Events Calendar

Julieta Mihai, a versatile violinist and chamber musician, is associate professor of violin at Western Illinois University School of Music in Macomb.

Julieta has performed extensively in solo concerts and recitals in Austria, Canada, England, Germany, Japan, Romania and the United States. Her performances have been broadcast on radio stations such as WILL-FM, WUIS (Springfield, Illinois), Tri States Public Radio (Illinois, Iowa and Missouri) and the National Radio Station in Bucharest, Romania.

Her violin studio at Western Illinois University currently includes undergraduate and graduate students from Europe, Asia, and the United States. Her students have won prestigious international and national competitions, including two national wins in the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Young Artist String Competition. Her students also won concerto competitions at Western Illinois University and Brevard Summer Festival. They have gone on to receive graduate assistantships for master's and doctoral programs at some of the best schools of music. Also, they were awarded stipends at prestigious international summer festivals.

Parenting can sometimes feel like managing a three-ring circus, but you don't have to navigate the chaos alone!
Join us for the Keokuk Parent Cafe—a free, supportive space to connect with other parents, share experiences, and build strong relationships without judgment.

Event Highlights:
• Cost: 100% FREE!
• Perks: Complimentary dinner and childcare are provided.
• Format: Relaxed, peer-led, small-group conversations.
When: September 16th, 2026 | 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM.
Where: 918 Timea St., Keokuk (old Wells-Carey School Building).
RSVP Deadline: September 9th, 2026
Spaces are limited, so secure your spot today!

Hosted & Sponsored by The Best You Coalition, United Way of the Great River Region, and Lee County Health Department. Space donated by CCS.
Questions? Reach out to thebestyoucoalition@gmail.com

We are going to SPICE IT UP at our MEXICAN FIESTA PRE-PARTY
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16th, starting at 5 pm. DJ Aaron will be playing all your favorite requests!
WALKING TACO BAR with all the fixings and Margaritas GIVEAWAYS

Don’t miss this event! On Saturday, October 17, 2026, send a crew to capture residents fighting against pancreatic cancer at the Lustgarten Foundation’s 11th Annual Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk.
In addition to uniting the community in the spirit of hope, 100% of the money raised goes to advancing research aimed at early detection methods, better treatments, and ultimately, a cure for pancreatic cancer, the most lethal cancer there is. Families and supporters of those affected by pancreatic cancer are encouraged to join and support.
- Erin Bangert, Walk Leader. Erin lost her grandfather after a short
4-month battle with pancreatic cancer. She decided to turn her grief into action by starting a pancreatic cancer fundraising walk. This year, she is continuing to mobilize her community to bring an end to the deadliest cancer that has a survival rate of just 13%. Since its inception, the Hannibal Walk has raised over $88,000 for pancreatic cancer research.

Registration Opens at 8:00 am
Walk Starts at 9:00 am
at Riverview Park, Hannibal, MO
Free parking will be available to all walkers & volunteers on site.
Post-walk, the Annual Folklife Festival is taking place in Downtown
Hannibal.

The Lustgarten Foundation is America's largest private foundation dedicated to funding pancreatic cancer research. Based in Woodbury, N.Y., the Foundation supports research to find a cure for pancreatic cancer, facilitates dialogue within the medical and scientific community, and educates the public about the disease through awareness campaigns and fundraising events. Thanks to private funding, 100 percent of every dollar donated to the Foundation goes directly to pancreatic cancer research. For more information, please visit www.lustgarten.org.

Mark your calendars! The 105th Fort Madison Mexican Fiesta is September 17, 18, and 19 2026! The countdown is on! The Mexican Village on Avenue Q will be ready to greet family, share great food and beverages, host lots of kids events, live music, performances by by La Fiesta Dance Troupe, crowning of the Queen and Princess Court, it goes on and on for three great days! Gotcha Games will be back, even bigger and better! YES! We ARE excited!

THURSDAY 09/17/2026
4PM- CARNIVAL & VENDORS
7PM-STREET DANCE WITH BLUE ZILLION

FRIDAY 9/18/2026
4PM- CARNIVAL & VENDORS
6PM- GRAND ENTRANCE & PAGAENT CROWNING
8PM-STREET DANCE WITH CROOKED CACTUS
11PM- EL GRITO

SATUDAY 9/19/2026
8AM-5K FUN RUN/WALK (7AM REGISTRATION)
11AM- BIKE HELMET GIVEAWAY & PARADE
12PM-CARNIVAL AND VENDORS OPEN
2PM-EATING CONTEST
6PM- GRAND ENTRANCE & PAGAENT CROWNING
8PM-STREET DANCE WITH CROOKED CACTUS
11PM- EL GRITO

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

Get those costumes ready because one of the cutest traditions of the Jefferson Street Farmers Market is back!
The Pet Parade & Costume Contest returns Thursday, September 17 at 5:30 PM, giving pets and their people a chance to strut their stuff through Downtown Burlington.

Participants should gather at The Beancounter Coffeehouse & Drinkery by 5:20 PM, with the parade stepping off promptly at 5:30 PM. Dogs, cats, and other pet friends are welcome to join in the fun.

Contest Categories

Pets will compete for Downtown Dollars in three crowd-favorite categories:

- Cutest Pet
- Best Dressed Couple, Pet + Human
- Most Creative

Matching costumes are always encouraged, so grab your four-legged sidekick and start planning your look!

While downtown, visitors can enjoy all the Jefferson Street Farmers Market has to offer, including fresh produce, local foods, handmade goods, live music from Diane DeJaynes, and free Horse & Trolley Rides throughout the evening.

The Pet Parade & Costume Contest is presented by Downtown Partners, Inc. with support from September Farmers Market sponsor Shottenkirk Superstore.

Come for the pets, stay for the market, and help celebrate one of the final Thursday evenings of the 2026 Jefferson Street Farmers Market season!

Come enjoy beautiful Lake Argyle while taking a relaxing morning pontoon boat ride on the lake as we watch for wildlife. Life jackets, binoculars, and field guides will be available, or you’re welcome to bring your own.
**Pre-registration is required, and space is limited to 6 participants. ** 
Please email Bridget.Hinchee@illinois.gov or call (309) 776-3422 for more information or to register.

Augusta Days 2026 will be held on September 18 & 19 in downtown Augusta, IL.

The theme is Old-Time Rock & Roll.

The parade will be on Saturday at 11 am.

Western Illinois University will host the annual Employee Memorial Tree Planting Ceremony at 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, at the Memorial Tree Grove on the west side of Sherman Hall. Each year, WIU honors employees who passed away the year prior in a memorial planting ceremony. This year, the ceremony will honor:

- Michael Dailey, construction project coordinator, Facilities Planning & Construction

- Steven Myers, grounds gardener, Landscape Maintenance

- Amanda Schulz, assistant director, Graduate Studies

- Sinta Seiber, radio station production supervisor, Public Service Radio

- William Clow, dean, College of Fine Arts and Communication

• Patricia Young, English professor, College of Arts and Sciences

The Memorial Tree Grove on the west side of Sherman Hall was established in the Fall of 2003, following a recommendation by members of Western's American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 417, with support from the Civil Service Employees Council, the Council of Administrative Personnel, Faculty Senate and University administration. The annual ceremony includes one tree planted in memory of all employees who passed away during the preceding year. Honorees are employees who die while either actively working, on disability, on workers' compensation, or on an approved leave from the University. To date, Western has honored 65 individuals. For more information, email the WIU Human Resource Benefits Office at Hr-Benefits@wiu.edu.