If you were celebrating your 150th birthday, wouldn’t you want the whole town – the whole county – to know? That’s exactly what the City of Champaign intends to accomplish through its music festival this weekend in the downtown corridor. This won’t be like any birthday you’ve ever been to, with 30 bands playing at three different stages; historical walking tours of Downtown Champaign; face painting; balloons; a caricature artist; and a wandering magician.
Of course there will be cake, at the Champaign 150th tent. Another must-do – be the lead singer of your own band at the karoake stage. Events start on Friday, July 9, from 6 p.m. to midnight and continue on Saturday, from noon to 11:00 p.m. For a complete band list and a map of the event visit http://www.Champaign150.com. The best news of all…it’s FREE!
Also in this edition of Weekend Planner: Antique Tractors take over Penfield; Second Saturday in Urbana; Touch a Truck in Rantoul; the Sugar Creek Arts Festival in Normal; the B-17 bombers visit Savoy.
What: Historic Farm Days
When: All day Friday, Saturday, Sunday; complete schedule here
Where: Penfield, IL
How much: unknown
Appropriate for: All Ages
Why you should go: Because kids love tractors, and there’s plenty of kid-friendly activities to be found here including a tractor parade at 1 p.m. daily; blacksmith demonstrations; tractor pulls after the parade; and much more. Bonus: fireworks at dusk on Saturday.
It's time for tractors, planes, art and music festivals this weekend. Photo by particlem on flickr
What: Ultimate Summer Saturday
When: 7 a.m. – goes all day
Where: Downtown Urbana
How much: Free (fees for inflatables)
Appropriate for: All ages
Not to be out done by its birthday-celebrating neighbor, there’s plenty to do in downtown Urbana on Saturday including: $5 kids bracelets for unlimited inflatables between 9 a.m. and noon; a free storytime at 11:30 at the Urbana Free Library; and a free Urbana Pops performance at noon in Lincoln Square.
What: Touch a Truck
When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 10
Where: Chanute Air Museum, Rantoul
How much: $2 per person or $10 per family
Appropriate for: All Ages
Why you should go: The first hour will be horn- and siren-free, so anyone can enjoy getting up close to trucks, emergency responder vehicles, a semi, tractors, airplanes and even a hot air balloon.
What: Sugar Creek Arts Festival
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
Where: Uptown Normal (North Street from Fell Avenue to rotary, from rotary to Beaufort and Linden streets)
How much: Free admission
Appropriate for: All Ages
Why you should go: Perhaps the nicest summer art fair to be found within less than an hour’s drive. Also, a children’s area with face painting, balloon animals, and more.
What: B-17 Bomber Visits Savoy
When: Friday to Sunday, ground tours available 2 to 5 p.m.
Where: Willard Airport (Flightstar side)
How much: $5 per person or $15 per family
Appropriate for: All Ages
Why you should go: Because planes are super cool, especially ones as elegantly restored and historically significant as the B-17 bomber that will appear in Savoy this weekend.
There are many more events to be found on our Events Calendar!
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