German Valley Days

This 39th annual hometown festival offers a car show, 5KRun/Walk, parade, stage entertainment, pig scramble, kiddie tractor pull, pork chop barbecue, pancake breakfast, water fights, inflatable rides, bingo, fireworks, contests, concession and more!

CITY: German Valley

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

Traveling Exhibition: "Treasure! Your Hunt Has Just Begun!"

Explore the history and the hunting of treasure in our newest immersive exhibition. Delve into the technology employed by treasure hunters and focus on the people and personalities lured by the promise of prosperity. Be enticed by shipwreck and treasure site artifacts, and learn to use the tools you'd need to find a fortune. Treasure! is a joint adventure with the Burpee Museum of Natural History, and can be uncovered in the Woodward Exhibit Hall.

CITY: Rockford

ByronFest

ByronFest, one of the finest family festivals in Northern Illinois, offers a wide variety of music, kid-friendly events, sports competitions, food booths and more! The main stage venues are located in Byron's downtown area and additional events are held in other venues throughout the city.

CITY: Byron

John Deere Green Iron Days

The John Deere Historic Site will be covered in green during the 13th biennial tractor & equipment show. Enjoy the sights & sounds of hundreds of pre-1979 machines. You can also tour the John Deere home, archaeological excavation site of his original blacksmith shop and see a live demonstration of blacksmithing in a replica of his shop.

CITY: Grand Detour

42nd Annual Northern Illinois Art Show

The Kishwaukee Valley Art League is proud to bring its annual Northern Illinois Art Show to the public. Held each spring in Sycamore, Illinois on the Dekalb County Courthouse lawn and now in its 42nd year, the Northern Illinois Art Show features the work of artists in fine arts and fine crafts from across the Midwest. This show is an outstanding opportunity for fine artists to reach a wide audience and a great place for shoppers to find unique gifts. Easily accessible and highly publicized, the Northern Illinois Art Show attracts artists, residents, and tourists from across Northern Illinois and beyond. Applications to the show from artists will be accepted through April 12. Accepted artists will be contacted directly by KVAL. Applications are available on their website. Admission: Free for visitors

CITY: Sycamore

Oregon Trail Days

Celebration of our American Indian and Western heritage with a variety of live entertainment including cowboys on horses, Annie Oakley, The Whip Guy and authentic American Indian dancing and drumming. Pioneer gathering with log cabin, art show, vendors and food court. Lots of children's activities and tours of the Black Hawk Statue. Live country music entertainment, including a Johnny Cash Tribute.

CITY: Oregon

Rockford City Market

From May through mid-October, the Rockford City Market features local growers and vendors who sell natural products and unique retail items, live music, demonstrations and kids' activities.

CITY: Rockford

DeKalb Corn Fest

Corn Fest is one of the last, free, summer, music festivals among Illinois music and summer festivals in Illinois. Well over 100,000 people from around Illinois and the Midwest attend the music festival over a three day weekend. This festival features a carnival complete with rides and games, food booths, free live music, kiddie korner with large inflatables, family entertainment and much more. Friday night is carnival wristband nights for the kids with unlimited rides from 6-10pm. Festival areas feature food and business vendor booths, and a beer garden The festival hours are: Friday, August 30th, 3pm-11pm, Saturday, August 31st, 11am-11pm, Sunday, September 1st, 11am-6pm.

CITY: DeKalb

Franklin Grove Summer Harvest Festival

The 34th Annual Franklin Grove Summer Harvest Festival is a city-wide celebration of the area's heritage with a wide variety of activities and events for all to enjoy. The festival includes a pancake breakfast, village-wide yard sales, tours of the H.I. Lincoln Building, the Franklin Grove Art & Fiber Festival, the Living History Antique Equipment Show and parade plus tours of the Franklin Creek Grist Mill and Nachusa Grasslands. Many of the Summer Harvest Festival activities and events will take place at Chaplin Creek Village which will also host live blue grass and folk music, draft horse and mule jamboree The Chaplin Creek Muzzle Loaders encampment, 19th century prairie village demonstrations and more.

CITY: Franklin Grove

Genoa Days 2013!

Come enjoy fireworks, great food, live bands & amusement rides at Genoa Days, June 13 - 15. Don't miss the King & Queen Scholarship Contest on Wednesday, June 12th, 2013 at 8:00 PM. Sponsored by Genoa-Kingston Fire Department.

CITY: Genoa

Tuesday Evening in the Gardens - Anderson Japanese Gardens

Tuesday Evening in the Gardens is a casual, weeknight opportunity for friends and family to gather and socialize in a truly beautiful and unique setting. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs and picnic baskets packed with a light summer supper. Guests are not permitted to carry in their own beverages. There will be local food vendors on site. Bottled water, soft drinks, beer and wine will be available for purchase.

CITY: Rockford

Rockford Aviators Professional Baseball - Home Games at Aviators Stadium

The Rockford Aviators are a member of the Frontier League of Professional Baseball, the longest operating independent professional baseball league in the country. Home games are played at Aviators Stadium. Visit the website for the roster and promotions.

CITY: Loves Park

"Treasure!" Traveling Exhibition - Discovery Center Museum & Burpee Museum

Explore the history and the hunting of treasure in our newest immersive exhibition. Delve into the technology employed by treasure hunters and focus on the people and personalities lured by the promise of prosperity. Be enticed by shipwreck and treasure site artifacts, and learn to use the tools you'd need to find a fortune. Treasure! is a joint adventure with the Burpee Museum of Natural History, and can be uncovered in the Woodward Exhibit Hall.

