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Illinois events
* Sept. 4-6
* Aledo -- Barnes Family Bluegrass Music Festival, Mercer County Fairgrounds. Live outdoor bluegrass festival. Admission charge. For a schedule of performances, visit www.barnesbluegrass.com.
* Sept. 4-7
* Kewanee -- 56th Annual Hog Capital of the World Festival, downtown. The world's largest outdoor pork barbecue, includes Hog Day Stampede walk and run. For more information, call 309-852-2175.
* Sept. 5
* Galena -- Fall Music on Main, 5 to 10 p.m., Green Street Plaza. An evening of live music, dancing and family fun. Many activities for children including a bounce house and face-painting. Food/beverage available. Adults $5, 13-20 years of age $3, 12 and younger free. Details: 815-777-9050. www.galenachamber.com.
* Sept. 5-6
* Apple River -- Echoes of the Past, Oak Hill Farm, 8044 Gabel Lane. Antique farming demonstrated with draft horses, small engines. Tours of 1800s schoolhouse, general store, summer kitchen and church. Stagecoach rides and homemade pies available. Donations are appreciated. Details: 815-594-2031. www.oakhillwedding.com.
* Rock City -- The Rock Island Grand Prix, Rock Island Arts and Entertainment District. World's best drivers compete for go-karting's largest cash purses. Festival includes nightly outdoor concerts, driver's parade, fan autograph sessions and special Sunday post-race awards ceremony. For more information, call 309-788-6311.
* Rock Island -- Rock Island Grand Prix, 8:30 a.m. Professional go-karts race through the streets of downtown Rock Island.
* Sept. 6
* Apple River -- Apple Canyon Lake 31st Annual Ice Cream Social and Craft Fair, 10 a.m., Apple Canyon Lake Clubhouse. Delicious food and homemade pies and cakes served inside and outdoors. MOre than 50 arts and crafts vendors, Farmers Market, solar observing and more. Free. For more information, call or visit 815-492-2769. www.applecanyonlake.org.
* Sept. 10
* East Dubuque -- Graffiti Nights, 6 to 9 p.m., Downtown Main Drag, Sinsinawa Ave. Step back in time from classic cars dragging Main Street to '50s and '60s music. Model T's to pre-1972 vehicles, including muscle cars and street rods displayed by owners. Food and beverage available at local pubs. Free admission. For more information, call 563-557-9440.
* Sept. 11-13
* Galena -- Ladies Getaway Weekend. A fun-filled weekend dedicated to the celebration of women. The "quarter mania" and fashion show are back. Shopping, demonstrations and events. Various locations throughout downtown. For more information, call 815-777-9050. www.galenachamber.com.
* Sept. 12, Oct. 17
* Warren -- Motocross Racing, Jo Daviess County Fairgrounds, Stagecoach Trail and High Street Participation open to the public. Exciting race action. Trophies awarded to the top five finishers in each class. For more information, call 815-275-6686. www.statelinemx.com.
* Sept. 17
* Galena -- Keltic Koncert Series-The Neverly Brothers, 7:30 p.m., Frank O'Dowds Irish Pub, 9853 U.S. 20. The Neverly Brothers bridge the gap between '50s rockabilly and early '60s British invasion as they transport you back in time and take you on a retro-sonic express train ride staring in 1955 Tennessee and ending up in 1964 England! Must be 21 to enter. $7. For more information, call 866-284-7474.
* Sept. 17
* East Dubuque - Graffiti Night, 6-9 p.m. Step back in time from classic cars dragging Main Street to 1950s and 1960s music. Model T's to pre-1972 vehicles, including muscle cars and street rods displayed by owners. Food and beverage available at local pubs. Free. Downtown main drag, Sinsinawa Avenue. Call 563-557-9440.
* Sept. 19
* Galena -- Fever River Adventure Triathlon, 12 p.m., Fever River Outfitters, 525 S. Main St. A six-mile paddle, 17-mile bike ride and 3.1-mile run. Individual or three-person teams. $50 individual, $100 team. For more information, call 815-776-9425 or visit www.feverriveroutfitters.com.
* Galena -- Fifth Annual Fun Walk/Run. Meander or run 3.1 miles on Galena's well-shaded hiking/biking path. Great door prizes and refreshments. Check in starts at 8 a.m. $15. Galena Bike/Hiking Path, South end of the Old Train Depot parking lot, 101 Bouthillier St. For more information, call 815-777-4960. www.midwestmedicalcenter.org.
* Hanover -- Mallardfest, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., White Park, Monroe St. Old-fashioned town picnic. Parade at 11 am, activities all day, music, and fireworks at dusk. Food and beer garden. Family $6, adults $2, children $1. For more information, call 815-591-3512 or visit www.hanover-il.com.
* Sept. 19, Oct. 24
* Galena -- Women of Courage and Commitment Dessert Theater, 2 p.m., DeSoto House Hotel, 230 S. Main St. Join us for dessert and a dramatic interpretation of Galena's famous historic women. $15 per person. For more information, call 800-343-6562.
* Sept. 24
* East Dubuque -- Graffiti Night, 6-9 p.m. Step back in time from classic cars dragging Main St. to 1950s and 1960s music. Model T's to pre 1972 vehicles, including muscle cars and street rods displayed by owners. Food and beverage available at local pubs. Free. Downtown Main Drag, Sinsinawa Ave. 563-557-9440.
* Sept. 25-27
* Warren -- Annual Warren Pumpkin Festival, Downtown Main St. Arts and crafts, baked goods, parade at 1 p.m. Saturday, food booths, games, pedal tractor pull, volleyball tournament, auction and produce stand. Many new events. Fun for the whole family. Free admission. For more information, 815-275-2654.
