Events Calendar

In this, our 31st year, we are excited to bring you one of the Midwest's largest and most unique public free admission living history events to be held at historic Lake Storey Park in Galesburg, Illinois.
Come share in the excitement with almost 1,000 Visual Story Tellers, Reenactors, Living Historians, and almost 50 merchants and sutlers. Make plans to join us at The 31st Galesburg Heritage Days, a free, public-admission, family-friendly event.

2026- Civil War Camp registration fee is $10 per military and civilian reenactor 12 years of age and older, no charge for children 12 and under, who must be accompanied by an adult. Sutler/Seller fee is $75. We will provide our usual amenities, powder, and bounties.

Sunday:
7 am- Reveille

8:30 am- Officers Call @ Registration Tent, Camp opening to the public, Sutlers row opening.

9:30 am- “Brush Arbor Meeting” Church Service at Big Tent.

10:30 am- Battlefield open for drill.

12:30 pm- The Victorian Tea Ladies present "Civil War Sisters in Service Tea, Portraying Mary Bickerdyke and Miss West ", Big Tent.

2:00 pm- Civil War Battle, Official Welcome and opening, battle concluding with Reenactor Pass in Review. 

3:30 pm (approx.)- Camp closing, for everyone’s safety, we will open the gates right after the crowd has diminished and when safe to do so.

Prairie Players Civic Theatre is excited to announce A Night of One Acts, an evening of short plays to be presented on Saturday, September 19. Auditions for actors will be held on Sunday, August 16, at 2:00 P.M. and Monday, August 17, at 6:00 P.M. at 160 South Seminary Street in Galesburg. This will be followed by a four-week rehearsal period leading up to the performance.
A Night of One Acts is designed to be an accessible entry point for those curious about theatre, while also providing a welcoming path back for veteran participants. With a shorter rehearsal process and simplified production elements, this format allows for creativity without a large time commitment.
We're delighted to share that the two shows that are being staged this year are: Wishing Well, written and directed by Charlie Vestal, and The Monkey's Paw, based on the classic short story by W. W. Jacobs and directed by Adam Chasteen.

Vestal is looking for actors who can play 30 years or younger, and Chasteen is looking for actors to play 20 years and older.
Both directors ask that those who are auditioning be at least 18 years old.

A Night of One Acts is sponsored by NextUp Transition Curriculum and The Illinois Arts Council. For more information, go to prairieplayers.com.

Prairie Players Civic Theatre is excited to announce A Night of One Acts, an evening of short plays to be presented on Saturday, September 19. Auditions for actors will be held on Sunday, August 16, at 2:00 P.M. and Monday, August 17, at 6:00 P.M. at 160 South Seminary Street in Galesburg. This will be followed by a four-week rehearsal period leading up to the performance.
A Night of One Acts is designed to be an accessible entry point for those curious about theatre, while also providing a welcoming path back for veteran participants. With a shorter rehearsal process and simplified production elements, this format allows for creativity without a large time commitment.
We're delighted to share that the two shows that are being staged this year are: Wishing Well, written and directed by Charlie Vestal, and The Monkey's Paw, based on the classic short story by W. W. Jacobs and directed by Adam Chasteen.

Vestal is looking for actors who can play 30 years or younger, and Chasteen is looking for actors to play 20 years and older.
Both directors ask that those who are auditioning be at least 18 years old.

A Night of One Acts is sponsored by NextUp Transition Curriculum and The Illinois Arts Council. For more information, go to prairieplayers.com.

The Americans and the Holocaust is a traveling exhibition from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and the American Library Association (ALA) that examines the motives, pressures, and fears that shaped Americans’ responses to Nazism, war, and genocide in Europe during the 1930s and 1940s. The exhibit is free and open to the public during regular library hours for self-guided tours. Guided group tours are also available upon request.

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. 

The start of the academic year is a time to reflect, celebrate, and look together toward a new year of continued evolution and opportunity. I invite everyone to join our University Assembly, where I look forward to outlining our shared vision, updates, and priorities. Provost and Academic Vice President Mark Mossman, Vice President for Finance and Administration Ketra Roselieb, and Vice President for Student Success Justin Schuch will also share updates and progress on university initiatives.

You're invited to our next Lunch ala Art at the Fort Madison Area Arts Association!
Enjoy a creative midday break surrounded by art, conversation, and community. This monthly event offers an inspiring presentation or featured artist alongside the option to enjoy a delicious lunch in the gallery.

Lunch is optional—but the experience is priceless!

Lunch is included with registration, but purchasing a lunch is not required to attend the artist's gallery talk

THANK YOU FOR BEING A FRIEND!
Gather your favorite gal pals and join us for a night of laughs, nostalgia, cheesecake, and friendly competition at our Golden Girls Trivia Night!

Teams of 4
$80 per team
August 21, 2026
Doors Open at 5:30 p, -Trivia begins at 6 pm

Frericks Gardens & Coffee House.
Test your knowledge of everyone's favorite ladies from Miami while competing for Golden Girls-themed prizes and PLANTS!

Cheesecake
Costume Contest
Specialty Drinks Available for Purchase
Plant Prizes
Trivia Champions Crowned

Space is limited, and this event is expected to fill quickly.
ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

So grab your Blanche, Dorothy, Rose, and Sophia and get ready for a golden evening of fun!