Train Show, Midsommar Music Festival and more: 13 things to do in Galesburg
It’s Train Show weekend in Galesburg. Enjoy all the related concerts and activities among 13 things to do this weekend.
Storytime with WQPT PBS
What: Join WQPT to read a story and participate in a hands-on activity. Each child will receive a PBS Kids Summer Activity book. Recommended for ages 3 to 8.
When: 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday
Where: Galesburg Public Library, 40 E. Simmons St., Galesburg
Cost: Free
For more: 309-343-6118
Meet Me in Saint Louis
What: Enjoy this week’s Throwback Thursday movie, Meet Me in St. Louis (1944). This musical, featuring beloved Judy Garland, as well as other big names from the silver screen, is fun for the whole family.
When: 2 p.m. or 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: The Orpheum Theatre, 57 S. Kellogg St., Galesburg
Cost: Free
For more: 309-342-2299
Show with musician and storyteller Dave Martin
What: Take a good-natured romp through the Midwest, exploring the culture and storied history of the region. Enjoy special refreshments from Next to the Salt. Musician and storyteller Dave Martin will perform both traditional and original songs.
When: 6 p.m. Friday, June 23 (doors open at 5:30 p.m.)
Where: Galesburg Public Library, upstairs, 40 E. Simmons St., Galesburg
Cost: Free
For more: 309-343-6118
Create-a-Comic
What: Learn to tell stories in comic form and create a short six-panel comic. Presented by Do Art Productions. Open to kids and teens entering grades 4-12. Registration required.
When: 2 to 4 p.m. Friday
Where: Galesburg Public Library, 40 E. Simmons St., Galesburg
Cost: Free
For more: 309-343-6118
Chew Chew & Brew Block Party
What: Block party kicks off Railroad Days with local eats and music. Enjoy live music from Mike & Kayla (5-7 p.m.), Memphis Dives (7:30-10 p.m.) Friday for $5 (free for age 8 and younger). Cash only. There is a free kid’s area and activities from 5 to 7 p.m.
When: 5 to 10 p.m. Friday
Where: Park Plaza, downtown Galesburg
For more: dcpofgalesburg.org
The Crooked Cactus Band, Bits & Pieces & DJ SOSA
What: Enjoy food, beverage and music.
When: 2 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Patio Bar, 1585 Monmouth Road, Galesburg
For more: 309-343-1511
Annual Mount Calvary Annual Rummage Sale
What: Turn our treasures into yours at the annual sale.
When: 8 a.m. to noon Saturday
Where: Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, 1372 W. Fremont St., Galesburg
For more: 309-342-7083
Grand Opening: Haynes Beauty Bar | K&K Beauty Bar
What: There will not be services this day, but the business will be hosting a grand opening party.
When: 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Haynes Beauty Bar, 341 E. Main St., Galesburg
For more: 847-943-9303
Engine Palooza
What: Enjoy doing three crafts: craft your own train whistle, design an engine and paint a train. Explore the BNSF caboose, check out the train table or snap a selfie in the depot engine.
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday
Where: Discovery Depot, 128 S. Chambers St., Galesburg
Cost: $2 with admission
For more: 309-344-8876
2023 Bishop Hill Midsommar Music Festival
What: The 2023 Bishop Hill’s Midsommar Music Festival is a two-day family-friendly event. Highlights include concerts in the park, a Scandinavian folk dance workshop and a Swedish Maypole celebration. Please bring a lawn chair and celebrate this Swedish holiday. The free concerts at the village park gazebo start at 10 a.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday. The Vasa National Archives, a short block south of the park, will be offering a Midsummer Respite featuring drinks, snacks, and a make-and-take clay sculpture station both days of the festival. The public is welcome to view exhibits, enjoy some light refreshments, and make a clay sculpture to take home. The Vasa National Archives will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Where: Bishop Hill, Illinois
Cost: Free
For more: www.visitbishophill.com
2023 Galesburg Train Show
What: See more than 350 tables of model trains, books, videos, t-shirts and memorabilia at the annual show. Train sets will be given away hourly (must be present to win). Food and drinks available. Handicap accessible and stroller friendly. See operating model railroad layouts of various scales, more than 80 vendors and exhibitors. This is one of the largest Midwest train shows.
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Knox College T. Fleming Fieldhouse, 2 E. South St., Galesburg
Cost: $5; free for children ages 5 and younger
For more: johnstrainshobby@aol.com
The Highwaymen Show
What: Galesburg Railroad Days welcomes The Highwaymen Show – American Outlaw Tribute to The Orpheum Theatre stage during the annual festival. The show pays tribute to four of country music’s biggest legends: Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson. Together, these iconic superstars pioneered the outlaw country subgenre. Classic country fans will enjoy the greatest hits, including Highwayman, Mama Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be Cowboys, Always on My Mind, Me and Bobby McGee and more.
When: 7:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Orpheum Theatre, 57 S. Kellogg St., Galesburg
Cost: $30
For more: 309-342-2299
Western Illinoisans' Roles in the Civil War
What: Professor Dr. Tim Roberts will present this talk, touching on religious aspects of the Civil War, the war’s impact on Western Illinois and the effect of the railroad during that era. Roberts is a professor and chair of department of history at WIU.
When: 10:30 to noon Sunday
Where: Central Congregational Church, 60 Public Square, Galesburg
Cost: Free
Kathi Edwards is a freelance correspondent.
This article originally appeared on Galesburg Register-Mail: Galesburg Train Show among 13 things to do this weekend
