Thank you to the Champaign School of Music for sponsoring this edition of the Weekend Planner.
Don’t miss out on the fun! Reserve your spot today at the Champaign School of Music.
Back to School music classes start this week for babies through adults at Champaign School of Music. Class offerings this fall include:
- Private lessons on piano, guitar, drums, voice, violin and more
- Music Together & Music Explorers (Babies through 5-year-olds)
- Super Fun Musical Birthday Parties
Click here to learn more about Private Lessons, Music Together, Music Explorers and Musical Birthday Parties.
Don’t miss out on the fun! Call today for more information and reserve your spot: 217-359-0541
It’s a long weekend in Champaign-Urbana, and there is plenty to do to as we say goodbye to summer! It’s the last weekend for many area swimming pools before they close for the season. Illini football kicks off this Friday night, with family friendly activities in the new Grange Grove area including a new Fighting Illini Walk route. Wondering what is Open and Closed this Labor Day in C-U? We have a guide for that too. And did someone say festivals and PARADES?
Thank you so much to our friends at the Champaign School of Music for sponsoring our weekend planner.
What: Hoopeston National Sweet Corn Festival
When: Sept. 3-7. Thursday and Friday – only open after 5 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday, Monday, all day.
Where: Hoopeston
How much: Thursday – Monday $3; 7 and under, free
Appropriate for: All Ages
Why you should go: A parade, petting zoo, sweetcorn and more! The Sweet Corn Festival Parade begins Downtown Main Street on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 10:30 am. Petting zoo, pony and camel rides; children’s fishing derby; free sweetcorn; magic show; flea market, baby contest, carnival rides, demolition derby, National Sweetcorn Pageant and a whole lot more. Singer John Michael Montgomery performs Saturday, Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m.
What: Grange Grove and Fighting Illini Walk
When: Friday, Sept. 4. Grange Grove opens at 7 a.m. Activities start at 5 p.m. (three hours before kickoff) and the Fighting Illini Walk is 5:30 p.m.
Where: Grange Grove is located in the area previously known at lot 36, just west of Memorial Stadium
How much: Free, no ticket is required to enter Grange Grove. Food and merchandise are available for purchase
Appropriate for: All Ages
Why you should go: It’s the first Illinois football game of the year, and Grange Grove and the Fighting Illini Walk kicks off the fun! What used to be Street Fest is now Grange Grove, where the football team, cheerleaders, and Marching Illini all make an appearance and families are treated to free music and activities like inflatables, face painting, and more! Another change: the Fighting Illini Walk has changed route this year, and the Illinois football team will now walk through Grange Grove from First Street to Memorial Stadium along with the Marching Illini, allowing fans to line the pathway and cheer the team on as it makes its way into the stadium.
What: Arthur Amish Country Cheese Festival
When: Saturday, Sept. 5 – Monday, Sept. 7
Where: Downtown Arthur
How much: Free admission; special attractions may be ticketed
Appropriate for: All ages
Why you should go: Eat a corn dog, sample the free cheese, take in a tractor pull, watch a parade, listen to some music, visit an Amish farm shop, shop the sales in town. There are two whole blocks dedicated just to the little ones, with pony rides, inflatables, clowns, games and activities. The famous cheese games include special divisions for just the kids, and other cheese games are perfect for including the whole family! The parade is typically at 3:40 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.
What: Celebrate Calm Seminar
When: Saturday, Sept. 5, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Where: First Presbyterian Church, Champaign
How much: Free
Appropriate for: Adults who parent or work with children
Why you should go: Is getting ready for school in the morning more difficult than it should be? Having homework troubles leading to fights with your kids? Are you a teacher, tutor, or volunteer with children and looking how to best reach those challenging children? This free seminar is for you! Celebrate Calm’s Kirk Martin will give you practical tools and life-changing advice to help turn this school year into a positive one!
What: Sholem Aquatic Center Labor Day Weekend Swim Sale
When: Saturday, Sept. 5, 11 a.m.- 9 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 6 and Monday, Sept. 7, 11 a.m.- 7 p.m.
Where: Sholem Aquatic Center, Champaign
How much: $3 residents; $4.50 non-residents
Appropriate for: All ages
Why you should go: Get your last taste of summer this Labor Day weekend at the pool for half off the cost of regular admission all weekend long. The Oasis concession stand will have food and drink deals. Some of the attractions might not be up and running due to staffing, so call ahead if you are counting on a certain attraction. Sholem is also giving away the chance to win a 2016 season pass.
What: Champaign County Labor Day Parade (The Candy Parade!)
When: Monday, Sept. 7, 10 a.m.-noon
Where: Lincoln Square to Prairie Park, Urbana
How much: Free
Appropriate for: All ages
Why you should go: Our kids look forward to this parade all year long! Local unions, community organizations, politicians and high school bands treat parade goers to music, fun, and candy! A picnic at Prairie Park immediately follows the parade with free food, games for kids, a softball tournament, speakers and entertainment.
What: School’s Out: The Grand Prairie
When: Monday, Sept. 7, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Homer Lake Interpretive Center, Homer Lake Forest Preserve
How much: Free
Appropriate for: All ages
Why you should go: Did you know that the nickname for Illinois is the Prairie State? Come out to the Interpretive Center to do some fun family crafts and activities all about the natural life of The Grand Prairie. During this day you can dress up like a bison, discover the depth of prairie plant roots, craft a coyote, and much more! After the indoor fun, make sure to go outside to take a hike down Prairie Path to learn all about the fascinating prairie that once covered central Illinois, or explore at the natural playscape!
Weekend Planner features only a few of the wonderful events happening in our area. For a full list, please visit our Events Calendar, sponsored by Busey.