JULY
The Bourbonnais Public Library invites you to join its “BOOKbonnais” Community Reading Challenge, a free program running from the first of June until the last day of July. It will offer challenges for readers of all ages with a chance to win prizes. Kids will record their reading on a paper log which can be picked up at the library beginning June 1st. Tweens, teens and adults will use the Beanstalk app. Find the details under the “Events” tab at ”Bourbonnais Library (dot) org”.
The Lake Village Presbyterian Church will host Illumination Station Vacation Bible School from 9:30am to 12:30pm on July 27th, July 28th, July 29th and July 30th at the Lake Township Community Hall and Park at 9728 North 300 West in Lake Village, Indiana. This free program will offer end of summer fun for all ages while learning about God, science, sharing and being kind. Kids will also get to learn some new songs, meet new friends, act silly, dress up, do creative crafts and enjoy yummy snacks. Call the church for more information at (219) 992-3466 or email “LV Presbyterian (at) SBC Global (dot) net”.
The next “Perry Farm Market” will take place on Wednesday, July 29th from 5:30 to 7:30pm at Perry Farm Park in Bourbonnais. You’ll find local bakers, crafters and artists, food vendors, specialty beverages, master gardeners. Stick around for the Bourbonnais Township Park District’s free Summer Concert Series show with a performance by the South Side Social Club from 7pm to 8:30pm. Admission is free.
States Attorney Jim Rowe’s “Reel Justice Fishing Club” for kids and adults, held in partnership with the Northern Illinois Anglers Association, is a fun outdoor summer activity that is free to attend. The fishing poles, tackle and bait are provided. Parents and guardians are encouraged to come along. They will meet next on Wednesday, July 29th from 5pm until 7:30 at Heiland Lakes on Route 17 in Saint Anne. Lures and live baits will be used and the skills focus will be on bass, gills and catfish. For more info, visit “K3SAO (dot) com (slash) Fish”.
Enjoy a free concert in the park with the Kankakee Municipal Band at the Don Palzer Bandshell in Kankakee’s Bird Park each Thursday night this summer at 7pm. The Golden Jubilee on Thursday, July 30th will be a half century celebration featuring conductor John Evans. Candy and Cake will be the food vendor on site. Remember to bring a lawn chair.
Food Truck Fridays, hosted by the Bourbonnais Township Park District, feature a rotating lineup of food trucks at Perry Farm Park each Friday from 11am to 2pm during the summer months. This provides a place to enjoy the fresh air and an outdoor lunch as you head into the weekend. The next one will be held Friday, July 31st with Joey’s Red Hots. You can view a list of their future food truck vendors at “BTPD (dot) org”.
Join the Bourbonnais Police Department for an evening of ice cream, conversation and community during “Cone with a Cop” on Friday, July 31st. Stop by to enjoy a free small ice cream cone, meet local officers, and explore a real Bourbonnais Police squad car from 5 to 7pm at the Dairy Queen on South Main Street in Bourbonnais, across from Olivet.
The Village of Bourbonnais will host another “Fridays After 5” event this Friday, July 31st at the Grove with cold drinks and several food trucks beginning at 5pm, and live music from the “All-American Throwbacks” from 6 to 9pm. Lawn chairs are welcome and admission is free.
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 on Thursday July 30th from 11am to 5pm at Northfield Square Mall / Monday August 3rd from 1 to 6pm at the YFC City Life Center on East Court Street in Kankakee / Thursday, August 6th from noon until 6pm at Northfield Square Mall / Tuesday, August 11th from 10am to 3pm at Riverside Health Fitness Center in Bourbonnais / and again Thursday, August 20th from 11am to 5pm at Northfield Square Mall in Bradley. You can find a blood drive near you by searching your zipcode at “Red Cross Blood (dot) org”.
