Here are five things to do in Galesburg this week, courtesy Galesburg Tourism & Visitors Bureau.
Thursday-Sunday: Fun Festival for the Family in Abingdon
Bask in the sites, sounds, and smells of the town fair during Abingdon’s Community Festival, kicking off Thursday and lasting through the weekend! There’s lots of farmstock, food, and fun to be had. See the full list of events and updates by visiting Abingdon Community Festival on Facebook.
Thursday
- Flowers & Vegetable Judging – 1 p.m.
- Arts & Crafts Judging – 1 p.m.
- FIGURE 8 – 6:30 p.m.
Friday
- DEMO DERBY 6:30 p.m.
Saturday
- Goat, Sheep, Swine & Beef Judging – 8 a.m.
- Chicken & Pig Scramble – 6 p.m.
- Arm Band Night – 5 to 9 p.m.
Sunday
- Baked Goods Judging – 10 a.m.
- John R. Thurman Memorial Pee-Wee Livestock Show – 10 a.m.
- Kids’ Events – Following the Pee-Wee Show
- Arm Band Day – Noon to 4 p.m.
- Area’s Largest Baked Goods Auction – 5 p.m.
- Presentation of Trophies & Awards – 6:45 p.m.
- Livestock Auction – Immediately after Awards
**$10 Grandstand Fee (over 42” tall)
(No charge to enter the fairgrounds)
Friday: Backstage Jazz Inside
Deviating from the standard jazz quintet makeup, the Nikki Malley Quartet utilizes the unique timbres of vibraphone to explore both traditional and modern jazz literature with particular focus on hard bop, ECM, and contemporary/popular styles. From lesser-known works by jazz greats to creative arrangements drawing on genres outside the jazz tradition, Malley’s repertoire reflects a life-long artistic curiosity inspired by her dual roles as performer and musicologist. The quartet’s distinctive creative voice is brought to life in collaboration with pianist Derel Monteith, bassist Andy Crawford, and drummer Jason Brannon. Tickets are $15. To purchase in advance, visit www.prairieplayers.com or you may purchase at the door.
Saturday & Sunday: Celebrate & Learn at Bishop Hill Chautauqua
Attend Bishop Hill’s tenth Chautauqua this Saturday and Sunday for two days of History…In Person! Meet some of your heroes from the past, including all of our crowd favorites for the biggest, best chautauqua yet. This free family event will be held at the gazebo in the town square. You’re encouraged to bring a chair! For more information, call (309) 927-3899 or visit www.BishopHillHeritage.org. Here is the schedule:
Saturday
- 9 a.m. – A Storyteller’s Tour of Bishop Hill
- 11 a.m. – Barry Cloyd as Carl Sandburg
- 1 p.m. – Becky Stone as Harriet Tubman
- 2 p.m. – Fritz Klein as President Abraham Lincoln
- 3 p.m. – Brian “Fox” Ellis as Meriwether Lewis
- 4 p.m. – FIKA with the performers, Free cookies and conversation.
- 6 p.m. – Canoe Song: The Story of the French Voyagers (A Dinner Theater Experience at P.L. Johnson’s) Reservations required.
Sunday
- 11 a.m. – Jo Lakota and The Eagle Ridge Drum
- 1 p.m. – Paula Vankuren as the Swedish Nightingale Jenny Lind
- 2 p.m. – Becky Stone as Civil Rights Movement icon Rosa Parks
- 3 p.m. – Danny Fox as Bob Dylan
Saturday: Gearing up for Grills & Guitars
Don’t miss a day filled with country music and grillin’,during the 2nd Annual Grills & Guitars at Big Catz BBQ in Knoxville, beginning at noon! The lineup features country music from Stone Cold Cowboys, Inlaws & Outlaws as well as Nashville Artists Sadie Bass and Clayton Shay! This will be a day full of live music and the smell of BBQ as our competition teams work to be best in show with Ribs and Chicken rollin’ on their smokers. For more information, visit Grills & Guitars on Facebook.
Saturday: Sip on the gALESburg Cream Ale Beer
Come be the first to sample the first sips of the GALESBURG Cream Ale! Reserve Artisan Ales has partnered with Downtown Community Partnership of Galesburg, this Saturday, starting at 4 p.m. to create a community event that features the landscape of Downtown Galesburg. Listen to live music from Gunner in the Tap Room and enjoy delicious eats from Fields BBQ & Catering Truck out on the patio. Experience the taste of Galesburg A bags tournament will also be taking place for charity, with a selfie station set up by Galesburg Selfie Museum. To find out more, visit Reserve Artisan Ales on Facebook.
