Calendar

The American Heart Association’s Springfield Heart and Stroke Walk
Sunday, June 22, 2025
Erin’s Pavilion at Southwind Park
Free event
1 pm Family activities and check-in
1:30pm Walk Kicks off
1 or 2 mile fun walk, with balloon animals for kids, fruit bar, EMT’s showing CPR, and more!

Tickets are now on sale for the Illinois Stewardship Alliance’s Summer Solstice Celebration fundraiser and farm-to-table dinner, celebrating more than 50-years of the non-profit’s work across the state. The Solstice Celebration will be held on Sunday, June 22nd from 5pm to 8pm at Indian Creek Farmstead located in Petersburg. The event will celebrate local food and will feature an authentic farm-to-table dinner, live music, a silent auction, and fellowship amongst friends.

A fresh new menu will be crafted by long-term local food advocate and Alliance friend, Chef Joe Standley of Proud Richard’s restaurant in Jacksonville. Standley has worked in the culinary industry for over a decade and has developed his craft while working for outstanding Chicago eateries including Goose Island, Mindy’s Hot Chocolate and the Purple Pig.

Chef Standley will add a new twist to this year’s menu by tackling a 100-mile challenge in sourcing ingredients for this farm-to-table meal from Illinois farms within 100 miles of Petersburg. It will be a one-of-a-kind meal that exemplifies the non-profit’s work to grow a vibrant local food system.

This event builds on the 16-year tradition established by the former Harvest Celebration previously held in September. In the spirit of promoting local food, proceeds from this premiere fundraiser support the Alliance’s mission to bring farmers, eaters, and food system leaders together to shape a stronger and more resilient local food and farm system.

The Illinois Stewardship Alliance is the only statewide organization that works solely on food and farm policy and advocacy. The organization continues to build its 50 year legacy of change-making by expanding its statewide membership base.

Join the ALPLM’s Education Team on Tuesday, June 24th at 10:00 AM at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library as we share stories and activities as we will celebrate the special bond of family where kids will learn about the importance of family connections, love, and teamwork.

This is a free program, but advance registration is required.

This Pride Month, join us at Lincoln Library for a free walking tour of historic LGBTQ+ sites in Downtown Springfield. From Ethel Mars to Smokey’s Den to The Prairie Flame to PrideFest, we have a lot to be proud of. Come see Springfield through rainbow-colored glasses!

Join us for a free, family-friendly outdoor concert in front of the Illinois Governor’s Mansion. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and picnics—we’ll provide the vibes! There will also be food & drink for purchase.

We are excited to partner with local organizations tonight on Pride Night at Levitt AMP Springfield!

Headliner: Luv Locz – Caribbean Funk Reggae
Luv Locz Experiment is considered a collective of leaders on the Ohio Music Scene, more than just a band—it’s a movement. Rooted in the ethos that “Love Locks Us Together,” the collective unites members from Dayton and its sister city Cincinnati to create an eclectic and soulful sound. Drawing from diverse musical influences like reggae, funk, hip-hop, and jazz, Luv Locz Experiment crafts a genre-defying style they proudly call “Caribbean Funk.” This unique fusion honors the spiritual essence of reggae while embracing the infectious rhythms of funk, creating an authentic sound that resonates with audiences worldwide. From their original tunes to their twist on familiar favorites. Be prepared to be moved out of your seat and transported to the islands to dance your troubles away!

Event Schedule:
• 6:00 PM – Lawn opens (open seating — don’t forget your chairs!)
• 6:30 PM – Welcome, National Anthems, and Kid’s Kickoff
• 7:00 PM – Opening Act (to be announced soon!)
• 8:00 PM – Luv Locz takes the stage

Come early, get comfy, and soak in the summer evening with incredible live music and community energy!

Douglas Avenue United Methodist Church (DAUMC) in Springfield will hold its Annual Rummage Sale on Friday, June 27 from 8 AM – 2 PM and Saturday, June 28 from 8:00 AM-2 PM. This is your chance to find some terrific bargains including home décor, furniture, kitchen, holiday, books, estate items, collectibles, children’s clothes and toys and more! Stop by the bake sale for some delicious treats. All this at DAUMC, 501 S. Douglas Ave, Springfield, IL. Come early for the best choice.

Join us for an engaging community program focused on mental health awareness and resources. Our panel will discuss the experiences faced daily in our community. Actionable tools and resources will be discussed and shared. Panel Members are: Lauren Yoggerst, Memorial Behavioral Health; Deputy Chief Josh Stuenkel, Springfield Police Department; John Ridley, Director of Public Health, Sangamon and Menard Counties; Chris McDowell, MD, Executive Associate Dean and Professor of Emergency Medicine, SIU School of Medicine; Dr. Krishna Taneja, MD, SIU Psychiatry and Thrive Initiative; Brian Wojcicki, Massey Commission, Mental Health Workgroup Co-Chair; and Jill N Steiner, moderator. Free coffee and networking at 7:30 a.m.

Douglas Avenue United Methodist Church (DAUMC) in Springfield will hold its Annual Rummage Sale on Friday, June 27 from 8 AM – 2 PM and Saturday, June 28 from 8:00 AM-2 PM. This is your chance to find some terrific bargains including home décor, furniture, kitchen, holiday, books, estate items, collectibles, children’s clothes and toys and more! Stop by the bake sale for some delicious treats. All this at DAUMC, 501 S. Douglas Ave, Springfield, IL. Come early for the best choice.

Several Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois members will share family history discoveries and genealogy research tips in the annual “Kvell and Tell” session, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in a hybrid meeting at Temple Beth-El, 3610 Dundee Road, Northbrook, Illinois. The JGSI meeting facilities at Temple Beth-El will open at 12:30 p.m. CDT for those who want to use genealogy library materials, including maps; get help with family history websites, ask genealogical questions, or just chat, before the main program begins at 1:45 p.m. CDT. Register/RSVP at https://jgsi.org/event-5653567

After nearly a year of planning, we’re excited to announce something brand new coming to Waterloo — created for our community and built to draw in neighbors from Southern Illinois through the Greater St. Louis region —

This two-day, high-energy, family-focused celebration is designed to become a lasting tradition. It features live music, fireworks both nights, local vendors, food trucks, fun zones, and an atmosphere that brings together people from across the region.

But what makes this event even more powerful is its purpose.

We’re Giving Back to Two Incredible Causes:

• Violence Prevention Center of Southwestern Illinois – Serving survivors in Monroe, St. Clair, and Randolph counties with shelter, advocacy, trauma support, and a growing presence in our Monroe County courthouse every day now.
  
• JB Patriot Pantry – Providing food and essentials for veterans and active military from both Missouri and Illinois, with a community-wide food drive to come.