Downtown Springfield's outdoor festivals are back! See the 10 on our list

Steven Spearie, State Journal-Register
·7 min read
A rainbow flag carried by staff and volunteers from the Phoenix Center during the Springfield PrideFest parade, makes its way down Capitol Avenue Saturday, May 19, 2018 in Springfield, Ill.
A rainbow flag carried by staff and volunteers from the Phoenix Center during the Springfield PrideFest parade, makes its way down Capitol Avenue Saturday, May 19, 2018 in Springfield, Ill.

Art. Classic hotrods. Fireworks. Music under the stars.

Outdoor festivals are back.

PrideFest, the Old Capitol Art Fair and the opening of the Old Capitol Farmers Market highlight a busy weekend and the opening a number of festivals and gatherings in the downtown Springfield area.

For some, like the Art Fair, it is a return from COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

For others, such as the Springfield Jaycees' Capitol City Celebration, it was a longer wait.

Here's what's in store:

Mahogany Knight will be part of the Drag Show at PrideFest Saturday night.
Mahogany Knight will be part of the Drag Show at PrideFest Saturday night.

PrideFest

A day of embracing diversity and celebrating the central Illinois LGBTQ community, PrideFest steps off Saturday with a parade starting at Fifth and Allen streets at 11:30 a.m.

The parade will head north on Fifth Street to Capitol Avenue and end at the event stage on Capitol Avenue. There a kickoff presentation is slated for noon.

Entertainment at the Y Block includes The Deep Hollow (12:30 p.m.), Thornhill (2:15 p.m.), Bluewater Kings (4 p.m.) and a Drag Show featuring Deanna Knight, Mahogany Knight, Vincent Knight, Mimi VanCartier, J Estalado Knight and Veronica Knight (8 p.m.)

There is also a kids area and plenty of food vendors.

PrideFest is sponsored by the Phoenix Center, an LGBTQ Community Center offering various group services, training, social and educational events and transitional housing. For more information, visit www.springfieldpride.org.

Old Capitol Art Fair

One of the jewels of the Midwest, the Springfield Old Capitol Art Fair, returns Saturday and Sunday after a two-year hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic just in time for its 60th anniversary.

Over 150 juried artists working in a range of mediums including acrylic, oil, ceramics, photography, jewelry, mixed media, metal, wood, drawing, fibers, glass, sculpture, watercolor, and printmaking will be featured. A children's tent (Sixth and Adams) for ages 2 to 15 will be open selling authentic artwork for $4-$6 a piece.

Because of ongoing construction at the Old State Capitol, artists will be on Fifth Street between Washington and Adams; on Adams on the plaza between Fifth and Sixth and on Washington on the plaza between Fifth and Sixth, said art fair chair Julie Beveridge.

The Springfield Municipal Band kicks off the musical entertainment at 10 a.m. Saturday. Also scheduled are Rhodes & Battles (10:15 a.m.); Solar Chariot (11:30 a.m.); Mary Jo Curry (1:15 p.m.) and Kapital Sound (3:15 p.m.) On Sunday, Levi & Jaqueline take the stage at 10 a.m. followed by Blue Ribbon Revival (11 a.m.); Tom Irwin & the Raouligans (12:30 p.m.) and Suburban Mystics (2:30 p.m.) Music and food is on Fifth between Washington and Jefferson.

The art fair runs Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sabrina Serafin, 2, checks out a sage plant as her mother, Emily Serafin, shops the selection at the Gregory Orchard and Garden stand during the first Old Capitol Farmers Market of the summer season along East Adams Street in Springfield, Ill., Wednesday, May 12, 2021.
Sabrina Serafin, 2, checks out a sage plant as her mother, Emily Serafin, shops the selection at the Gregory Orchard and Garden stand during the first Old Capitol Farmers Market of the summer season along East Adams Street in Springfield, Ill., Wednesday, May 12, 2021.

Old Capitol Farmers Market

The Old Capitol Farmers Market, the area’s largest producer-only farmers market, returns to Fourth and Adams streets from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

The farmers market, in its 23rd season under Downtown Springfield, Inc., will be at the location on Wednesdays and Saturdays through the end of October.

All products are grown, raised or handmade by each vendor meaning nothing is resold or mass produced. The producer-only rule is part of a larger effort to help shoppers know their farmers and better understand and invest in local food systems.

The farmers market accepts federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and doubles SNAP funds for customers thanks to Link Up Illinois’ Link Match program.

There is a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Fourth and Adams at 9 a.m. Saturday, with complimentary cake from Incredibly Delicious.

For more information, visit DSI's website.

Levitt AMP

A third season of the Levitt AMP Springfield Music Series presented by PNC will kick off at the Y block north of the Governor’s Mansion (at Jackson Street between Fourth and Fifth streets) with the Soul Message Band on June 2.

Two late additions to the lineup include Rajesh Chalam and Orchestra Saregama, playing a high energy fusion of Bollywood hits, Hindustani classics and American popular music (July 14) and Cincinnati rockers the Heavy Hours (June 9) who have attracted the interest of Black Keys frontman Dan Auerbach.

Each of the 10 free concerts, with music ranging from country to Afro-rock to Zydeco to Indian, are slated for 6 p.m. Thursdays through Aug. 4.