To help children and families prepare for a healthy start to the school year, Hippocrates Medical Clinic will host its 9th annual Back to School Health Fair on Saturday, August 1st from 9am until 1pm at 606 East Court Street in Kankakee. Free school physicals and vision screenings will be offered along with wellness education, valuable information and resources from local nonprofit organizations. Families who attend will be able to connect with community partners, learn about available support services, and receive guidance on staying healthy throughout the year.
To help children and families prepare for a healthy start to the school year, Hippocrates Medical Clinic will host its 9th annual Back to School Health Fair on Saturday, August 1st from 9am until 1pm at 606 East Court Street in Kankakee. Free school physicals and vision screenings will be offered along with wellness education, valuable information and resources from local nonprofit organizations. Families who attend will be able to connect with community partners, learn about available support services, and receive guidance on staying healthy throughout the year.
Local nonprofits “Still I Rise” and “One Accord” will host a Pop-Up Shop Saturday, August 1st from 2 to 6pm at the Majestic Theater on North Schuyler Avenue in Kankakee. Stop by for summer vibes, handmade finds, food, drinks, raffles and music. All proceeds will go to “Still I Rise”.
The Northern Mustang Corral invites you out to a day at the park during its 35th annual Mustang and Ford Car Show, taking place on Sunday, August 2nd at Perry Farm Park in Bourbonnais. Enjoy the cars, music, door prizes and camaraderie. Showtime begins at 8am with the trophy presentation at 2:30pm. Visit “Northern Mustang Corral (dot) org” for vehicle registration information. This will be happening rain or shine.
The 19th annual “National Night Out” celebration for Kankakee County will take place Tuesday, August 4th from 4 to 9pm at Perry Farm Park in Bourbonnais. This event will feature free food, drinks, and school supply bags while supplies last, a Salvation Army food drive and raffle, bounce houses, live musical entertainment and more. (The “Rewind Band” and “The Silhouettes” both feature Milner Media’s Bill Dyche on drums.) This nationwide event which brings neighbors and local law enforcement together under friendly circumstances will also include a K-9 demonstration, kiddie carnival rides, vendor information booths, and an appearance by retired Chicago White Sox player Steve Lyons.
The next “Manteno Market at the Square” will be held on Wednesday, August 5th from 4 until 8pm at the Square on Second in downtown Manteno. Enjoy food trucks, local vendors, and live entertainment.
Another pork chop sandwich fundraiser for Watseka’s Old Courthouse Museum will take place on Friday, August 7th. Drive through or simply walk up to the red barn on the east side of the museum at 103 West Cherry Street in Watseka that day between 4 and 6pm for a boneless and tenderized non-breaded grilled pork chop sandwich. All donations will support the work of the Iroquois County Historical Society.
The nonprofit group “Still I Rise” will host its 9th annual Back To School Supply Giveaway on Saturday, August 8th near the depot in downtown Kankakee at the Harold and Jean Miner Festival Square Hill Stage from 2 to 5pm. There will be free bookbags with school supplies, food trucks, games and activities, a DJ, bike giveaway, bounce house, face painting and more. While supplies last. All ages welcome. Admission is free.
A tornado relief benefit for the residents of Lake Village will be held on Saturday, August 8th from 5 to 11pm at the Lugene Links Golf Course, 8687 North 300 West Road in Lake Village, Indiana. This event is called “Stronger Together” and will feature a cash bar, raffle baskets, auctions, a 50/50 raffle, donation dinner, and live music by the VanVleet Brothers. Proceeds will go to the Newton County Long-Term Recovery Group.
The next “Dinner & Movie on the Green” event hosted by the Village of Bourbonnais will take place on Thursday, August 13th 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 “Smurfs” film will begin at 7pm. Admission is free.
The Just-Us Motorcycle Club will host their 4th annual “Luke’s Autism Ride” on Saturday, August 15th 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.
The sixth annual Bourbonnais Food Truck Festival will take place on Saturday, August 15th from noon until 10pm at the Grove. This event will feature over 20 different food trucks, cold beverages, a Kidz Zone and lots of live entertainment. Admission and parking are free.
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.
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.
Comments