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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Ottawa, IL - The Middle of Everywhere
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260819T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260819T170000
DTSTAMP:20260821T175543Z
CREATED:20260121T205133Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260821T175543Z
UID:10002099-1787126400-1787158800@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/2026-08-19/
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:20260819T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260819T104500
DTSTAMP:20260828T202419Z
CREATED:20260416T201510Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260828T202419Z
UID:10002107-1787133600-1787136300@www.visitottawail.com
SUMMARY:Shake\, Rattle\, Read!
DESCRIPTION:Join us every Wednesday for stories\, songs\, and a craft! Stay and play\nafter the craft if you have time. Find each week’s theme on the events\ncalendar. This event is for children ages birth to 3 years.
URL:https://www.visitottawail.com/event/shake-rattle-read-3/2026-08-19/
LOCATION:Reddick Public Library\, 1010 Canal Street\, Ottawa\, IL\, 61350\, United States
CATEGORIES:Entertainment
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260819T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260819T183000
DTSTAMP:20260730T190941Z
CREATED:20260617T190453Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260730T190941Z
UID:10002056-1787158800-1787164200@www.visitottawail.com
SUMMARY:Library Voter Registration
DESCRIPTION:Adults\, Register to vote during this drop-in event. Requirements include being 18 years or older as of Election Day (11/3/26)\, a photo ID\, and an additional proof of address. This event is located in\nStudy Room 2.
URL:https://www.visitottawail.com/event/library-voter-registration/
LOCATION:Reddick Public Library\, 1010 Canal Street\, Ottawa\, IL\, 61350\, United States
CATEGORIES:Get Educated,Get Involved
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260819T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260819T203000
DTSTAMP:20260812T203121Z
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UID:10002139-1787166000-1787171400@www.visitottawail.com
SUMMARY:Abraham Lincoln in Song with Chris Vallillo
DESCRIPTION:With Abraham Lincoln in Song\, Vallillo takes the audience on a musical journey\, making history come alive with his excellent blending of music and storytelling. \n-Phil Funkenbusch\, Director of Theaters\, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum\n \nThe life of Abraham Lincoln spanned a period of change\, growth and struggle in our young nation\, and the music of his era movingly characterizes these remarkable times. From his days as a flat-boater\, through his time at New Salem\, his years as a circuit lawyer and on up through his presidency\, Lincoln’s life is a microcosm of the development of Illinois during that period. \n​ \nAbraham Lincoln in Song helps shed light on one of history’s most beloved figures “not only as a remarkable leader\, but as a man\,” who knew and loved many of these very songs himself. Special emphasis is placed on showing Lincoln ‘s unique bond with the common man and his desire for reconciliation\, not revenge. It is an extensively researched\, historically accurate program Chris uses period music Lincoln may well have known and sung\, and Lincoln ‘s own stories to illustrate his life and put it into context. \n​ \nThe show is designed to be an interactive\, accessible\, program that educates as well as entertains. It covers Lincoln ‘s life from his birth on the big south fork of Nolan’s Creek in Kentucky in 1809 through his death in 1865. It has been performed in association with the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum\, The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum\, The Lincoln Home National Historic site\, Gettysburg National Battlefield Museum and various touring exhibits including Forever Free from the Huntington Library and “Lincoln\, the Constitution and the Civil War” from the Library of Congress and the American Library Association.  Abraham Lincoln in Song has recently been endorsed by the Illinois Lincoln Bicentennial Commission. The show works well for both school audiences (grade 3 and up) and adult audiences. \n \nChris Vallillo is a singer/songwriter and roots musician who makes the people and places of “unmetropolitan” America come to life in song. Having spent the last 30 years in the rural Midwest\, he has a natural affinity for American roots music. Performing on six-string and bottleneck slide guitars\, Vallillo weaves original\, contemporary\, and traditional songs and narratives into a compelling and entertaining portrait of the history and lifestyles of the Midwest. Dirty Linen magazine described the music as\, “vivid\, original story songs” delivered with an “eye for detail and a sense of history” while Folk Wax Magazine Editor\, Arthur Wood said “Vallillo’s guitar playing flows like warm honey and is a true aural delight.” Vallillo’s music has a timeless quality about it. You can hear the strains of the Carter Family and Jimmy Rogers reflected in his writing. Its roots based original and contemporary folk with the rich acoustic textures of bottleneck slide\, finger style and flat picked guitars that echo the influences of Mississippi John Hurt\, Norman Blake\, Doc Watson and Ry Cooder. Always a project-oriented artist\, in the early 2000’s Vallillo began creating one man shows using music as the vehicle to explore a subject or theme. His 2008 project\, titled Abraham Lincoln in Song\, received the endorsement of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission and the CD reached #10 on Billboard’s Bluegrass Album Chart. In 2016\, his recording\, Oh Freedom! Songs of the Civil Rights Movement charted at #6 on the folk charts and the show was staged with a band and full choir at Western IL University. That show was videoed and syndicated on Illinois Public Television. In 2021 Chris returned to his songwriter roots with a new recording\, Forgottonia featuring original songs and instrumentals written about rural Illinois.
URL:https://www.visitottawail.com/event/lincoln-in-song/
LOCATION:The Abbey\, 113 E. Lafayette St.\, Ottawa\, IL\, 61350\, United States
CATEGORIES:Arts,Entertainment,Get Educated,Get Involved,Historic Downtown,Live Music,Other
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ORGANIZER;CN="Ottawa Center for the Arts":MAILTO:info@ottawacenter.org
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