Events Calendar

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.

Please join downtown businesses for after-hours shopping and great deals!
Each business will host their own specials, some offering raffle basket chances, discounts, and more!

The Western Illinois Museum, in partnership with the Western Illinois University (WIU) School of Music, invites jazz fans to an evening of music with the jazz saxophonist Doug Stone on October 2nd.

A world-class performer and composer, Stone comes to the Museum’s Our Front Porch stage from Louisiana, where he is Professor of Jazz Saxophone at Louisiana State University.

He will perform with the HAT Trio for two sets at 5:30 pm and 6:30 pm. Doors and bar open at 4:30 pm. The audience is invited to stay for the afterparty at 7:30 pm as WIU jazz students perform.

A $5 suggested donation supports the Museum’s community programming.

 A first-call musician in New Orleans, Stone performs with groups including the John Mahoney Septet, Reid Poole’s Boppin’ Five, and the Victory Swing Orchestra, while maintaining an active national and international touring schedule. His numerous recordings span projects as a leader, co-leader, and sideman, showcasing his versatile approach to jazz and improvisation. As director of the acclaimed LSU Jazz Ensemble, he is also a sought-after clinician and composer.  

Joining Stone is the HAT Trio: WIU jazz faculty Matt Hughes (bass), George Turner (guitar), and Whitney Ashe (piano). This performance is part of the Music on Our Front Porch series, which presents world-class jazz and classical musicians in the Museum’s cozy, one-of-a-kind garage space, offering a rare chance to experience locally accomplished musicians up close. 

The Music on Our Front Porch series continues on November 6th with saxophonist Chris Merz.

I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)
Rated: R
Run Time: 101 minutes
Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, and Freddie Prinze Jr. star in this suspense. They play friends who accidentally run over a man on a dark road, then dispose of the body. Months later, a menacing figure begins stalking them, claiming to know the "truth" about their eventful summer vacation. 

Lobby Doors Open: 6:30 pm 10/02/26
General Admission available at the door only.
Tickets: $5.00 Includes admission and one box of popcorn.

Click the link to watch the trailer here!

*All sales are final. No refunds or exchanges. 
*Prohibited items: No backpacks. No Weapons. No outside food or beverage.

*A full selection of concessions, including Popcorn, Candy, Soda, Water, Beer, Wine, and Cocktails are available. 

Forgottonia is a musical journey through the people and places of rural Illinois, just as the last vestiges of the old “Forgottonia” slowly eroded away. The show combines storytelling and live music with images from award-winning rural photographer Tim Schroll, long known for his striking black-and-white photographs of rural Illinois. Vallillo shares the histories and backstories of these songs, which document, reflect, and validate the people, places, and characters of rural IL, reinforcing these communities’ sense of commitment and worth.

Generously sponsored by RAMSEY FINANCIAL SERVICES

Join us for three evenings of stargazing with hobby astronomer Larry Knicl. Depending on the date, we will have the opportunity to observe planets and the Moon and Mars (June), Mars, Pluto, and the Moon (August), Saturn, Pluto, and Neptune, and possibly remnants of the Orionids meteor shower (October); and many deep sky objects, including star clusters, nebulae, other galaxies, and the varying seasonal constellations. These programs will be held at the parking lot near the park’s Sunset shelter (1st left turn upon entering the park). For your comfort, bring a chair or blanket, insect repellent, and a flashlight. To make viewing safer, observing will be done using a telescope connected to a video screen, rather than a telescope eyepiece. In the event of inclement weather or poor visibility, these programs may be canceled, so check the Friends of ALSP Facebook page before heading out if the sky isn’t clear.
For more information, please call (309) 776-3422 or email Bridget.Hinchee@illinois.gov

Lee Franklin, Director. Presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. 
Also known as Gaslight (you might have seen the 1940’s film noir starring Charles Boyer and Ingrid Bergman), the story is set in 19th-century London; it deals with the attempt of a husband to slowly and subtly drive his wife insane in order to conceal his own criminal activities.  The term “gaslighting” originates from this play, which explores themes of psychological abuse, deceit, and a woman’s struggle to reclaim her reality. 

Come join the WIU Symphony Orchestra in a wonderful presentation of music by Gustav Holst. Works showing the various styles of Holst like Fugal Overture, Japanese Suite, and Somerset Rhapsody will be performed along with his most famous composition - The Planets. Mars, Venus, Mercury, and Jupiter will be performed.

This performance is free and open to the public.
"Music is a part of life that can't be done without" - Holst's daughter
Gustav Holst (1874-1934)
A Somerset Rhapsody, Op. 21
A Fugal Overture, Op. 40/1, H 151
Japanese Suite, Op. 33
INTERMISSION
The Planets, Op. 32
I. Mars, the Bringer of War
II. Venus, the Bringer of Peace
III. Mercury, the Winged Messenger
IV. Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity

Our 6th market of the season is here! Hot food this week will be from Little Pallet Farmhouse, and music by Tex Carroll. Production is increasing every week. Our vendors love seeing you!