on growing craft for early childhood creators this class is a playful early childhood art and planting class offered as part of our Sprout & Create series on the farm. In this hands-on experience, little creators will plant grass seeds into egg carton cups, then decorate

It's Earth Day, and the spring wildflowers are here! Come out to OHara Woods to see what is blooming on this special day. The preserve is known for its blanket of bluebells, and well also search for mayapples, toothwort, Jack-in-the-pulpit and more. Learn some tips and tricks

Back to the 80's - The Best of Times! The Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 is taking you back to the 80's! Wear your best eighties fashion and join us for an evening of music and fun! Featuring: ARRA - Classic Rock. Also appearing,

Create your own beautiful stained glass art. Learn how to cut & break glass as you create your own project using the copper foil method. The session will deal with type & quality of glass, appropriate tools, cutting techniques and assembling. Each person will leave the class

So many beautiful birds, where to begin!? Lets start with the basics and learn to use size, color and shape as tools to identify birds. Test out some new skills in the field as we hike through diverse bird habitats. Ages 12 or older. Participants younger than

Have you ever wondered whats going on in our 18th-century Traders Cabin or wanted to peek inside the Native American longhouse above the pollinator garden? This is your chance to explore all the buildings at Isle a la Cache Museum and learn about the French fur traders

Do you like to draw, doodle or document? Do you like to be outside? Join us while we creatively connect to the outdoors! A naturalist will introduce nature journaling, lead guided exercises and answer questions. All skill levels welcome. Each participant will get their own nature journal

Get outside and make a difference! Join like-minded people in cleaning up the banks of the Des Plaines River. It will be a morning of invigorating work and enthusiasm, and you are sure to leave with a sense of great accomplishment! Ages 14 and older. Participants younger

Join the LCHS Canal Market at our 6th Annual Antiquin' Weekend in the quaint Village of North Utica!! LCHS Canal Market will host Vintage and Antique Vendors with their unique treasures. Don't forget to check out Starved Rock Country's other wonderful Antique stores including Clarks Run Antiques!!

Calling all Elphabas and Glindas... You won't want to miss this spellbinding afternoon inspired by Wicked! Sip tea, enjoy sweet treats, and a performance. Celebrate friendship and fun in true Emerald City style. Costumes are encouraged! All guests must be registered. Admission $30 - $35. Tables seat

Mark your calendars and join the Livingston County Concert Association for the final concert of the season! They will be featuring the folk-rock band, Live from Laurel Canyon.   

Create your own cozy, one-of-a-kind hanging light in this hands-on wet felting class! Perfect for both beginners and experienced makers, this workshop will guide you through the process of transforming soft wool fibers into a beautiful, durable felted lampshade. You’ll learn the fundamentals of wet felting, including

Morris Illinois was a prime spot for commerce in the mid 1800s. The Illinois & Michigan Canal was located to the south of town, and new railroad tracks to the north. In the early 1860s the country and economy were going through major changes due to the

Join us for this free event every last Wednesday of the month! All types of writing welcome. Hosted By Jamie Neely. BYOB welcome.  

Theres no time like the present to learn a new skill! Learn fishing basics, such as putting tackle on the pole and baiting the hook. Practice casting and gain hands-on experience while fishing along the shoreline with the guidance of an instructor. All materials are provided, including