art. Classic hot rod. firework. Music under the stars.
The outdoor festival is back.
The opening of the Pridefest, Old Capitol Art Fair and Old Capitol Farmers Market highlights busy weekends and hosts many festivals and rallies in the downtown area of Springfield.
For some, like the Art Fair, it’s a return from the COVID-19 pandemic limit.
For others, such as Springfield Jacey’s Capitol City Celebration, it was a longer wait.
Here’s what’s in the store:
Pridefest
On the day of embracing diversity and celebrating the Central Illinois LGBTQ community, PrideFest departs on Saturday and the parade begins on Fifth and Allen Streets at 11:30 am.
The parade heads north on Fifth Street to Capitol Avenue, ending at the event stage on Capitol Avenue. A kick-off presentation is scheduled for noon.
Entertainment at Y Block includes Deep Hollow (12:30 pm), Thornhill (2:15 pm), Blue Water Kings (4 pm), Diana Night, Mahogany Night, Vincent Night, Mimi Van Cartier, J Estarad Night. Includes a drug show featuring. And Veronica Night (8 pm)
There is also a kids area and many grocery stores.
PrideFest is sponsored by the Phoenix Center, an LGBTQ community center that offers a variety of group services, training, social and educational events, and temporary housing. For more information, please visit www.springfieldpride.org.
Old Capitol Art Fair
One of the Midwestern gems, the Springfield Old Capitol Art Fair will return on Saturday and Sunday after a two-year hiatus due to a COVID-19 pandemic in time for the 60th anniversary.
With over 150 judges working in a variety of media including acrylic, oil, ceramics, photography, jewelry, mixed media, metal, wood, drawing, textiles, glass, sculpture, watercolors and prints. Children’s tents aged 2 to 15 (Sixth and Adams) sell real artwork for $ 4 to $ 6 each.
The artist is on Fifth Street between Washington and Adams as construction is underway at the Old State House. Art Fair Chair Julie Beveridge talked about Adams in the square between the 5th and 6th and Washington in the square between the 5th and 6th.
The Springfield Municipal Band will start music entertainment on Saturday at 10am. Rhodes & Battles (10:15 am) is also planned. Solar Chariot (11:30 am); Mary Jo Curry (1:15 pm) and Kapital Sound (3:15 pm) On Sunday, Levi & Jaqueline will be on stage at 10 am, followed by Blue Ribbon Revival (11 am). Tom Irwin & Laurigans (12:30 pm) and Suburban Mystics (2:30 pm) There is music and food fifth between Washington and Jefferson.
The Art Fair runs from 10 am to 5 pm on Saturdays and from 10 am to 4 pm on Sundays.
Old Capitol Farmers Market
Old Capitol Farmers Market, the region’s largest producer-only farmer’s market, will return to Force Street and Adams Street from 8 am to 12:30 pm Saturday.
The Farmers Market is in its 23rd season under Downtown Springfield, Inc. and will be held on Wednesdays and Saturdays until the end of October.
All products are grown, procured or handcrafted by each vendor. That is, there is no resale or mass production. Producer-only rules are part of a larger effort to enable shoppers to get to know their farmers and better understand and invest in their local food system.
Farmers markets accept the benefits of the Federal Government’s Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and, thanks to Link Up Illinois’ LinkMatch program, double their customers’ SNAP funding.
There will be a ribbon cut ceremony at Force and Adams at 9am on Saturday and there will be free cakes from incredibly delicious.
For more information, please visit the DSI website.
Levitt AMP
The third season of the Levitt AMP Springfield Music Series announced by PNC will begin on June 2nd with the Soul Message Band on the Y block north of the Governor’s residence (Jackson Street between 4th and 5th Avenues).
Two recent additions to the lineup include Boliwood hits, Hindustani classics, Rajesh Chalam and Orchestra Saregama (July 14), who play high-energy fusions of American popular music, and Cincinnati, which attracted the attention of Black Keys. There is a rocker, The Heavy Hours (June 9th). Frontman Dan Auerbach.
Each of the 10 free concerts, including music from the country to Afro Rock, Zydeco and India, is scheduled for Thursday to August 4th at 6pm.
This year’s new release is Dance Intermission, where local and local dance groups perform during a 30-minute evening break.
The Springfield Park area hosts children’s activities every night of the concert.
