JULY
The 2025 Benton County Fair is running NOW through July 20th in Boswell, Indiana. This six-day fair offers agricultural and educational events, various competitions, contests, and fun for the whole family. For details and a schedule of events you can visit their Facebook page at bentoncountyfair-indiana
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The Salvation Army of Kankakee did not reach their Red Kettle Campaign goal this past Christmas Season and they are in dire need of both food and money donations to be able to continue helping those in our area who are struggling with food and housing insecurity. They are currently holding a Summer Fundraiser which ends on July 31st. They ask that you please bring nonperishable food donations to 148 North Harrison Avenue in Kankakee this month. In-person financial donations can be dropped off to this address as well. The fundraiser is also happening online where you can use digital forms of payment. To donate online to our local branch, please visit: centralUSA.salvationarmy.org/kankakee
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A food drive is going on now through July 31st at your local Menards home improvement store on Christine Drive in Bradley. Place non-perishable food items into the bin at the front of the store and all food collected will be forwarded to a local organization to help those in need.
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The next “Summer Concert Series” show hosted by the Bourbonnais Township Park District will be on Wednesday, July 16th at Perry Farm Park. Visit the Makers Market with local vendors and food trucks starting at 5pm. Enjoy a blend of live calypso, ska, reggae and rock & roll music from the band, “Mr. Myers” from 7 to 8:30pm. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets. Pets are welcome too.
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States Attorney Jim Rowe’s “Reel Justice Fishing Club” for kids and adults, in partnership with the Northern Illinois Anglers Association, will meet again on Wednesday, July 16th from 5pm to 7:30 at Saint Anne Ponds near the north end of Second Avenue in Saint Anne. The skills focus will be on bass, gills and carp. They’ll be using live bait and lures. This is free to attend, fishing poles, tackle and bait will be provided. Parents and guardians are encouraged to come along. Visit k3sao.com/fish for more information.
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The Manteno Sportsmen’s Club’s next “Cheeseburger Night” will be on Wednesday, July 16th with burgers served from 6 to 8pm. The night’s entertainment will begin at 6pm with live music from “Replay”
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The Kankakee Municipal Band will host another free concert at the Don Palzer Band Shell in Kankakee’s Bird Park on Thursday, July 17th at 7pm. The theme is “Music of Other Lands”, featuring Steve Betz and George Kwain. The food vendor this time will be Oscar’s Meats.
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The Will County Threshermen’s Association is holding its 63rd annual Antique Tractor and Steam Engine Show July 17th through July 20th at the Speiss (“speece”) Farm on West Joliet Road in Manhattan. Enjoy antique and garden tractor pulls, a craft and flea market, food trucks, a magic show, saw mill, horse and wagon rides, a petting zoo and more. Tickets are $8 per adult. Child admission is just $4. The show is open each day from 9am to 5pm. Visit willcountythresh.org for more information.
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The Village of Manteno’s next “Rockin’ on the Square” will take place on Friday, July 18th from 6 to 10pm at the Square on Second Street. This BYOB event will feature food trucks and live music from “Final Say”.
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The Kankakee Economic and Community Development Agency (ECDA) and the City of Kankakee invites your family to a Neighborhood Cookout on Saturday, July 19th from 1 to 4pm with music, food, games and a reptile show at Steve Hunter Park on Webster Circle in Kankakee. In the case of inclement weather, the event could move to the City Life Center.
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The 101st Jasper County Fair begins Saturday, July 19th and runs through the 26th of the month in Rensselaer, Indiana. The grandstand events will include Mud Drags, an ATV Rodeo, Monster Trucks and the D&D Pro Rodeo. There’s also live musical entertainment, the Battle of the Barns, fireworks, food vendors and so much more. To see the schedule, you can pick up a brochure at the Jasper County Extension Office, or visit jaspercountyfair.weebly.com
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Acting Out Theatre Company will bring 3 live outdoor performances of the hit musical “Godspell” to The Grove in Bourbonnais on Friday July 18th, Saturday July 19th and Sunday July 20th. Gates open at 5:15 and lawn chairs are encouraged. Food will be available to purchase. Each evening of theatre under the stars begins at 8pm. Tickets will be $30 at the gate. Purchase them in advance for just $25 at King Music, Sweet Street, or online through actingouttheatreco.org
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Join the Kankakee Valley Park District for their next “Rockin’ The River” free summer concert on Wednesday, July 23rd with “Motown Nation” at the Don Palzer Bandshell in Kankakee’s Bird Park on West Station Street. Along with live music, there will be food trucks, drinks and family activities. This will also be BBQ Contest Night. The festivities begin at 6pm and the music will go on from 7:30 to 9:30pm.
