The weekend brings Freeport Choral Society’s Summer Pops Concert, two art exhibit openings and a Jeep Run and Fundraiser, along with fundraisers, live music and more to the Freeport area.
Preschool Field Day
What: Enjoy a morning of outdoor games and activities designed specifically for preschoolers. There will be an obstacle course, bean bag toss, water balloon toss and more. Dress for running around and bring a water bottle. In case of rain, play games in the meeting room.
When: 10-11 a.m. July 31
Where: Freeport Public Library, 100 E. Douglas St., Freeport
Transcending Reality
What: The Freeport Art Museum welcomes Momentum Art Guild with its newest exhibition, Transcending Reality, on view in the Ferguson Gallery from July 31 through Sept. 12. This thought-provoking exhibition challenged MAG artists to create works that went beyond what could be seen – producing work that keeps a recognizable subject, but bends color, edge, form or texture toward abstraction. Momentum Art Guild is a regional artist organization dedicated to enhancing interest in the visual arts and supporting the development of individual artists.
When: 5-7 p.m. July 31
Where: Freeport Art Museum, 121 N. Harlem Ave., Freeport
Away I Must
What: Away I Must features paintings, drawings and mixed-media works by Iowa artist Matt Pulford, inspired by periods of solitude spent during an artist residency in rural Nebraska. Immersed in the vast prairie landscape, Pulford explores the fleeting beauty of light, movement, sound and distance through contemplative studies of land, sky, water and wildlife. Ranging from whimsical to melancholic, the works reflect on longing, connection, beauty, loss and the profound experience of being alone within the natural world. The exhibition will be on view in the Newell Gallery from July 31 through Sept. 12 in the Newell Gallery. Join Pulford for an artist talk to learn more about his creative process and the inspirations behind the work.
When: 5-7 p.m. July 31 with artist talk at 4 p.m.
Where: Freeport Art Museum, 121 N. Harlem Ave., Freeport
Antique Tractor and Gas Engine Show
What: Enjoy steam train rides, museum tours, displays of different makes of antique tractors, with a spotlight on Allis Chalmers Tractors and Implements. There will be antique gas engine displays. The 130-ton Flywheel Cooper will be operating. See demonstrations of sawmills, blacksmiths and shingle mills. See the Silver Creek industrial building featuring gas engines made in Freeport. There will also be displays of antique fire engines, cars and trucks, some made in Freeport. There will be a flea market and the antique tractor pull starts at 11 a.m. Breakfast is served from 8-10 a.m. and lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
When: 8 a.m. Aug. 1 – 5 p.m. Aug. 2
Where: 2954 S. Walnut Road, Freeport
Cost: Free admission; $10 to ride the train and tour the museum
Tree-Ripe Fruit Stop
What: Shop for Michigan blueberries, Georgia peaches, Georgia pecans and New Mexico pistachios at the Tree-Ripe trucks.
When: 9-10:30 a.m. Aug. 1
Where: Blain’s Farm & Fleet, 1755 S. West St., Freeport
Drive-By Hope
What: This car meet will help support those in need. All proceeds will go toward St. Jude’s Research Hospital, for kids who struggle with the battle of cancer. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Write your name and the car you brought on a ticket and drop it in the raffle bucket for a chance to win a discounted meal. There will be activities for children including a bounce house, treats, tie-dying, a bubble room, games, face painting and puppies. Kids can enter to win a bike. One lucky boy and one lucky girl will be chosen to pick out a car that will win the best car award. All form of vehicles are welcome.
When: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Aug. 1
Where: Kings Bar & Grill, 1805 S. West Ave., Freeport
Cost: $15 for vehicle registration; $5 for kid’s activities
Four-Person Best Shot
What: Get a pork chop dinner and fixings at the Slurp after the tournament.
When: 10 a.m. Aug. 1
Where: Wolf Hollow, 4319 Loran Road, Pearl City
Cost: $65
Jeep Run and Fundraiser
What: The first five Jeeps will get something special. Cruise out for a day and end up at back at PJ’s for karaoke and drinks. There will be giveaways and drink specials all day. This ride is a fundraiser for the Durand and Davis schools.
When: 10 a.m. Aug. 1
Where: PJ’s Corner, 504 N. Stanton St., Davis
Cost: $10 donation per Jeep
All Day Country Rock/Blues/Outlaw Country Music
What: Come out for fun and dancing with food, drinks and three bands playing a mix of country, rock, blues and outlaw country music. The Resistors play from noon to 3 p.m.; DownShift plays from 3:45 – 7 p.m. and Last Train to Juarez plays from 8 – 10 p.m.
