OCTOBER
BLOOD DRIVES: The American Red Cross is 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 on Thursday, October 1st from noon to 6pm at Northfield Square Mall / Saturday, October 3rd from 7 to 11am at the Saint Anne High School / Thursday, October 15th from 11am to 5pm at Northfield Square Mall / on Friday, October 16th from noon to 5pm at the Bourbonnais Fire Station / and Tuesday, October 20th from 8:30am to 2pm at Herscher High School. Key in your zip code at “Red Cross Blood (dot) org” to find a blood drive near you.
Through October 31st: The Salvation Army of Kankakee’s annual Toy Shop sign-up period is active through October 31st. Kankakee County residents needing assistance in providing gifts for their children this Christmas can sign up now at “SA Angel Tree (dot) org”.
To honor their sacrifice and remember their service, Kankakee County States Attorney Jim Rowe will be hosting a Fallen Firefighters Memorial Ceremony on Friday, October 2nd at 11am on the Kankakee County Courthouse front lawn. This service is open to the public. In the event of rain, the ceremony would be moved to the Knights of Columbus.
The Chebanse Haunted House opens for the season Friday, October 2nd and will run every Friday and Saturday throughout the month from 7 to 10pm, rain or shine. Admission is $10 per person and kids 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult. It’s cash only and an ATM will be on site. There’s indoor waiting and concessions will be available for purchase. This attraction is sponsored by the village and takes place inside the Chebanse Civic Center at 180 West First South Street.
Join the Kankakee County Museum on Friday, October 2nd for “Spirits On The Screen”. This is a fun-filled Halloween movie night featuring “Ghostbusters 2”. Costumes are encouraged, and so are lawn chairs and blankets. This is an outdoor event that will be moved indoors if necessary. General admission is free, but an extra $10 bundle can be purchased which includes a raffle ticket, popcorn, soda and candy, and designated seating near the front. Doors open at 5:30pm and the movie starts at 6:30pm. You can reserve your free ticket or purchase the $10 Extra Bundle ahead of time at “Kankakee County Museum (dot) com”.
The Ashkum Townwide Garage Sales are taking place Friday, October 2nd and Saturday, October 3rd. Visit the “Ashkum Townwide Garage Sales” page on facebook to view a map or list of addresses.
This year’s Saint Anne Pumpkin Fest will be held October 2nd and 3rd with live entertainment, food trucks, a beer garden, Kid Zone and much more. Highlights for Friday, October 2nd include “Touch-A-Truck” and a lighted parade, along with live Country music from the “James Michael Travis Band” and a tribute to The Eagles with “Winslow Arizona”. Then on Saturday, October 3rd a craft and vendor fair will be set up on Grant Street. Another parade kicks off at 11am. There will be a Strongest Man and Woman competition, a car show, live music from the “Champagne Experience”, the “South Side Social Club” and more. Visit the “St. Anne Pumpkin Festival” facebook page for a look at the schedule of events.
Join the Iroquois Historical Society for “Harvest Daze” on the grounds of the Old Courthouse Museum on West Cherry Street in Watseka. It starts off with a fish fry on Friday, October 2nd from 4 to 6pm. Come back on Saturday, October 3rd for the Top 25 Car Show at 9am and a “patriotic pumpkins” contest. The Tractor Show with a kiddie tractor pull begins at 10am on Sunday, October 4th. A craft show with over 50 vendors and a silent auction will be held both Saturday and Sunday. You’ll also find food and drinks in the red barn, a Kids’ Zone in the big tent, and be sure to stop by the Victorian Room Bake Sale.
All are welcome to attend New Jackson Tabernacle Cogic in Kankakee for the 45th Pastoral Anniversary as they honor Pastor TL Wright and celebrate 45 years of faithfulness, leadership and service. Join speaker Pastor Marcel Fears on Friday, October 2nd at 7:30pm. Visit again on Sunday, October 4th to hear from Assistant Pastor Carl Wright at 11am and later that evening from Pastor Naamon Williams at 5pm. This takes place at 668 East Mulberry Street in Kankakee.
