Summer temps, but it is feeling like fall as the Fighting Illini kick off a new season of football this weekend in Champaign-Urbana

Find out how you can be part of the action (or watch from home), as well as the oodles of fall fun you can find outside the football field in the coming days

Spectators may return to Memorial Stadium this weekend and with that comes a slew of excitement for Champaign-Urbana area families eager to get in on the action. Yes, the Fighting Illini walk and Grange Grove festivities will be happening prior to the game and this game is an extra big deal as it kicks off the ENTIRE NCAA football season, as the first game of the first day of college football season. Say what, Illini!? A brief overview of the schedule can be found below. This game will be broadcast on FOX, too, if you plan to watch from your living room this week.

Illini vs Nebraska
Saturday, August 28

9 a.m. Kids Zone Opens
10 a.m. Illini Walk
10:20 a.m. Live Music Begins in Grange Grove
11:30 a.m. Marching Illini Pregame Performance
12 p.m. Kickoff (watch LIVE on FOX from home, if you wish)

For more info on enjoying Illini sports as a family, check out our post here.

chambanamoms.com thanks Horizon Hobby‘s RC Fest for presenting this weekend’s planner

A Summer Festival with RC Cars, Trucks, Aircraft, Drones returns to Eli Field in Monticello, Friday September 10th and Saturday September 11th, 2021. It’s the 4th Annual Horizon Hobby RC Fest. RC Fest is the largest gathering of radio-controlled cars, trucks, airplanes, helicopters and drones in the Midwest. (Please note: RC pilots must have a current AMA membership to fly their own planes.)

RC Fest has something for everyone. If you’re already an RC enthusiast, imagine being surrounded by bashing competitions, howling jets and intense off-road racing. There are countless opportunities to watch thrilling RC demos and join in the fun. All ages will enjoy driving or flying at our “Try Me” tents, where experienced modelers love introducing new people to the RC hobby. Air events will include a Night Air Show, The Ring of Fire, Aerial Combat, FPV Racing, Jet Demos, The TLR® Cup Race and an RC Pulling Competition!

The events listed above are just a sample of what you’ll find at the 2021 Horizon Hobby RC Fest. The festivities continue even after the sun goes down. Saturday ends with a spectacular night air show featuring a sky filled with LED-illuminated aircraft, plus a free fireworks display. All signs indicate that this year’s RC Fest will be the biggest, best, and most successful one yet. Get more details about this years RC Fest at www.horizonRCfest.com

Featured Event – Back to School Outdoor Playdate

Wednesday, September 1, 5:30-7:00 p.m.
chambanamoms.com and Christie Clinic have joined forces to host an awesome, FREE back-to-school playdate in the great outdoors!Join us at Hessel Park in Champaign — we’ll be near the play equipment and splash pad on Wednesday, September 1, from 5:30-7 p.m.
Special activities will be provided by our friends from Christie Clinic and more. Don’t forget to bring hand sanitizer, masks, as well as a change of clothes if your child plans to play in the splash pad.

Kona Ice will be available for sale at this event. A portion of the sales that evening will go to the Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation which benefits local teachers and schools.

Cancellations will be posted on our event page. There is no rainout date for this event.

Are you new to the area or new to being a parent? This outdoor playdate is a great way to meet families and make connections. We are grateful to our friends and partners at Christie Clinic for helping us make fun events such as these happen. Be sure to give them a thumbs up on Facebook and thank them for sponsoring this event. Also, a big “thank you” goes out to our friends at the Champaign Park District for hosting us for this special event.

Follow the event on Facebook for updates.

A few events to check out this weekend

Looking for something to do with your family? You’ve come to the right place! Our events calendar aggregates family-friendly events happening in the Champaign-Urbana metro area. We know you’re busy and looking for a bang for your buck, so we put an emphasis on including free and low-cost events that you can plan to attend on the fly. Please note that events are subject to change without notice.

Find the complete chambanamoms.com event calendar by clicking here now.

Friday, August 27, 2021

Saturday, August 28, 2021

Pixels by Emily

Pixels is hosting it’s 6th Annual Holiday Portrait Event September 24-26 in SW Champaign. Three all new expertly designed sets are being offered. Sessions are going fast, so don’t wait to book yours! Details and registration can be found here.