St. Joseph, St. Joseph-Ogden and Prairieview Schools will close March 16 to March 20 for spring break. While many go on vacation, local organizations have much planned for those staying at home! Whether you’re looking to take a dip in the pool, see a performance or try your hand at something new, our staff has some ideas that are sure to make someone in your household excited!
March 12
CUTC Presents Steel Magnolias: Parkland College’s Second Stage Theatre, 7 p.m.
Spring Musical “Guys and Dolls” Performance: Heritage High School, 7 p.m.
March 13
Urbana Indoor Aquatic Center’s School’s Out Swim Days
Public Swim from 1:30 to 9 p.m.
Pot o’ Gold, Oakwood Public Library, 10:30 to 2:30
CUTC Presents Steel Magnolias: Parkland College’s Second Stage Theatre, 7 p.m.
March 14
Read to a Dog: Mahomet Public Library, 10 to 11 a.m.
Books and pups? It doesn’t get much better. Join the Mahomet Public Library and read to a dog in the library! Certified therapy dogs from the Champaign-Urbana Canine Connection will visit the library to promote literacy. All readers and dog lovers alike are invited to grab a book, ruffle some fur, and read to a dog in a judgment-free zone.
Spring Musical “Guys and Dolls” Performance: Heritage High School, 7 p.m.
Breakfast with St. Patrick: Mansfield United Methodist Church, 9 a.m. to noon
Enjoy a traditional Irish breakfast with St. Patrick before you listen to him tell his own story. This event is open to all families.
Second Saturday Board Games: Urbana Free Library, 2 to 6 p.m.
Join the Urbana Free Library for this monthly drop-in program for all ages. Choose a game to play from the Library’s collection of board games for adults and families. They have some old classics like Go and Backgammon, as well as new favorites like deck-building Dominion and treasure-hunting Tobago. Never heard of ’em? No problem. They have staff and volunteers standing by to lead demonstrations of how to play. Grab a beverage at the Café and spend an enjoyable afternoon playing games with friends at the Library.
Spanish Story Time, Urbana Free Library, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Come with your children to listen to storytelling in English and Spanish, enjoy traditional songs, and make a craft! Vengan con sus niños a escuchar la narración del libro en inglés y español, disfrutar canciones tradicionales, y hacer una manualidad! For children of all ages and their caregivers. Para niños de todas las edades y sus familias.
Chess + For Kids, Urbana Free Library, 3 to 5 p.m.
Join us on Saturday afternoons for game time: chess, Monopoly®, and many more games will be available. Registration not required. For children ages 5 and up.
The Vermilion County Conservation Foundation will host its 5th Annual Banquet on March 14 at 5 p.m. at Sleepy Creek Vineyards in Fairmount. Tickets cost $35 for one adult and $50 per couple with a youth ticket running at $15. The evening will include dinner, auction, youth and adult raffles and door prizes. All proceeds will benefit the Vermilion County Conservation District. Call 217.442.1691 to purchase tickets.
CUTC Presents Steel Magnolias: Parkland College’s Second Stage Theatre, 2 and 7 p.m.
March 15
Maple Syrup Open House: Forest Glen Preserve, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Forest Glen Preserve is home to a maple grove that began producing maple syrup commercially in 1984. A peak harvest can produce 4,200 gallons of maple sugar, making Forest Glen Preserve the third largest producer of maple syrup in Illinois. Each year, school children visit Forest Glen Preserve to witness the modern 30-inch by 10-foot evaporator housed in a building called the “Sugar Bush.” During their visit, they are able to see the maple sugar be turned into maple syrup, and taste the finished product. On March 15, the public is invited to the Maple Syrup Open House to see the “Sugar Bush” building, the syrup-production process and to enjoy a pancake and sausage dinner (adults $6, children under 12 are $3).
Young Artist’s Studio: Mosaic Tiles: Urbana Free Library, 3 to 4 p.m.
Join us for the next installment of our Young Artist’s Studio with local artist Susan Parenti! Susan will help you make your own beautiful mosaic tile to take home and display. This can get messy, please come wearing clothes you’re not afraid to get dirty. Gloves and all materials will be provided. The Young Artist’s Studio is a series of art workshops sponsored by The Urbana Free Library and The Urbana Arts & Culture Program designed to offer youth an opportunity to explore the arts! All events in the series are free and open to the public. For children ages 5 to 11 (7 and under with a caregiver)
Market IN the Square Concert: The Local Session & Shamrock Dance, Lincoln Square, 10 to 11 a.m.
Join the Urbana Arts and Culture Program for Market IN the Square Concerts at the indoor farmer’s market in Lincoln Square as The Local Session, performs traditional Irish music with a 10-piece band while you shop the local market! Following their performance, the Shamrock Academy of Irish Dance will showcase their latest in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.
CUTC Presents Steel Magnolias: Parkland College’s Second Stage Theatre, 2 and 7 p.m.
March 16
Quill Writing: Museum of the Grand Prairie, 2 to 4 p.m.
