Ottawa Downtown Association

Infinity Food Festival
2024-06-29 09:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Downtown Ottawa
Join us Downtown Ottawa on Jordan Block and in Washington Park as we welcome over 30 food trucks to satisfy every foodie! Get tickets for the beer tent. Kids head to Junior Chef tent to learn how to make fruit pizza!

Ottawa Art League Art in the Park Fine Art Show & Sale
2024-06-29 09:00 - 17:00 UTC | Washington Square Park, 101 E Lafayette St, Ottawa, Illinois
Original works in painting, graphics, sculpture, photography, wood, glass, metal, fabric, ceramics, jewelry, and mixed media are on display during the annual Ottawa Art League Art in the Park Fine Art Show and Sale!

Art in the Park is being held in conjunction with the Infinity Food Fest and the SRRC Family Fun Festival. Several family-friendly activities are happening downtown that day including Music in the Park that evening starting at 6 pm. Join us for this great community event!

SRCC Celebration Kid's Expo
2024-06-29 09:00 - 17:00 UTC | Old Central School Grounds, 288 Albin Stevens Dr, Ottawa, Illinois
Celebration Kid’s Expo is the new updated version of the annual fundraiser held for Starved Rock Regional Center (formerly Easter Seals, LBC). This year we are planning an extraordinary event filled with kid activities, games, inflatables, demonstrations and more. Don’t worry, we’re bringing back The Auto Inspector too with his awesome car show!
Join us for some fun. Admission is free but inflatables/kid activities will require a wristband available for $10 at the gate.
We’re partnering up with Art in the Park taking place at Washington Park and Infinity Food Truck Festival that will be going on at the Jordan block. There will be so many things going on, bring the family down for a full day of things to do!

Music in the Park with Strung Out
2024-06-29 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Washington Square Park, 101 E Lafayette St, Ottawa, Illinois
Get ready to groove and sway because Music in the Park is back in action for 2024!🎉 Join us on Saturday evenings from 6-8 PM in the serene setting of Washington Square for an unforgettable series of live musical performances!

We the People: A Traveling Exhibit Procession
2024-07-01 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Illinois
9/11 was a tragic day for our country. Educating younger generations about this tragedy bridges the gap of first-hand experience and fosters and understanding of its lasting impact on our nation.
At the center of the exhibit are two beam pieces from the North Tower of the World Trade Center, which serve as a powerful reminder of the September 11th attacks. The Talk-Back Star Table, designed to engage children in thinking and communicating about helping others in their community, complements the beams. The exhibit is generously shared with us from the Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn, IL, and will be available for public viewing at the IVCC Ottawa Campus for July 2024.
Schedule of Events
Monday, July 1 | 10 am
Procession of the “We the People” exhibit with the Illinois State Patriot Guard and area first responders. The caravan will begin in Morris, traveling down Route 6 through Senecan and Marseilles to Ottawa.
Saturday, July 6 | 10 am – 3 pm
Grand Opening Ceremony
10 am: Posting of the Colors by the American Legion, followed by a Ribbon Cutting with the Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce
We welcome the community to celebrate the arrival of the exhibit. Our generous sponsors will treat guests to hot dogs, popcorn, sno cones, and water/soda, starting at 11 am until supplies last. The OVC will also launch the children’s scavenger hunt. Participants will receive a goodie bag when completed. Please look for details on the OVC Facebook page.
Saturday, July 6-Wednesday, July 31
“We the People” exhibit will be available for public viewing at the IVCC Ottawa Campus, 321 W. Main Street, Room #101. Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-4:30 pm, Saturday, 10 am- 3 pm

4th of July Fireworks
2024-07-04 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Ottawa Township High School, 211 E Main St, OTTAWA, IL, 61350-1041, United States
One of central Illinois LARGEST and most SPECTACULAR light shows! Our unique venue offers views from the high school bleachers to the bluffs along the Illinois & Fox Rivers either onshore or in your boat. Starting at 9 pm at Ottawa Township High School. Free.

Farmers Market
2024-07-06 07:00 - 13:00, 2024-07-13 07:00 - 13:00, 2024-07-20 07:00 - 13:00, 2024-07-27 07:00 - 13:00, 2024-08-03 07:00 - 13:00, 2024-08-10 07:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Jackson Street, 100 W Jackson Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
The Ottawa Farmers & Makers Market is a home-grown slice of local life, featuring Ottawa area growers, farmers, bakers, and makers! Stop by every Saturday starting June 1st through October 12th from 8:00am to 12:30pm on Jackston Street in Ottawa to check out the local vendors and support your friends and neighbors while purchasing fresh food, handmade artisan crafts, and more.

"We the People" A Traveling Exhibit
2024-07-06 08:30 - 2024-07-31 16:30 (America/Chicago) | Illinois Valley Community College- Ottawa Campus, 321 W. Main Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States

We the People: A Traveling Exhibit Grand Opening Ceremony
2024-07-06 10:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Illinois Valley Community College- Ottawa Campus, 321 W. Main Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States

Music in the Park with Quentin Flagg
2024-07-06 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Washington Square Park, 101 E Lafayette St, Ottawa, Illinois

Music in the Park with Mary & the Troublemakers
2024-07-13 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Washington Square Park, 101 E Lafayette St, Ottawa, Illinois

Ottawa's Third Friday Artisan Market
2024-07-19 17:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Open Space Art Gallery & Studio, 223 W Madison St, Ottawa, Illinois
Arts, culture and entertainment come alive every Third Friday in downtown Ottawa, Illinois. Art, vendors, music and live events hosted by Open Space Art Gallery. Enjoy later shopping hours at many of the downtown retailers and enjoy custom food and drink specials at several of our fantastic restaurants.

