Dark Sky Park Dedication Celebration
Saturday, June 1st
DARK SKY PARK DEDICATION CELEBRATION
Activity Center, Middle Fork River Forest Preserve, 6 p.m.-12 a.m.
• Welcoming Remarks, Thanks Yous, “Dark Sky Places” presentation and New Sign Dedication – 6:00 p.m.
• Crafts, Hands-On Activities - 7 p.m.
• Starwatch Presentation by David Leake, Director of William M. Staerkel Planetarium at Parkland College – 8:30 p.m.
• Night Sky Viewing – 9 p.m.-12 a.m.
SPECIAL EXHIBIT: We Saw Them on the Beaches: D-day and beyond from a Local Perspective
Thursday, June 6
SPECIAL EXHIBIT: We Saw Them on the Beaches: D-day and beyond from a Local Perspective June 6 to October 14
Museum of the Grand Prairie, Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, 10 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
It’s been 75 years since D-Day, the Allied invasion of Europe to free it from the grips of the German Third Reich. On June 6, 1944 and for days afterwards, American troops landed on the French beaches in waves. Dozens of men from east Central Illinois were among them. On June 6, 2019, the Museum of the Grand Prairie will remember the D-Day invasion of Normandy, France, through a small exhibit using the recollections of local participants. We’ll tell their touching stories with photographs and artifacts from World War II. All Ages. FREE. For more info: (217)586-2612. Look for three more exhibits as we remember the end of World War II for the next two years!
Nature Play Pre-K: Mud Kitchen
Friday, June 7
NATURE PLAY PRE-K: MUD KITCHEN
Natural Playscape, Homer Lake Forest Preserve, 10-11 a.m.
This program is for preschoolers ages 3-6 to learn as we play in nature! June is International Mud Month, so let’s celebrate! There will be chances to use mud and sand as ingredients for a stew or to paint a masterpiece. Remember to dress to get muddy! This is a chance for parents/grandparents to actively engage with children as they experience the natural world. FREE. Space is limited. Register by June 6 at ccfpd.org. For more info: (217) 896-2455 or jwick@ccfpd.org.
Wild Edibles
WILD EDIBLES
Interpretive Center, Homer Lake Forest Preserve, 6-7:30 p.m.
Join a naturalist to explore – and taste – wild edibles of the season! Dress for the weather and a hike. $5 per person. All ages. Register by June 6 at ccfpd.org. For more info: (217) 896-2455 or pleiter@ccfpd.org.
Summer Garden Concert Series: Timbalú
Sunday, June 9
SUMMER GARDEN CONCERT SERIES: Timbalú
Mabery Gelvin Botanical Gardens, Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, 5-7 p.m. Help us kickoff our summer concert series as we welcome Timbalú! As one of Champaign County’s newest and hottest salsa bands, Timbalú provides a truly exciting entertainment experience for all to enjoy. Bring your dancing shoes and get ready to tap those toes to some wonderful rhythms. FREE. Other refreshments will be available for purchase. All ages. For more info: (217) 586-2612 or pcain@ccfpd.org.
Museum Mondays: Art in Nature
Monday, June 10
MUSEUM MONDAYS: ART IN NATURE
Museum of the Grand Prairie, Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Many people go to museums when they want to see art, but did you know it surrounds us in nature? Today we will discover the beauty of the Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve through drawing, painting, collage, and photography! FREE. All ages. Drop-in program. For more info: ccfpd.org, (217) 586-2612 or pcain@ccfpd.org.
Museum Mondays: Learning with Lincoln
Monday, June 17
MUSEUM MONDAYS: LEARNING WITH LINCOLN
Do you love Abe Lincoln and want to learn more about his life? What better resource than from Mr. President himself! Join us for an exciting speech and see the former president in person! Abraham Lincoln (portrayed by actor Kevin Wood) will answer our burning questions: What was it like growing up in a log cabin? Just how tall was Abraham Lincoln, anyway? And why did he wear that tall silk hat? Program supported by the Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition. FREE. All ages. For more info: (217) 586-2612 or pcain@ccfpd.org.
Take Me Fishing
Saturday, June 22
TAKE ME FISHING
Walnut Hill Shelter, Homer Lake Forest Preserve, 9-11 a.m.
Bring your family and friends out to the forest preserves for some free fishing fun! Kids will have the chance to win awards for the Most Fish, the Biggest Fish, and the Good Sport Award! Basic fishing instruction will be available to beginners. Cane poles and bait will be available to use, but you are welcome to bring your own. All event fishing is catch-and-release. Adult supervision of children 15 and under is required. FREE. All ages. For more info: (217) 896-2455 or jwick@ccfpd.org.
Music on the Lake: Kilborn Alley
Sunday, June 23
MUSIC ON THE LAKE: KILBORN ALLEY
Walnut Hill Shelter, Homer Lake Forest Preserve, 5-7 p.m. Enjoy one of the many great bands Champaign County has to offer – Kilborn Alley Blues Band – with a stunning view of Homer Lake! Past nominees for “Best New Artist Debut” and “Best Contemporary Blues Album” at past Blues Music Awards, their music has impressed fans and critics not just in this area, but worldwide! FREE. All ages. Refreshments will be available for purchase. For more info: (217) 586-2612 or pcain@ccfpd.org.
Museum Mondays: Cars and Trucks and Things that Go!
Monday, June 24
MUSEUM MONDAYS: CARS AND TRUCKS AND THINGS THAT GO!
For thousands of years, humans have used wheels to transport themselves and items much faster than the speed of our own two legs. In the past 100 years, all sorts of vehicles have revolutionized our daily lives in more ways than we realize. Speed into the museum for a morning full of historical crafts and activities centered on motorcycles, cars, busses, trucks, trains, and many more vehicles with more than two wheels. Also, participate in “Touch-A-Truck” where we will have unique vehicles that you can look inside! Visit our newest exhibit, Frieda Mumm’s Discovering Home, to learn about a few popular vehicles people used to travel to and from home. FREE. All ages. Drop-in program. For more info: (217) 586-2612 or pcain@ccfpd.org.
Bison Birthday Celebration
Saturday, June 29
BISON BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!
Activity Center, Middle Fork River Forest Preserve, 1-3 p.m.
Last year, a nearly 400 year old bison skull was discovered on CCFPD property and we want to celebrate! Join us for an interactive bison birthday celebration and learn all about these amazing creatures. We will kick off the program with a short presentation on bison zooarchaeology by Steven Kuehn, Zooarchaeologist with the Illinois State Archaeological Survey. Then, participate in engaging activities where you can see the bison skull in person, learn what makes these animals so special, retrace the path of bison on a walk to the Middle Fork River, speak with experts about recent discoveries, and much more! At 2:15 p.m., be sure to join us in singing happy birthday to our new, but very old, friend! Light refreshments will be provided. FREE. All ages. For more info: (217) 586-2612 or pcain@ccfpd.org.
Freedom Fest
Thursday, July 4
Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve 3-10pm Food, Family and Fireworks. $2 admission fee.