It’s time for football, grilling, and outdoor fun. OK, not so fast, Mother Nature is telling us. This weekend might be a washout, if the weather hype comes true. With the remnants of Hurricane Issac coming this way, it might mean that some of our outdoor plans need adapting. (We have a separate story on Illini football).Keep your ears/eyes open for weather related updates – most are being posted on social media including Facebook and Twitter.
The 2011 Candy Parade was tons of fun. Chambanamoms.com photo
But without further ado, here are some fun things to do this weekend, rain and/or shine:
What: Hoopeston National Sweetcorn Festival
When: Thursday, Aug. 30 - Sept. 3
Where: Hoopeston; All events take place at the McFerren Park, located at west Penn Street and IL Route 1. (directions)
Appropriate for: all ages
How much: A $2 admission fee is charged; children 7 and under are free
Why you should go: It’s a long drive but worth it for family fun. On Saturday, Sunday and Monday afternoon, there is free corn (of course!). Other features include magic shows, pony and carnival rides, a petting zoo, and a parade at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. (Link above has full schedule)
What: Illini Volleyball
When: Friday, Aug. 31, 7 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 1 at 4:30 p.m.
Where: Huff Hall, Champaign
Appropriate for: all ages
How much: $5 general admission for adults; $2 for kids
Why you should go: An indoor option! See the NCAA runners-up make their home debut. Despite a rough opening weekend on the road, it’s going to be a fun season for one of the Illini’s most talented teams. At Friday’s game, the Illini will officially unveil the NCAA banner prior to the starting line-ups on Friday. The first 2,000 fans will receive a commerative keepsake honoring the 2011 Illini. The Sept. 1 match will be Chinese-American Unity night with a special intermission performance by the Chinese martial arts group WuShu. The first 250 kids eighth-grade and under receive a folder for back to school.
What: Amish Country Cheese Festival
When: Sept. 1-3
Where: Arthur
Appropriate for: all ages
How much: Free admission; free cheese; some events ticketed
Why you should go: National Cheese Eating Finals? Strolling Clown Band? Amish buggy rides? Sure, why not. Visitors can even try their luck at cheese curling or milking a cow, and free cheese is given out all weekend. There’s also a parade, too. All events may be affected by weather, and the savvy folks in Arthur are keeping us up to date via a special weather page on the festival website.
What: Mr. Turtle’s Backyard Bash
When: Saturday, Sept. 1, 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. (Sholem Aquatic Center public swim: 11:00 am – 9:30 pm; Inflatables in Centennial Park: 11:00 am – 7:00 pm; Lawn Games for Rent (free) in Centennial Park: 11:00 am – 7:00 pm; Bingo games at the Sholem Aquatic Center: 12:00 – 3:00 pm; Zumbatomic® Family Dance-Along in Centennial Park: 4:00 – 4:30 pm; Concert in the Park at Centennial Park: 5:30 – 7:00 pm
Where: Sholem Aquatic Center & Centennial Park
Appropriate for: all ages
How much: Use all the inflatables you’d like for $5/wristband. Sholem Aquatic Center is 1/2 price admission; re-enter as often as you’d like. Zumbatomic®, the concert in the park, lawn games, Bingo, are all FREE!
Why you should go: Imagine having an awesome waterpark, loads of lawn games, bundles of inflatables, great tasty food, and a rockin’ live band all in your backyard! Centennial Park events include plenty of inflatables to keep everyone smiling, a Zumbatomic® dance-along that will get your family moving, free play on lawn games like Baggo and ladderball, a coloring contest featuring and a summer’s eve live music concert. Weather-related updates will be posted on the Champaign Park District website and Facebook.
What: The Champaign County AFL-CIO Labor Day Parade, aka “The Candy Parade.”
When: Monday, Sept. 3, 10 a.m.
Where: Urbana (see details below)
Appropriate for: all ages
How much: Free
Why you should go: The parade gets started at 10:00 a.m. at Illinois and Broadway in Urbana traveling down Broadway to Washington. It then goes east on Washington to Lierman where it turns north to the Brookens Building parking lot. A Celebration Party follows at Prairie Park with food, beverages, inflatable games for the children. Don’t forget to bring a bag. Your kid will be set with candy through Halloween. U
For more fun stuff to do this weekend, please visit our Events Calendar.
Mr. Turtle back yard bash has just been cancelled (as of 9am Friday morning) due to weather.