If you are looking for places to go or something to do this summer, then come visit central Illinois and all of it’s summer festival fun! There is plenty of cheese to be tasting, raggedy Ann & Andy to see, and even a chance to see how a broom is made!
On June 1st-3rd, attend “Arthur Days, in Arthur, IL. Bring your family and find some good sales and deals in the downtown area. Check out craft booths, local retailer sales, enjoy your favorite festival food, and get a chance to have some fun with some games! Bring your children for activities too. Don’t forget to bring your lawn chair and your listening ears for some live entertainment as well. Also, while you are in town, make sure you get a map and check out the town-wide garage sales to find your special treasure!
Make an early start to your summer by attending the Raggedy Ann and Andy Festival in the small town of Arcola, IL. The festival begins on a Friday night starting June 8th and ends on June 10th. On June 8th is a welcome dinner and also an auction. Make sure you head uptown on Main Street in Arcola and check out the vendor stands, crafts, and live entertainment. Also bring your kids to the free parade that will take place on Saturday afternoon. Lots of floats, Raggedy Ann and Andy, local marching bands, and candy to satisfy your sweet tooth.
During Labor Day weekend, bring your friends and family to the annual Cheese Festival in Arthur, IL! It’s three fun filled days of cheese tasting, live entertainment, games, and plenty of booths to browse in. The Cheese Festival starts Saturday, September 1st, and ends Monday, September 3rd. Make sure you line up at the main tent downtown and get your hands on the free cheese. There is over 300 pounds of cheese that is distributed each day! Come and compete in the cheese curling competition and the cheese eating national championship. Begin your day with a pancake breakfast at the firehouse and then stop by the First Christian Church on Vine Street for an ice cream break to cool off. Bring your cash to shop for decorations in the craft booths, and carry along your lawn chair for free live-entertainment for everyone.
September 7th, 8th, and 9th, come to Arcola for the annual Broom Corn Festival. Take your children to the mini carnival or bring them to one of the longest festival parades there is. With hundreds of floats, there’s plenty of free candy to be distributed all over! It’s almost like a second Halloween! Then, put on your tennis shoes, and get ready to browse through many craft booths, food vendors, garden party booths, and more! Take a seat uptown on the sidewalk or in your chair to kick back and relax to the live entertainment that’s playing all day long during this happening festival. Don’t forget to get your history lesson to find out how brooms are made and why they are such a big part of Arcola’s past too.
This summer, there’s plenty to do in the family oriented towns of Central, IL. With so much to see and hear, it’s fun for the entire family. Those aren’t the only festivals in events this summer either- Log on to the website at: http://www.sj-r.com/extras/summerguide/calendar.htm
From festivals to hot air balloons, music and entertainment, nature and history tours, there’s plenty for everybody to do! There’s no reason for anybody in your family to be bored during the warm season months. Pack up your car and picnic, and travel to the destinations on your map for a fun filled summer time. and get your summer guide to local happenings in the summer of Illinois.
