Calendar

Art @ the Market provides a free weekly, make-it, take-it art/craft activity to the public each week. Our activity booth will be at the Bloomington Farmers' Market (near the intersection of Jefferson and Center Streets). This activity is for youth to the young-at-heart adult. Our volunteers will be there to help with the activity which will take about 15 minutes. Drop by during the scheduled time to participate. If the weather is poor, the activity will be held in the lobby just outside our gallery in the Monroe Center.

Anyone who thinks learning is boring clearly hasn’t been to the ALPLM’s Back to School Bash! Join our education team and community partners in Union Square Park for a fun filled, hands-on day of games and learning as we get pumped to start the upcoming school year.

Free haircuts for students by the University of Spa & Cosmetology Arts • Hands-on activities • Conservation and recycling activities • Interactive animal experiences from the Henson Robinson Zoo • Special visits from first responders • Safety education for youth and adult * Explore a fire truck, police car, and EMT Ambulance!

Plus, kids can interact with Foam and Flight Bubble Parties for an unforgettable celebration of joy, inclusion, and boundless entertainment – including their incredible “kid in a bubble!”

The StoneLion Puppet Theatre will bring the magic of world-class puppet shows to this year’s Back to School Bash! StoneLion Puppet shows are fresh, original and educational with tours throughout the Midwest, the United States and beyond!

And come hungry for the Lazy Laker food truck!

This FREE event will be offered, rain or shine; in case of inclement weather, all activities will be moved into the Library across the street.

For a third time and again with popular demand, “Create a Native Garden from Scratch” returns with its first workshop on Saturday, August 1 st from 9:30 am to 11:30 am at the Ostermeier Demonstration Garden in the LMG’s Prairie Center.
Local Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists invite the community to an educational experience focused on developing vibrant, pollinator-friendly native plant gardens.

They are eager to share their ongoing knowledge about every step of creating and sustaining a native plant garden.

No registration is required for this event

Downtown Springfield, Inc. invites you to join us for a summer collaborative pop-up art series!

| Coming Home |
featuring local artist Wendy Allen
Saturday, August 1
Downtown Springfield @ 314 E. Adams
(Next door to Whimsy Tea Company)
5p - 9p

This program covers the basic classification of meteorites regarding composition. We cover the basic two types of meteorites, stony and metallic, before covering the variation within and between rock types. Following the brief classification, we will cover which meteorite rocks are most like terrestrial earth rocks. Each meteorite has a story and a history, and you’ll get to write your own story for your own “meteorite!” Materials will be provided during an activity to allow visitors to make their own take on the classic meteorite types.

Springfield Area Arts Council, in partnership with Downtown Springfield Inc., hires local musicians to provide live music at the Old Capitol Farmers Market, Farmers Market Brunch, and Farmers Market Street Dinner.

With the Women's Pro Baseball League starting up in August at Robin Roberts Stadium, The Lincoln Library hosts A League of their Own movie Trivia. Test your knowledge across four fun-filled rounds featuring memorable moments, behind-the-scenes facts, iconic quotes, and fascinating history from the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) that inspired the film. Whether you're a devoted fan or just love a good challenge, you'll have a chance to hit a home run and win great prizes throughout the evening. Gather your family and friends, brush up on your baseball knowledge, and get ready for an evening of laughs, friendly competition, and nostalgia. Registration is required, so be sure to sign up online to reserve your spot.

The annual Inside Out Accessible Art Activity Fair will offer ongoing art/craft activities from IOAA and other community organizations. Face painting, hula hooping and other activities will be provided. This is a drop-in, indoor event. Please check our website after August 1 for specific activities and agencies involved.

In partnership with UIS and the Springfield Astronomical Society, the Garden will be hosting a Star Party

Watch the Perseid Meteor shower and telescopes on the Cawley Meadow at Lincoln Memorial Garden

Free. No reservations. May be cancelled for weather.

This is the official start of the fair! Gates open at 7:00 a.m.
More than 70 county fair queens and 105 fairs and expositions from across the state are represented at the fair. It is also the first day of harness racing at the fair’s one-mile dirt track, which is the fastest in the world. The first day of the fair also features the twilight annual Twilight Parade which starts at 5:30 p.m. from Lincoln Park.

Highlights

State Fair Ribbon Cutting

$3.00 Carnival Rides

Twilight Parade

Harness Racing (Grandstand)

Beef Cattle Show, Poultry Shows

Society Horse Show

Arena Event

Wooten rodeo Company

Thursday, August 13, 2026 7:30 PM

Show starts at 7:30 pm

Gates open 1 hour prior to the show

Illinois State Fair Rodeo

presented by Wooten Rodeo Co.

$10.00 Adult / $5.00 Child

Fair Admission is NOT included with event ticket. This is a General Admission seating event.