Among the 2026 One Book One Community Festival participants are the City of Macomb’s Shared Community
Action Group, Western Illinois Museum, University of Illinois Extension, Macomb Public Library, Western Illinois
University FOP Lodge 169, Prairie Land Conservancy, the YMCA After School Programs, Macomb Park District,
Macomb Middle School, MacArthur Early Childhood Center, Blandinsville, Bushnell, and Colchester Public Libraries,
Macomb Friends of the Library, and Bill Maakestad's Final Friday. 
In addition to the events listed here, students at the Macomb Middle School, the MacArthur Early Childhood
Center or in the YMCA’s After School programs at Lincoln, Edison, and  St. Paul’s, and the West Prairie Wellness
After School Program will be reading the OBOC books and participating in related activities as will the OBOC
participants at the Blandinsville, Bushnell,  and Colchester Macomb Public Libraries. 
                                                                                                                                                                                        
Friday, Mar 27.  Bill Maakestad's Final Friday Concert, 5:30 - 7:30 pm. The Wine Sellers, 121 S. Randolph St.,
Macomb. In the relaxed atmosphere of The Wine Sellers, Bill will entertain with a repertoire of songs reflecting the
2026 OBOC festival theme of Fire: Light and Warmth, Danger and Destruction.
Wednesday, April 8. The Page Turner Book Club, 4:30 – 5:30 pm. Macomb Public Library, 235 S. Lafayette St.,
Macomb. Conversation based on Fahrenheit 451 led by Kim Rice and the Macomb Friends of the Library.
 
Saturday, April 11. Prairie Burns Explained, with Demo if conditions allow, 11 am to noon. Prairie Land
Conservancy, 321 W. University Drive, Macomb. Kirsten Boesen and Chris Enroth will introduce this method of
caring for native prairie plants and will talk about ways of getting involved in prairie and savanna restoration.
 
Sunday, April 12. Legends & Lattes Book Club, 3-4:30 pm. 321 W University Drive Macomb. Legends & Lattes is a
local community Fantasy & Sci-Fi Book Club. Its April selection is Fahrenheit 451. Join the book club e-news by
emailing Jaime at spiderwebb957@gmail.com.
Sunday, April 12. Triangle Fire Documentary, 3:30–5:30 p.m. Western Illinois Museum, 201 S. Lafayette St.,
Macomb. The 60-minute film explores the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City and the resulting
workplace safety reforms that continue to shape building codes and labor protections today. Includes graphic
images. Please review the trailer to determine suitability. Followed by a pizza supper and conversation.
Wednesday, April 15.  Preschool Story Time, 10:30 -11:00 am. Macomb Public Library, 235 S. Lafayette St.,
Macomb. Children will meet a friendly Wombat who invites his neighbors into his warm underground burrow
when they need help. Each child or family will receive a copy of Carmen Agra Deedy’s Wombat Said Come In.
Thursday, April 23. Conversation with Fire Chief Dan Meyers and Western Illinois Museum Director Sue Scott, 5:00
– 6:30 pm. 201 S. Lafayette St., Macomb. A look at five significant local fires, including the Chelsea’s Hallmark,
Chandler Block, and Macomb Motors fires, and how they shaped safety practices, policy, and community response.
Pizza and conversation will follow the screening.
Friday, April 24. Noticing Nature: A Curious Guide for Sprouts, 4:00 – 4:45 pm. Macomb Park District Lakeview
Nature Area, 10050 N. 1500 th Rd., Macomb. Enjoy a nature-themed story and activity. Each
Sprout or family will receive a copy of Carmen Agra Deedy’s Wombat Said Come In during the program.
Tuesday, May 5. WIU LIFE Program: We Need to Talk Book Club, 1:00 -2:00 pm. Connie LaRue will lead a discussion
of Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451. It will be accessible on Zoom. LIFE registration is expected.
Saturday, May 30. Kids and Fire Safety 2:00 – 3:00 pm. Macomb Fire Station, 219 W. Jackson St., Macomb.
Macomb Firefighters will show kids fire safety practices and tour the fire station with them. Guy Huston will read
Wombat Said Come In with the kids and give each child or family their own copy.