July 2023 Share your adventures

It’s festival and county fair season in Starved Rock Country! See event websites for full schedules. on

Relax on the lawn of Ottawa’s historic Washington Square during Music in the Park, a free weekly concert series featuring songs from the ’50s to present.

Festival 56 presents a free performance of “Twelfth Night” in Princeton as part of the Shakespeare in the Park series. Read more on p. 16.

Have a safe and happy Independence Day!

A carnival, food, family activities, live music, city pool hours and more are on the schedule for Marseilles Fun Days.

Show off your classic car at Morris Cruise Night, the second Saturday of the month June-September in downtown Morris.

Book a Historic Trolley Tour to learn about Starved Rock State Park. Register at starvedrocklodge.com

It’s National Ice Cream Day! Treat yourself to one of the ice cream shops in Starved Rock Country. Read more on p. 27.

It’s National Amelia Earhart Day! Read about her stop in Starved Rock Country on p. 34.

Sample the menu at Bricks & Stones, the event venue at Camp Aramoni, on Wednesday nights. Read about Camp Aramoni’s glamping on p. 55.

Country singer Craig Morgan headlines the Marshall-Putnam Fair in Henry, joined by Whiskey Bent and Joe Stamm Band. It’s International Chess Day! Grab a friend and play outdoors on a chess table at Ottawa’s Washington Square or Streator’s City Park. River Road Trio will play in their hometown of Morris during the Concerts on the Courthouse Lawn summer music series.

The Broken Horn Rodeo kicks off at 7 p.m. at the La Salle County Fairgrounds in Ottawa.

The Ramer Race Promotions Demolition Derby returns to the La Salle County 4-H Fair.

Head off to the races – the DePue Boat Races, that is. The US Title Series returns to Lake DePue for the national championship.