Join us for the Annual Community Outdoor Movie Night for a fantastic family-friendly evening! Ottawa First presents Toy Story. Movie will start at dusk. Free popcorn and water will be available while supplies last.
Get ready for a kite festival of high-flying fun for all ages! This 2-day event will feature professional kite flying demonstrations from the Chicago Kite Company, a designated area for kids/family kite flying, children’s live entertainment, a candy drop, balloon artist, face painting, dunk tank, food vendors, and more! Kites will be for sale on-site, but families are also encouraged to bring their own kites to fly the sunny skies.
We’ll be updating our Facebook page with event details and schedules as the date approaches, so be sure to go and “LIKE” our Facebook page!
*Event is subjected to change.
The 3rd year of our family friendly Pride Festival will be taking place on Saturday, June 8th in Downtown Ottawa! It all kicks off with a parade at 10am straight down LaSalle St. The Main stage on Jordan block will feature The Little Monsters Lady Gaga Tribute Band, Billboard Artist Flamy Grant, and Celebrity Drag Queens Mrs. Kasha Davis and Nina West (fresh off her broadway tour!). That’s just the tip of the entertainment iceberg this year! Plus, almost 100 vendors and food trucks, free crafts, and so much more. All family friendly, and 100% nonprofit to raise funds for the local Youth Outlook Drop in Center! Free to attend main festival; Meet and Greet and evening prom do have ticket costs.
One of central Illinois LARGEST and most SPECTACULAR light shows! Our unique venue offers viewing from the high school bleachers all the way to the bluffs along the Illinois & Fox Rivers either on shore or in your boat.
The Illinois Valley Building Trades, the Illinois Valley Contractors’ Association and the Illinois Valley Labor Management Fund are providing a family friendly, completely FREE event for kids of all ages to explore their favorite vehicles.
See, touch, interact with and learn about dozens of cool vehicles. Look inside, sit inside, and climb all over any of these unusual vehicles and talk to their operators.
Traditional Oktoberfest is coming back to Downtown Ottawa! The Jordan Block will be filled with German fare (brats, schnitzel, spaetzle, and, of course, pretzels!), beer, polka, and vendors selling classic Oktoberfest wares. Activities for the entire family will span the day, and the festivities will stretch into the evening hours as we celebrate with good eats and good company. Lederhosen optional- but appreciated!
The long standing Ottawa Scarecrow Fest returns to Downtown Ottawa with activities for the entire family. Stroll from Washington Park to the Jordan block visiting craft vendors, trying a great variety of food (including freshly made apple cider donuts!), and listening to live music. Plus, the kids can enjoy pumpkin painting and other free crafts, games, and fun entertainers before walking arounf to view this year’s Scarecrow Competition entries throughout Downtown! Don’t forget to stop in all the local shops along the way to check out all Ottawa has to offer.
Purchase your Swag here!
Join us Saturday, October 12, 2024 for Ottawa’s Smoketober fest & bbq competition. The event will be held at the Jordan Block in beautiful downtown Ottawa from 12pm – 5pm. Featuring a BBQ competition – live music – pig roast – and more!
Friday hours: 4-8pm, Saturday hours: 11-7pm, Sunday hours: 11-4pm
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