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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Ottawa, IL - The Middle of Everywhere
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260815T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260815T123000
DTSTAMP:20260121T175321Z
CREATED:20260121T175321Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260121T175321Z
UID:10001674-1786780800-1786797000@www.visitottawail.com
SUMMARY:Farmers and Makers Market
DESCRIPTION:Hosted by the Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce\, the Ottawa Farmers & Makers Market is a vibrant\, family-friendly event that brings together local growers\, makers\, and artisans in the heart of downtown Ottawa\, Illinois. \n\nLocation: Jackson Street\, south side of Washington Square Park(Barricades will block access at LaSalle Street and Columbus Street)\nMarket Hours: Saturdays from 8 am-12:30 pm.
URL:https://www.visitottawail.com/event/farmers-and-makers-market-2026/2026-08-15/
LOCATION:Jackson St\, Ottawa\, IL\, 61350\, United States
CATEGORIES:Arts,Family,Outdoor,Seasonal,Shopping
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.visitottawail.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/FarmersMarketLogo.png
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260815T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260815T170000
DTSTAMP:20260821T175543Z
CREATED:20260121T205133Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260821T175543Z
UID:10001755-1786780800-1786813200@www.visitottawail.com
SUMMARY:Ottawa's Debate Days
DESCRIPTION:Ottawa’s Debate Days is a celebration of the world-renowned debate between future U.S. President Abraham Lincoln and Senator Stephen Douglas. It was held in the heart of historic Downtown Ottawa\, at Washington Park. Come celebrate all things Ottawa with a week full of summer fun in the sun! Scroll down for the schedule\, as well as information on the Great Taste Debate\, Longest Beard Contest\, and Debate Days Parade. \nClick here to check out our Lincoln Douglas Bobbleheads\, available in a set or separately. \nWant to join the Debate Days Parade? Check out this form. \nClick here to sign up for the Best Beard Contest \nInterested in being a vendor? Contact the Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce at (815) 433-0084 or \ninfo@ottawachamberillinois.com. \n\n\n\n\nDebate Days Swag is HERE!\n\n\n\n\n  \nThe Great Taste Debate\n \n  \n The Great Taste Debate: Lincoln vs. Douglas August 15–23\, 2026 Downtown Ottawa\, Illinois\nAs part of Ottawa’s Debate Days\, step into history—and help decide it.\nWelcome to The Great Taste Debate\, a citywide food & drink experience where local restaurants\, bars\, coffee shops\, bakeries\, and ice cream spots go head-to-head in a delicious showdown inspired by Lincoln and Douglas.\n How It Works:\nParticipating locations will feature two special items:\n Lincoln – classic\, hearty\, traditional Douglas – bold\, creative\, unexpected\nVisit participating spots\, try one (or both!)\, and cast your vote to decide who wins the debate.\n How to Participate:\n Visit official Taste Debate stops Choose your side: Lincoln or Douglas Scan the QR code to vote Make your case!\n The lineup so far:  Keagan’s Irish Pub\, Downtown Nutrition\, Berta’s\, Harbor House by Valentino’s\, Ottawa Bakery\, Jeremiah Joe Coffee\, Misfits\, Bar Dolci\, Rosati’s\, and McDonald’s of Ottawa.\n Awards Include:Great Taste Debate Champion (Overall Winner)Best Lincoln ItemBest Douglas ItemPeople’s Choice Award\n Limited locations. One week only.\nWhere Lincoln debated… now you decide.History you can taste.\n  \nDebate Days August 2026 Timeline\nSaturday 15th  \nPuzzle contest 10am and 2pm at the Ottawa Historical & Scouting Heritage Museum \nAmerica at 250! Researching Your Revolutionary Ancestors event at LaSalle County Genealogy Guild 1pm \nTicketed Legacy Gala at Ottawa Center for the Arts 6-10pm with Douglas appearance & Art Show \nGreat Taste Debate \nFlag Scavenger Hunt \nReddick Mansion tours 11am & 1pm \nOttawa Historical & Scouting Heritage Museum tours 10am-4pm \n  \nSunday 16th  \nLecture on Black Hawk Wars 11 am Scouting Museum \nTicketed Mrs. Lincoln / Mrs Douglas (Character) tea at Reddick Mansion 2pm with Quilt Trunk Show \nGreat Taste Debate \nFlag Scavenger Hunt \nOttawa Historical & Scouting Heritage Museum tours 10am-4pm \n  \nMonday 17th  \nLecture on 7 Debates 6pm at Scouting Museum \nStore Deals at select stores \nFlag Scavenger Hunt \nGreat Taste Debate \nReddick Mansion tours 11am & 1pm \nOttawa Historical & Scouting Heritage Museum tours 10am-4pm \nTuesday 18th  \nLecture on Lincoln’s in Town 6pm at Scouting Museum \nStore Deals at select stores \nFlag Scavenger Hunt \nGreat Taste Debate \nOttawa Historical & Scouting Heritage Museum tours 10am-4pm \n  \nWednesday 19th  \nStore Deals at select stores \nFlag Scavenger Hunt \nChris Vallillo concert at the Abbey 7pm (free – per special events committee) \nGreat Taste Debate \nOttawa Historical & Scouting Heritage Museum tours 10am-4pm \n  \nThursday 20th \nStore Deals at select stores \nFlag Scavenger Hunt \nTale of Two Bluffs movies at the ROXY 7pm – free \nGreat Taste Debate \nOttawa Historical & Scouting Heritage Museum tours 10am-4pm \n  \nFriday 21st \nStore Deals – sidewalk sales \nTale of Two Bluffs Documentary showings @ Scouting Museum 1pm & 7pm \nThird Friday Market 5-9 \nBest Beard Contest 5:30pm \n \nToast to Lincoln and Douglas @ Valley View (Get your tickets here) \nMusic by Illinois 33rd Band 6pm in Washington Park with Lincoln and Douglas Impersonators \nGreat Taste Debate \nFlag Scavenger Hunt \nReddick Mansion tours 11am & 1pm \nOttawa Historical & Scouting Heritage Museum tours 10am-4pm \n  \nSaturday 22nd \nStore Deals- sidewalk sales \nOld Time Fair in Washington Park from 11am – 4pm (fair is FREE) \nYSB Scoops & Smiles 11am-1pm (free) \nFarmers & Makers Market on Jackson St from 8am – 4pm \nCarriage Rides 1-4pm pick up in front of Reddick Mansion \nRe-enactment of Lincoln / Douglas Debate 4-5pm \nIce Cream Social in Washington Park 6pm with Ottawa Historical & Scouting Heritage Museum ($5 tickets) \nAmerican Legion Post 33 cookout 6-9pm \nMusic in the Park 6-9pm Rosie and the Rivets \nQuilt winners announced 6pm \nGreat Taste Debate \nFlag Scavenger Hunt \nReddick Mansion Open House 11-3pm (pay as you go ) \nOttawa Historical & Scouting Heritage Museum tours 10am-4pm \nI&M Canal Ride with Open Trails \n  \nSunday 23rd \nStore Deals at select stores \n250th Anniversary Parade 1pm (find event details here) \nInterested in joining the parade? \nGreat Taste Debate winner announced- Monday on social media \nVirtual Duck Race with the Ottawa Exploreum 6pm \nTale of Two Bluffs Documentary Showing @ Scouting Museum 6 pm
URL:https://www.visitottawail.com/event/debate-days/2026-08-15/
LOCATION:Downtown Ottawa
CATEGORIES:Arts,Entertainment,Family,Festivals,Food,Get Educated,Historic Downtown,History,Holiday,Kids Corner,Live Music,Outdoor,Parade,Restaurants,Seasonal,Shopping
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260815T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260815T170000
DTSTAMP:20260225T161206Z
CREATED:20260225T161206Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260225T161206Z
UID:10001781-1786784400-1786813200@www.visitottawail.com
SUMMARY:2026 Boater Safety Courses
DESCRIPTION:*Free IDNR Approved Boater Safety Classes* (Advanced registration required) \nThis 8-hour class is required to complete your certification. Open to anyone 12 and over. Students under age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. \nDid you know: Anyone born on or after January 1st\, 1998 who operates a vehicle powered by a motor of 10 horsepower or more needs to complete an IDNR approved boater safety class \nThis class is recommended for: \n\nNew boaters\nFamilies that enjoy boating\nSeasoned boaters who would like to brush up on rules and regulations\n\nParticipants should bring their own snacks\, lunch\, and drinks. Class materials will be provided. Call to register today! \nCourse Dates: \nApril 25\, 9am to 5pm \nMay 23\, 9am to 5pm \nJune 20\, 9am to 5pm \nJuly 11\, 9am to 5pm \nAugust 15\, 9am to 5pm
URL:https://www.visitottawail.com/event/2026-boater-safety-courses/2026-08-15/
LOCATION:Illinois Waterway Visitor Center\, 950 N 27th Rd\, Ottawa\, IL\, 61350\, United States
CATEGORIES:Family,Get Educated,Outdoor,Seasonal,Sports
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260815T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260815T110000
DTSTAMP:20260810T185440Z
CREATED:20260810T185440Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260810T185440Z
UID:10002134-1786788000-1786791600@www.visitottawail.com
SUMMARY:Ottawa Puzzle Challenge
DESCRIPTION:🧩 Could YOUR team put together a custom Ottawa puzzle faster than everyone else?\n📅 Saturday\, August 15\n🕙 10:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m.\n👥 Teams of 2. Cost is $50 per team.\n🏆 $100 Prize\n📍 Ottawa Historical & Scouting Heritage Museum\nAnd while you’re there…\nBring a puzzle.\nTake a puzzle.\nBecause apparently one puzzle just wasn’t enough.
