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Join us for a month-long celebration of new vegan dishes all over Springfield! Businesses across the area will showcase exciting special vegan menu items, giving everyone the opportunity to explore creative plant-based dishes crafted by talented local chefs.

How It Works:
- Visit participating restaurants throughout Springfield
- Try their exclusive vegan offerings.
- Share your experience—vote, comment, post photos of your favorite meals, and tag us at @veganchefchallengeMW
This event is open to everyone—not just vegans! It’s about bringing our community together to celebrate incredible food and support Springfield chefs.

Get Involved:
Looking for ways to connect? Volunteer with us! We’re seeking passionate individuals to help with outreach, event promotion, and community building throughout the month. It's a great way to meet like-minded people and make a difference! Volunteer using this link: TinyURL.com/VOLVCC
Join us in making Springfield an even more inclusive, vibrant, and compassionate community.
For details on participating businesses, menus, sponsorship opportunities, and more, visit our website at veganchefchallenge.org/Springfield

Join us for a month-long celebration of new vegan dishes all over Springfield! Businesses across the area will showcase exciting special vegan menu items, giving everyone the opportunity to explore creative plant-based dishes crafted by talented local chefs.

How It Works:
- Visit participating restaurants throughout Springfield
- Try their exclusive vegan offerings.
- Share your experience—vote, comment, post photos of your favorite meals, and tag us at @veganchefchallengeMW
This event is open to everyone—not just vegans! It’s about bringing our community together to celebrate incredible food and support Springfield chefs.

Get Involved:
Looking for ways to connect? Volunteer with us! We’re seeking passionate individuals to help with outreach, event promotion, and community building throughout the month. It's a great way to meet like-minded people and make a difference! Volunteer using this link: TinyURL.com/VOLVCC
Join us in making Springfield an even more inclusive, vibrant, and compassionate community.
For details on participating businesses, menus, sponsorship opportunities, and more, visit our website at veganchefchallenge.org/Springfield

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.

Prairie Cycle Club invites local cyclists to its Fall Metric Century Ride on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Lake of the Woods in Mahomet, Illinois. Riders may choose from a 10-mile no-drop group ride, a 35-mile route, or a 62-mile metric century route. Route maps, RideWithGPS navigation, a rest stop with snacks and water, SAG vehicle support, and Prairie Cycle Club volunteers will be provided. PCC members ride at no additional cost. Registration includes PCC membership for new members.

Details and registration: https://prairiecycleclub.org/metric-century-ride-2026-details/

Join us for a month-long celebration of new vegan dishes all over Springfield! Businesses across the area will showcase exciting special vegan menu items, giving everyone the opportunity to explore creative plant-based dishes crafted by talented local chefs.

How It Works:
- Visit participating restaurants throughout Springfield
- Try their exclusive vegan offerings.
- Share your experience—vote, comment, post photos of your favorite meals, and tag us at @veganchefchallengeMW
This event is open to everyone—not just vegans! It’s about bringing our community together to celebrate incredible food and support Springfield chefs.

Get Involved:
Looking for ways to connect? Volunteer with us! We’re seeking passionate individuals to help with outreach, event promotion, and community building throughout the month. It's a great way to meet like-minded people and make a difference! Volunteer using this link: TinyURL.com/VOLVCC
Join us in making Springfield an even more inclusive, vibrant, and compassionate community.
For details on participating businesses, menus, sponsorship opportunities, and more, visit our website at veganchefchallenge.org/Springfield

The fall artisan and antique market is back! This beloved fall market will be held at the Brinkerhoff Mansion and feature food, handmade arts and crafts, boutiques, live music, and cottage bakers! Stop by with the whole family, and even your pets!

The Annual Gem, Mineral, Fossil and Jewelry Show will be held October 3 and 4, 2026 and will be in the Orr Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The theme for this year's show is "Minerals Across America".
There will be dealers, demonstrators, exhibits, kid's activities (fossil dig, spin and win, touch and feel, egg carton collection), silent auction, Springfield Maker Space, flint knapping, geode cracking, concessions, and much more.
Times are 10 - 6 on Saturday and 10 - 5 on Sunday

You are invited to join us in celebrating the end of our 18th season and learn about what is happening at Refuge Ranch!

Live music by The Juniors
Cake walk, starts on the half hour, 12:30-4:30pm
Silent auction 12-4pm

Food trucks 12pm-5pm:
-Cheesed Out
-The Daily Wrap
-Brew 66
-Corner Cup Ice Cream
-Blessings and More Bakery
-Clark's Kettle Corn

Free activities for kids:
-Airbrush tattoos sponsored by Black Cat Paints and Twists
-Pumpkin painting (while supplies last)
-Bounce house, sponsored by BounceTag and Hope Church
-Horse painting 12-4:30pm
-Animal meet and greet (see our new animal enclosures!)
-Balloon animals
-Fishing contest 12-4pm
-Horse rides (12:30-3pm)
-Camel rides by Ships of the Prairie

Expect a high-energy evening filled with live funk music, movement, laughter, and community—all supporting the Glen and Polly Barton Clinic for Fitness and Function at Bradley University.
The evening begins with an exclusive VIP President’s Reception from 5:00–6:00 p.m., featuring an open bar, elevated appetizers, and opportunities to connect with Bradley University leadership and special guests. General admission doors open at 6:00 p.m., when the full Beat the Funk celebration begins with live music, food, interactive activities, auctions, raffles, and plenty of funky fun!
Guests will enjoy:
Live music from Dexter O’Neal & The Funk Yard
Delicious heavy appetizers
Silent auction, wine pull, and 50/50 raffle
Interactive games and the Funk Wall
The Funk Off dance contest
Inspiring stories about the people and programs your support makes possible
Plenty of surprises and opportunities to get funky!
Beat the Funk isn’t your typical fundraiser. It’s a celebration of positivity, resilience, and the power of movement. Come ready to dance, connect, have fun, and help create a meaningful impact right here in Central Illinois.

Join us for a month-long celebration of new vegan dishes all over Springfield! Businesses across the area will showcase exciting special vegan menu items, giving everyone the opportunity to explore creative plant-based dishes crafted by talented local chefs.

How It Works:
- Visit participating restaurants throughout Springfield
- Try their exclusive vegan offerings.
- Share your experience—vote, comment, post photos of your favorite meals, and tag us at @veganchefchallengeMW
This event is open to everyone—not just vegans! It’s about bringing our community together to celebrate incredible food and support Springfield chefs.

Get Involved:
Looking for ways to connect? Volunteer with us! We’re seeking passionate individuals to help with outreach, event promotion, and community building throughout the month. It's a great way to meet like-minded people and make a difference! Volunteer using this link: TinyURL.com/VOLVCC
Join us in making Springfield an even more inclusive, vibrant, and compassionate community.
For details on participating businesses, menus, sponsorship opportunities, and more, visit our website at veganchefchallenge.org/Springfield