It’s may not say it on the calendar just yet, but it’s summer, and summer means festivals. From Springfield to Charleston, from Bloomington-Normal to Decatur, we’ve put together our list of the top 10 summer festivals in Central Illinois, most of them out of our immediate coverage area. Do you agree? If not, what did we miss? (We have a whole list of Champaign-Urbana area festivals too.)
What: 2014 Sugar Creek Arts Festival
When: Saturday, July 12, 10 am to 5 pm; and Sunday, July 13, 11 am to 4 pm
Where: Uptown Normal
How much: Free Admission
Highlights: Over 135 arts and crafts vendors from across the country display their talents and products at one of the most popular juried art and craft festivals in the Midwest. The event takes place on the streets of Uptown Normal and highlights some of the most talented artists from across the country.
What: Mattoon Bagelfest
When: July 16-19, 2014
Where: Peterson Park at 500 Broadway Avenue in Mattoon (map)
How much: Most events free; mainstage events ticketed
Highlights: Free bagel breakfast 8-10 a.m. and Bagelfest Parade 10:30 a.m. Saturday; 5K; carnival rides; mainstage acts.
What: Lincoln’s Festival in Bloomington
When: July 19 and 20, 2014
Where: in Downtown Bloomington and five other surrounding locations
How much: Most events free
Highlights: Attention history buffs. Lincoln in Bloomington? Sure, why not! See Civil War era concerts; meet important figures from the Civil War including generals and President and Mrs. Lincoln; storytellers, and more. Children’s activities include face painting, crafts, carriage rides etc.
What: Decatur Celebration
When: August 1-3, 2014
Where: Downtown Decatur
How much: Hybrid of free and ticketed entertainment. Food for sale, carnival ticketed.
Highlights: Dubbed the “most exciting family street festival in the Midwest,” this is five festivals in one – Music, Food, Arts & Crafts, Carnival, and Film. Ten Show Stages featuring national and emerging music artists; over 70 unique food items hand-selected for quality and inspected for safety; three blocks of Arts & Crafters; carnival rides for all ages; Razzle Dazzle Goodtimes Parade (10 a.m Saturday, August 2); and a Kids Block featuring children’s games, shows and prizes.
What: Illinois State Fair
When: August 7-17
Where: state fairgrounds, Springfield (directions here)
How much: Adults (13 – 59) — $7; Children (5-12) — $3; Children (under 5) — FREE; Senior Citizens (60 and older) — $3; Vehicle Parking (Single day) — $7. Head over on Aug. 17 for family day, $3 admission for everyone over 5. Grandstand tickets vary.
Highlights: Here’s our state fair preview in 2011; not much (but the dates) has changed! This year’s main grandstand acts include Million Dollar Quartet; American Idols Live; Boston, Sweet, and April Line; Pitbull; Steely Dan; and more. Parade is August 7 at 6:00 p.m.
What: 2014 Urbana Sweetcorn Festival
When: August 22-23
Where: Downtown Urbana
How much: Free admission; music, children’s activities may have extra fees. Food, merchandise for sale.
Highlights: Live music, food and local art vendors, a rock climbing wall, indoor laser tag, pony rides, and a petting zoo, and lots of buttery sweetcorn. This year’s headliners are TBA.
What: Peoria’s Erin Feis
When: August 22-24; Friday 4:00 to 11:30 p.m.; Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.; Sunday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Peoria Riverfront
How much: Admission Free before 5 p.m. Friday 8/23; Adults $7 before 5 p.m., $9 after 5 p.m.; Event Pass $15; Children under 12 are FREE, but must be accompanied by an adult. Free admission on Sunday with a can good donation from 9:30 till 11:00 a.m.
Highlights: It’s St. Patrick’s Day in August. You don’t have to be Irish to enjoy this three-day festival which includes a variety of activities including typical fair fare like food and music; but there’s also cultural activities and an area for “wee folks” where they have a fairy tea party.
What: Lincoln Art & Balloon Festival
When: August 22-24; Saturday from 10 to 5, and Sunday from 10 to
Where: Lincoln’s Latham Park and the Logan County Airport
How much: art fair admission is free; free to watch/look at balloons. There is a fee to ride on balloons (tethered is not expensive, but individual rides are costly.
Highlights: The Fine Art Fair will be held on at Latham Park in downtown Lincoln. Over 70 juried artists from various mediums make this fine art fair one of Central Illinois’ best. The Children’s Art Fair is a place where children can shop and create artwork while mom, dad, and grandparents visit the Art Fair. Sponsored by Christian Child Care this is a safe place for your children to visit and learn more about art. Meanwhile, at the Logan County Airport, there are balloons galore. Don’t miss the evening glows where the balloons re-inflate at dusk. There’s also tethered balloon rides available and other rides too
What: 2014 Hoopeston National Sweet Corn Festival
When: August 28-September 1, 2014
Where: Hoopeston, Illinois
How much: Thursday – Monday $2; 7 and under, Free; Free Admission for Active Duty Military and Retired Military with ID
Highlights: The Sweet Corn Festival Parade begins Downtown Main Street on Saturday at 10:30 am. Petting Zoo, Pony & Camel Rides; Children’s Fishing Derby; Free Sweetcorn; magic show; flea market, baby contest, carnival rides, Demolition Derby, National Sweetcorn Pageant and a whole lot more. (We’re still waiting on updated info for 2014)
What is your favorite festival or fair in Central Illinois?
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2012 Champaign-Urbana Area Festivals and Fairs