Waterfall and Canyons Tour

Mondays at 11:00a.m., Saturdays 9:00 and 11:00a.m. Experience the fun of outdoor adventure at Starved Rock State Park with a guided walk to 3 spectacular waterfalls and canyons. We will plan to visit French, St. Louis and Ottawa Canyons. The tour will also include your selection from our Special Lunch Menu and a relaxing historical trolley ride. $31.00 adult, $26.00 children. For reservations, please call 815-220-7386.

CITY: Utica

Eagle Watching at Starved Rock State Park

You don’t have to travel north to see these majestic birds of prey. Thousands of eagles migrate south from Canada during the winter and Illinois is one of the homes of the greatest population of wintering bald eagles. The Starved Rock Lodge in Utica offers a “Bald Eagle Trolley Tour” in January and February on Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Viewing birds from the Veranda at the Starved Rock Lodge is good as well. Dress warmly though. This great viewing spot is right outside the doors of the Great Room. If you’d like some exercise, take a hike on one of the trails at the Starved Rock State Park. One trail begins right at the Veranda. For a birds eye view, hike to the top of the Rock. Another popular event is "Eagle Watch Weekend" with activites both at the Starved Rock Lodge and the Illinois Waterway Visitors Center.

CITY: Oglesby

Bald Eagle Trolley Tours

In January and February ride the trolley from Starved Rock Lodge to the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center for bald eagle viewing and an educational program. Includes lunch during the week and brunch on Sunday in the Main Dining Room.

CITY: Utica

Rochelle Railroad Days

Celebrate the pivotal role the railroad has played in the history of Rochelle and its development. Activities include hobo musicians, railroadiana displays and vendors, food booths, and more!

CITY: Rochelle

Holiday Lights Train

The Holiday Light Train is Pete's biggest event of the year. The park is decorated for the Holidays. See over 250,000 lights in various displays. Giant toy soldiers, candy canes, cascading snow flakes, flying reindeer, and swans swimming, just to name a few of Pete's displays!

CITY: Waterman

Ottawa 2Rivers Wine and Jazz Fest

Wine - Food - Jazz - and Lobster! Join the city of Ottawa for this splendid summer festival featuring over 20 Illinois wineries, food demonstrations, and live jazz music! Wine will be sold by the glass and bottle. Wristbands will be available. Live Fresh Main Lobsters available with advance purchase. Don't forget to check out the antiques market on Main St and the Garden and botanical arts vendors on Court St. For more information, please visit our website.

CITY: Ottawa

Crappie Contest Weekend!

We are in a cycle of very large Crappie in Shabbona Lake. This should be an outstanding event, with some very hefty weights being recorded. Crappie have to be a minimum of 12" to qualify for a weigh in, and there should be several!!! May 18th & 19th are the dates for the Crappie Contest Weekend at Shabbona Lake. This is not an event you will want to miss. Prizes: 1st Place – Choice of $100 gift certificate at Lakeside Bait, Tackle & Boat Rental or an all-day weekday Pontoon or all day weekday Bass Boat Rental. 2nd Place - Choice of $50 gift certificate at Lakeside Bait, Tackle & Boat Rental or an all-day weekday Motor Boat Rental. 3rd Place - Choice of $25 gift certificate at Lakeside Bait, Tackle & Boat Rental or an all-day Weekday Kayak or Canoe Rental. For more information, please visit our website. Sponsored by Lakeside Bait, Tackle & Boat Rental

CITY: Shabbona

Walleye Contest Weekend!

Shabbona has a potential state record walleye swimming around! Over the years we have heard several unverified reports of 10 plus pound Walleye. 1st Place winner will receive their choice of $100 gift certificate at Lakeside Bait, Tackle & Boat Rental or an all-day weekday Pontoon or all day weekday Bass Boat Rental. 2nd place has their choice of $50 gift certificate at Lakeside Bait, Tackle & Boat Rental or an all-day weekday Motor Boat Rental. 3rd place receives their choice of $25 gift certificate at Lakeside Bait, Tackle & Boat Rental or an all-day Weekday Kayak or Canoe Rental. Come on out and enjoy the fun!

CITY: Shabbona

Mendota Sweet Corn Festival

The Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce is preparing for the gigantic undertaking of hosting over 60,000 visitors, who consume nearly 50 tons of sweet corn during the festival weekend. Free musical entertainment is in abundance. The Crafters Market Place and flea market features over 200 dealers in hand made crafts and unique merchandise. There is a Queen Pageant, beer garden with live bands, grand parade and a carnival with rides and games for both adults and children, plus much more. The midways are lined with food booths, featuring a multitude of ethnic, regional and festival foods, but the "BIG EVENT" is the serving of the free Del Monte sweet corn on Sunday afternoon. For over 60 years, it has been cooked to its golden goodness with the help of a vintage steam engine. The good times are waiting, the welcome mat is out, come to Mendota for one of the Midwest's oldest and largest harvest festivals, the 66th annual Sweet Corn Festival.

CITY: Mendota

Malta Days!

Malta Days Festival! Come share the family fun! June 7th,8th, & 9th in downtown Malta, Illinois. You'll find something for everyone, including a carnival, food booths, crafters, business booths, sound stage, pancake breakfast, a car ahow, 5K walk/run, auction and a beer garden. Free stage entertainment all weekend!

CITY: Malta

Smallville Superfest

This festival celebrates the spirit of everyone's favorite SuperHero and what he stands for. Warner Brothers and DC Comics chose Plano, IL to represent “Smallville” in the 2013 Superman movie "Man of Steel", a special place where a certain “super hero” came to Earth and spent his childhood days. It was here in Smallville that a “mild-mannered” boy learned the value of Truth, Justice, and the American Way.

CITY: Plano

Summer Solstice Indie Music and Craft Beer Festival

"Summer Solstice", the ultimate pairing of ground to glass brewed beverages and independent minded musicians on the cusp of greatness. The scenic Fox River will serve as the backdrop for this unique event in historic downtown Yorkville.

CITY: Yorkville