I & M Canal

Sightseeing Cruise with Narration
2024-08-03 14:30 - 16:30 (America/Chicago) | Sainte Genevieve Riverboat, 231 Albin Stevens Dr., Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Light on the narration, heavy on the ambience and views, our guests will enjoy the beautiful sights of the Illinois River Valley and learn a thing or two along the way.

Taco & Margarita Festival
2024-08-03 17:00 - 21:00 | The Forge Adventure Park and Ziplines, 227 Heritage Quarries Drive, Lemont, Illinois, 60439
Welcome to the Lemont Taco & Margarita Festival!
Join us & Brew Avenue Events on Saturday, August 3rd, for a day filled with delicious tacos and refreshing margaritas. Get ready to indulge in a variety of taco creations from 8+ food trucks while sipping on mouthwatering margaritas, a variety of beers, and a vendor village. It’s a fiesta for your taste buds!
And who doesn’t love FREE MARGARITAS?! Each ticket includes 2 complimentary margaritas per guest!
Satisfy your cravings with a mouthwatering selection of tacos from Chicago’s favorite taco trucks, serving up a variety of deliciousness wrapped in tortillas. As you feast & sip on margaritas, groove to live music, the perfect backdrop for a day of fun. Browse through a variety of vendors showcasing their unique wares, from handmade crafts to artisanal goods, and discover treasures to take home.
Don’t miss out on this ultimate summer celebration of food, music, and community!
This event is outdoors with large grassy areas for guest seating. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and/or blankets. Some on-site seating will be available.
Food Truck Lineup

Taco Shop on Wheels – Palatine, IL
Chkn Box Truck – Chicago, IL
Tacomotora Truck – Chicago, IL
The Great Sandeenie – Hanover Park, IL
My Funnel Truck – Crystal Lake, IL

Get tickets on Eventbrite. Early Eater Admission is $45. General Admission is $35.
NO OUTSIDE FOOD & BEVERAGE. NO SMOKING ALLOWED IN THE PARK.

Joliet Slammers vs. Florence Y'alls - Star Wars Night/Scout Sleepover
2024-08-03 18:00 - 21:00 | Joliet Slammers Stadium, 1 Mayor Art Schultz Dr., Joliet, IL, 60432, United States
Prepare for a journey to a galaxy far, far away as we summon the force for an epic Star Wars Night at the ballpark. Join us for an intergalactic showdown between the Florence Y’alls and the Joliet Slammers. May the hits be with you as we create memories that will be talked about in galaxies near and far!

Sunset & Small Bites Featuring Chris Farrell
2024-08-03 19:00 - 21:00 | Sainte Genevieve Riverboat, 231 Albin Stevens Dr., Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
As the sun sets, you’ll head west out of Ottawa under the railroad bridge and travel to Buffalo Rock. The breathtaking rock faces that edge the river will offer the perfect backdrop as you wind down your day. Guests will enjoy our cocktail buffet featuring heavy appetizers and curated bites from local restaurants. Seating is first-come-first-served, and we encourage guests to mingle about the upper and lower decks to enjoy the views.

Ottawa's Taylor Swift Dance Party
2024-08-04 12:00 - 15:00 | Ottawa’s Old Central School Lot, 400 Clinton St., Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Get ready to shake it off, Ottawa! 🎶
Mark your calendars and dust off your dancing shoes because the City of Ottawa is thrilled to announce the ultimate summer bash: a
TSwift Dance Party to close out our 2024 Friendship Days Festival on August 4th! 🌟 🎤 From “Shake It Off” to “Love Story.”
Noon:
Food – Drinks – Merch – Crafts & more.
1 pm:
Dance Party

Meet a Beekeeper
2024-08-04 12:30 - 14:30 | Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve, 27064 Dutton Rd., Beecher, 60401, United States
Meet local beekeeper Mike Rusnak to discuss the art of beekeeping.
Ask questions, chat and troubleshoot your own hive. Rusnak has more than 18 years of beekeeping experience. Pick up specific beekeeping tips or simply learn more about the world of bees.
Fee: Free! Age: All ages. No registration required.
This program will take place in an accessible facility. Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service to participate in this program should submit a request online no later than 48 hours before the program.

