The Great River Tug Fest

This is the only tug-of-war across the mighty Mississippi River. On Saturday from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., barge traffic, pleasure boats and paddleboats yield the right of way to a 2,400 foot, 680 pound rope that stretches between LeClaire, Iowa and Port Byron, Illinois. Eleven teams from each side are formed and the side with the most winning teams takes the Alabaster Eagle trophy for that year. Currently the score is tied 10 - 10. A family weekend event filled with carnival rides, live entertainment, a huge parade, scenic 5k run/walk, food, arts and craft vendors and one of the largest fireworks displays (friday night) in the two state area. Admission charged. Festival takes place on the Mississippi River at Port Byron IL Riverfront. Hwy. 67 & Port Byron. Call 309-523-2500 for more information

CITY: Port Byron

12th Annual Country Youth Classic Golf Tournament

The Country Youth Classic golf tournament, one of the largest youth golf tournaments in the United States, will run June 24-26, 2013 at five Bloomington-Normal courses. The event holds competition in 24 divisions, including 8 special needs divisions. Golfers are offered a practice round and two days of competition along with a Parent-Child Tournament and Country Skills Challenge. Last year’s tournament attracted more than 360 golfers, ranging in age from 3 through 22, including participants from six states and two foreign countries.

CITY: Bloomington

9th Annual Midwest Nationals Wrestling Tournament

The Midwest Nationals is organized by the Bloomington-Normal Area Sports Commission, Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association, Wrestling Aids and Illinois Coaches Association. Competitors will be matched by weight class in 7 different age divisions. Weight classes will be determined at the weigh-in on Friday, July 12. Competition will begin Saturday at 9:00 am. Those who are interested in participating have until weigh-in on Friday, July 12, from 5-8 pm to register.

CITY: Bloomington

BMW Championship 2013

Lake County and Conway Farms are pleased to host the BMW Championship for 2013. Spectators can purchase tickets to watch the greatest of all players compete for the title. Players like Tiger Woods, Rory Mcllroy, Phil Mickelson, Nick Watney and many more will be playing for a chance at the trophy. Please visit our website for more information. To book a hotel room of 10 or more please contact Teresa@lakecounty.org or call Visit Lake County at (800)525-3669.

CITY: Lake Forest

State Farm Holiday Classic

Witness America's largest co-ed high school basketball tournament at four venues across Bloomington-Normal: Illinois Wesleyan University’s Shirk Center, the U.S. Cellular Coliseum, Normal Community High School and Normal West High School.

CITY: Bloomington

John Deere Classic PGA Tour Event

This is the 41st year for this official event on the PGA Tour. Monday and Tuesday are professional practice rounds with free admission all day. Wednesday is the Pro-am. Thursday through Sunday is the official tournament rounds. For ticket information visit the website or call. Don't miss the exciting action of this PGA Tour event played at the Tournament Players Club Deere Run in the Quad Cities. For more information visit www.johndeereclassic.com or call 800-336-4655 or 309-796-6000.

CITY: Silvis

The Stadium at the Ballpark

Seventy-mile per hour riseballs, 240-foot frozen ropes, soft hands and lightning-quick reactions all wound into seven feverish innings of gritty, gutsy, fast-paced action. Welcome to hard-hittin', fast-pitchin', affordable family fun. Welcome to National Pro Fastpitch! Come out and chear on the teams!

CITY: Rosemont

State Farm Illinois Collegiate Softball Championship

The Bloomington-Normal Area Sports Commission presents the 6th annual, State Farm Illinois Collegiate Softball Championship on September 21-22, 2012 at Champion Fields in Normal. There will be 24 games played over the two days. The tournament is hosted by the Bloomington-Normal Area Sports Commission and Bloomington-Normal Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, with cooperation of the Town of Normal Parks and Recreation Department and Illinois State University Athletics. State Farm serves as the title sponsor. To view a schedule of day one match-ups, visit the website.

CITY: Normal

Kansas City Barbeque Society Cook-Off

This fun state-sanctioned cook-off has now become a great annual event! The BBQ Pros will compete for a $6,000 pay out. Come and enjoy great BBQ, drinks and live music every night!!

CITY: Effingham

Kankakee River Fishing Derby

Join us for the Annual Kankakee River Valley Fishing Derby! The Kankakee is a clean river that is a popular destination for recreational canoeing and fishing for warm-water species such as smallmouth bass, channel catfish, walleye and northern pike. Our fishing derby is a ten-day event providing exciting fun for the whole family and cash prizes are awarded for tagged fish.

CITY: Kankakee

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

Septemberfest

Free, multi-day festival - one of Chicagoland’s biggest - featuring a parade, nationally known entertainment, arts & crafts, bingo tent, carnival rides, games, Taste of Schaumburg, demonstrations and fireworks.

CITY: Schaumburg

Oak Brook Polo

Polo has been played for more than 80 years at the historic Oak Brook Polo Grounds and everyone is invited to come out and watch the exciting "game of kings!" Polo is an exciting team sport played on a large grass field. Players on horseback attempt to score by driving a small ball into the opposing team's goal using a long-handled wooden mallet. The Oak Brook Polo Club has six match dates scheduled for 2013.

CITY: Oak Brook

25th Annual Open Horseshoe Tournament

The Danville Horseshoe Club hosts its 25th Annual Open Horseshoe Tournament at Douglas Park with competitors from across the country participating. Registration is $25.00 per person and can be completed by visiting http://www.active.com/miscellaneous-tournament/danville-il/danville-il-25th-annual-open-horseshoe-tournament-2013. Registration must be received no later than Friday, June 29. Prizes will be awarded in multiple categories.

CITY: Danville

National Pro Fastpitch Championship Series

Seventy-mile per hour riseballs, 240-foot frozen ropes, soft hands and lightning-quick reactions all wound into seven feverish innings of gritty, gutsy, fast-paced action. Welcome to hard-hittin', fast-pitchin', affordable family fun. Welcome to National Pro Fastpitch! (NPF)

CITY: Rosemont

2013 U.S. Classic

The elite junior and senior women's field features both top women gymnasts vying for berths to the US Gymnastics Championships and those who have already qualified that are using the US Classic as preparation fo the US Gymnastics Championships.

CITY: Hoffman Estates

ASA Pro/Am Archery Tournament

Archery Shooters Association's Illinois Championship 3-D Archery Tournament for men, women and Children. Archers from all over North America visit Metropolis for one week in June to compete for cash and prizes and the title of Illinois Champion.

CITY: Metropolis

World Whiffleball Championship

The 34th annual open wiffleball tournament, the world's largest and oldest — set for June 29-30, 2013 — will host four- to five-player teams, ages 10+, all of whom will play a four-game schedule on Saturday, June 29, followed by a single elimination tournament for top qualifiers on either Saturday evening or on Sunday (depending on the number of entries). The tournament will be played rain or shine.

CITY: Evanston

Cabela's King Kat Tournament Trail

This catfish tournement will be held at Fort Massac State Park, Metropolis. Bring a rod & reel and enter to win prizes and cash. A $500 big fish award will be given. A kids tournament is also planned.

CITY: Metropolis

Hoop It Up Chicago

The world's largest 3 on 3 basketball tour! For all ages and skill levels. Awards for 1st and 2nd place for each division; Minimum of 3 games: t-shirt and swag bag, free samples, prizes and shooting contests for players and spectators; Invitation to play in the Hoop It Up World Championship and a chance for Top Gun and u18 division winners to represent USA Basketball in FIBA International Tournaments

CITY: Matteson