Try your hand at writing with a quill feather and more hand-writing technologies from the past. Take yourself back in time and write a letter like many did centuries ago!
Intro to Letterboxing: Homer Lake Interpretive Center, 2-3:30 p.m.
Ever been on a real-life treasure hunt? Come out to Homer Lake for a lesson on Letterboxing, a popular hobby for all ages that uses clues to lead you to hidden treasures in the woods! FREE. Recommended for ages 10 & up. Register by March 15 at ccfpd.org. For more info: (217) 896-2455 or jwick@ccfpd.org.
Make and Take Spring Break, Urbana Free Library, All Day
Feeling Creative? Come to the Library for our all-day, drop-in craft extravaganza!
Irish Dancing from the Shamrock Academy, Urbana Free Library, 1 to 1:30 p.m.
The Shamrock Academy of Irish Dance will demonstrate traditional Irish dancing. These award-winning dancers will have you clapping and tapping as they jump, spin, and kick to some traditional Irish music. Dancers of all ages and levels will share their joy of Irish dancing with the audience.
Teen Open Lab, Urbana Free Library, 3 to 5:30 p.m.
The Lewis Auditorium at The Urbana Free Library becomes the Teen Open Lab most Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons. Music recording, 3D printing, sewing, reading, drawing, crafting, gaming, film-making, or just hanging out. The Teen Open Lab has something for everyone!
DIY Kids, Basketball Hoop Game: Champaign Public Library, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Get ready for the national tournament by making your own mini basketball hoop game.
Urbana Park District’s Indoor Aquatic Center Spring Break Swim
Public Swim 1:30 to 9 p.m., Lap Swim and Water Exercise 6 to 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Story time, St. Joseph Township- Swearingen Memorial Library, 6:30 to 7 p.m.
Join us for a free drop-in story time open to all children! We offer the same program twice, Monday eveing and Tuesday morning, every 2 weeks. Parents/caregivers are asked to stay with children under the age of 3.
March 17
Fun with textiles: Museum of the Grand Prairie, 2 to 4 p.m.
Do you happen to know how the clothes on your back were made? Or how your bedding was crafted? Come and try your hand at old fashioned textile methods!
Meet the Critters: Homer Lake Interpretive Center, 2-3:30 p.m.
Come meet some of Homer Lake Forest Preserve’s resident reptiles! This program will consist of a brief lesson on reptiles, along with interesting facts about the animals that live inside the Interpretive Center. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet their resident reptiles up close! FREE. All ages. Register by March 16 at ccfpd.org; for more info: (217) 896-2455 or jwick@ccfpd.org.
Story time, St. Joseph Township- Swearingen Memorial Library, 10 to 10:30 p.m.
Join us for a free drop-in story time open to all children! We offer the same program twice, Monday eveing and Tuesday morning, every 2 weeks. Parents/caregivers are asked to stay with children under the age of 3.
Make and Take Spring Break, Urbana Free Library, All Day
Feeling Creative? Come to the Library for our all-day, drop-in craft extravaganza!
Teen Open Lab, Urbana Free Library, 3 to 5:30 p.m.
The Lewis Auditorium at The Urbana Free Library becomes the Teen Open Lab most Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons. Music recording, 3D printing, sewing, reading, drawing, crafting, gaming, film-making, or just hanging out. The Teen Open Lab has something for everyone!
DIY Kids, Cup Stacking Challenge: Champaign Public Library, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Stack plastic cups into mega towers and take it down faster than anyone else. Are you up for the challenge?
The Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Urbana Sipyard, 5 to 7 p.m.
Urbana Park District’s Indoor Aquatic Center Spring Break Swim
Public Swim 1:30 to 9 p.m., Lap Swim and Water Exercise 6 to 8 a.m. and 11
a.m. to 1 p.m.
March 18
Beach Blanket Bingo: Mahomet Public Library, 12 to 1:30 p.m.
You bring your lunch and a beach towel; the Mahomet Public Library will provide beverages and a dessert! After lunch, there’ll be Bingo for prizes. Space is limited; please register.
Butter Churning: Museum of the Grand Prairie, 2 to 4 p.m.
We need your help churning this treat! Join us as we create butter using various methods that require just a little cream and no electricity!
Survival Day: Homer Lake Interpretive Center
Sign up for one or both of these programs to learn the basics of surviving in the woods! Recommended for ages 8 and up. FREE. Register by March 17 at ccfpd.org; For more info: (217) 896-2455 or pleiter@ccfpd.org.
Fire By Friction: Interpretive Center, 10-11:30 a.m.
Before the convenience of matches and lighters, how did we start a fire? Try out old-fashioned fire-making skills like flint & steel and the bow drill in this exciting program.
Survival Shelters: West Lake Trail (north parking lot), 2-3:30 p.m.
Could you survive a night lost in the woods? The first step is building a shelter to keep you warm and dry. After a short introduction, we’ll practice making shelters.
Make and Take Spring Break, Urbana Free Library, All Day
Feeling Creative? Come to the Library for our all-day, drop-in craft extravaganza!
