Events Calendar

Come out to Little Creek Alpacas on Sat., Sept. 26th & Sun., Sept. 27th from 1 pm-5 pm for our National Alpaca Farm Days celebration! Experience 22 alpacas roaming in a free-range setting that you can hand-feed, a 2-acre pond you can fish in, a small white sand beach filled with toys for the kids, and more!

The 19th Hole will be joining us this year with all their tasty menu items and delicious drinks, including the best lemon shake-ups around! Hickory Ridge Homestead will have Fluff the Angora rabbit (weather permitted), and will also be doing spinning demonstrations, so you can see how our alpaca fiber is spun into yarn! Quesal Puppet Troupe will be performing a special puppet show at 2 pm. The Toddy Pop Company will be joining us with balloon twisting & entertainment to make the day extra fun. Paint The Sky Blue will have a paint station, where you can paint different wooden items (frogs, butterflies, etc.) for $8, which would make a great handmade gift for a loved one. DJ Megan will be providing our beach party tunes, and there will be several other artisans to shop with too - stay tuned for the full list of vendors!

Cups of grain to hand feed the alpacas with will be available for $5/cup, and we'll have all of our alpaca products for sale in the red shelter. Fishing is allowed; our pond is stocked with mostly bass, but there are a few catfish in there somewhere. Bring your own fishing pole; we don't have any available. The beach has lots of toys for the kids to play with; this is a family-friendly environment. There is no swimming in the pond because I can't afford a lifeguard, but you can still get your feet wet and get water for your sandcastles. We do recommend dressing the kids in swim attire and/or bringing extra clothes and a towel, so they can get wet and have fun in the sand. We've added an additional play area away from the pond, near the food and vendor area.

No pets, no smoking, and no chasing the alpacas. Please be kind and respectful to others. Disinfectant hand wipes & hand sanitizer are available; there is no hand sink. We have a sprinkler and a baby pool filled with water for rinsing off. There is a handicap accessible port-a-potty.

FREE ADMISSION for all of our 2026 Alpaca Beach Parties! Donations are always appreciated but never expected.

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.

One of western Illinois' favorite end-of-summer traditions returns as the 2026 Bushnell Town & Country Fall Festival takes over downtown Bushnell Wednesday, August 26 through Saturday, August 29, 2026, with four days of family entertainment, hometown traditions, live music, carnival rides, a grand parade, flea market, antique tractors, classic automobiles, exhibits, contests and activities for all ages.

2026 Entertainment Lineup
• Thursday, August 27 – 7:30 p.m: The Unforgettables
• Friday, August 28 – 7:30 p.m: Captain Geech & the Shrimp Shack Shooters
• Saturday, August 29 – 7:30 p.m: Madd Hoss Jackson

Thursday evening features the beloved Grand Parade beginning at 5:30 p.m., followed by Family Night at the carnival and live entertainment from The Unforgettables at 7:30 p.m.

Admission to the festival grounds is free, with carnival rides, food and select activities available throughout the weekend.

Join us for an evening of reduced admission! 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. $6.50 for admission/members are free. Advanced tickets required.

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

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!

District readers, prepare for a literary showdown! Our Hunger Games–themed Book Club invites tributes of all ages to explore Suzanne Collins’ gripping series. Join us for lively discussions inspired by Panem as we dive into themes of courage, rebellion, and resilience.

The Western Illinois Museum invites the community to join historian John Hallwas for a thought-provoking evening exploring themes from his book, On Community: A Crucial Issue, A Small Town, and a Writer's Experience, on Thursday, August 27. As part of the Museum's Thursdays on Our Front Porch, guests are invited to enjoy a pizza supper beginning at 5:30 p.m., followed by the program and discussion at 6:30 p.m. A suggested donation of $5 will be accepted at the door. 
Join us for an engaging community conversation centered on Dr. John Hallwas's book, On Community, a timely collection of essays exploring the importance of place, shared history, and civic life. Hallwas argues that "we live in an unprecedented era, when community is under siege from a variety of forces, and the negative ramifications of that are continually mounting." Drawing on local history, personal reflection, and literary insight, he invites us to rediscover the value of community and the stories that connect us.

Lots of vendors selling flower baskets, veggie starts, freeze-dried fruit and candy, baked goods, home and personal care products, and more!

Calling All Cubs Fans! Join All Four Corners Travel/Getaway Midwest for a trip to historic Wrigley Field on August 28 to see the Chicago Cubs take on the Cincinnati Reds. The package includes round-trip motorcoach transportation and a reserved terrace-level game ticket for $249 per person. Reserve by June 30 and receive a collectible Cubs 150th Anniversary pin.

• 7:30 AM - Departure from Burlington
Depart from your selected pickup location. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.
• 12:30 PM - Arrive at Wrigley Field
Approximate arrival at Wrigley Field. Enjoy time on your own before the game.
• 1:20 PM - Game Time
Cheer on the Cubs! Game time is subject to change.
• 30 Minutes After Last Out (Up to 5:30 PM) - Depart Wrigley Field
Depart Wrigley Field for your comfortable ride home.
• 10:40 PM - Arrival Back in Burlington
Approximate arrival back at the Burlington Hy-Vee.

For More Information: Email, 319-324-3777, Website