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May - Waterfall & Canyon Tour (Every Monday & Saturday in May) | 11:00am
Experience the fun of outdoor adventure at Starved Rock State Park with a guided walk to 3 spectacular waterfalls and canyons. We will hike to French and St. Louis Canyons as well as Ottawa Canyon. The tour will also include your selection from our Special Lunch Menu and a relaxing, historic trolly ride. This is a walking tour and is not recommended for individuals with limited mobility. Offered Mondays & Saturdays in April & May. Ticket price: $32 for adults, $27 for children (10 and under). For more information call (815) 220-7386.
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May 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st (Friday's in May) - Rock on the Block | Jordon Block Park, Ottawa, IL | 6:00pm-10:00pm
Rock on the Block. All age's entertainment, free to the public; sponsored by Ottawa Downtown Merchants and Vagrant Life. For more information call (815) 434-2737.
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Canal Boat & Trolley Tour | Every Friday, May-October | 11:00am-3:00pm
Start off with a hot lunch in the historic Main Dining Room of Starved Rock Lodge. Then, board one of the Starved Rock Trolleys for a ride to the Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center. After that, enjoy a relaxing ride to LaSalle and step back in time aboard "The Volunteer" where period-dress interpreters will take you on a 1-hour, mule-pulled canal boat ride. Finish your tour with a final stop at the Lock 16 Visitor Center. Reservations are required for this tour. Tickets are $39 per person. Please call (815) 220-7386.
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May 3rd - 4th - Midwest Morel Fest | Washington Square Park | Friday @ 4:00pm, Saturday @ 7:00am
LEARN, HUNT, AUCTION . . . for Morel Mushrooms during Ottawa's Midwest Morel Fest! This unique festival offers something for everyone from the mushroom enthusiast to the curious observer! See the following schedule: All events take place at Washington Square Park. *Friday, May 3rd - "LEARN AND GUIDED HUNT SEMINAR" by Morel University - limit of 120 Hunters - Begins at 4:00pm. *Saturday, May 4th - "CHAMPIONSHIP HUNT" - limit of 440 Hunters - sign-in begins at 7:00am Saturday morning with a deadline of 8:45am. All contestants will be bused to the hunt site. NO OTHER VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO FOLLOW THE OFFICIAL HUNT VEHICLES. *1:00pm "PUBLIC MOREL AUCTION". *2:30pm - "MOREL AWARDS CEREMONY". *Other Events - MOREL MUSHROOM MUSEUM, FARMERS MARKET, HAND AND HOME MADE MARKET, REDDICK MANSION TOURS, OTTAWA SCOUTING MUSEUM, HISTORIC WASHINGTON PARK, SHOPPING AND DINING, MAIN STREET ANTIQUES.
Cost for seminar and hunt each: 13 yrs and over $30.00, 12 yrs and under $15.00, Walk-Ins add $5.00. No cancellations. No refunds. REGISTRATION DEADLINE MAY 1. Walk-Ins permitted if space allows. Call the Ottawa Visitors Center to make your reservations today at (815) 434-2737! $30 per person/$15 per child.
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May 10th - Dueling Pianos at Starved Rock | Great Hall | 6:00pm-9:00pm
Dueling Pianos in the Great Hall on Friday, May 10th, 2013. Appetizers will be served from 6:00-7:00pm followed by the performance from 7:00 to 9:00pm. This is an experience like no other! Don't miss this wildly entertaining music and comedy dueling piano show. Appetizer Bar begins at 6:00pm and the show starts at 7:00pm. We will have a cash bar that will be open throughout the evening. Out interactive musical comedy experience will have you singing, shouting, dancing and laughing so hard you'll be doubled over. Event will be held in Great Hall and Starved Rock Room. Tickets are $35 per person. Advanced reservations a must. Limited availability. For reservations place call (815) 220-7386.
