Pontiac

PONTIAC: LIVINGSTON COUNTY Pontiac: Wide Variety Of Events And Attractions To Enjoy Along Famous Route 66

Looking for a perfect place to get away but not too far away? — Pontiac is the place to visit. Located in central Illinois, Pontiac is a great place to spend the day, or even better, a multi-day vacation/staycation.

Love The Great Outdoors? — Along the banks of the Vermilion River in Humiston-Riverside Park is a community bandshell with entertainment all summer long with an awesome splashpad, fun playground equipment, and plenty of room to run.

The Vermilion River flows through town and is crossed by three swinging pedestrian bridges, offering a unique wobbly, walking experience. Chautauqua Park houses a championship disk golf course, and a historic pavilion used for performances by the community theater group, The Vermillion Players. Just outside the city limits is the Humiston Woods Nature Preserve, which includes 335 acres of forest, 8 acres of prairie, and seven hiking trails — open sunrise to sunset, 365 days a year.

Calling All Artist And Art Lovers — Pontiac has more than 25 large, colorful, outdoor murals created by a talented group of artists known as the Walldogs. Simply follow the red footprints from mural to mural for a walking tour with nostalgic charm. A collection of miniature art cars is scattered around the downtown sidewalks — each one created by a local artist or group — is great for family pictures and selfies.

The Pontiac Community Art Center is a studio, teaching space, gallery, and retail sales outlet for locally produced work. Pontiac is also home to the one-of-a-kind Museum of the Gilding Arts. Created by the International Society of Gilders, the museum focuses on the history, craft and art of using precious metal in design and decor. The Swift Collection, a recreation of a gold leaf manufacturer from the late 1800s, is also on exhibit.

Visitors will also love the one-of-a-kind museum: The Pontiac-Oakland Automobile Museum and Resource Center. With classic Oaklands and cool Pontiacs, the museum is the only one dedicated to just those two automobile brands. The museum is also home to one of the largest collections of oil cans and antique road maps around.

History Buff?We’ve Got You Covered — The Pontiac Museum Complex houses a variety of exhibits and displays, including:

Livingston County Courthouse

n The Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum offers a collection of images, artifacts, and stories about the nation’s most famous road — Route 66. Stories related to internationally famous Route 66 artist and icon Bob Waldmire, including his school bus home “The Road Yacht,” a VW Microbus, and a gallery of artwork are featured; n The Livingston County War Museum pays tribute to the men and women from Livingston County who served in the nation’s military since World War I;

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Pon ac, IL - the Perfect Get-A-Way!

2021 Pontiac Calendar of Events Dates subject to change. Please call ahead for specific information and additional activities.

May 1: Red Carpet Corridor Festival. Downtown. May 1, 2: Swinging Bridges Fine Arts Festival. Downtown. May 28: Finally Friday. Block 59, downtown. June 5: Rockin’ at the River. Humiston-Riverside Bandshell. June 25: Finally Friday. Block 59, downtown. July 15: Rockin’ at the River. Humiston-Riverside Bandshell. July 30: Finally Friday. Block 59, downtown. August 27: Finally Friday. Block 59, downtown. September 2-6: Threshermen’s Reunion. Threshermen’s Park. September 5: Threshermen’s Parade. Downtown. September 18: Rockin’ at the River. Humiston-Riverside Bandshell. September 18-19: GTOAA Pontiac Cruise/Show. Downtown. September 24: Finally Friday. Block 59, downtown. November 26: Light Up Parade. Downtown. visitpon ac.org 815.844.5847