CITY: Rockford

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

Kingston Fest & Kardboard Boat Regatta!

Kingston Fest is a craft and vendor fair, live music and games in the shady Kingston Township Park. Bring your swimsuit and try the new dual slide Water Slide. Race your friends on two huge obstacle courses! Kiddie Bouncer and slide combo are $1 for tickets, 25 cents for other children’s games. Community games will be at 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30. There will be horseshoe, bags and softball tournaments. The Kardboard Boat Regatta is always great family fun, watch boats made out of cardboard race on the Kishwaukee River.

CITY: Kingston

Sycamore's Turning Back Time

Join us Friday night for Summer on State, free outdoor movie for the whole family. Saturday night is Cruise Night, presented by Auto Meter Products, from 3-11pm. Bringing back the sounds of the 50’s and 60’s, Rick Lindy and the Wild Ones will take the stage from 7-10pm. Discover Sycamore’s Cruise Night will also include a Classic Car Cruise Parade, beer garden, Disc Jockey, food vendors and more! Sunday, July 28th brings the 14th Annual Fizz Ehrler Memorial Car Show to downtown Sycamore. Help the Turning Back Time Car Club reach their goal of 1,000 car show registrations. Registration will take place from 8am until noon with the award presentation at 3:30pm sharp. Attendees are encouraged to take advantage of Turning Back Time specials at downtown merchants and restaurants.

CITY: Sycamore

DeKalb Kite Fest

Looking for a fun family day out? The DeKalb Kite Fest is great fun for the whole family whether you choose to make, fly, or just watch the kites fly. There are lots of large beautiful kites that fill the sky. Location: Corner of Lucinda and Kishwaukee Drive DeKalb Kite Fest WhenSunday, Sep 8, 2013 WhereCorner of Lucinda Ave and Kishwaukee Drive, DeKalb (map) DescriptionCorner of Lucinda and Kishwaukee Drive, NIU Campus. Stunt kites, dancing kites, food, and activities for the kids & family. dekalbcountycvb.com

CITY: DeKalb

Festa Italiana

Festa Italiana is the second largest festival in Rockford. For one very special weekend each year, everyone who passes through the gates is an "Honorary Italian." Bring your family for great Italian food and pastries, continuous entertainment, Italian cultural exhibit, souvenirs, Bocce tournaments, carnival rides, children's crafts and much more. The festival is held on the grounds at Boylan High School.

CITY: Rockford

Boone County Fair

Come to one of the finest fairs in the state, where you'll enjoy animal shows, antique tractors, tractor pulls, entertainment, a carnival, food and much more.

CITY: Belvidere

Sycamore Pumpkin Fest

2013 is the 52nd Annual Sycamore Pumpkin Festival downtown. Back in 1956, Wally Thurow, who is known as Sycamore’s "Mr. Pumpkin", began what was to become the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival when he displayed a few decorated pumpkins on his front lawn to turn Halloween into a time of fun and creativity. In 1962, through the efforts of Mr. Pumpkin and the Sycamore Lions Club, the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival became an official celebration in Sycamore. The Courthouse lawn is the center of activities, including thousands of decorated pumpkins on display, there are also art and craft shows, a house walk, a pie eating contest, a carnival, a fun fair, a race and other events. The festival is concluded by a giant parade on Sunday afternoon.

CITY: Sycamore

Bike MS Tour De Farms

Thousand of cyclists to participate in Bike MS: Tour De Farms on June 22 & 23, 2013, in DeKalb. Bike MS: Tour de Farms is one of the largest fundraisers of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Illinois Chapter. Children under 12 years old are invited to participate in a special Bike MS course exclusively for junior riders, on Saturday, June 22, at 3 p.m. All children must be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older and submit a $15 registration fee. Also on Saturday, five Chicago-based bands will perform from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Residents of DeKalb and the surrounding communities are invited to attend. Registration for Bike MS is open to individual riders, teams, volunteers and virtual riders.

CITY: DeKalb

Sycamore's Steam Show and Threshing Bee

For the last 56 years, the Northern Illinois Steam Power Club has sponsored the Sycamore Steam Show & Threshing Bee the second Thursday in August. The event starts at 6:00 a.m. with breakfast and is then followed by a church service, the National Anthem, and the Raising of the Flag. The afternoon is filled with threshing of steam engines and tractors and spotlights a 1:30 p.m. parade of old steam engines, tractors, cars and other antique machines. Activities for kids, a petting zoo, bake sale and flea market all take place on the fairgrounds as well. OPEN DAILY 7 AM TO 6 PM. FREE PARKING. Admission: Adults $6, Children under 12 Free. Thursday Senior Citizens $3

CITY: Sycamore

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

Blacksmith Demonstrations and Tours

Live blacksmith demonstrations and tours at the Joseph F. Glidden Homestead June 9th and 23rd from Noon to 4:00 pm. and on the second and fourth Sunday of each month.

CITY: DeKalb

NIU Footbal - Akron vs NIU Huskies Homecoming Game!

Cheer on NIU Footbal at the Akron* vs NIU Huskies Homecoming Game! Saturday, October 12th at NIU, Mid-American Conference Game.

CITY: DeKalb