SEPTEMBER
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 Friday, September 4th from 10am to 4pm in Kankakee’s Riverside Medical Center / Thursday, September 17th from 11am to 5pm at Northfield Square Mall in Bradley / Thursday, October 1st from noon to 6pm at Northfield Square Mall / and Saturday, October 3rd from 7 to 11am at the Saint Anne High School. Locate an upcoming blood drive near you at “Red Cross Blood (dot) org”.
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”. Spots are limited.
Illinois-based “Warriors Walk” is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing together a network of VFWs, American Legions, businesses, schools and community members to combat veteran suicide. Join the fight on Saturday, September 19th by participating in their 7th annual “Warriors Walk Ruck” to raise suicide awareness. This will take place at New Lenox Village Commons on Veterans Parkway in New Lenox with registration opening at 8am in front of the Village Hall. You can choose to walk 1 to 20 miles; the distance is up to you and the event is free. A post-ruck afterparty will be held with a live band, vendors, beer and the Joey’s Red Hots food truck. Funds raised will go toward veteran suicide prevention, mental health initiatives and veteran well-being through the Headstrong Project. For more, visit: “Warriors Walk (dash) IL (dot) org”.
CIRKA calls it “the best last Saturday of Summer”. Their 6th annual “Kankakee Estival Festival” will take place this Saturday, September 19th and it will feature musical acts of all genres, local artists, and delicious fare from area restaurants, bars and food trucks. Originally scheduled to be held at Bird Park, the festival has been moved this year to the Bill Sprigg’s Civic Auditorium located on the grounds of Governor Small Memorial Park at 803 South 8th Avenue in Kankakee. The venue change was decided due to this Saturday’s rainy weather forecast. This all-ages and free event showcases local talent and it is orchestrated by the “Collaborative Initiative to Revive Kankakee Arts”. You can find more information on the festival facebook page or at “K3 Est Fest (dot) com“.
Kankakee Community College will host a College and Transfer Fair on Tuesday, September 22nd from 6pm until 7:30 in the College Center, inside the main entrance. More than 50 public and private colleges and universities will be in attendance to share information with prospective students and their families. You can stop by KCC’s booth to explore local degree, certificate, and transfer options or receive information on the financial aid process. Learn more at “KCC (dot) EDU”.
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.
The Salvation Army Kankakee will host its annual Housing Community Resource Fair on Thursday, September 24th from 1 to 6pm inside their 360 Life Center at 148 North Harrison Avenue in Kankakee. Community Health Partnership of Illinois will be bringing their mobile unit to provide school and sports physicals, health screenings, immunizations and other medical services to anyone who signs up by September 18th. Many other agencies and businesses are planning to be in attendance. More details available on facebook at “The Salvation Army Kankakee”.
The United Way of Kankakee and Iroquois Counties will host its annual Celebration and Awards Dinner on Thursday, September 24th from 5 to 7:30pm at Deer Ridge Barn in Kankakee. Attendees will enjoy a relaxed evening in a beautiful atmosphere with live music, a buffet-style dinner, cash bar, special recognition, and stories highlighting the impact made possible by United Way’s donors, partners and volunteers. Ticket info available at “My United Way (dot) org (slash) Annual Celebration”.
The National Alopecia Areata Foundation will host its 4th annual “Walk for Alopecia” at Kankakee’s River Road Park on Saturday, September 26th. The signature finale event of Alopecia Areata Awareness Month, it’s the largest awareness and fundraising campaign dedicated to this autoimmune disease which affects nearly seven million Americans. Visit “NAAF (dot) org (slash) walk” for more information and to register.
The Northern Illinois Anglers Association (NIAA) will host its 43rd annual Kankakee and Iroquois River Cleanup from 8am until 1pm on Saturday, September 26th. Sponsored in part by this radio station, volunteers are needed that day to help keep our rivers healthy, clean and beautiful. All supplies will be provided and every volunteer receives refreshments and a commemorative patch. Visit “River Cleanup (dot) net” to register.
The Papineau Fire Protection District will host a breakfast fundraiser on Sunday, September 27th at the Papineau Fire Station from 7am until noon. They’ll be serving pancakes and sausage with biscuits & gravy. It’s $10 per adult or $8 per child. Kids 5 and under eat free. Proceeds will go to support their training program and equipment upgrades.
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.
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”. Spots are limited.
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 will be open to the public.
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.