Events Calendar

Registration is now open for the 15th running of the Fallen Soldiers 5K. The 2026 run/walk will be held Saturday, Oct. 10 on the Western Illinois University Macomb campus.

The event honors members of the armed forces, as well as two fallen soldiers and WIU alumni, Capt. Derek Dobogai and Lt. Col. Robert Baldwin.

An opening ceremony will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Donald S. Spencer Student Recreation Center, and the race begins at 9 a.m., taking off from in front of Western Hall on University Drive.

Registration for this year's Fallen Soldiers 5K Run/Walk is $30 through Monday, Sept. 21. After Sept. 21, the cost of registration for the in-person race is $35. WIU students can register up through race day for $10. The cost includes a participant shirt, finisher's medal and access to the refueling station at the end of the race.

For those who can't make it to Macomb for the event, a virtual option is available. For $40, participants will have their shirt and medal mailed to them. The cost increases to $45 after Sept. 21.

A $50 donation can also be made to honor a veteran who has served, or a service member who is currently serving, with a sign placed along the event route. The sign will include their name, rank and military branch.

For more event information, to register, or to become an event sponsor, visit wiu.edu/fallensoldiers or email fallensoldiers5k@wiu.edu.

Join us to read a new book each month from unique authors. Books for each month are available at the Welcome Desk at the front of the library for checkout. Check our book club page for future titles! https://www.burlington.lib.ia.us/services/book-clubs-1

Enjoy an afternoon of strategy, connection, and friendly competition at our Mahjong Meet-Up! This relaxed, peer-led group is perfect for both beginners and experienced players. Participants learn from one another, share tips, and build their skills together as they play. Whether you’re brand new to Mahjong or looking to sharpen your game, this is a welcoming space to ask questions, practice, and enjoy the social side of the game. Please bring your own Mahjong set if you have one.

Fresh produce, baked goods, food, crafts, entertainment, and more in Downtown Burlington, Iowa!

Mark your calendars and join us for three days of fun at the 81st Annual Montrose Watermelon Festival!
Whether you’re continuing a family tradition or visiting for the first time, there’s something for everyone!
We can’t wait to celebrate with you in Montrose!

Thursday August 20th:
5 pm: Singing of the National Anthem
5 pm: Food Stands Open
5 pm - 9 pm: Bingo Tent
5 pm - 9 pm: Vendors/Crafts
5 pm - 10 pm: Sonshine Amusement Carnival Armband Night
6 pm: Montrose Watermelon Festival Princess Contest (Main Stage)
7 pm - 9 pm: Nightly Entertainment (Highway 61 Band)

Curious about throwing on the wheel and looking for a fun introduction to clay? This four-week mini-course will focus on the basic skills needed to create simple and sweet bowls and cups! Our focus during this program will center around the process of throwing, shaping, and trimming pots on a pottery wheel, while also exploring basic surface decoration and glazing techniques. Satisfy your curiosity and join this relaxing course geared towards students of all skill levels!
Join us and learn to create in a fun and supportive environment! Course fee includes clay, glazes, use of tools and brushes, bisque and glaze kiln firings, and weekly open studio hours.

Day: Thursday, August 6, 13, 20, 27
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Location: MPD Ceramics Studio located at 1406 N. Randolph in Macomb, IL. Studio entrance parking is located at the back of the building.
Deadline to register: August 5th

Session Fee: $68.00 for Macomb Park District Residents, $90.00 for Non-Residents
To register, visit Tinyurl.com/MPDregister, call 309-833-4562 or stop by the park office to register in person!

Public meetings continue to explain the building addition plan proposed for The Legacy Theater in Carthage.
In July, the Legacy Theater Foundation board announced a $2 million building plan,
“A Vision for the Future.”
Meetings were hosted in Warsaw and in Keokuk in June. The next meetings are Thursday, July 23, 6 to 7 p.m. at the Hamilton Community Center, and Thursday, Aug. 20, 6 to 7 p.m. at the Nauvoo Community Center. All are welcome to attend and learn about the plan.
The project will create a new, covered entrance on the west side; an expanded lobby with space for concessions; and a multipurpose room. Renderings of the proposed addition and detailed information will be provided.
At the time of the announcement, over $500,000 had already been raised toward the project in donations and pledges by leadership donors .
For more information about The Legacy Theater, or this new expansion and capital campaign, contact Doug Groth at groth@hogvet.com, or Larissa McShane,
director@thelegacytheater.com, 217-357-9479.

Out of the darkness of WWII came a beacon of hope from the American heartland in the form of an inspired Iowa librarian. In 1938, Forest Spaulding, the Des Moines Public Library Director, watched as Nazi Germany's book bans and burnings opened the door for the genocide of millions. In an attempt to ensure no such thing would happen in his community, he wrote a document that would go on to impact libraries across the world. Join the Burlington Public Library Director, Brittany Jacobs, for the telling of this incredible story along with recent attempts to ban, burn, and censor books right here in Iowa. 

Colorado-based quartet The Sweet Lillies will bring their heartfelt, collaborative and genre-bending sound to Ca d’Zan House Concerts in Cambridge on Thursday, August 20. Presented by Crossroads Cultural Connections, the all-ages concert will begin at 7 p.m., following an optional community potluck dinner at 6 p.m.

Known for a sound they describe as “Americana Roots Pop Fusion,” The Sweet Lillies blend folk, jazz, blues, Southern rock, bluegrass, hip-hop, pop and more into a style that is both adventurous and deeply rooted in original songwriting. The band features Julie Gussaroff, Becca Bisque, JJ Murphy and Jones Maynard, combining electric guitar, viola and violin, upright and electric bass, drums, percussion and ethereal vocal harmonies.

Guests are invited to arrive at 6 p.m. for the optional potluck dinner and may bring a dish to share. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. Attendees should bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating. A donation of $20 to $30 is suggested, and music lovers of all ages are welcome.

Presented by Crossroads Cultural Connections, this concert continues the organization’s mission of bringing meaningful, high-quality live music experiences to Henry County and surrounding communities.

Internationally recognized by Graceland and the Elvis Presley Estate, the show’s star, Matt Stone, performs the CLOSEST THING to the King in history! Matt brings a never-before-seen level of authenticity and attention to detail to his craft, CAPTIVATING audiences with a flawless recreation of the King of Rock ’n’ Roll in his prime!

He has even been heard on SiriusXM's ELVIS RADIO!

Backed by a sensational all-star band, Matt Stone MESMERIZES fans into blue-suede bliss as they’re HYPNOTIZED into thinking Elvis is BACK IN THE BUILDING at the PEAK of his prowess!