* Sept. 26
* Elizabeth -- Green Fair 2009, 9 a.m., Highland Community College West, 300 N. West St. Learn what's new in renewable energy, saving energy, green building techniques and materials, and local food sources. Receive recycling, composting, clean indoor air, natural lawn and landscaping information and more. Fun things for the kids. Adults $5, youths 8-17 $2, kids under 8 free. For more information, call 815-244-9444. www.nwil-greenfair.com.
* Sept. 26-27
* Galena -- 42nd Annual Tour of Historic Homes, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Galena/Jo Daviess County History Museum, 211 S. Bench St. Guided tour of five privately-owned and beautifully furnished houses. Maps and free shuttle. Admission charged. For more information, call 815-777-9129.
* Rock Island -- Four Kingdom Renaissance Festival, KOA RV Park, 2311 78th Ave., West. Renaissance Faire is a combination of many things. It's partly a craft fair, it's partly historical re-enactment, it's partly performance art. Everyone working at Faire dresses in costumes (or garb) typical of the late Elizabethan period. There are many booths selling both crafts and food. Jugglers, musicians, magicians and other entertainers perform throughout the day. You wander about, examining goods for sale, sampling foods, plays and performers and of course drinking fine English Ale. For more information, call 309-787-0665.
* Oct. 3
* Galena -- Galena Oktoberfest, 12 p.m., Eastside Riverfront, 101 Bouthillier St. Annual German celebration featuring live music, kids games, wiener dog races and lots of food and beverage. Adults and teens $3, children free. Galena's Eastside Riverfront, 101 Bouthillier St. For more information, call. 815-331-0180 or visit www.galenaoktoberfest.com.
* Oct. 3-4
* Stockton -- Stockton Civil War Day: Battle of Morseville, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., David Pierce Farm, Curtiss Rd. & E. Schuller Rd., Stockton. Civil War battle reenactment and encampment, period fashion show, medical scenarios and more. Food/beverage available. Adults $5, 13-17 year of age $3, children 12 & under free, families $10. For more information, 815-858-3493 or visit www.stocktonil.com.
* Oct. 10-11
* Galena -- Galena Country Fair, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Grant Park, Park Ave. More than 150 vendors selling original, handmade arts, crafts, and fine arts. Fair food, live entertainment, children's games, farmers' markets. Donation $2. For more information, call 815-777-0817. www.galenacountryfair.org.
* Oct. 16-18
* Galena -- Twenty Dirty Hands, 10 a.m. Tour some of the area's best known pottery and sculpture studios located in and near Galena and Elizabeth, many of which are only open to the public during the tour. Maps are available at the Old Train Depot Visitor Information Center. Free. For more information, call 815-777-0644. www.twentydirtyhands.com.
* Oct. 31
* Galena -- 31st Annual Halloween Parade, 6:30 p.m., Main St. The largest and spookiest parade in the tri-state area. Floats, costumes, prizes and treats for guys and "ghouls" of all ages. For more information, call 815-777-9050. www.galenachamber.com.
* Nov. 7
* Galena -- Chocolate, Champagne & Candlelight, 6:30 p.m., DeSoto House Hotel, 230 S. Main St. An elegant chocolate affair including two lavish buffets offering chocolate plus a few non-chocolate desserts. For more information, call 815-777-9129.
* Nov. 20-22
* Galena -- 25th Annual Nouveau Wine Festival, Celebrating 25 years! A celebration of the release of Galena Cellars Vineyard and Winery Nouveau Wine. Enjoy a traditional French stew at local restaurants followed by horse-drawn wagon deliveries on Main Street. Afternoon wine and cheese parties at various downtown locations. Galena Cellars Winery, 515 S. Main St. For more information, call 815-777-3330.
* Nov. 29
* Scales Mound -- Scales Mound Christmas Party, 3 p.m., Town Hall, 800 Main St. Old fashioned Christmas party featuring horse and wagon rides around town, caroling, homemade cookies, hot chocolate, hot cider, a visit by Santa Claus and a Christmas tree lighting ceremony. For more information, call 815-845-2691 or 815-845-2457.
* Dec. 5
* Galena -- Holiday House Walk, 10 a.m., Galena Territory, 2000 Territory Dr. Tour five privately owned homes beautifully decorated for the holiday season. Tickets available at the Property Owners' Club. Light Holiday refreshments. Raffle. $12. For more information, call 815-777-2000 or visit www.thegalenaterritory.com.
* Galena -- 28th Annual Mistletoe Ball: A Victorian Holiday Dinner & Dance, 8 p.m., Turner Hall, 105 S. Bench St. Enjoy a resplendent holiday feast plus an orchestra that sets gowns swirl. Period dress and holiday attire both appropriate. $59. For more information, call 815-777-9129.
* Dec. 12
* Galena -- Snowbiz: A Cool Yule, Turner Hall, 105 S. Bench St. A spectacular dinner and Christmas variety show. A veritable parade of Kringleistas with incredible vocals and an outstanding live orchestra. Reservations required. Dinner and show $55, show only $20. For more information, call 815-777-3938. or visit www.mistletones.biz.
* Dec. 19
* Galena -- Night of the Luminaria, 6 p.m. One of the most beautiful and romantic visions of the year. The streets, steps and sidewalks of Galena will be lined with nearly 5,000 candle-lit luminaries. For more information, call 815-777-9050 or visit www.galenachamber.com.
* Jan. 8-10
* Rock City -- Bald Eagle Days, QCCA Expo Center, 2621 Fourth Ave. Celebrate the return of The Bald Eagle, now off the endangered list. Watch live birds of prey, Bald Eagles, Owls and Falcons fly over the audience. Enjoy more than 100 display and information booths. Admission Adults $4, children 6-16 $1. For more information, call 309-788-5912.