OCTOBER
The Salvation Army of Kankakee helps struggling parents in our community to provide Christmas gifts for their children each year. The sign-up period to receive new clothing and toys to place under the tree for your kids is going on now through October 31st. Applicants will need to provide a photo ID, proof of residence, child’s birth certificate or custody papers, along with the child’s toy wish as well as their clothing and shoe sizes. Learn more and register now at saangeltree.org
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The Kankakee County Museum invites you to “Witches’ Night Out”, a spellbinding Halloween celebration taking place this Friday, October 3rd from 6:30 to 8:30pm on the museum grounds at 801 South 8th Avenue in Kankakee. This spooky, fun-filled evening will include a costume contest, witches brew, snacks, a scary movie and the haunted museum with surprises around every corner. Tickets are $18 general admission or $15 for museum members. You can buy them in advance at kankakeecountymuseum.com, or just pay at the door.
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The Chebanse Haunted House opens for the season Friday, October 3rd 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.
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The Friends of the Library will host a book sale at the Bradley Public Library on Friday October 3rd from 9am to 5:30pm, and Saturday October 4th from 9am to 1pm. Book prices will range from a quarter to two dollars. Your money will go to support library programming. The library is at the corner of North Street and Fulton Avenue in Bradley.
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The St. Anne Pumpkin Festival is happening this Friday and Saturday, October 3rd and 4th with lots of fall fun for the whole family. You’ll find parades, a beer tent with live music, delicious food, a craft show, a kids zone, cruise night and a trunk-or-treat, pumpkin painting and more. Visit the “St. Anne Pumpkin Festival” Facebook page for additional details.
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Saint Rose Chapel invites you to “paws and reflect” with their upcoming drive-thru style blessing of the animals event. Bring your pets with you to 486 West Merchant Street in Kankakee between 2pm and 3:30 on Saturday, October 4th and Father Vern will bless your furry, feathered or scaly friends. You can also drive through and drop off donations to benefit Kankakee County Animal Control and their partner shelters, such as canned dog and cat food, beds, brushes, pet toys and more.
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The Village of Bradley will host its 2nd annual “Wag-O-Ween” event for dog owners on Saturday, October 4th from 9am to 3:30pm. Dress up your pup and visit local Bradley businesses for treats and spooky fun. There will also be a best-dressed dog costume contest. Register your dog for $10 at the Bradley Village Hall by October 2nd. All proceeds will benefit local animal shelters. Visit bradleyil.org for more details.
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The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention invites you to walk with them to prevent suicide during the “Out of the Darkness Kankakee County Walk” on Saturday, October 4th beginning at 1pm at Kankakee Community College. You can register or donate today at AFSP.org/Kankakee
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The Lowell FFA will host a pork chop dinner on Saturday, October 4th from 4:30 to 7pm in the Lowell High School cafeteria. The cost is $22 per adult meal or $17 for children ages 12 and under. Tickets will be sold at the door. The price includes one thick-sliced pork chop, a baked potato, green beans, cinnamon apple sauce, a dinner roll, bottled water and dessert. You can dine-in or take it to-go. Cash or check payment only. They will also have a kiddie corner and their Alumni Booth set up. This is at 2051 East Commercial Avenue in Lowell, Indiana.
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The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church on North Washington Avenue in Kankakee will hold its 90th annual Greek Fest on the church grounds this Sunday, October 5th from 11am to 5pm. This full-scale festival will offer some delicious Grecian cuisine and pastries, locally brewed beer, imported Greek wine, live music and dancing, bingo, raffles, costumed dancers, a Mediterranean marketplace and more. Admission is free.
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The Brandon Pink Foundation and Project Pinky will host “Brandon’s Ride for Suicide Awareness” on Sunday, October 5th. All vehicles are welcome to join this 50-mile ride through the southlands which departs from Coal City High School at 10am. A balloon-release ceremony and prayer will take place beforehand at 9am. The ride will conclude at Old Smokey City Park in Braidwood where the “Project Pinky Festival” will be going on from 11am until 6pm with family-friendly fun including food trucks, bounce houses, vendors a car show, a Jeep-decorating contest, 50/50 drawing, raffles, and live music from Jake Vaughn followed by “The Traveling Radio Show”. Visit projectpinky.org for more info.
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The nonprofit organization “Our Aging Services” invites you to attend their “Cafe of Mistaken Orders” pop-up event where people living with dementia serve up kindness, connection and a few charming mix-ups. It isn’t about getting the right dish; it’s about showing the right dose of humanity. They’re welcoming guest servers from MCA Senior Adult Day Center. This truly special event takes place Thursday, October 9th at the Knights of Columbus in Kankakee with seating times at 10am and 11:30am. Reservations are $20 each and seats are as limited as the accuracy of your order might be. Register now to have a seat at the table by visiting ouragingservices.betterworld.org
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Clove Alliance invites community members to volunteer and make a difference by joining their movement against sexual violence. They have a volunteer training session that will run now through October 9th on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 6 to 9pm, and on Saturday October 4th from 8:30am to 3pm. Once trained, volunteers help spread awareness about Clove Alliance’s services by staffing community booths, engaging with the public, connecting people in need through outreach efforts and resources, serving on their 24-hour crisis hotline, and more. If you’re interested in volunteering, contact their Director of Volunteer Services by emailing brittany@clovealliance.org
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The Friends of the Library are hosting a Fall Book Sale at the Peotone Public Library October 9th through the 11th at 515 North First Street. The hours are Thursday from 3 to 7pm, Friday from 10am to 4pm, and Saturday from 10am to 2pm. Visit peotonelibrary.org for more information
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You and your family can enjoy another “Dinner and Movie on the Green” presented by the Village of Bourbonnais with the film “Wicked” being shown at The Grove on Friday, October 10th. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for this outdoor event. Food vendors will open up at 5pm and the movie begins at 6 o’clock. Admission is free.
