The weekend brings Kewanee Hog Days, Orion Fall Festival and Carnage in the Country, along with fundraisers, live music and more to the Kewanee area.
Orion Fall Festival
What: The 53rd annual weekend festival includes carnival rides, kid’s activities, live music, food vendors, Miss Main Street Orion pageant, a fun run, a bags tournament, nightly street dances, raffles, a church service, a car show, craft vendors, a pie auction and more. Funds raised go directly to the Festival’s mission to support community members with medical needs and to help local organizations thrive.
When: 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29 – 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31
Where: Orion Central Park, 403-12th Ave., Orion
Library Open House
What: Meet special guests, explore all the library offers, browse the book sale and enjoy fun for the whole family.
When: 1-2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30
Where: Western District Library, 1111 Fourth St., Orion
Cost: Free admission
The History of America’s Favorite Doll
What: In this illustrated lecture, historian Leslie Goddard, Ph.D., delves into the history of Barbie. Learn what inspired Mattel to develop Barbie in 1959, how Barbie helped make Mattel one of the world’s most successful to companies, and what Barbie’s impact has been on American culture.
When: 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29
Where: Geneseo Public Library District, 805 N. Chicago St., Geneseo
Kewanee Hog Days 2025
What: Highlights of this annual festival include carnival rides, the world’s largest outdoor pork barbecue, a parade, cotton candy, a craft show and flea market, lemonade shakeups, mud volleyball, onion rings, Model T and A cars, homemade ice cream, a stampede health and fitness run, pony rides and local historical society displays. Live musical entertainment includes Brushville at 7 p.m. Friday and Revel in Red from 7-10 p.m. Sunday. Blissful Branch is also hosting a sidewalk sale.
When: 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29 – 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 1
Where: Downtown Kewanee, 264 Loomis St., Kewanee
Hog Days Stampede
What: The 49th Annual Hog Days Stampede is a four-mile run/walk. There is also a one-mile run/fitness walk and a free kid’s quarter-mile run/walk for children age 7 and younger. The four-mile route is primarily a flat figure “8” course with two small hills. The course will start and finish by the Kewanee YMCA. Water and splits will be provided. Dressing and shower facilities will be provided by the Kewanee YMCA until noon; bring your own towel. Fruit, cookies and beverages will be provided for participants.
When: 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 30
Where: Kewanee YMCA, 315 W. First St., Kewanee
Cost: $25-$35
Hog Days Parade
What: The parade will be held rain or shine. The Hog Day 2025 theme is “Pigs Just Want to Have Fun.”
When: 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30
Where: Downtown Kewanee
Friends of the Library Book Sale
What: The Friends of the Library Hog Days Book Sale will be in the Johnson Appliance parking lot. If it rains, the sale will be canceled.
When: 7-11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 30
Where: Johnson Appliance, 114 N. Chestnut St., Kewanee
Hog Days Open House
What: Celebrate Hog Days with a free hot dog (while they last) and pick a chip. Take 10-20% off all Harley-Davidson licensed products and an additional $500 off all pre-owned motorcycles.
When: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30
Where: Wiebler’s Harley-Davidson, 623 N. Main St., Kewanee
Decade of Decadence 80s Hair Night
What: Kewanee Hog Days presents 80s Hair Night on the main stage. It’s part of the Welcome to Hawkins Tour 2025. Decade of Decadence brings the full 80s rock party with the music of Guns N’ Roses, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Motley Crue, Poison, Journey and more; an MTV-style video wall; neon; big hair; face-melting solos. Dance, sing and party like it’s 1985. Powered by Norris Sound and Lighting and the 95.5 GLO House Band.
When: 7-10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30
Where: Cerno’s Bar & Grill, 213 W. Third St., Kewanee
Cerno’s After Party
What: Get ready for massive sound, killer lights and non-stop energy as the band, Neon Nova, turns the after party into a full-throttle rock experience.
When: 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30
Where: Cerno’s Bar & Grill, 213 W. Third St., Kewanee
Carnage in the Country 2025
What: Food and beverages available onsite. Come early and enjoy the car show, kid’s zone and free live music. Classes include: Kids Power wheels, Youth, Light weld full size, Light weld compacts, Bonestock Full size, Bonestock Compacts, Minivan/SUV and Compact street stocks.$17,500 in total purse is up for grabs.
When: 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30
Where: Henry County Fair, 311 E. North St., Cambridge
Country Cruise-In Car Show
What: All makes and models welcome for this cruise-in style, family-friendly event. There will be a kid’s zone with a bounce house and Touch-a-Truck. There will be t-shirt sales, a 50/50 raffle, a silent auction, food and drink vendors and live music. Registration is at 10 a.m., with awards at 3 p.m.
When: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30
Where: Henry County Fair, 311 E. North St., Cambridge
Cost: $20 entry fee for car show; free for spectators
The Incredible 45s
What: Enjoy some good old-fashioned classics from The Incredible 45s.
When: 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30
Where: Central Bank Pavilion, 218 N. State St., Geneseo
Cost: Free admission
Opening Weekend: Apple Picking
What: This is the opening weekend of you-pick apple. Mums and pumpkins are also available. All transactions are completed outside; all major debit and credit cards are accepted. The grounds are uneven; wear closed-toed shoes with good ankle support.
When: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30 – Monday, Sept. 1
Where: Camp Creek Farm, 3753 N 1100th Ave, Lynn Center
Guppy’s Memorial Party
What: Trip Hazard will perform at the annual Guppy’s Memorial Party on the patio.
When: 2-6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31
Where: Guppy’s Lake, 831 Lake St., Kewanee
Coming next week
Trains, Planes and Automobiles 2025
What: The 19th Annual Trains, Planes and Automobiles Festival highlight, The Maple City Cruiser’s downtown car show, is Saturday, Sept. 6. Events opening day include the Stearman Fly-In from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Experience the sights and sounds of WWII Stearman bi-planes. No pets are allowed. Other events throughout the weekend include historic canal cruise tours; a car show; youth pedal car parade; displays of model trains, airplanes, cars and trains; a salute to America by the VFW Color Guard and more.
When: Thursday, Sept. 4 – Saturday, Sept. 6
Where: Gen-Air Park, 117 S. Oakwood Ave., Geneseo
Kathi Edwards is a freelance contributor to the Kewanee Star-Courier
This article originally appeared on Star Courier: Kewanee Hog Days is among 15 events happening this weekend in Kewanee
Reporting by Kathi Edwards / Star Courier
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