Slide into festival season at the Taste of Champaign (pictured from last year). Chambanamoms.com photo
Festivals are for eating, right? And what better festival to eat at than the Taste of Champaign-Urbana, this weekend in Champaign’s West Side Park. Sample food from more than 20 restaurants (our faves – Zorbas, Mas Amigos, Peking Garden). More picks and info on a fab weekend:
What: Arcola Pop The Top Festival
When: June 20-24 all day
Where: Downtown Arcola
How much: Free entertainment; food for sale
Appropriate For: All ages
Why you should go: This festival is celebrating the painting of murals all over Arcola by the famous Walldogs. A wide array of activities for kids including a puppy dog picnic (for real or stuffed dogs; balloon artist; giant sand pile; water play; face painting; make and take crafts; magic show, story telling, and more. Lawn Rangers parade 4 p.m. Friday, June 22. Fireworks Sunday, June 24 at dusk. Click the link for the schedule for specific events.
What: 2012 Taste of Champaign-Urbana
Where: West Side Park, Champaign
When: Friday June 22, 5:00 – 10:00 pm; Saturday, June 23, 11:00 am – 10:00 pm; Sunday, June 24, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
How much: Free admission (free live entertainment); food for sale, inflatables and children’s activities are ticketed
Appropriate For: All ages
Why you should go: Family stage features improv, belly dancers, jugglers, balloon artists, and more! Sample some food from around the area.
What: Gifford Community Celebration
When: Saturday, June 23, all day
Where: Werner Roessler Park, Gifford; Main Street (parade); Behind the Gifford State Bank
How much: Free
Appropriate For: All ages
Why you should go: A parade at 11 a.m.; Fireworks at dusk; Kiddie tractor pull; strong man show; watermelon eating contest; cricket spitting contest. Music, inflatables, petting zoo, games. What more could you ask for? They know how to party in this northern Champaign County community!
What: Piatt County Trail Blazers 58th Annual Rodeo
When: Thursday June 21 – Saturday June 23; Gates open @ 5:00 Rodeo Starts @ 7:30; Dance after the rodeo. Saturday parade: 10 a.m.
How much: Adult $10 Kids $5
Appropriate For: All ages
Why you should go: Love horse? This event showcases Bareback, Saddle Bronc, Tie-down Roping,Steer Wrestling, Team Roping, Barrel Racing and Bull Riding. Don’t want to go to the rodeo? Head to the parade (10 a.m. Saturday through downtown Monticello) that is followed by a Kids & Clowns lunch at Rick Ridings Ford with horse rides, clowns, games, and face painting.
What: National Pollinator Week Events
When: Saturday, June 23, 5-7 p.m. (concert); 1-3 p.m. (storytelling)
Where: U of I Pollinatarium, NE of the corner of Lincoln & Windsor (directions)
How much: Free
Appropriate For: All ages
Why you should go: Hear stories, paint pots and plant pollinator-friendly plants, as well as make beeswax candles from 1-3 p.m. At the concert, local band The Duke of Uke and His Novelty Orchestra will be making a featured appearance from 5:30-7:00 p.m., with a worldwide honey tasting beforehand.
As always, find more family-friendly events at our events calendar.