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May 11th - 10th Annual White Bass for Life Fishing Tournament | Shoreline Boat Club | 7:00am-12:00pm
About the tourney: Two Man Teams. $50.00 prepay or $60.00 at the door. Cash payout for 1st thru 6th places. Cash prizes for largest White Bass and junk fish. use public launch and come to Shoreline Boat Club Ottawa, IL. Sign in starts at 6AM. Live music by Crash and Pig Roast after the tournament $50.00 pre-pay, $60.00 at the door.
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May 11th - May Melodies ~ An Afternoon Tea | The Reddick Mansion | 1:00pm-3:00pm
The Reddick Mansion Association will be hosting an afternoon tea, "May Melodies", on Saturday, May 11th from 1pm-3pm. The event will begin with tea at individually decorated tea tables with themes that include pansies, desert roses, vines of ivy, and summer beaches. After enjoying the delicious selection of teas, sweets and savories on the lower level of the Mansion, guests will move to the lovely West Parlors where Sarah Arter, violinist, will perform. The menu will include two different kinds of tea, berry scones and Devonshire cream, cranberry-pecan tarts, lemon bon bons, and fresh fruit. Cucumber dill sandwiches, chicken salad, and black olive tea sandwiches will also be served. The cost is $12.00 for adults and $8.00 for children. Seating is limited and reservations are required. Please call the Reddick Mansion (815-433-6100) for more information.
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May 12th - Mother's Day/Tulip Festival at the Weber House and Garden | Weber House and Garden | 10:00am-5:00pm
Visit this storybook Tudor cottage during the Tulip Festival! Featuring hundreds of tulips in an English style garden of meandering paths. Punch and cookies served in Luther Hall. For more information call (815) 672-8327.
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May 12th - Mother's Day at Tracy's BoatHouse | HHO Marina
Make your Mom and all the ladies in your life feel special by treating them to our Mother's Day Menu in a special setting. Call (815) 434-0030 for reservations.
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May 18th - Botanical Arts Market | Jordan Block | 8:00am-2:00pm
With plenty of April showers, enjoy the May flowers at the Jordan Block! Any vendor/nursery interested in selling plants or botanical art related items may apply. $25 for 10' X 10' space. For more information call (815) 434-2737.
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May 19th - Ottawa Firefighters Local 523 20th Annual Firefighters Memorial & Open House | Ottawa Fire Department | 10:00am
In Illinois the third Sunday in May is designated Firefighter Memorial Day. This gives us an opportunity to honor our fallen firefighters who have served our citizens, some who have given the ultimate sacrifice. It gives us an opportunity to display our equipment and rich history of the Ottawa Fire Department. Please join us in celebrating this event. For more information please contact Chris Saar (815) 482-7839 or Jeff Clift (815) 992-7157.
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May 25th - Blessing of the Boats & Marina | HHO Marina | 11:00am
At 11:00am we will kick-off with the singing of the National Anthem. Then two local priests and pastors will bless the HHO Marina and walk the docks to bless our boats and guests to ensure a safe boating season. The event will conclude with carnations and a wreath being displayed in the marina. There will be food and drink specials throughout the day at Tracy's Boat House. For more information call (815) 433-5000.
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May 26th - Amazing Race Starved Rock Lodge Style | Starved Rock Lodge | 11:30am-3:30pm
Join us for Starved Rock Lodge's version of the Amazing Race on these select Sundays from May through September: May 26th, June 2nd & 23rd, July 7th &21st, August 4th & 25th, and September 1st & 15th. Spend an exciting day solving devious clues each step of the way and getting to know the Starved Rock Lodge area a little more. Try to be the first to uncover the Legend of Starved Rock. use your wits, energy and sense of adventure as you race against time and your fellow racers. Enjoy a post-race awards ceremony at the finish line. The Amazing Race is fantastic for families, but children under the age of 8 and guests with limited mobility may find this event too strenuous. Teams are of 2 or more. Check in for the race will be at 11:15am in the Starved Rock Lodge Lobby. Race start time is 11:30am. $50 per couple. For more information or to make a reservation (815) 220-7386.
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June 1st - 5K Foam Fest
Hot new craze in the racing circuit. Imagine all the fun of the mud run combined with foam and water obstacle for an experience that is a lot like running through a giant car wash! For more information contact Ariel at (801) 798-5451.
