The Galesburg Railroad Days parade steps off in downtown tonight at 6:00pm.
Tonight’s main stage entertainment features country-rock band Staggard from 8:00pm to 11:00pm. Co-Ed Mud Volleyball gets underway tomorrow at 9:00am downtown. Central Congregational Church stained glass window tours begin tomorrow at 10:00am as well as the Fireman’s Water Fight on the 300 block of East Main Street.
But that’s not even the tip of the iceberg. “The Petting Zoo will be in the old O.T. Lot,” said Dennis Clark – Chairman of Railroad Days. “We’re going to have a whole bunch of little games. We have BIG Big Wheels for adults. Saturday you can sign up before 11:00 am. Then at 12:00 pm we’re going to have adults and kids; which means: a parent, grandparent can go with the kids. Then at 1:00 pm we’ll have the adults (only). If I whole bunch of kids want to come down and just keep racing on those drift trikes, then they can just blast away and have fun.” The Night Concert tomorrow features Jera and the Absolutes from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm followed by the Rockin’ Papas from 9:30 pm until midnight. Sunday’s Railroad Days activities start with the Rib Cook-off beginning at 7:00 am with the judging at noon on East Main street. The Western Illinois Antique Auto Club Railroad Showcase of Cars begins Sunday at 7:00 am as well. For more activities at the GHS Fieldhouse, Standish Park and more, visit the Galesburg Railroad Days 2018 website.
Tomorrow (June 23rd) is also Farm Safety Day for kids ages 8 to 13 at the Knox County Fairgrounds from 8:30 am until 3:30 pm. The free event has attendees rotate through educational stations that offer safety lessons on electricity, fire, 911, first aid, animal handling and more.
Bishop Hill’s annual Midsommar Celebration returns tomorrow (June 23rd). There will be free music performances in the village park that will include the Nordland Band, a Scandinavian Band from Chicago, and Black Hawk Pipes and Drums. Todd Dedecker with the Bishop Hill Heritage Association tells WGIL it’s free music all day. “At 11:00 am we have the Black Hawk Pipes and Drums from the Quad Cities,” he said. “1:00 pm kicks off our afternoon entertainment with the Kewanee Community Band and Chorus. So you’re going to have over 60 band members and singers in one setting doing a variety of songs. At 2:00 pm they will be followed by the Big River Real Time Band and then the Nordland Band will appear in the park as well at 3:00 pm.” Also in the park, there will be hands-on children activities, such as making paper Viking helmets and Midsommar crowns.
