AUGUST
BLOOD DRIVES: The American Red Cross is now experiencing a blood crisis and warning that emergency blood shortage may impact patient care. The situation is dire and you can help by donating at an upcoming local blood drive. These will be held Tuesday, August 11th from 10am to 3pm at Riverside Health Fitness Center in Bourbonnais / Thursday, August 20th from 11am to 5pm again at Northfield Square Mall / Friday, August 21st from noon to 5pm at the Bourbonnais Fire Department / and Tuesday, August 25th from 10am to 3pm at Saint Mary’s Hospital AND from noon to 6pm at Trinity Lutheran Church in Herscher. Find a blood drive near you at “Red Cross Blood (dot) org”.
The next “Lunchtime Bites & Beats on Festival Street” event will take place on Wednesday, August 19th from 11am to 1pm at The Grove in Bourbonnais. Drew’s Dogs and Tacos El Guadalajara #1 will be on site while Eddie Andersen provides the live entertainment. Hosted by the Village of Bourbonnais, these weekly midday escapes offer a place to grab lunch each Wednesday during the summer from delicious food trucks while enjoying live acoustic music and soaking in the summer atmosphere at the village’s favorite gathering spot. Admission is free.
The Village of Bourbonnais will host another “Fridays After 5” event this Friday, August 21st at the Grove with cold drinks and several food trucks beginning at 5pm, and live music from “The Simple Remedy” from 6 to 9pm. Lawn chairs are welcome and admission is free.
Four days of community wide garage sales will be held in Mokena on Thursday August 20th, Friday August 21st, Saturday August 22nd and Sunday, August 23rd. Maps can be found on Facebook.
The Kankakee Public Library will host another “Smooth Fusion Open Mic” on Friday, August 21st from 6 to 8pm. This is described as a place to be fed lyrically and literally with rap or song, spoken word, comedy, motivational speaking and storytelling.
A South Sunset Stroll will take place in downtown Kankakee on Friday, August 21st from 6 to 10pm on South Schuyler Avenue, There will be vendors selling food and adult beverages, a set by DJ Mondy, and a live performance by “Wonderlove: The Stevie Wonder Experience” at 7pm. Attendees can also enjoy fire-twirling and a mobile cigar lounge. This is a family-friendly event and it is free to attend.
The Village of Manteno’s next “Rockin’ on the Square” event will take place on Friday, August 21st at the Square on Second in downtown Manteno with food trucks and live music from “Rosie and the Rivets” from 7pm until 9:30. This is a BYOB event and it’s free to attend.
The Watseka Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Meeting and Awards Night on Wednesday, September 2nd from 5:30 to 8:30pm at the Homestead Venue / Silo Pub and Eatery on West Walnut Street in Watseka. You’re invited out for an evening of fellowship and fundraising with live and silent auctions, a 50/50 drawing, cash bar and a delicious meal provided by the Longbranch. Your $30 ticket will include the meal and two drink tickets. The registration deadline is Friday, August 21st. Call (815) 432-2416 to purchase your tickets today.
The Just-Us Motorcycle Club will host their 4th annual “Luke’s Autism Ride” on Saturday, August 22nd with all the proceeds going to directly support programs for local individuals with special needs through the River Valley Special Recreation Association. Registration will open at 10:30am at City Tavern on South West Avenue in Kankakee. Kickstands up at noon. The cost to participate is $20 per driver and an additional $10 per passenger. Event T-shirts will be available for purchase. Email: “K3 Just Us MC (at) gmail (dot) com” for pre-registration information.
A Fish Fry Fundraiser will take place at the Manteno Sportsman’s Club on Friday, August 28th from 5 to 7pm with a cash bar, raffle baskets, split-the-pot and live music by The Fedoras. Nothing Bundt Cakes will also be there while supplies last. Presale tickets are required for entry and they are available now at the Manteno Public Library.