Teen Open Lab, Urbana Free Library, 3 to 5:30 p.m.
The Lewis Auditorium at The Urbana Free Library becomes the Teen Open Lab most Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons. Music recording, 3D printing, sewing, reading, drawing, crafting, gaming, film-making, or just hanging out. The Teen Open Lab has something for everyone!
The Magic Lantern, Urbana Free Library, 6 to 7 p.m.
The Magic Lantern Part 2 is the second installment of an ongoing series of interactive animation projects which explore the art of animation through various, animation-viewing contraptions of the old and the new. The presentation will be divided into two parts. The first half will showcase various animated shorts by visual artist, EKAH. In the second half, the artist will give a live presentation of animated sculptures created from modern tools such as 3D printing and laser-cut wood panels.
DIY Kids, Space Lander Challenge: Champaign Public Library, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Design and build your own space lander then test it to see if your marshmallow astronauts stay inside.
Urbana Park District’s Indoor Aquatic Center Spring Break Swim
Public Swim 1:30 to 9 p.m., Lap Swim and Water Exercise 6 to 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
March 19
Candle Dipping: Museum of the Grand Prairie, 2 to 4 p.m.
During the 19th century, candles were the most common form of interior lighting. Dip a wick in some candle wax and take home your very own classic candle!
Vendor Fair: The Glenwood Assisted Living of Mahomet, 4 to 6 p.m.
We will update this listing with Vendors when they are finalized.
Prairie Skies: Staerkel Planetarium, 10 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 2 p.m.
Take a live-narrated tour of the wonders of tonight’s sky accompanied by some of the legendary stories of the ancient sky. Find out what constellations and planets are visible tonight and how to find them. This show is undated and is intended for all ages. Adults $6, Senior/Student/Youth $5, FOSP members FREE
Sunstruck: Staerkel Planetarium, 11 a.m. to noon
School is out for Spring Break! Why not visit the planetarium for special midday showings of the fulldome programs Sunstruck and Out There? If weather permits, we’ll also do some safe solar viewing with special filters. Adults $6, Senior/Student/Youth $5, FOSP members FREE
Out There: Staerkel Planetarium, 2 to 3 p.m.
Why not visit the planetarium for special midday showings of the fulldome programs Sunstruck and Out There? If weather permits, we’ll also do some safe solar viewing with special filters. Adults $6, Senior/Student/Youth $5, FOSP members FREE
Make and Take Spring Break, Urbana Free Library, All Day
Feeling Creative? Come to the Library for our all-day, drop-in craft extravaganza!
Teen Open Lab, Urbana Free Library, 3 to 5:30 p.m.
The Lewis Auditorium at The Urbana Free Library becomes the Teen Open Lab most Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons. Music recording, 3D printing, sewing, reading, drawing, crafting, gaming, film-making, or just hanging out. The Teen Open Lab has something for everyone!
DIY Kids, Lava Lamps: Champaign Public Library, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
The Champaign Public Library’s most popular DIY project returns! Make your own lava lamp with food coloring, glitter, and Alka-Seltzer tablets.
Urbana Park District’s Indoor Aquatic Center Spring Break Swim
Public Swim 1:30 to 9 p.m., Lap Swim and Water Exercise 6 to 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
March 20
Civil War Craft & Activity Day: Museum of the Grand Prairie, 2 to 4 p.m.
The Civil War was an influential time in United States history. Join us for a day of fun and learning as we provide hands-on activities to bring this period in history to life!
Make and Take Spring Break, Urbana Free Library, All Day
Feeling Creative? Come to the Library for our all-day, drop-in craft extravaganza!
Teen Open Lab, Urbana Free Library, 3 to 5:30 p.m.
The Lewis Auditorium at The Urbana Free Library becomes the Teen Open Lab most Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons. Music recording, 3D printing, sewing, reading, drawing, crafting, gaming, film-making, or just hanging out. The Teen Open Lab has something for everyone!
Princess Party, Urbana Free Library, 3:15 to 4 p.m.
Join the Urbana Free Library for princess-filled stories, songs, crafts, and treats. If you would like, come dressed as a princess.
Urbana Park District’s Indoor Aquatic Center Spring Break Swim
Public Swim 1:30 to 9 p.m., Lap Swim and Water Exercise 6 to 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
March 21
Makerspace, Jr., Urbana Free Library, 2 to 4 p.m.
Would you like to try a 3D printer, drawing tablet, vinyl cutter, sewing machine, or guitar? Do you like making things out of recyclable materials? Are you thinking about making a gift to give someone? You can do all of this and more when you join us for an afternoon of makerspace fun – just for elementary age students!
Chess + For Kids, Urbana Free Library, 3 to 5 p.m.
Join us on Saturday afternoons for game time: chess, Monopoly®, and many more games will be available. Registration not required. For children ages 5 and up.
Urbana Park District’s Indoor Aquatic Center Spring Break Swim
Public Swim 12 to 5 p.m.
March 22
Urbana Park District’s Indoor Aquatic Center Spring Break Swim
Public Swim 12 to 5 p.m.
