SPRINGFIELD – With Memorial Day in the rearview and the calendar flipping to June, summer is here for many and there are plenty of things going on around the Springfield area.
The month of June offers plenty of shopping opportunities along with live music, plenty to eat and of course, the Juneteenth celebration.
Here are just a handful of popular events happening around town this month drawing buzz online, but there’s plenty more out there for any specific niche.
Springfield Comic and Toy show
What: Hosted annually, vendors will be selling vintage video games, Pokemon, art, action figures, posters, comic books, Transformers, GI Joes and more.
When: June 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: The Crowne Plaza, 3000 S. Dirksen Parkway, Springfield
More: Vendor info and event schedules are available at quad-con.com.
Juneteenth in Springfield
What: One full week of celebrations are kicking off in Springfield to uplift freedom, culture, music and community hosted by Juneteenth Inc. Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, is a day celebrating the end of slavery in the United States.
The party starts on June 11 with a pageant, followed by a June 12 luncheon and learning group with art installations from the Noir 6 art exhibit. A unity parade will kick off June 13 at 10 a.m. at South Grand Avenue and MLK Boulevard. The next day will be Praise in the park hosted by Pastor Jerry Jones and the Jones family. The speaker series will lead in Comer Cox Park until the youth day on June 19.
When: June 12 to June 19
Where: Several different venues including the Y Block for Levitt AMP the Psychodelics Funk Bank on June 16, to Comer Cox Park for Praise in the Park.
More: All the information on times, tickets and music can be found on juneteenthinc.org.
Heidi N Closet
What: June is Pride Month and one of Springfield’s top gay bars, Clique, is hosting a special event. Heidi N Closet from RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 12 and All-Stars Season 8 will join Springfield Queen Mahogany Knight for a meet and greet to talk about the show and Heidi’s experiences.
When: 9:30 p.m. June 19
Where: 411 E. Washington St., Springfield
More: General admission to the event is $10, but a photo opportunity is $25. Tickets can be purchased on the Clique website.
Foodees Fest
What: You’ll want to bring your appetizer to the White Oaks Mall later this month. This three-day event features over 40 food trucks and vendors serving gourmet dishes and sweet treats to go with artisans showcasing handmade jewelry, arts and crafts and more. And best of all? The event is free to go to.
When: 1 to 9 p.m. June 19, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. June 20 and until 7 p.m. June 21.
Where: White Oaks Mall, Springfield
More: While the event is free to attend, tickets can still be picked up online at foodeesfest.com to ensure parking and access.
Hemmings Great Race
What: Rev up those engines, the start of Hemmings Great Race spanning eight different states is starting in Springfield later this month. Springfield will be the first stop of the race, which has pounded pavement since its introduction in 1983. Since then, classic pre-World War II era cars have crossed Canadian and Mexican borders and toured some of the coolest back roads in the country to get there.
Presented by Hemmings for the Route 66 Centennial Race, classic hot rods are crossing the country starting at Springfield and crossing Missouri into Oklahoma, Texas to New Mexico across Arizona and the Nevada deserts to end up in sunny Pasadena California.
When: 9:30 a.m. June 20
Where: Old State Capitol Plaza, Springfield
More: Information about the great race can be found greatrace.com.
Paint the Street
What: Paint the Street is where Washington Street downtown is transformed into an artist’s alley – except the stunning paintings span so much further than just the walls. The Springfield Art Association, which has historically run the event, is partnering with Visit Springfield to make Paint the Street part of Illinois’ Route 66 Centennial Celebration this year and will be hosting a contest for the best Route 66 themed square to be on display during the ongoing celebration.
When: 11 a.m. June 27
Where: Washington Street, Downtown Springfield
More: Tickets to paint a square is $40 for fun and to enter the competition for the best Route 66 square is $50. Each ticket can be purchased on the springfieldart.org website and provides a paint bucket with paints and tools needed. Included as well is one giveaway bag with goodies from sponsors and a Paint the Street t-shirt.
Shop the Streets
What: My Heart’s Downtown collective is showing out and showing off all the local businesses bringing life to the heart of the city. All local downtown businesses will be open during their regular Saturday business hours on Saturday, June 27 and are encouraging visitors to check out local boutiques, coffee shops, bookstores, hair salons, restaurants and new exhibits at art galleries like the Pharmacy.
When: 10 a.m. June 27
Where: Downtown Springfield
More: My Heart’s Downtown is a collaborative effort with multiple downtown business owners and Downtown Springfield Inc. behind the new heart sculpture installment near the Old State Capitol.
Claire Grant writes about business, growth and development and other news topics for The State Journal-Register. She can be reached at CLGrant@usatodayco.com; and on X (Formerly known as Twitter): @Claire_Granted
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: These June events offer something for everyone in Springfield
Reporting by Claire Grant, Springfield State Journal-Register / State Journal-Register
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