The next “Dinner & Movie on the Green” event hosted by the Village of Bourbonnais will take place on Friday, August 28th at the Grove in Bourbonnais. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for a family-friendly movie under the stars. Several food trucks will be available at 6pm and the 2025 remake of “Lilo & Stitch” will begin at 7pm. Admission is free.
The 60th Ashkum Lions Club Homecoming will take place on the last weekend of August with a food stand, beer garden, trackless train, a dime toss, the big six wheel, inflatables, a dunk tank, bingo, craft and vendor booths, live entertainment and more. Highlights on Saturday, August 29th include a 5K at 8am, parade at 10am, a fish fry at 4pm, and live music from “Seasonal Disorder” at 7pm, with Matt Shipley and Ryan Leggott taking the stage at 10pm. Come back Sunday, August 30th for the Lions Club lunch at 11am, a car show from noon to 3pm, and the “Ashkum’s Got Talent” showcase from 2 to 4pm. Follow the Ashkum Lions on facebook for up-to-date information.
The Vintage Purse Museum at 3 Diversatech Drive in Manteno will host its first fundraiser on Saturday, August 29th. All money raised will be used to provide workforce development, job training and employment opportunities for adults with disabilities. Titled “Purses in Paradise”, the event will begin with a 5K run or one and a half mile walk at 10am. This will be followed by their first annual Luau Marketplace featuring an open house, sponsor tents, artwork by museum employees and volunteers, food trucks, live ukulele music and more. Learn about this nonprofit and its diverse collection of exhibits at “Vintage Purse Museum (dot) org”.
SEPTEMBER
Visit the Manteno American Legion Post 755 on Friday, September 11th to attend its 25th Anniversary of Life at the Pentagon 9/11/01 event. This will start off with a no-cost breakfast buffet at 7:30am. Commencement will begin at 8:37am with Post Commander Sean McNamara and other guest speakers. Post Chaplain Dan Horton will give the opening and closing prayers and the Manteno Fire Department will have a fire truck draping the American flag. Light refreshments will be available at the conclusion of the ceremony.
The “Two Rivers Fall Festival” will take place Friday, September 11th and Saturday, September 12th in Aroma Park. Enjoy food, drinks, kids activities, music, contests and a fireworks display.
Operation Firm Handshake will host its 13th annual Veterans Picnic on Saturday, September 12th from 10am to 5pm at 1500 North Broadway Street in Coal City. All Illinois veterans and active duty service personnel are invited to bring their families to enjoy Illinois’ largest free veterans picnic including a pig roast, door prizes, split-the-pot, entertainment, a bean bag tournament and fun for the kids. This is organized by local Grundy County veterans. Remember to bring a lawn chair.
The Peotone Historical Society’s 24th annual “Old Mill Fall Fest” will take place Saturday, September 19th from 4 to 11pm at the Peotone Mill on West Corning Avenue. Enjoy craft beer, food, dancing, and live music by the “Rockaholics”. Proceeds from this end-of-summer event will help with the preservation of this historic local landmark. More info on facebook or at “Peotone Historical Society (dot) org”.
Local nonprofit organization “Let’s Ketchup” will host its third annual Family Fun Fest on Saturday, September 19th from 11am to 2pm at Adventure Commons located behind the mall at 70 Ken Hayes Drive in Bourbonnais. There will be activities for all ages including games, crafts, face-painting, raffle items and an inflatable funland. Entry is free but donations will be accepted. Food will be available for purchase.
The 32nd annual “Christmas Golf in September” scramble will be taking place at the Kankakee Elks Country Club in Saint Anne on Wednesday, September 23rd. Lunch is at 11am, shotgun start will be at noon, and dinner begins at 5pm. This is the sole fundraiser for “Christmas Day, Inc.” with the money going to provide free dinners at several Kankakee County locations for our neighbors who might otherwise be alone on Christmas Day. Sponsors are needed, as well as participants. Visit the “Christmas Day, Inc.” facebook page for details, or call (815) 932-3000.
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