The weekend brings an Altona Days, CASA Putts & Pubs and Bad Momz of Comedy, along with fundraisers, live music and more to the Galesburg area.
Food Truck Friday
What: Grab dinner from food trucks, then take a stroll through local vendor booths featuring unique items and handmade goods. There will also be $1 kids’ games and activities.
When: 5-8 p.m. July 10
Where: 235 E. Simmons St., Galesburg
Cost: Free admission
Abingdon Road Knights Car Show
What: The Abingdon Road Knights host their 25th Annual Car Show rain or shine. Registration runs from 8 a.m. to noon. Judging is participant-based, and awards will be presented at 3 p.m. Award categories include Best Paint, Best Engine, Best Interior, Best of Show and Club Choice. The show features 19 classes. Food will be available on the grounds, provided by the Abingdon American Legion Post #381. Music and announcements will be handled by 3D Sound Company. A 50/50 drawing will be held, with proceeds benefiting the Hedding School lunch program.
When: 9 a.m. July 11
Where: American Legion Post 381, 546 S.R. 41, Abingdon
Cost: $15 entry fee
Artisan and Antique Market
What: Shop a variety of products brought by vendors, including handcrafted items, upcycled items, vintage nostalgia and creative décor. Visit and feed the Alpacas and shop all things Alpaca in the store.When: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. July 11
Where: Heartland Criations Alpacas, 2512 Knox Road 500 East, Rio
Intro to Geocaching
What: Get an introduction to a real-world outdoor treasure hunt with the whole family. The class is held outdoors at the Lakeside Nature Center Shelter, with a nature walk through the woods, so dress for the weather.
When: 9:30-11 a.m. July 11
Where: Lakeside Nature Center, 1033 S. Lake Storey Road, Galesburg
Cost: Free
Summer Flower Festival
What: This summer grand opening event includes a summer flower u-pick with more than 1,500 square feet of flowers, photo opportunities throughout the farm and flowers, a full menu from The Eatery, a curated selection of local vendors and music by local musicians. Vendors may or may not take payment methods other than cash. There will be port-a-potties on site. There will be prizes every hour; must be present to win.
When: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. July 11
Where: Centennial Blooms Flower Farm and Eatery, 1119 Blaze Road, Knoxville
Altona Days
What: There will be games, bouncy houses, dunk tank, food, firefighter water fights, a community softball game and more. The parade starts at 11 a.m., with dinner served by the Altona Lions Club downtown afterward. Fireworks start at dusk at the ball diamond. The play, “Oklahoma,” youth edition will be presented at 2 and 7 p.m. July 11 and at 2 p.m. July 12 at Ransom Memorial Public Library Hall (free admission).
When: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. July 11
Where: Altona
Cost: Free admission
Collaging Happiness
What: In partnership with Knox College’s Arts in Action course, students will host a series of workshops. In this workshop, participants will transform everyday materials into functional art. Explore how creativity can make daily life more organized, intentional and beautiful. Your handmade journal will become a daily companion: a space to capture tasks, jot down recipes, doodle, collect ideas and carry a small piece of your own creativity wherever you go. All materials are included.
When: 10:30 a.m. – noon July 11
Where: Galesburg Community Arts Center, 349 E. Main St., Galesburg
Cost: Free
Bubble Wands
What: Visit the science lab to design and engineer a bubble wand.
When: 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. July 11
Where: Discovery Depot, 128 S. Chambers St., Galesburg
Cost: Free with admission
Protest Prints
What: In partnership with Knox College’s Arts in Action course, students will host a series of workshops. This workshop introduces participants to the world of arts activism by exploring the value of using art as a form of resistance. Play with words and images to craft a powerful vision for causes you care about the most. Participants will create a poster using silkscreen printing techniques. All materials are included.
When: 1-3 p.m. July 11 and 5-7 p.m. July 15
Where: Galesburg Community Arts Center, 349 E. Main St., Galesburg
Cost: Free
Kindness Rock Garden Painting
What: Help replenish the Kindness Rock Gardens by painting rocks and leaving them in the garden for people to take when they need a little pick me up. The activity is in the area of the Mobile Playground Truck. The rock garden is located in front of Lakeside Recreation Facility.