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The Bradley Lions Football and Cheer organization is presenting a “Parent’s Night Out” with Glow Bingo at the Knights of Columbus in Kankakee on Saturday, October 11th. This adults-only event features a cash bar, split-the-pot, food, music, raffles and more. Each ticket is $30 with 10 bingo games and dabbers included. VIP tables for groups of 8 are also available for $350 with 2 drink tickets per person included. The bingo begins at 7pm and doors to the venue will open one hour prior.
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The Chebanse Lodge of St. Anne #429 will host an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast on Sunday, October 19th from 8 to 11am at 80 East First South Street in Chebanse. They’ll be serving pancakes, sausage, coffee, juice and milk. It’s $10 per adult or $5 for kids 10 and under. This is a fundraiser for the several charities that the lodge supports.
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The Rotary Club of Kankakee will be hosting their annual “Halloween Downtown” event on Sunday, October 19th from 10am to 3pm in the area of South Schuyler Avenue, the farmers market site and near the train depot fountain in downtown Kankakee. There will be free games and activities for the kids, a craft and vendor fair, food vendors, pony rides, a huge Trunk-or-Treat starting at noon, and our own Denny Case will be back in the gazebo again to DJ the event. The legendary Oscar Mayer Weinermobile is also scheduled to make a special appearance.
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Another candy-gathering opportunity for the kids will be happening on the evening of Tuesday, October 21st when Northfield Square Mall on Route 50 in Bourbonnais hosts its annual “Mall-O-Ween” event. Your little ones can go trick-or-treating from store to store until all the candy runs out. The fun starts at 6pm.
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Join the Kankakee Valley Park District and embrace the magic of autumn during “The Great Campfire Gathering”, Friday October 24th from 6 to 9pm at the KVPD Campground on River Road in Kankakee. Roast marshmallows over a crackling campfire while enjoying live music, delicious food, family activities, face-painting, games and more. You can decorate a scarecrow, meet the Toy Story characters, or take a scenic hayride along the Kankakee River. Pre-registration tickets and further information can be found at kvpd.com
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The Salvation Army of Kankakee will host a “Harvest Festival” on Friday, October 24th with fun for the whole family. This will take place from 4 to 6pm at 148 North Harrison Avenue in Kankakee, admission is free and all are welcome to attend. You’ll find fall-themed decor, games, and activities, treats and snacks, prizes and giveaways, as well as free costumes for kids while supplies last.
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Local nonprofit veterans organization “Project Headspace and Timing” will host its “Haunted Woods” attraction in Bonfield this month on the evenings of Friday October 24th and Saturday October 25th. Parking will be available at 148 Stanford Drive. Your entry fee is just a free-will cash donation. Ages 16 and under need to be accompanied by an adult. There will be a non-scary time for kids from 6 to 7pm on Friday night, and from 7 to 8pm on Saturday. The haunted trail will open at 7pm on Friday, 8pm on Saturday, and the line closes at 10 o’clock both nights.
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The Limestone Township Fire Protection District will hold its first annual pork burger drive-thru lunch event on Saturday, October 25th from 11am to 2pm at 4948 West Route 17 in Kankakee. The meal includes a pork burger with chips, a cookie and a drink. All donations accepted.
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The Village of Manteno, its Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club are teaming up to present another “Main Street Trick or Treat” event on Saturday, October 25th. Kids can kick off their spooky adventure with seasonal activities at the Square on Second, and then head down Main Street for festive games and trick-or-treating at participating businesses and organizations from 11am to 2pm. Costumes are encouraged.
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The 2025 Momence Harvest Festival will take place October 24th through the 26th on East Washington Street, starting by the footbridge and heading towards Railroad Avenue. Three days of fall fun from 10am to 3pm with vendors, food trucks and live entertainment, along with free activities for the kids including pony rides and a reptile show, a petting zoo, face-painting, a bounce house, trick-or-treating and more. Visit the “Momence Harvest Festival” page on Facebook for more information.
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Heritage Woods of Manteno is an assisted lifestyle community for older adults. They’ll be hosting a trunk-or-treat for the little ones on Thursday, October 30th (weather permitting) from 5 t o 7pm. Join them for candy, spooky tunes and fun games at 355 Diversatech Drive in Manteno.
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The Salvation Army of Kankakee needs volunteer bell-ringers for their 2025 Red Kettle Campaign and sign-ups are happening now through December 22nd. You can make a difference for local families in need by donating just a couple hours of your free time this holiday season. You’re able to pick the day, time slot and the store where you’d like to ring by visiting registertoring.com today.
NOVEMBER
The First United Methodist Church of Momence on West Fourth Street will host a Christmas Craft and Vendor Fair on Saturday, November 8th from 8:30am to 2pm. Breakfast and lunch will be available for purchase.
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The Reddick Community Fire Protection District will host a Craft and Vendor Show in the fire station at 210 East Main Street on Saturday, November 15th and Sunday, November 16th from 8am to 2pm both days. Proceeds will go toward the Reddick Firefighter’s Association Equipment Fund. They will also hold a Pancake Breakfast that Sunday morning (11/16) from 7am until noon in the Community Room. If you are a crafter or vendor interested in renting a 10×10 space, you can send an email to ryankourtni@gmail.com for a vendor application.
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