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Wilmington Catfish Days are going to be July 24th through July 27th, with the theme “A Weekend of Disco”. The festival will include activities such as a pickleball tournament, a color fun run/walk, a small carnival, food trucks, live entertainment and more. The big Flea Market and Craft Show will be on Saturday, July 26th from 9am to 4pm, and the Catfish Days Parade will take place Sunday, July 27th in downtown Wilmington.
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The Village of Bradley Trustees and Mayor Mike Watson invite you and your staff to attend a Business After Hours at “315 Sports Park” on Tuesday, July 29th from 5pm until 7:30 where they will be offering tours of the facility, light refreshments and a ribbon cutting ceremony at 6pm. You are asked to RSVP to Kym by emailing kbnelson@bradleyil.org The Sports Park is located at 315 Champions Way.
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The Kankakee Area YMCA is offering its first ever Indoor Mixed Doubles Pickleball League which begins on August 5th with games on Tuesday evenings and a tournament on September 2nd. The team fee is $100 and spots are limited per division. Registration is going on now through July 31st. For more info, call (815) 933-1741 or visit k3ymca.org
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Local nonprofit group “Let’s Ketchup” will host their annual Family Fun Fest at Adventure Commons in Bourbonnais from 11am to 3pm on Saturday, September 20th. This event is free to attend and will feature food trucks, bounce houses, face-painting, crafts and more. They are currently seeking sponsorship for this event and have sponsorship levels available that range from $50 to $1,000 and beyond. Sponsors will have their name and logo posted outside the given activity or area, included in social media posts and more. The funds raised by this organization are used to eliminate student lunch debt in our area schools. If interested in sponsoring their Family Fun Fest, please email: team@letsketchup.org
AUGUST
Enjoy live music, local food and free fun under the stars on Friday, August 1st during Downtown Kankakee’s next “Summer Concert Series” show at the Hill Stage near the train depot in Harold and Jean Miner Festival Square from 6 to 9pm. This will be “R&B Night”, featuring music from the “10 Grand Band” and “Midnight Sun”.
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The Village of Bourbonnais’ 5th annual “Food Truck Festival” will take place on Saturday, August 16th from noon until 10pm at The Grove, located along Main Street Northwest in Bourbonnais. There will be over 20 different food trucks on site, a Family Fun Day in the Kid Zone, along with a 150th Anniversary Concert. Admission is free. For more info, visit villageofbourbonnais.com
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The Kankakee Valley Park District will host another free “Rockin’ The River” summer concert on Wednesday, August 20th with music from “The Country Night” in Kankakee’s Bird Park on West Station Street at the Don Palzer Bandshell. Along with live entertainment, there will also be food trucks, drinks and family activities. The festivities begin at 6pm and the music will go on from 7:30 to 9:30pm.
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The Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet golf outing fundraiser, “A Swing and a Prayer” will take place on Tuesday, August 26th at Cog Hill Golf and Country Club in Lemont. Rain or shine, this will be a day filled with golf, food and drinks, a raffle, silent auction and lots of fun. Registration opens at 7:30am and the shotgun start will be at 9am. A cocktail hour starts at 2pm, followed by dinner. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Funds raised with this event will help the homeless, hungry, lonely, and poverty-stricken among us. More details are available at catholiccharitiesjoliet.org/swing
SEPTEMBER
The Illinois-based nonprofit organization, “Warriors Walk” is dedicated to bringing together a network of VFWs, American Legions, businesses, schools and community members to combat veteran suicide. You can join the fight on Saturday, September 13th when they host their 6th annual “Warriors Walk Ruck” to raise suicide awareness. This will take place at New Lenox Commons on Veterans Parkway in New Lenox with registration opening at 8am. Walk from 1 to 20 miles; the distance is up to you and it’s free to participate. A post-ruck afterparty will take place with military vehicles, activities, raffles and vendors. There will also be live music, a bounce house and food provided. Funds raised will go to veteran suicide prevention and mental health initiatives through the Headstrong Project. Milner Media is a proud sponsor of this event. For more details and to register visit warriorswalk-IL.org
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The Kankakee Quiltmakers will host their “Autumn Splendor Quilt Show” at the First Church of the Nazarene on North Entrance Avenue in Kankakee on Friday, September 26th from 9am to 5pm and Saturday, September 27th from 9am to 3pm. The show will feature a quilt display, quiltmakers boutique, a bed turning, raffle baskets and a quilt raffle. There will also be vendors and food available for purchase. Admission is $8 per adult or free for children under 12. For more information, visit: kankakeequiltmakers.com or find them on Facebook
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