When: Noon – 10 p.m. Aug. 1
Where: Hooks and Bobbers, 612 Bridge St., Winslow
Cousin’s Maine Lobster
What: Come get hot buttery lobster rolls, lobster tacos, creamy lobster bisque, loaded tots and more all made fresh to order using premium Maine lobster.
When: Noon – 3 p.m. Aug. 1
Where: Slumberland Furniture, 305 W. South St., Freeport
The Real Deal
What: This will be an outside show. The Real Deal will bring you a blending of R&B, Top 40, Motown and a little country flair.
When: 8 p.m. – midnight Aug. 1
Where: Kings Bar & Grill, 1805 S. West Ave., Freeport
Bloom with the Herd
What: Build your own flower bouquet from flowers grown on the farm. Each participant will receive a recycled jar or vase. During your visit, you can expect to hand-select fresh blooms to build a unique bouquet to take home. Enjoy snuggling, playing, taking photos and interacting with baby goats born in April and May. The farm store will be open after the event.
When: 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. Aug. 2
Where: Gretta’s Goats, 498 Farwell Bridge Road, Pecatonica
Cost: $23; free for children age 5 and younger when accompanied by a parent
Corn Boil
What: Enjoy a summer corn boil supporting Pheasants Forever. Fresh sweet corn from Drake Farms will be served starting at noon until sold out. Stick around for beer, food and live music from Junkyard Kings, playing from 2–5 p.m.
When: Noon – 5 p.m. Aug. 2
Where: Lena Brewing Company, 9426 Wagner Road, Lena
Freeport Choral Society’s Summer Pops Concert
What: Music Under the Stars will include a wide variety of songs including some patriotic ones. In case of rain or extremely hot weather, the concert will move to St. John United Church of Christ at 1010 S. Park Blvd.
When: 7 p.m. Aug. 2
Where: Krape Park Koenig Amphitheater in Freeport
Cost: Free admission; freewill donation encouraged
Coming next week
Make it Monday: Suncatchers
What: Drop in each Monday between 2:00 and 4:00 pm to make a craft with us! This week we will be making suncatchers using a variety of methods.
When: 2-4 p.m. Aug. 3
Where: Freeport Public Library meeting room, 100 E. Douglas St., Freeport
Alcohol Inks on Glass
What: Alcohol inks and glass can be combined to make some very pretty and neat pieces. Try it out here in the courtyard. Dress for the weather and wear clothes that you won’t mind if they get stained with alcohol ink. It does not come out of fabric. Please register each person separately.
When: 6:15-7:45 p.m. Aug. 3
Where: Freeport Public Library, 100 E. Douglas St., Freeport
Music in the Park
What: Decades Rock Band will be playing all you classic rock favorites for your listening and dancing pleasure.
When: 6:30-9 p.m. Aug. 4
Where: Saelens Park, South Center Street, Durand
Family Fun Night
What: Come for a family fun night to create, connect, and be part of a lasting work of public art celebrating this community and America’s 250th anniversary. Drop in anytime between 4 and 6 p.m. to create a unique art project that could be used in the final mural design. This hands-on activity is open to all ages, and all supplies are provided. Meet lead artist Ben Swords, who will be on hand throughout the evening to share more about the project and the vision behind the mural. Please RSVP by July 31.
When: 4-6 p.m. Aug. 5
Where: Freeport Art Museum, 121 N. Harlem Ave., Freeport
Cost: Free
End of Summer Party
What: Celebrate the end of summer at the library with a party! We will have bounce houses, face painting, games, and much more! In case of rain, our party will move inside the library.
When: 1-4 p.m. Aug. 6
Where: Freeport Public Library, 100 E. Douglas St., Freeport
Music on Debate
What: Van Funk performs Aug. 6. Bring a lawn chair.
When: 6:30 p.m. Aug.
Where: Debate Square, 114 E. Douglas St., Freeport
Cost: Free admission
Kathi Edwards is a freelance contributor to the Freeport Journal-Standard.
This article originally appeared on Journal Standard: Freeport area offers 14 fun events for the weekend
Reporting by Kathi Edwards, Special to the Journal-Standard / Journal Standard
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By Kathi Edwards, Special to the Journal-Standard | USA TODAY Network
