Backstage Jazz returns Friday, August 30th to the Prairie Players Civic Theatre. The summer concert series offers food, fun and music and all you need to bring is a lawn chair. Heather Norman with Prairie Players tells WGIL this will be the final performance of the season and the response so far has been great. “It’s really about doing something for the community,” Norman said. “We hope that it will grow. We have a lovely space on the back patio. We’ve had restaurants come in and supply food so you can come in and sit and have a nice evening in Prairie Players’ back yard if it were. We also have our own built-in inclement weather location. It was kind of a no-brainer to have something in the summer that got more people in our doors.” This fourth and final concert will feature John Miller and the Romantics. The “gypsy-style” jazz band swings hard and creates lots of fun for the listeners as well as the performers with happy romantic music with universal appeal. Food is provided by Jimmy’s Pizza. The cost is just a $5 cover charge and will be held Friday, August 30th beginning at 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm. For more information on Prairie Players Civic Theatre and the Backstage Jazz series, visit the Prairie Players page on Facebook.
A four-day festival returns to Kewanee beginning Friday, August 30th that has been held every Labor Day weekend since 1954. The 65th annual Kewanee Hog Days features plenty of fun and activities for the whole family. Downtown Kewanee will have the CDAC Carnival and Concessions Friday, August 30th from 5pm-11pm, Saturday, August 31st from 11am-11pm, and Monday, September 1st from 11am-5pm. Berrien Park will host the World’s Largest Outdoor Pork Barbecue Friday from 5pm-9pm, Saturday and Sunday from 11am-9pm, and Monday from 11am-5pm. The Hog Days Flea Market and Craft show returns to Liberty Park Saturday and Sunday from 9am until dusk. Plus each day will feature live entertainment, book sales, fitness runs, open houses, barn tours, and helicopter rides. “Monday, Labor Day is our special kids’ day,” says Hog Days committee member Mike Komnick. “We dedicate that day downtown to kids and families. We have everything from your traditional petting zoo, face-painting, to a kids’ tractor pull, (there’ll be) a magician down there. We’re also going to have a demonstration with the police’s K9 Unit and our fire department smokehouse. There’ll be a lot going on down there on Monday as well…” For the full schedule of events, visit the Kewanee Hog Days website.
