A host of music festivals and other series and celebrations are in full bloom in and around Springfield this spring.
The Levitt AMP Springfield Music Series, presented by PNC Bank, returns to the Y Block May 28 and the Little Flower Parish Heritage Days Summerfest, one of the quintessential neighborhood festivals, begins its three-day run May 28.
Here’s what to know.
Levitt AMP Springfield Music Series
What: Chloe Kimes, a Nashville-based up-and-comer on the Americana and alt-country music scenes, kicks off the 10-week music series in Springfield May 28. The lineup includes Zydeco, reggae, rock and jazz acts.
Where: Y Block, just north of the Governor’s Mansion (Jackson Street between Fourth and Fifth streets)
When: Thursdays, May 28 through July 30. All shows begin at 6:15 p.m. with Kids’ Kickoff. Area opening acts take the stage at 6:45 p.m. with headliners at 7:45 p.m.
Of note: Concert-goers should bring lawn chairs or blankets. Food trucks and beverages will be available for purchase on-site.
More: springfieldartsco.org
Irish Days Picnic and Homecoming
What: The 115th edition of Irish Days includes Hillbilly Golf Tournament, 2 pm., May 29; a chili cook-off, 11 a.m. and a bags tournament, 11:30 a.m., May 30 and an antique truck, tractor and classic car show, (judging), May 30, plus kids’ activities, live music and a beer tent.
Where: Farmersville City Park/Farmersville Square 513 Elevator St.
When: May 28-30
Of note: Irish Days reflects Farmersville’s deep ties to Irish American heritage. Many of the area’s earliest settlers came from Ireland or were descendants of those who fled the 19th-century potato famine there.
More: facebook.com/p/Irish-Days-Celebration
Little Flower Parish Heritage Days Summerfest
What: The annual parish festival features carnival rides, food and beer, an outdoor mass followed by a mostaccioli luncheon (10:30 a.m., May 31), a bags tournament (1 p.m., May 30) and live music, including Captain Geech and the Shrimp Shack Shooters (7:30 p.m., May 29) and Lick Creek (8 p.m., May 30).
Where: Little Flower Parish, 800 Stevenson Drive
When: 5 to 11 p.m., May 29; noon to 11 p.m., May 30 and 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., May 31
Of note: The drawing for the $25,000 mega raffle is around 4 p.m. May 31.
More: facebook.com/littleflowermensclub
Artist in the Park
What: Mike Anderson the Dulcimer Guy gets the series, presented by the Springfield Area Arts Council, starts May 29. The 10-week series includes a variety of music, dance and poetry acts.
Where: Union Square Park, 500 E. Madison St.
When: Noon, May 29-July 31
Of note: Food trucks will be available beginning at 11 a.m.
More: springfieldartsco.org
Springfield Cultural Arts Festival
What: Over twenty local artisans showcase unique creations, from textiles and jewelry to illustration and literature. Performances by Springfield International Folk Dancers, Springfield Drum Circle, Express Your Seoul KPOP Dancers and more.
Where: Union Square Park, 500 E. Madison St.
When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., May 30
Of note: Food trucks will be on-site.
More: springfieldculturalartsfoundation.com
Pioneer Days
What: Experience the sights, sounds, and daily life of the 1830s frontier as the village’s re-created homes come alive with interpreters demonstrating open hearth cooking and blacksmithing to hobbies like knitting and quilting and other parts of life where Abraham Lincoln lived from 1831 to 1837 before moving to Springfield.
Where: Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, 15588 History Lane, Petersburg
When: June 5-6
Of note: A shuttle will run both days from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, 212 N. Sixth St., to the park. Departure times are 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
More: dnr.historicillinois.gov
Juneteenth Celebration
What: Juneteenth Independence Day, commemorating the day the news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached enslaved people via federal troops in Texas–the western-most Confederate state–in 1865, has officially been marked in Springfield for 32 years. Activities include a Juneteenth pageant (June 11), a lunch and learn (June 12), a youth breakfast (June 19) and a parade (June 13).
Where: Different venues in Springfield
When: June 11-15, 18-19
Of note: The Juneteenth parade steps off at the Capitol City Elks Lodge, 1809 E. Brown St. and finishes at Comer Cox Park.
More: juneteenthinc.org
Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788; sspearie@sj-r.com; X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: These festivals are quickly approaching in the Springfield area
Reporting by Steven Spearie, Springfield State Journal-Register / State Journal-Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
