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September 2, 2022 By From The Editors

Summer is winding down — guess you could say it’s “over,” but that doesn’t officially happen until Sept. 22 — and it’s time to start looking forward to cooler evenings and cool activities. We’ll do our best, as always, to line you up with some interesting things to do this month.

Thanks to Busey Bank for presenting our list of things to do in September. 

Hoopeston National Sweetcorn Festival, Sept. 1-5

If you’re missing the now-defunct Urbana Sweetcorn Festival, Hoopeston’s annual event will certainly be an apt replacement. In addition to the usual festival-type events, the National Sweetcorn Festival features about 50 tons — yep, we said 50 tons — of free, delicious sweetcorn to be distributed to patrons’ bellies. If you’ve never been, we promise you won’t be disappointed.

Champaign County Labor Day Parade and Picnic, Sept. 5

Perhaps better known as the “Candy Parade,” this year the parade moves to downtown Champaign due to construction plans at its previous site in Urbana. Don’t miss the picnic in West Side Park afterward. (If you’re a C-U newbie: This parade is known for distributing massive amounts of candy to onlookers.) Make sure you bring a bag. A big, big bag.

Arcola Broom Corn Festival, Sept. 9-10

It’s not easy to pick a highlight of this annual event, but perhaps it is the unique parade, which features, among other entries, the famous “Lawn Rangers,” a group of folks with lawn mowers. Trust us, you’ll want to check it out.

Meadowbrook Park Jazz Walk, Sept. 9

This is a super-neat event, featuring a variety of musical acts doing their thing while spaced among the walking grounds of Meadowbrook Park in Urbana. Free!

C-U Black and African Arts Festival, Sept. 9-10

Urbana’s Lincoln Square Mall and Krannert Center for the Performing Arts are the sites of this free, two-day event that features live music, food, arts and culture of the black and African communities.

Toddler Time: Stuffie Check-Up, Sept. 15

Don’t miss the inaugural West Side Arts, presented by the Champaign Park District and 40 North. Artists and art lovers will come together for a free juried art festival. Join the festivities from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to purchase and peruse amazing local and regional art showcasing a multitude of mediums.

Champaign County Hot Air Balloon Festival, Sept. 23-24

Champaign County’s first hot air balloon festival will take place at Dodds Park in Champaign, featuring balloon rides, a carnival, a kids tent, a balloon glow, food vendors and more.

Pumpkin Patches, Corn Mazes and Apple Picking, all month

And, lucky for you, we have all the details right here! Pick some apples, dazzle yourself in a corn maze or find the perfect pumpkin — September and its temperate temperatures are ideal for outdoor fun.

Filed Under: Activities, Free Activities, Outdoor Fun, Summer Activities, Things To Do in CU Tagged With: apple picking, arcola, black and african arts festival, Broom Corn Festival, Busey Bank, champaign, champaign county, corn mazes, Hoopeston, hot air balloons, Jazz, labor day parade, Meadowbrook Park, pumpkin patches, sweetcorn festival, toddler time, urbana, west side arts

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