The Gaylord Building - Honoring the Past, Embracing the Future
2024-08-04 15:00 - 17:00 | Gaylord Building, Lockport, 200 W. 8th Street, Lockport, IL, 60441, United States
The Gaylord Building played a vital role in the creation of the Illinois & Michigan Canal. A landmark since 1838, this handsome limestone warehouse originally stored canal construction materials and later housed a variety of commercial ventures. Today the Gaylord Building is a national example of adaptive reuse and a site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. To learn more about The Gaylord Building and upcoming events, please visit www.gaylordbuilding.org. The Gaylord Building offers a rare chance to experience the significance of Lockport and the I&M Canal. The Gaylord Building Historic Site is a registered 501(c)3 organization.
Please join us as we celebrate the preservation story of the Gaylord Building and the 40th Anniversary of the I&M Canal National Heritage Area – the nation’s first National Heritage Area. Special guests Barbara Donnelley and Jerry Adelmann will discuss this unique history, including their pivotal roles in preserving the Gaylord Building. Tickets are $25.00 per person and include appetizers and soft drinks served by the Public Landing Restaurant. A cash bar will also be available.
To reserve your tickets, contact the Gaylord Building office at (815) 838-7400. Let’s make history together!

Gospel Music in Washington Park
2024-08-04 18:00 - 20:00 | Washington Square Park, 101 E. Lafayette St., Ottawa, Illinois, 61350
Family friendly music event is back again this year! Pack a cooler and bring a lawn chair for this FREE event at Washington Park.

National Night Out - Monee Reservoir
2024-08-06 16:30 - 19:30 | Monee Reservoir, 27341 S. Ridgeland, Monee, 60449, United States
Celebrate National Night Out at Monee Reservoir with the Forest Preserve District of Will County police officers and other eastern Will County police agencies. See emergency vehicles up close, participate in fun activities and enjoy some delicious snacks. The event enhances relationships between residents and law enforcement to foster a sense of community.
Fee: Free! Age: All ages. No registration required.
Monee Reservoir has accessible shoreline and facilities. Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service to participate in this program should submit a request online no later than 48 hours before the program.

National Night Out
2024-08-06 17:00 - 19:00 | Riordan Pool, 600 Utica Dr., Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Come hang out with your first responders at Riordan Pool.
Join our first responders for a fun-filled night! Free food, Free swim, and Free goodies for all the kiddos!
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationships between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community.
Call Stacey at (815) 433-2131 or email sprindiville@ottawapdfd.org.

Sidewalk Sales - National Night Out
2024-08-06 17:00 - 20:00 | Goold Park, 308 Northern Avenue, Morris, 60450, United States
This family-friendly event brings neighbors together, creating positive interactions with law enforcement and making connections to services that improve the quality of life for all. Our local businesses make this event entirely free for everyone, giving us all the ability to participate in fun activities!

Joliet Slammers vs. Gateway Grizzlies - Groundhog Day Game
2024-08-06 18:30 - 21:00 | Joliet Slammers Stadium, 1 Mayor Art Schultz Dr., Joliet, IL, 60432, United States
Get caught in the time warp at the Groundhog Day Game – where every inning is a chance to break the cycle! Join us at the ballpark for a game that pays homage to the classic movie with a twist of baseball excitement.

Summer Finale at Four Rivers
2024-08-07 11:00 - 15:00 | Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, 25055 S Walnut Ln., Channahon, IL, 60410, United States
Celebrate the last days of summer break at Four Rivers! Is summer camp over?
Has school not started yet?
Head over to Four Rivers for a new activity every day from Tuesday, Aug. 6, through Friday, Aug. 9. Activities will include scavenger hunts, science experiments and more! Each day will be unique and bring new excitement to the nature center and surrounding trails.
Fee: Free! Age: All ages. No registration required.
This is an inclusive program, welcoming individuals of all abilities. Four Rivers is a fully inclusive facility. Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service to participate in this program should submit a request online no later than 48 hours before the program.

Land & Water Cruise
2024-08-07 11:00 - 15:00, 2024-08-09 11:30 - 15:00 | Starved Rock Lodge & Convention Center, 2680 E. 875th Rd., Oglesby, 61348, United States
Tour begins with lunch in our restaurant followed by a narrated trolley tour. Learn about Starved Rock’s history and legends of the area. The trolley takes passengers to the Eagle 1 to see the east end of Starved Rock State Park by water. Restrooms are available throughout the tour and minimal walking is involved. Both the trolley and boat are wheelchair accessible. Please inform us when booking if special accommodations are needed.