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Every Saturday JUNE - SEPTEMER Land & Water Cruise | Starved Rock State Park | 9:30am-1:00pm
Enjoy our most popular tour and see Starved Rock from the water! You can really see how big the ROCK is when you see it from this perspective. Plus, you'll see the wildlife living on Plum Island (egrets, cranes, migratory birds such as pelicans and more). Tour includes a hot lunch in our rustic Dining Room, a historic trolley ride and a leisurely 50-minute Illinois River cruise on the Belle of the Rock, an authentic paddlewheel boat. There is minimal walking involved on this tour. Tickets are $40.00 per person. Reservations are necessary. Please call (815) 220-7386.
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June 2nd, July 21st, August 25th, September 1st & 22nd - Music & Wine Under the Pines| Fox Ridge | 3:00pm-4:00pm
If the soft sound of the wind through the towering pines isn't enough for you on a Sunday afternoon, head to Fox Ridge at Starved Rock Lodge for outdoor concerts and a chance to sample and purchase Starved Rock wines. Sunday concerts at Fox Ridge are great for all ages and audience members are encouraged to bring a snack along from our Café to enjoy during the performance or purchase a snack at the Fox's Den right at Fox Ridge. An afternoon of music awaits! Admission: Voluntary Donation. Click here for more information.
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June 7th-9th - Ottawa's Two Rivers Wine and Jazz Fest | Downtown Ottawa | Friday @ 5:00pm-10:00pm, Saturday @ Noon-10:00pm, & Sunday @10:00am-5:00pm
Wine-Food-Jazz! Celebrating Illinois WINE paired with exceptional FOOD and smooth sounds of JAZZ! Please check out our Garden and Botanical Arts Vendors, Antiques along with local specialty stores in the Old Towne District. Buy your tickets at www.ottawa2riverswinefest.com. Or call 1-888-OTTAWA-4.
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June 7th-10th - 12th Annual Heritage Tractor Adventure
Join 200 vintage tractors led by Max Armstrong as they travel from Streator to different communities in the Heritage Corridor for food, entertainment and camaraderie. Tractors will enjoy Ottawa's 2River Wine and Jazz Fest on Friday evening. Other stops include Spirit Family Farm, Downtown Pontiac and Toluca. Orion Samuelson, world-renowned agriculture reporter will be signing his new book, "You Can't Dream Big Enough" at Streator's City Park on Saturday evening. Everyone is welcome to all events and tractors over 30 year's old are asked to have their drivers call 866-6-Tractor or email maryde@hccvbil.com for information on how to participate.
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June 14th - 15th Annual Cruise Night | Downtown Ottawa | 6:00pm-10:00pm
Come to Ottawa and check out the antique and custom cars during the city's 15th Annual Cruise Night! Over 100 different models of cars will line the streets! It's every car buff's dream! LaSalle Street will be closed down for this event. Hosted by The LaSalle County Cruisers and the City of Ottawa. For more information call (815) 228-4083.
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June 16th - Drum Circle | Fox Ridge | 3:00pm-4:00pm
Join us on Sunday June 16, 2013 under the Pines at Fox Ridge for a Drum Circle with Dave Peterson. This moving event begins at 3pm. If you've never been to a drum circle, just come and watch. Before you know it, you'll want to join in the fun. You'll enjoy the musical talent of local musician Dave Peterson and friends as they lead an outdoor drum circle surrounded by the beauty of nature at Starved Rock! You can listen to the amazing sounds or even sit down to drum along with the group. The drum circle may last longer than one hour. Call (815) 220-7386 if you have questions. Admission: Voluntary Donation.
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June 23rd - Falconry Program | Fox Ridge | 3:00pm-4:00pm
Join Falconry expert, Rich Escutia on June 23 at 3pm at Fox Ridge (our outdoor venue at Starved Rock Lodge) as he shares his expertise in falconry. Learn about the types of birds he has studied and meet some of his feathered friends during your visit. This is a free event. Donations are welcome. For more information call 815-220-7386.
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