‘Cruise-In’ to Magnolia for a good time

MAGNOLIA — A weekend filled with celebratory events and activities is scheduled for the upcoming Magnolia Days on Aug. 16-18.

The popular “Cruise-In” kicks off the weekend with a Friday evening car show from 5 to 8 p.m. on Chicago Street in Magnolia. Registration starts at 4:30 p.m., and each entry is $10. Music will be provided by AMC Sound. Judging and voting will begin at 6:30 p.m., and awards, door prizes and the 50/50 winner will be announced at 8 p.m.

“A celebration in Magnolia is important to let people know we’re here and are proud of our community,” Peggy Smith of Magnolia said.

“We enjoy it and like to share what we have to offer with others,” Smith said.

Also scheduled for Friday evening are bingo games at the fire department from 6 to 9 p.m., and cards are available for a donation. A book sale and children’s crafts will be held at the nearby library at 6 p.m. A family movie will be shown at dusk in the village park (bring your own lawn chairs). A variety of food and drinks will be available from vendors, the Magnolia Township Preservation Association, LJ’s, JD’s and Sally Sue’s Coffee. There will also be a circus calliope and a stagecoach robbery show at 7 p.m.

Saturday downtown events

Saturday’s fun begins at 9 a.m. with an open house event at the Magnolia Township Preservation Association, which will last until 3 p.m. A lunch and bake sale will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and a program on Mt. Palatine/Judson College will be presented at 2:30 p.m.

From 9 a.m. to noon, a farmers’ market and vendor show will be open on Chicago Street. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., an antique tractor display will be available for viewing. At 2:30 p.m., a program on the history of Grange and Clear Creek will be presented at the Magnolia Township Preservation Association building.

Street music will be provided by Richard Selquist from 10 a.m. to noon.

A street dance will be held from 8 to 11 p.m., and the music will be provided by 303.

There will also be a food stand, lemon shake-ups and kettle corn available at the fire department; food and a beer wagon at JD’s Bar; barbecue at the Magnolia Township Preservation Association; and coffee from Sally Sue’s Coffee.

Saturday ball diamond events

At Magnolia’s ball diamond, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., there will be children’s games.

At 1 p.m., there will be chicken races, stick horse barrel racing and coffee sack races.

Sunday downtown events

Sunday’s celebrations will begin with a community church service in the park at 10 a.m.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Magnolia Township Preservation Association open house will continue, and will also include a lunch for the public and the participants of the PC Tractor Drive.

For information on the men’s baseball and co-ed softball tournaments scheduled for this weekend, call Joe at 815-303-7051 or Kathy at 815-830-6128.