From arts and crafts to German food, Springfield fall festivals offer plenty to see, do

Steven Spearie, State Journal-Register
·4 min read

The former Benedictine University Springfield campus is coming back to life after being dormant for years.

Destiny Church now occupies Ursuline Academy's Sixth Street building and Angela Hall. Tony and Ann Libri are trying to resurrect Ursula Hall Music Conservatory, Ursuline Academy's Fifth Street building and the former living quarters of the Ursuline Sisters.

More:Brazen thieves and vandals hamper restoration work of once vibrant Springfield campus

The Brinkerhoff Home, built by a contemporary of Abraham Lincoln's and a popular wedding and reception destination, is occupied by several office spaces. A popular fall crafts festival once hosted at the home returns Oct. 1 with over 150 artisans and antique booths occupying the Sixth Street stretch. Besides the outdoor fun, the campus buildings will be open for tours, a chance to relive high school and college days.

Toni Libri talks about the ambitious project to rehabilitate the buildings that housed the former Ursuline Academy, including the Chapel that was built in 1895, on North Fifth Street in Springfield, Ill., Tuesday, November 16, 2021. Tony and Ann Libri are in the process of purchasing the property of the former Benedictine University and are selling portions of it to help fund a non-profit that was established with hopes of redeveloping the former buildings that housed Ursuline Academy. [Justin L. Fowler/The State Journal-Register]

Here are several other festivals going on in the upcoming weeks:

Marbold Heritage Festival

Sept. 10-11, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Put on by the Historic Marbold Farmstead Association on the grounds of the mansion dating from the 1850s, the weekend includes steam and gas engine demonstrations, Civil War presentations, historical portrayals (including Kathryn Harris as Harriet Tubman) and guided tours of the home, plus demonstrations, live music, antiques, children's activities, food and drinks. Historic Marbold Farmstead, Greenview, 21722 Illinois 29. historic-marbold-farmstead.org. 217-341-8293. $3-$5.

Oktoberfest

Sept. 10, noon to 10 p.m. Traditional German bands Die Musikmeisters (noon to 3 p.m.), Die Spitzbaum (4 to 6:30 p.m.) and Heidelberg German Band (7 to 10 p.m.) German beer and food, Dachshund racing (3 to 4 p.m.), stein holding contests, children's activities. All proceeds benefit St. Martin de Porres Pantry. Knights of Columbus Hall #364, 2200 S. Meadowbrook Road. kccolumbiancenter.com. 217-787-2360. $5.

Edwards Place Fine Art Fair

Sept. 17-18, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Sept. 17), 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Sept. 18). Artists from across the nation and town will return to the Edwards Place Historic Home grounds. There is everything from jewelry to pottery to etchings and paintings. A used book sale benefits the Michael Victor II Art Library. Edwards Place will be open for self-guided tours and special servants' tours at 1 p.m. each day. Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St. springfieldart.org. 217-523-2631. While in the neighborhood, visit historic homes in Enos Park in various stages of renovation. Tours are from 1 to 5 p.m. Sept. 17. Tickets available at the booth at the Edwards Place Fine Arts Fair. 217-553-4629. $10.

The International Route 66 Mother Road Festival returns to Springfield Sept. 23-25.
The International Route 66 Mother Road Festival returns to Springfield Sept. 23-25.

International Route 66 Mother Road Festival

Sept. 23-25. The ode to the Mother Road brings 70,000 to 90,000 visitors to the capital city, plus 1,200 show cars. The weekend includes a cruise, a burnout contest and a vintage camper rally. Actor Caye Barnett (one of Jerry Reed's daughters in the film "Smokey and the Bandit") will appear with other "Bandit" characters. Downtown Springfield, between Washington and Capitol streets and Fourth and Seventh streets. Route66Fest.com. 217-553-5271.

The Brinkerhoff Home on the property of the former Benedictine University on North Fifth Street in Springfield, Ill., Tuesday, November 16, 2021. Gordon Fidler, the building's new owner, has rented out some second-floor office space, while the downstairs will host wedding receptions, dinners and teas. The building dates from the 1860s.
The Brinkerhoff Home on the property of the former Benedictine University on North Fifth Street in Springfield, Ill., Tuesday, November 16, 2021. Gordon Fidler, the building's new owner, has rented out some second-floor office space, while the downstairs will host wedding receptions, dinners and teas. The building dates from the 1860s.

Artisans & Antiques Market

Oct. 1, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Independent artisans, including potters, jewelry makers and woodworkers, will be featured with antique sellers across the grounds of former Benedictine University Springfield and Ursuline Academy campuses. There will be tours of the 1860s era Brinkerhoff Home, the Dream Center (the former Dawson Hall) and Ursula Hall Music Conservatory. There will be food trucks and a children's area. 1400-1500 N. Fifth St., 217-836-7671.

Carve for the Carillon

Oct. 8-9, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Get creative carving your pumpkin because they will be part of the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular the next week (Oct. 14-15 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.) Carve for the Carillon is a rain or shine event and while supplies last. Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon at Washington Park, 1740 W. Fayette Ave. carillon-rees.org. 217-546-3853. (Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, $7-$10).

Fall Harvest Festival

Oct. 8-9, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lincoln Memorial Garden's annual event includes artisan demonstrations and exhibits, fairy house building, tree troll program, Art in the Garden, face painting, music and entertainment. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 East Lake Shore Drive. lincolnmemorialgarden.org. 217-529-1111. $8.

Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788, sspearie@sj-r.com, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Late summer and fall festivals happening in Springfield, IL area