Discovery Isle: Snakes
2024-08-07 13:00 - 15:00 | Isle a la Cache Museum, 501 E Romeo Road, Romeoville, IL, 60446, United States
Don’t hate! Appreciate the fact that snakes are amazing! Did you know that snakes smell with their tongues? Or that they can eat animals 75% to 100% larger than their own heads? Come out to Isle a la Cache and get a new appreciation for our slithery friends.
This is a drop-in program; come any time between 1 and 3 p.m. Fee: Free! Age: All ages. No registration required.
The program may include hiking less than 0.5 mile on preserve trails over uneven terrain. The museum is an accessible facility. Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service to participate in this program should submit a request online no later than 48 hours before the program.

BYOB Bingo
2024-08-07 18:00 - 20:00 | Prairie Bluff Preserve, 2025 Renwick Rd., Crest Hill, 60403, United States
Come on out for a night to socialize outdoors and enjoy the beautiful Prairie Bluff Preserve and some bingo! Compete for prizes and share some laughs in good company. Feel free to bring dinner or snacks and add some beverages (beer and wine only, please, for alcoholic beverages) to enjoy while you play.
Fee: Free! Age: Ages 21 or older. No registration required.
Bingo will take place under the Prairie Bluff Shelter, located just off the parking lot. The walkways to the shelter and the nearby latrine are accessible. Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service to participate in this program should submit a request online no later than 48 hours before the program.

Cruise Nights & Block Party
2024-08-07 18:00 - 21:00 | Cruise Nights & Block Party Location, Main Street & Canal Street, Lemont, IL, 60439, United States
Exotic Cars STEM NIGHT & Expo Night
Light up your engines! The fastest and coolest cars are making their way to Lemont Downtown for our legendary cruise night car shows and block party. Wander the streets of historic Lemont Downtown viewing cars that take you back in time and make you dream of the future.

Joliet Slammers vs. Gateway Grizzlies - Teacher Appreciation Night
2024-08-07 18:30 - 21:00 | Joliet Slammers Stadium, 1 Mayor Art Schultz Dr., Joliet, IL, 60432, United States
Calling all educators! It’s time to hit it out of the park with Teacher Appreciation Night! Join us in celebrating the all-star lineup of educators who knock it out of the park every day!!

Garden Walk Series
2024-08-08 08:30 - 09:30 | Hornbaker Gardens, 22937 County Rd. 1140 N, Princeton, IL, 61356, United States
Join us for a journey through the seasons! We are excited to offer 4 garden walks to showcase the gardens throughout the year. All Garden Walks are free to attend. Participate in all four walks to be entered to win a $75 gift card to use in 2025!
Come see some cool varieties that thrive during the heat of summer. Dave will also discuss summer maintenance to get the most out of your blooms.

Joliet Slammers vs. Gateway Grizzlies - Irish Heritage Night
2024-08-08 18:30 - 21:00 | Joliet Slammers Stadium, 1 Mayor Art Schultz Dr., Joliet, IL, 60432, United States
Shamrocks and strikeouts at Irish Heritage Night! Join us at the ballpark for a grand celebration of Irish culture, with music, dance, and the crack of the bat!

Think & Drink - Rise from Ruins: The Great Lockport Fire of 1895
2024-08-08 19:00 - 20:00 | Gaylord Building, Lockport, 200 W. 8th Street, Lockport, IL, 60441, United States
For this month’s Think & Drink, we’re doing something a little different: we’re opening a new history exhibit!
Beginning Thursday, August 8, our 3rd floor gallery will feature Rise from Ruins: The Great Lockport Fire of 1895.
This exhibit coincides with Main Street Lockport’s Fire Fest, taking place Saturday, August 10, in downtown Lockport.
To kick off the opening of this exhibit, Gary Ward from the Lockport Area Genealogical and Historical Society will share the dramatic events that ruined and then reshaped the city’s downtown. Learn about the fire’s impact and the pivotal role it played in the creation of the Lockport Fire Department.
Also, meet artist Kevin Traynor, whose vivid, original chalk art covers the gallery walls, recreating scenes from Lockport daily life before, during, and after the fire. He will discuss his work and approach to creating this unique exhibit.
The presentation will be in our 2nd floor banquet room before we head up to open the 3rd floor gallery.
Beverages will be available for purchase from the Public Landing Restaurant, conveniently located within the Gaylord Building. These talks are geared toward adults, but thinkers of all ages are welcome to attend based on their interest and attention levels.
Registration is recommended for this free event so we don’t overfill the room.

