FRIDAY, August 18th
Taste of C-U, West Side Park, 5 to 11 p.m. and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., free entry; $1/ticket
Champaign Park District’s Taste of C-U is this weekend in West Side Park, and luckily, the weather forecast looks good (at least at the time I’m writing). This year’s vendors include plenty of pizza options, as well as some newbies like Hybrid Fit Food and Salad Meister. There will be local beer, food trucks, music, knick knacks to purchase, and things for children. For more info, check out the CPD website. Photo by Jessica Hammie (JH)
Prairie Sky Music Festival, Allerton Park (Monticello), 6-9 pm (Friday) 1-9 pm (Saturday), $50 for two days and camping, $10 for just Friday night
Allerton Park’s inaugural Prairie Sky Music Festival takes place this weekend, offering guests the chance to camp out in one of Illinois’ most unique parks. If I were you, I wouldn’t sleep on this opportunity, especially because it’s right in our back yard. (BH)
Suffer Head, Marathon, Snayl, Urbana IMC, $5, all ages
If semi-ambient music is your thing, make your way to the IMC on Friday to check out Marathon and Snayl, two artists at the forefront of experimental music in Champaign-Urbana. Stick around for Suffer Head, a touring band from Milwaukee who make their way to our fine town(s) this Friday. (BH)
SATURDAY, August 19th
Family-friendly drinking. Riggs Beer Company, 12-10 p.m.
Every day is a good day to bring the family out to Riggs for a relaxing afternoon in the beer garden. BYO food or hit up the food trucks parked outside, and enjoy a nice menu of locally loved beers while your kids hit the playground, play catch, fly a kite, or whatever else they can come up with on Riggs’s yard and expansive patio. (DT)
Getting Excited about Science with Steve Belliveau, Champaign Public Library, 3 pm, Free
Science, magic and music all from the same guy? Sounds like an awesome way to spend your Saturday if you’ve got kiddos. Or if you just like to watch cool science stuff, I guess. Either way, it’s free, and it’s more-than-likely to be awesome. (BH)
Ratatouille, 129 S. Race St, Urbana, Free, 7:45-9:45 pm
If you love animated French mice, then the free screening of Ratatouille for Urbana’s Movie Night is for you. In all seriousness, Homer Soda Company will be there, serving the finest in sodas from all over the world. What’s not to love? (BH)
Cook something, all weekend, your house, about $10, maybe more
Check out Urbana’s Market at the Square for some fresh produce (tomatoes are insane right now, also stone fruits!), and treat yourself to a nice meal this weekend. I’m a fan of picking up new/random cookbooks at the library and trying out a recipe or two. There are plenty of places to acquire delicious grilling meats (and fruits!), including the market, but also Old Time and Common Ground. Pictured is a kale salad with grilled figs, grilled peaches, and Prairie Fruits Farm’s fresh chevre. Photo by Jessica Hammie (JH)
Explore some Champaign history, downtown Champaign, various times, $10-15
The Champaign County History Museum is offering two different historical tours this Saturday. The Downtown Champaign History Walk will be led by T.J. Blakeman, museum president, and will highlight the buildings and people who have shaped the downtown landscape. Tours depart at 12:30 and 3:30. A second tour will explore the beautiful historic churches in the downtown area. Those depart at 11:00 and 2:00. All tours last 1.5 hours, and kick off at the popcorn wagon in West Side Park. Find tickets and more info at the museum website. (JM)
SUNDAY, August 20th
Hang out on campus, the choices are endless, prices vary
The students are coming! The students are coming! By next week our town will once again explode with the influx of college type people. If you haven’t gotten a chance to hit campustown yet this summer, it’s your last chance to do so without the crowds. Stop by the Quad and take a stroll, ride your bike, or spread out a blanket under a tree and read a book. Check out the amazing food options…our food and drink section can surely help you make a decision. Want to enjoy a beverage at Kam’s without drunk frat boys ruining your experience? Here’s your chance! Just remember the construction nonsense is still happening, so avoid the whole Green Street/First Street area. (JM)
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All event information is accurate to the best of our abilities, but sometimes we make mistakes and sometimes event information, times, prices, etc., change after we look them up. Whenever possible, we’ve provided a link to the original event page; you should always double-check the source before you make any firm plans. Thanks for your understanding.