When: 1-3 p.m. July 11
Where: Rotary Park, 1625 W. Losey St., Galesburg
Cost: Free
CASA Putts & Pubs
What: This event kicks off at Reserve Artisan Ales. You’ll then be sent out to golf at several downtown bars and pubs. Be back at RAA by 7 p.m. for the awards.
When: 3-7 p.m. July 11
Where: Reserve Artisan Ales, 185 S. Kellogg St., Galesburg
Cost: $30 per person; four-person teams
Classic Car Show
What: This event will be packed with classic cars, food, cold drinks and live 50’s Rock-n-Roll from Radium City Rebels. Bring the whole family out to see vintage rides, custom builds, muscle cars, hot rods and more while enjoying live music.
When: Noon July 12
Where: Big Catz BBQ, 221 E. Main St., Knoxville
Bad Momz of Comedy
What: As seen on the Kelly Clarkson Show, Bad Momz sells out shows across the country — making moms and men laugh. Founded by Chicago-based comic Orly KG in 2022, each Bad Momz of Comedy show uses a small showcase of hilarious comics from its growing roster of 80+ influential mom/female comics.
When: 7:30-9 p.m. July 11
Where: Orpheum Theatre, 57 S. Kellogg St., Galesburg
Cost: $20 plus fees
Coming next week
Game Day for Adults
What: Make new friends and play provided board, card and dice games or bring your own. This adult group will meet in the first floor community room on the second Monday of the month.
When: 2-4 p.m. July 13
Where: Galesburg Public Library, 264 W. Main St., Galesburg
Cost: Free
Eatable Alphabet
What: OSF Kleine Pediatric Wellness Center presents this program that encourages children to explore healthy fresh foods with their senses while incorporating exercise, letter recognition and math skills. The program is for children in PreK through second grade. Advance registration is required.
When: 4-5 p.m. July 13
Where: Galesburg Public Library, 264 W. Main St., Galesburg
Cost: Free
Family Science Nights: Zipline
What: Create contraptions to carry small toys down a zipline. This is a program designed for kids in grades PreK-6 and their grown-ups to do together. Advance registration is required.
When: 6-7 p.m. July 13
Where: Galesburg Public Library, 264 W. Main St., Galesburg
Cost: Free
‘On the Basis of Sex’
What: Meet in the community room to watch this 2018 biographical legal drama about the second woman to serve on the Supreme Court.
When: 2 p.m. July 15
Where: Galesburg Public Library, 264 W. Main St., Galesburg
Cost: Free
Nerf Party for Teens
What: Participate in a variety of Nerf games. Use your own Nerf gear or use equipment provided by the library. All Nerf blasters must be compatible with standard Nerf darts and may not be modified to change how they shoot. Advance registration is required. This event also requires a permission slip signed by a parent or guardian. Register at the Reference Desk.
When: 2-4 p.m. July 15
Where: Standish Park Arboretum, 42 W. Tomkins St., Galesburg
Cost: Free
‘An American Tail’
What: See the G-rated film, “An American Tail,” about a brave but young Russian-Jewish mouse named Fievel Mousekewitz who comes from a family of immigrants. They travel to New York City looking for a better life free from the threat of ferocious cats. When a fierce storm at sea separates Fievel from his family, he finds himself lost and alone in the big city. Fievel must rely on his courage and a colorful crew of new friends to pull off the ultimate reunion.
When: 2 and 7 p.m. July 16
Where: Orpheum Theatre, 57 S. Kellogg St., Galesburg
Cost: Free
Kathi Edwards is a freelance contributor to the Galesburg Register Mail.
This article originally appeared on Galesburg Register-Mail: Altoona Days, Putts and Pubs among 13 things to do in Galesburg area
Reporting by Kathi Edwards, Special to the Galesburg Register-Mail / Galesburg Register-Mail
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

By Kathi Edwards, Special to the Galesburg Register-Mail | USA TODAY Network