Join the Rugged Run and Hike on Saturday, October 3rd just outside of Manteno at Camp Shaw-Waw-Nas-See. The course includes elevation changes, non-repeating loops and trails along Rock Creek. Take the 4-mile trail run or the 1.8 mile competitive hike. A free kid race to follow. Dave Bohlke will provide computerized finish line results. There will be awards and Chicago Dough Pizza afterwards. Register by 3pm October 2nd for $20 by calling Mark at (815) 922-9873. The fee increases to $25 after that. Start time is at 10:30am. This event takes place prior to Camp Shaw’s 80th Anniversary and Reunion which begins that day at noon.
Remember, reminisce and reconnect by attending the Camp Shaw 80th Anniversary and Reunion on Saturday, October 3rd from noon to 4pm. There will be activities, camp tours, a fire and S’mores, food trucks, a photo booth and more. Admission is free. Camp Shaw-Waw-Nas-See is located just outside of Manteno on 6000 West Road. Adults 21 and over may also want to attend their Annual Drawdown Fundraiser which takes place afterwards from 4 until 8pm. Your $100 ticket includes dinner for two, drinks, a silent auction, split-the-pot and one drawdown chance to win money. More information can be found at “Camp Shaw (dot) org”.
The Cissna Park FFA will present “Pumpkins in the Park” on Saturday, October 3rd with lots of vendors and crafts, a car and motorcycle show, inflatable slides, bounce houses, carnival games, pumpkin painting, a petting zoo and other free activities for the kids. There will also be a pumpkin carving contest, a scarecrow decorating contest and lots of food and pumpkins for sale throughout the day in downtown Cissna Park. This all kicks off with a pancake and sausage breakfast at the American Legion from 7 to 9am. And don’t miss out on the pork chop and pork burger lunch held at the pavilion from 11am until 1pm.
The 91st annual Greek Fest will be held Sunday, October 4th from 11am to 5pm at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church on North Washington Avenue in Kankakee. Enjoy shish kabobs, Greek chicken, spinach pie, feta cheese and Greek pastries along with Greek music and dancing, tours of the church each hour, and bingo begins at 1pm.
The Villas at Herscher will host a Scarecrow Fest and Trunk or Treat with a craft show, petting zoo, food trucks and live entertainment on Saturday, October 10th. Interested vendors can register a booth by calling Natalie at (815) 426-2000. This is an assisted living community located at 100 Harvest View Lane in Herscher.
The Friends of the Library will host a cash-only Fall Book Sale at the Peotone Public Library on Thursday October 15th from 3 to 7pm, Friday October 16th from 10am to 4pm, and Saturday October 17th from 10am to 2pm. The library is at 515 North First Street in Peotone. Visit “Peotone Library (dot) org” for additional information.
Concordia University in Chicago will be sending three ensembles to perform at Saint Paul’s Lutheran School on Sunday, October 18th. Beginning at 4:30pm, attendees are going to hear from the Kapelle Choir, Chamber Orchestra and Wind Symphony. A freewill offering will be collected to support continued performances throughout the United States. The community is invited to attend at 1780 Career Center Road in Bourbonnais. More info at “St Pauls Lutheran (dot) net”.
The Bradley American Legion Post 766 will host a Trunk-or-Treat on Thursday, October 22nd in the parking lot across from the legion on West Broadway Street in Bradley. Bring the kids by for an evening full of treats, costumes, candy, community and lots of fun. All are welcome.
Jorge Bonilla and his team with Bonilla Coaching will host their next “Live 2 Lead” leadership conference on Friday, October 23rd from 8:30am until 3:30pm at Kankakee Community College. There will be both virtual and in-person speakers. For details and registration, visit “Live 2 Lead Kankakee (dot) com”.
The Manteno Sportsmen’s Club Women’s Auxiliary will host their 7th annual Trunk-or-Treat on Saturday, October 24th from 1 to 3pm. This will take place throughout the campgrounds which will be open to the public for this all-ages event featuring cotton candy, hot dogs, drinks, hayrides, photo ops and lots of free candy.
The Bradley American Legion Post 766 is hosting a Sports Card Show on Sunday, October 25th from 11am to 4pm. Admission is a one-dollar donation at the door. The legion is at 835 West Broadway in Bradley.
A Halloween party will take place at the Wilmington VFW on Saturday, October 31st (Halloween night) and Mike Tomano’s band “The Baked Potatoes” will provide the live entertainment from 8pm until midnight. Cash prizes will be awarded for best costumes. Contest registration is from 8 to 9pm and the votes will be tallied at 10pm.