URL:https://www.visitottawail.com/event/ottawa-puzzle-challenge/2026-08-15/1/
LOCATION:Ottawa Historical and Scouting Museum\, 1100 Canal Street\, Ottawa\, IL\, 61350\, United States
CATEGORIES:Entertainment,Family,History
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.visitottawail.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/ohshmpuzzle.jpeg
ORGANIZER;CN="Ottawa Historical & Scouting Heritage Museum":MAILTO:ottawahistoricalscoutingmuseum@gmail.com
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260815T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260815T113000
DTSTAMP:20260730T171610Z
CREATED:20260730T171610Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260730T171610Z
UID:10002117-1786788000-1786793400@www.visitottawail.com
SUMMARY:Stacks & Snacks Cinema
DESCRIPTION:All ages are welcome to come and enjoy the new animated movie\, GOAT (Rated PG with a runtime of 93 minutes). We’ll be serving popcorn and making basketball crafts.
URL:https://www.visitottawail.com/event/stacks-snacks-cinema/
LOCATION:Reddick Public Library\, 1010 Canal Street\, Ottawa\, IL\, 61350\, United States
CATEGORIES:Arts,Entertainment,Family,Kids Corner
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260815T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260815T140000
DTSTAMP:20260810T151633Z
CREATED:20260810T151633Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260810T151633Z
UID:10002133-1786798800-1786802400@www.visitottawail.com
SUMMARY:America 250: Researching Your Revolutionary Ancestors
DESCRIPTION:  \nScott Norrick will be presenting “America 250: Researching your Revolutionary Ancestors.” Do you think you may have a Revolutionary ancestor in your family tree? Could they have been a minuteman? A spy? A signer of the Declaration? A participant in the Boston Tea Party? Come join us and find out! \nScott’s areas of expertise include research in the American Midwest\, along with the immigration to the Midwest from Britain\, Ireland\, and Germanic countries. He also does significant research into Civil War records. Scott has an undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois and a graduate degree from Northwestern University. With over 30 years of family history research experience\, he is familiar with all the latest and time-tested genealogical tools.
URL:https://www.visitottawail.com/event/america-250-researching-your-revolutionary-ancestors/
LOCATION:LaSalle County Genealogy Guild\, 115 West Glover Street\, Ottawa\, IL\, 61350\, United States
CATEGORIES:Family,Get Educated,History
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.visitottawail.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Scott-Norrick-Flyer-scaled.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="LaSalle County Genealogy Guild":MAILTO:lscgg@sbcglobal.net
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260815T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260815T153000
DTSTAMP:20260828T200439Z
CREATED:20260420T183054Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260828T200439Z
UID:10002123-1786800600-1786807800@www.visitottawail.com
SUMMARY:The Loop Group
DESCRIPTION:Learn to knit or crochet in a friendly environment with knowledgeable people.
URL:https://www.visitottawail.com/event/the-loop-group-3/2026-08-15/
LOCATION:Reddick Public Library\, 1010 Canal Street\, Ottawa\, IL\, 61350\, United States
CATEGORIES:Arts,Entertainment,Get Educated
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.visitottawail.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/reddick-study-rooms-scaled-1.jpeg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260815T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260815T150000
DTSTAMP:20260810T185440Z
CREATED:20260810T185440Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260810T185440Z
UID:10002135-1786802400-1786806000@www.visitottawail.com
SUMMARY:Ottawa Puzzle Challenge
DESCRIPTION:🧩 Could YOUR team put together a custom Ottawa puzzle faster than everyone else?\n📅 Saturday\, August 15\n🕙 10:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m.\n👥 Teams of 2. Cost is $50 per team.\n🏆 $100 Prize\n📍 Ottawa Historical & Scouting Heritage Museum\nAnd while you’re there…\nBring a puzzle.\nTake a puzzle.\nBecause apparently one puzzle just wasn’t enough.
URL:https://www.visitottawail.com/event/ottawa-puzzle-challenge/2026-08-15/2/
LOCATION:Ottawa Historical and Scouting Museum\, 1100 Canal Street\, Ottawa\, IL\, 61350\, United States
CATEGORIES:Entertainment,Family,History
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.visitottawail.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/ohshmpuzzle.jpeg
ORGANIZER;CN="Ottawa Historical & Scouting Heritage Museum":MAILTO:ottawahistoricalscoutingmuseum@gmail.com
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