Springfield Jacey will hold its annual fireworks display on June 30th. It is presented by Paul Burnsick.
For more information, please visit Levitt AMP Springfield on Facebook.
- June 2 – Soul Message Band (Jazz)
- June 9 – Heavy Hour (Rock)
- June 16 – Natu Camara (Afro Rock)
- June 23 – Davina and the Vagabonds (Jazz Swing)
- June 30 – Charanga Tropical (Latin)
- July 7 – Terrance Simien and Zydeco Experience (Zydeco)
- July 14-Salegama Orchestra (India)
- July 21 – Cheryl Young Blood Blues Band (Blues)
- July 28 – Arlo McKinley (Country)
- August 4 – Harlem Gospel Traveler (Gospel)
Plaza artist
The Plaza Series artists will return to the Old State Capitol Plaza.
The free family-friendly series runs between Memorial Day and Labor Day at noon on Friday.
The concert is hosted by the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau this year.
The artist lineup will be announced on Thursday.
Giving Festival Legacy
Over 60 bands will take part in five stages at the Legacy of Giving (LoG) Festival, which takes place downtown from June 3rd to 4th.
There are plenty of vendors, children’s entertainment, arts and crafts, all raising money for local charities.
Stages are located on Fifth Street, Washington Street, and Old State Capitol Plaza.
Friday night runs from 5 pm to midnight, and Saturday runs from noon to midnight.
For more information, please visit www.logmusicfest.org.
Old Capitol Blues & BBQ
Old Capitol Blues & BBQ will return August 26-27 and will be familiar on the Fifth Street and Adams Street stages promised by Alamo owner Barry Fredman.
Friedman is about to book a crossover blues act on Saturday and is playing with a more traditional blues performer on Friday. The two-day event brought together Big Head Todd & Monsters, Spin Doctors, The Smithereens and more. This year’s lineup has not yet been announced.
On weekends, there’s also the Illinois Central Blues Challenge and plenty of area barbecues.
For more information, please visit the Old Capitol Blues & BBQ Facebook page.
Down Home Music Festival
The Down Home Music Festival, which celebrates bands in the Springfield region, will return to Seventh Street and Washington Street from July 29th to 30th.
Money from all ticket purchases will be sent directly to the local musicians attending the event.
You can also buy tickets at the corner of South Seventh Street and East Adams Street.
Last year, 28 local bands advanced to three stages. Posting on the Facebook page promised to announce the lineup shortly.
Abe Fest
AbeFest will return to the Bank of Springfield (BoS) Center Plaza with headliners John Waite (July 8th) and Filter (July 9th).
The St. Louis band Feel and the Springfield Josie Lower Band will be billed with Waite.
Brothers duo Jocelyn & Chris and Harlem Hayfield will open for Filter.
Waite last performed in 2006 at the Springfield at the Hoogrand Center for the Arts. Former lead singers of Babys (“Is n’t It Time”) and Bad English (“Whoen Icy Youth Mile”) are “Missing You” and “Change”.
Filter is known for the 1990s hits “Hey Man Nice Shot” and “Take A Picture”.
“It gives (concert attendees) a slightly different taste every night,” said AbeFest organizer Tim Smith.
In bad weather, the concert will move indoors. Tickets will go on sale on Friday.
For more information, please visit AbeFest’s Facebook page.
Celebration of the capital
After a four-year hiatus, Springfield Jaycees will resurrect Capital City Celebration from June 30th to July 3rd.
Jacey promises to launch fireworks at both the opening and closing ceremonies of the celebration.
Last year, Jacey partnered with the Levitt AMP Springfield Music Series for fireworks.
Celebration includes parades, kids activity zones and patriotic pageants.
The final celebration was held at Y Block.
For more information, please visit the Springfield Jaycees website.
Mother Road Festival
The International Route 66 Mother Road Festival will take place downtown from September 23rd to 25th.
The Friday Route 66 City Night Cruise includes over 2,000 classic cars and “Hail to Heroes” to honor military personnel and military personnel.
The 12-piece Bloomze Brothers band will perform on Saturday with Groove Daddies and One Foot In. Neverly Brothers, “Rock’n Roll Tribute from Elvis to The Beatles” is booked on Friday.
For more information, please visit the Mother Road Festival website.
Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788, sspearie @ sj-r.com, twitter.com /@StevenSpearie.