Guinean native Natu Camara brings a mix of West African soul, rock and pop music to the Levitt AMP Springfield Music Series at the Y Block on June 16. The concerts are free.
Guinean native Natu Camara brings a mix of West African soul, rock and pop music to the Levitt AMP Springfield Music Series at the Y Block on June 16. The concerts are free.

New this year is “Dance Intermission," when local and regional dance troupes will perform during the evening's half-hour intermission.

The Springfield Park District will host children’s activities during each evening of the concerts.

The Springfield Jaycees will host its annual fireworks display on June 30. It is presented by Pole Barn Chic.

For more information, visit Levitt AMP Springfield on Facebook.

  • June 2 – Soul Message Band (jazz)

  • June 9 – The Heavy Hours (rock)

  • June 16 – Natu Camara (Afro-rock)

  • June 23 – Davina and the Vagabonds (jazz swing)

  • June 30 – Charanga Tropical (Latin)

  • July 7 – Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience (Zydeco)

  • July 14 -- Orchestra Saregama (Indian)

  • July 21 – Sheryl Youngblood Blues Band (blues)

  • July 28 – Arlo McKinley (country)

  • Aug. 4 – Harlem Gospel Travelers (gospel)

Artist on the Plaza

The Artist on the Plaza series returns to the Old State Capitol Plaza.

The free, family-friendly series runs on Fridays at noon between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

The concerts are sponsored this year by the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The artist lineup will be announced Thursday.

Legacy of Giving Festival

Over 60 bands will ply five stages at the Legacy of Giving (LoG) Festival, which runs June 3-4 downtown.

There will be plenty of vendors, kids entertainment and arts and crafts, all raising funds for local charities.

Stages are set up on Fifth Street, Washington Street and the Old State Capitol Plaza.

Friday night runs from 5 p.m. to midnight with Saturday running from noon to midnight.

For more information, visit www.logmusicfest.org.

Old Capitol Blues & BBQ

The Old Capitol Blues & BBQ will return on Aug. 26-27 and will have its familiar configuration with the stage at Fifth and Adams streets, promised organizer Barry Friedman, the owner of The Alamo.

Friedman has been trying to book a crossover blues act on Saturday with a more traditional blues performer on Friday. The two-day event has attracted Big Head Todd & the Monsters, Spin Doctors and the Smithereens, among other acts. No word yet on this year's lineup.

The weekend also features the Illinois Central Blues Challenge and plenty of area barbecue.

For more information, visit the Old Capitol Blues & BBQ Facebook page.

NIL8 performs at the 2018 Downhome Music Festival in Springfield.
NIL8 performs at the 2018 Downhome Music Festival in Springfield.

Downhome Music Festival

The Downhome Music Festival, a celebration of Springfield area bands, returns to Seventh and Washington streets on July 29-30.

Money from all ticket purchases goes directly to the local musicians taking part in the event.

People will also be able to buy tickets at the corner of South Seventh and East Adams streets.

Last year 28 local bands took to three stages. A post on its Facebook page promised a lineup announcement soon.

AbeFest

AbeFest returns to the Bank of Springfield (BoS) Center Plaza with headliners John Waite (July 8) and Filter (July 9).

The St. Louis band Feel and Springfield's Josie Lowder Band will be on the bill with Waite.

The sibling duo Jocelyn & Chris and Harlem Hayfield will open for Filter.

Waite last played in Springfield at the Hoogland Center for the Arts in 2006. The former lead singer of the Babys ("Isn't It Time") and Bad English ("When I See You Smile"), Waite has had solo hits with "Missing You" and "Change."

Filter is known for its 1990s hits "Hey Man Nice Shot" and "Take A Picture."

"It gives (concert-goers) a little different flavor each night," said AbeFest organizer Tim Smith.

The concert will move indoors in case of inclement weather. Tickets go on sale Friday.

For more information, visit AbeFest's Facebook page.

Richard Patrick and the rock band Filter ("Hey Man Nice Shot") headline AbeFest at the the Bank of Springfield (BoS) Plaza on July 9.
Richard Patrick and the rock band Filter ("Hey Man Nice Shot") headline AbeFest at the the Bank of Springfield (BoS) Plaza on July 9.

Capital City Celebration

After a four-year hiatus, the Springfield Jaycees are bringing back Capital City Celebration June 30-July 3.

The Jaycees are promising fireworks both opening and closing nights of the celebration.

Last year, the Jaycees partnered with Levitt AMP Springfield Music Series for fireworks.

The celebration will include a parade, a kids activities zone and patriotic pageants.

Its last celebration was held at the Y Block.

For more information, go to the Springfield Jaycees website.

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

Mother Road Festival

The International Route 66 Mother Road Festival descends on downtown Sept. 23-25.

The Friday Route 66 City Nights Cruise features over 2,000 classic cars and a "Hail to Heroes," recognizing servicemen and servicewomen.

The 12-piece Blooze Brothers band plays Saturday along with Groove Daddies and One Foot In. Neverly Brothers, "A Rock 'n' Roll Tribute from Elvis to the Beatles," is booked for Friday.

For more information, visit the Mother Road Festival website.

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

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Check out the 10 Springfield IL outdoor festivals coming this summer