Sunset Soiree - Whiskey Road perform Country Hits
2024-08-08 19:00 - 22:00 | Sunset Soiree Location, Stephen & Talcott, Lemont, 60439, United States
Free concert series!
Join us in downtown Lemont on Stephen Street.
Bring your blankets & chairs for free open seating. Seating opens at 6:00 p.m., music begins at 7:00 p.m. Food and drink will be available on site.

Sounds of Summer
2024-08-08 19:30 - 20:45 | Isle a la Cache Museum, 501 E Romeo Road, Romeoville, IL, 60446, United States
As the days grow longer and the temperatures rise, the natural world comes alive with a chorus of sounds. But do you know what, or who, is making the symphony? Learn some of the most common calls around this time of year and how to ID them. Then immerse yourself in diverse melodies: cascading river, buzzy hum of insects, trilling birds, gentle rustling tree leaves and prairie grasses.
Research shows that listening to nature’s sounds can reduce stress and enhance well-being. Rejuvenate, unwind and connect with the natural world through summer sounds. Fee: Free! Age: Ages 10 and older. (Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.) Registration required by Tuesday, Aug. 6, by calling 815-722-9301 or online.
Please dress to enjoy the outdoors, whatever the weather. Don’t forget bug spray. We will stop to sit and listen. A mat will be provided, but you may bring your own mat or camp chair. Indoor facilities are accessible; participants will hike less than 1 mile on paved and limestone trails and uneven, natural terrain.
Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service to participate in this program should submit a request online no later than 48 hours before the program.

Kevin Stock & Kent Broadbent Art Exhibit
2024-08-09 18:00 - 20:00 | NCI ARTworks Gallery, 400 5th St., Peru, IL, 61354, United States
Enjoy the artwork of Kevin Stock and Kent Broadbent which is currently on exhibit.

Rooftop Summer Series - Great Moments in Vinyl
2024-08-09 18:15 - 21:00 | Joliet Area History Museum, 204 Ottawa St., Joliet, IL, 60432, United States
Great Moments in Vinyl plays ZZ Top – The Rooftop Summer Music Series 2024
Live music on the Museum’s Outdoor Rooftop!
Register/Info: www.Jolietmuseum.org (815) 723-5201 Doors Open at 6:15pm Show starts at 7:00pm

NCC Summer Splash Blast
2024-08-09 18:30 - 20:30 | Riordan Pool, 600 Utica Dr., Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Join us for this free event to celebrate Natalie’s birthday!!

Live Music on the Veranda - Steve Sharp Honors Jimmy Buffet
2024-08-09 20:00 - 23:00 | Starved Rock Lodge & Convention Center, 2680 E. 875th Rd., Oglesby, 61348, United States
Steve Sharp honors Jimmy Buffet.
Join us every Friday and select Saturdays for live music on our Veranda. Come enjoy the views, great food, and grooves!

Starved Rock Saplings Storytime
2024-08-10 09:30 - 10:30 | Starved Rock State Park, One Lodge Lane, Oglesby, IL, 61348, United States
Don’t forget to register your kiddos for a fun-filled morning of activities!
This month’s Starved Rock Saplings theme is forests! IDNR staff will read a storybook about the different types of forests in our world. Afterwards, parents and children will take a guided hike to experience the oak-hickory forest at Starved Rock State Park. All Sapling programs are suitable for children ages 3 to 10 with a chaperoning adult.

Waterfowl Cruise
2024-08-10 13:00 - 14:00 | Starved Rock Lodge & Convention Center, 2680 E. 875th Rd., Oglesby, 61348, United States
Board a trolley outside of the Great Hall of the Lodge. The Trolley takes you to the Eagle 1 to enjoy an hour long boat ride where you will get to spy the Waterfowl of the Illinois River. The trolley will return you to the Lodge. Reservations required.
