Events Calendar

Vocalist and mandolinist Ashley Lewis, alongside guitar player extraordinaire Jon Mollenhauer, will take the stage live at the Rushville-Industry
Performing Arts Center on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 7:00 PM.

Known worldwide for her sparkling, pure vocals and fiery mandolin mastery, Ashley Lewis delivers a riveting acoustic experience. While rooted deeply in Kentucky bluegrass traditions, Lewis integrates a sophisticated mix of modern genres to create her signature, unforgettable "newgrass" sound. Joining her is longtime collaborator Jon Mollenhauer, whose guitar work provides a powerful, rhythmic foundation to the duo's spellbinding live dynamic.

Walk of the Dead Haunted Trail opens October 2^nd and will run Fridays and Saturdays in October from 7:00 – 11:00 pm.  Located behind Lakeside Water Park (1033 S Lake Storey Road, Galesburg), the haunted trail offers patrons a terrifying walk through the woods. In its tenth year of operation, Walk of the Dead Haunted Trail is managed by the non-profit AGES Community in cooperation with the City of Galesburg.  The cost is $20 per person.

“This is our tenth year of scaring folks in the woods!” says organizer Sean Godsil. “We have new areas and new scares, but we have some old favorites too, of course. Every year we do things differently, so if you’ve come a previous year, we promise this year will be different. Actually, things can be different from night to night; you never know what to expect on the Walk of the Dead.”

Organizers recommend the haunt to children older than 13 years of age. The event is entirely outdoors and weather permitting, so please dress accordingly. No open-toed shoes, slippers, flip-flops, or slides allowed.   

Proceeds from the haunted trail help support the city’s nature programs and other recreational activities, including the Fishing Derby.  

For more information and weather-related updates, follow Walk of the Dead on Facebook and Instagram. Tickets are sold at the Lakeside Water Park ticket booth or purchase them online at www.walkofthedead.org and avoid the line at the ticket booth.

Come out to Little Creek Alpacas on Sun., Oct. 18th from 1 pm-5 pm for our 2026 Season Grand Opening! Enjoy 22 alpacas roaming in a free-range setting where you can hand-feed them, a 2-acre pond you can fish in, a small white-sand beach filled with toys for the kids, and more! Don't miss out on our last Alpaca Beach Party of the 2026 season!
The 19th Hole will join us this year with their tasty menu items and delicious drinks, including the best lemon shake-ups around! Hickory Ridge Homestead will have Fluff the Angora rabbit (weather permitting), 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 p.m., and 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 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.**Please note: this is not a petting zoo. Alpacas are similar to a timid cat; they like to get to know you on their own terms. If you insist on trying to pet them before you've earned their trust, they will walk or run away from you - the more you insist, the more they will retreat. Be patient and let them come up to you on their own for the best experience. Hand-feeding grain always helps with the introduction and will entice them to come up to you.

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

Registration is now open for the 19th annual Town and Gown celebration. Town and Gown 2026 will be held at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20. This signature event brings together the WIU and Macomb communities to celebrate the partnerships and will be held at Park Place, 127 E. Carroll St. in Macomb.

A brief program will begin at 6:15 p.m., featuring remarks by WIU President Kristi Mindrup and Macomb Mayor Mike Inman. Following their remarks, the 2026 Town & Gown and Honorary Alumni awards will be presented.

The Honorary Alumni Award is presented annually to an individual who is not a WIU graduate but has provided exceptional service to the WIU community. The Town & Gown Award is presented annually to an individual who has provided exceptional service in bringing WIU and the Macomb communities together.

$5 per lesson or $15 bundle 

Join us for a guided, 4-part book discussion of Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Robin Kimmerer is a mother, scientist, decorated professor, and enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. Her book explores reciprocal relationships between humans and the land. Robin weaves storytelling and environmental knowledge throughout this poetic read. We will discuss lessons from the book as well as expand on scientific concepts such as prairies. There will be assigned reading sections for each meeting. You are invited to attend all or just a few lessons.

​Register and pay below:

Unseen//Unheard is the low-flute duo of Rose Bishop and Heather Neuenschwander, a fearless collaboration built on the belief that sound can be both resistance and revelation. Specializing in the rarely spotlighted voices of alto and bass flute, the duo pushes their instruments—and the tradition they come from—into radically new territory.
Free & open to the public.

Downtown Burlington is getting a spooky new twist this fall with Night of the Living Windows, a free community event bringing storefronts, costumes, entertainment and a few surprises to life throughout Downtown.

On Thursday, October 22 from 5 to 7 PM, visitors are invited to stroll downtown as participating business windows transform into live scenes and displays. The evening will also feature free Horse & Trolley Rides, seasonal activities and plenty of Halloween fun for all ages.

One of the biggest highlights of the evening will be a community-wide Thriller flash mob, choreographed by Stacey Sink, with performances scheduled for 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM in front of the Capitol Theater.

Thursday Night Jazz at Smokin’ Willies BBQ
A Galesburg tradition for more than 30 years—every Thursday night starting Sept 17th!
Join us for Jazz Night with the Knox Cherry Street Combo, featuring special events throughout the fall term. Musicians, come sit in with the band!
Every Thursday | Sept. 17–Nov. 12
7:00–10:00 PM (some special nights begin earlier)
FREE admission | All ages welcome
Full bar + the best BBQ around
Smokin’ Willies BBQ | Galesburg, IL

Special Events:
October 15 — Matt Wilson’s Leap Day Trip
Masterclass at 6:00 PM
Jazz Night performance to follow
October 29 — Galesburg High School Vocal Jazz Ensembles and the Cherry St combo
November 5 — Mirza Residency at Jazz Night
Featuring Jenny Scheinman’s All Species Parade

Step into a world of rhinestones, powerhouse vocals, and unforgettable country magic with THE DOLLY SHOW — the spectacular theatrical concert that brings the spirit, sound, and sparkle of Dolly Parton to life like never before. Backed by a sensational live band, THE DOLLY SHOW takes audiences on a high-energy musical journey through six decades of Dolly’s greatest hits. 

From the heartache of Jolene to the anthemic joy of 9 to 5, from the timeless beauty of I Will Always Love You to the irresistible fun of Islands in the Stream, every moment is crafted to celebrate the music, wit, and warmth of the Queen of Country. This is no ordinary tribute concert — it’s a full-scale theatrical experience. Expect dazzling costumes dripping in rhinestones, laugh-out-loud comedy, stunning vocals, and the kind of storytelling charm that has made Dolly a global icon. The atmosphere is electric, the energy infectious, and the connection with the audience unmistakably genuine.

At the heart of the production is Kelly O’Brien, the world’s most acclaimed Dolly Parton tribute artist-endorsed by the Parton family and chosen by Dolly Parton Enterprises as Dolly’s official body double for film. Her uncanny voice, mannerisms, and warmth elevate the show from a tribute to a true celebration. Whether you’re a lifelong Dolly fan or love a great night out, THE DOLLY SHOW delivers an evening of joy, nostalgia, and pure entertainment a glittering love letter to one of music’s greatest legends.

Return to Macomb, IL, to Celebrate the Annual WIU Homecoming

Friday October 23rd:
- Spencer Student Recreation Center - open 6 a.m. - 9 p.m. ($7 day pass)
- Reunion check-in starts; it continues throughout the weekend. Registration will take place at the Alumni House.
- 2 p.m. - Campus Tour starting at Admissions Office in Sherman Hall
- 5-9 p.m. All-Alumni Social, Alumni House (Complimentary food, beer, wine, and soda; cash bar available)