Some of you have kids already in school, but for others, this weekend is sort of the “last hurrah” of summer. Of course the warm weather isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, but the air seems a bit different now. But we love tomatoes, so we’re particularly excited about the Sprouts at the Market tomato event. Here are our weekend picks:
What: Mansfield Homecoming
When: Friday- Sunday, Aug. 17 -19 (starts at 5 p.m. Friday, all day Saturday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday)
Where: Downtown Mansfield
How much: Free; food available for purchase, carnival rides and others ticketed (arm bands available for $17)
Appropriate for: all ages
Why you should go: Greased pigs, Raminator rides, kiddie tractor pulls, lawn mower pulls, and more! Helicopter rides, carnival (Friday and Saturday only), a car show … and of course a parade (10 a.m. Saturday). Full schedule available.
What: Illini Women’s Soccer vs. Western Michigan
When: Friday, Aug. 17; 7 p.m.
Where: Illinois Soccer Stadium, Champaign
How much: Free admission
Appropriate for: all ages
Why you should go: Do you still have Olympic fever? Love soccer? Head over to the Illini women’s home opener, as coach Janet Rayfield’s squad – picked to finish second in the Big Ten this year – meets Western Michigan. Let the fall sports season begin!
What: Sprouts at the Market
When: Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m.
Where: Market at the Square, Lincoln Square, Urbana
How much: Free
Appropriate for: Kids 3-8
Why you should go: This is a fun, free monthly program that teaches kids about agriculture, farming, and food. Do your kids love tomatos? August’s event, a scavenger hunt-style workshop with an emphasis on the many guises of the tomato, will take place on Saturday, August 18. Each participant and their caregiver will receive nutrition information while sampling local foods corresponding to this information. Small prizes will be offered to children finishing the workshop. We’ll be there, so come say hi!
What: Downtown Festival of the Arts
Where: Downtown Champaign
When: Saturday Aug. 18, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
How Much: Free
Appropriate for: all ages
Why You Should Go: Art Fair meets Street Fair! Walk the streets of downtown Champaign and see some of the area’s most talented artists. Start your holiday shopping early (or just treat yourself). There’s also a “Little Artist Alley” where kids can do crafts and learn more about the arts. Live entertainment, too!
What: Ice Cream Social No Kid Hungry Fundraiser
When: Sunday, Aug. 19; 7 p.m. to midnight
Where: Common Ground Food Co-op, 300 S. Broadway Suite 166 ,Urbana (Lincoln Square)
How much: Free (donations accepted)
Appropriate for: all ages
Why you should go: Eat great ice cream for a great cause! Co-ops across the country are coming together to raise money for the No Kid Hungry campaign. Gather with your friends for a good cause, and build your own ice cream sundae for a donation. There will be multiple flavors of ice cream for you to choose from, followed by mounds of toppings like bananas, berries, honey, chocolate, gluten-free graham cracker crumbles and more! Vegan options available too. All proceeds go to No Kid Hungry.
Weekend Planner features only a few of the wonderful events happening in our area. For a full list, please visit our Events Calendar.