Jordan Block Jams:Ripped Jeans Duo & Floret Events Drinks
2024-07-19 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | Jordan Block, 101 W Main St, Ottawa, Illinois
Join us for an unforgettable evening of live music, community vibes, and good times as we kick off this exciting new venture. Plus, indulge in delicious food and refreshing drinks from our food and drink vendors. Whether you are a longtime music lover or just looking for a fun way to spend your evening, Jordan Block Jams Promise to deliver an experience like no other.

Music in the Park with Good Clean Fun
2024-07-20 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Washington Square Park, 101 E Lafayette St, Ottawa, Illinois

Drinkin' with Lincoln
2024-07-27 - 2024-07-28 | Washington Square Park, 101 E Lafayette St, Ottawa, Illinois
Join us for the inaugural Ottawa’s Brew Fest “Drinkin’ With Lincoln” as part of Friendship Days at Washington Square Park!The festivities kick off on Saturday, July 27 from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM and continue on Sunday, July 28 from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM.Enjoy two days of live music featuring performances by Dan Hubbard, 80s Bush, The Beatelles, Rosie and the Rivets, Aaron Kelly, and The David Hilliker Trio. Savor delicious food from vendors like Bertha’s, Flo’s, Dig Doug’s BBQ, Serna’s, Tony’s Tacos, Chicago Maine Lobster, and Yim Curry. Quench your thirst with a fantastic lineup of beer vendors along with a couple of wine vendors.Tangled Roots Brewing CompanyNik & Ivy BrewingChurch Street Brewing CompanyObscurity Brewing & Craft MeadScorched Earth Brewing CompanyRevolution BrewingTwo Brothers Brewing CompanyKite Hill VineyardsUnpossible MeadStar Union SpiritsAugust Hill WineryTickets are available for pre-sale at $20 for 24 tickets online or in person at City Hall and the Ottawa Visitors Center, or $25 for 24 tickets at the gate (credit card fees apply). Beer tastings are 2 tickets each or 6 tickets for a 16 oz pour, and wine tastings are 2 tickets each or 6 tickets for a 5 oz pour. Rumor has it Lincoln might be making a guest appearance- you don’t want to miss this!https://www.visitottawail.com/event/drinkin-with-lincoln/

Music in the Park with Beatelles & Rosie and the Rivets
2024-07-27 18:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Washington Square Park, 101 E Lafayette St, Ottawa, Illinois
Get ready to groove and sway because Music in the Park is back in action for 2024!🎉 Join us on Saturday evenings from 6-8 PM in the serene setting of Washington Square for an unforgettable series of live musical performances! 6-6:50 is Beatelles and 7-9 is Rosie and the Rivets

4th Annual Touch a Truck
2024-07-28 11:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Riverfront Park, 400 Clinton St, Ottawa, Illinois
4th Annual Touch a Truck
July 28, 11 am-3 pm at Riverfront Park
Hosted by the IL Valley Building Trades, IL Valley Contractors Association, and the IL Valley Labor Management Fund

Rock The Block
2024-07-31 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Washington Square Park, 101 E Lafayette St, Ottawa, Illinois

Sidewalk Sales & Chalk the Walk
2024-08-01 10:00 - 2024-08-03 16:00 UTC | Downtown Ottawa
Shop at participating Businesses and chalk the walk to make the downtown bright and colorful for Ottawa Friendship Days! Find amazing deals throughout the downtown. Each participating business will also have chalk for the kids to use while you shop!

Kid's Fishing Rodeo
2024-08-01 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Fox and Illinois Rivers
It’s not summer without the traditional Kid’s Fishing Rodeo. Free kid event, under the bridge where the Illinois and Fox Rivers meet.
Thursday, Aug. 1, 5-7 pm

Outdoor Craft and Vendors Show
2024-08-02 - 2024-08-04 | Woodward Memorial Parking Log, Woodward Memorial Dr, OTTAWA, IL, 61350-1041, United States
Aug. 2-4, 10 am-6 pm, Woodward Memorial Drive Parking Lot

Jordan Block Jams: Fueled by Whiskey & Catseye
2024-08-02 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Jordan Block, 101 W Main St, Ottawa, Illinois
Join us for an unforgettable evening of live music, community vibes and good times as we kick off this exciting new venture. Plus, indulge in delicious food and refreshing drinks from our food and drink vendors! Whether you are a longtime music lover or just looking for a fun way to spend your evening, Jordan Block Jams promises to deliver an experience like no other.

Canal Day
2024-08-03 09:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Multiple Locations
Aug. 3, 9 am-4 pm
Hosted at Reddick Mansion, Canal Tollhouse, Ottawa Historical & Scouting Heritage Museum

Music in the Park with Seal with a Kiss
2024-08-03 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Washington Square Park, 101 E Lafayette St, Ottawa, Illinois

Taylor Swift Dance Party
2024-08-04 12:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Illinois
Get ready to shake it off, Ottawa! 🎶 Mark your calendars and dust off your dancing shoes because the City of Ottawa is thrilled to announce the ultimate summer bash: a TSwift Dance Party to close out our 2024 Friendship Days Festival on August 4th!🌟
