Calendar

Step into the spirit of the holidays with decor arranged by the Springfield Civic Garden Club. Enjoy the sparkle of art glass throughout the house. Tours run every 15 minutes; final departure at 6:30 PM. Post-tour cocoa and s'mores in the courtyard, with live music by Ben Bedford from 5:00 PM-6:30 PM. (No live music December 26.) Courtyard closes at 7:45 PM. Registration available through Eventbrite but not required.

This Wicked and Wizard of Oz Themed Performance is for families to enjoy together. Featuring performances from Mahogany Knight and the stunning team at Knight Entertainment- you'll get to meet them all! This interactive and wickedly gorgeous event is going to be a joy filled experience for families.

*This is a family only event, no adults admitted without a child present.
*For those without children under the age of 18, we have an 18+ show at 7pm.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Information
January 14, 2026 Eric Mollahan, Executive Director
217-303-3340
ericmollahan@landconservationfoundation.org

Land Conservation Foundation’s 8th Annual Mudpuppy Festival
February 1 is Monticello’s Official Mudpuppy Day!

The Land Conservation Foundation invites all ages to celebrate the Sangamon River’s coolest creature – the mudpuppy – at our eighth annual Mudpuppy Festival. This Festival will be held at the Monarch Events Center in Monticello on Sunday, February 1 from 1-4 pm. All past Festivals have been a huge success with up to 300 people attending. LCF is a non-profit organization and donations are greatly appreciated.

This year’s children’s section is hosted by the Illinois Extension, and kids will have an opportunity to complete mudpuppy crafts and a scavenger hunt, have their wildlife “passports” stamped to “fish” for prizes, and have their faces painted. There will also be exhibits for everyone to learn about the Sangamon River and its wildlife, including mussels, birds, pollinators, and the state threatened mudpuppy, a footlong aquatic salamander, unique for its purple external gills!

Monticello Mayor Larry Stoner has approved a proclamation naming February 1 as Mudpuppy Day in Monticello! Regional businesses and individuals sponsor the festival.

The Land Conservation Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that is committed to preserving local natural areas for wildlife…for people…forever. LCF currently owns properties in Champaign, Piatt, DeWitt, and Vermilion counties, including the Bruce Hannon Levee Trail in Monticello.

For more information, go to LCFs website: landconservationfoundation.org or call Executive Director Eric Mollahan, 217-303-3340.

Step into the spirit of the holidays with decor arranged by the Springfield Civic Garden Club. Enjoy the sparkle of art glass throughout the house. Tours run every 15 minutes; final departure at 6:30 PM. Post-tour cocoa and s'mores in the courtyard, with live music by Ben Bedford from 5:00 PM-6:30 PM. (No live music December 26.) Courtyard closes at 7:45 PM. Registration available through Eventbrite but not required.

Step into the spirit of the holidays with decor arranged by the Springfield Civic Garden Club. Enjoy the sparkle of art glass throughout the house. Tours run every 15 minutes; final departure at 6:30 PM. Post-tour cocoa and s'mores in the courtyard, with live music by Ben Bedford from 5:00 PM-6:30 PM. (No live music December 26.) Courtyard closes at 7:45 PM. Registration available through Eventbrite but not required.

Step into the spirit of the holidays with decor arranged by the Springfield Civic Garden Club. Enjoy the sparkle of art glass throughout the house. Tours run every 15 minutes; final departure at 6:30 PM. Post-tour cocoa and s'mores in the courtyard, with live music by Ben Bedford from 5:00 PM-6:30 PM. (No live music December 26.) Courtyard closes at 7:45 PM. Registration available through Eventbrite but not required.

Step into the spirit of the holidays with decor arranged by the Springfield Civic Garden Club. Enjoy the sparkle of art glass throughout the house. Tours run every 15 minutes; final departure at 6:30 PM. Post-tour cocoa and s'mores in the courtyard, with live music by Ben Bedford from 5:00 PM-6:30 PM. (No live music December 26.) Courtyard closes at 7:45 PM. Registration available through Eventbrite but not required.

Join the Prairie Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Jim Tallman, for their March concert! Admission is free to the concert, however a donation is suggested. Please follow the Prairie Wind Ensemble on Facebook and Instagram for more information!

Step into the spirit of the holidays with decor arranged by the Springfield Civic Garden Club. Enjoy the sparkle of art glass throughout the house. Tours run every 15 minutes; final departure at 6:30 PM. Post-tour cocoa and s'mores in the courtyard, with live music by Ben Bedford from 5:00 PM-6:30 PM. (No live music December 26.) Courtyard closes at 7:45 PM. Registration available through Eventbrite but not required.

Step into the spirit of the holidays with decor arranged by the Springfield Civic Garden Club. Enjoy the sparkle of art glass throughout the house. Tours run every 15 minutes; final departure at 6:30 PM. Post-tour cocoa and s'mores in the courtyard, with live music by Ben Bedford from 5:00 PM-6:30 PM. (No live music December 26.) Courtyard closes at 7:45 PM. Registration available through Eventbrite but not required.