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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260820T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260820T170000
DTSTAMP:20260821T175543Z
CREATED:20260121T205133Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260821T175543Z
UID:10002100-1787212800-1787245200@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/2026-08-20/
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:20260820T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260820T183000
DTSTAMP:20260730T193521Z
CREATED:20260730T193521Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260730T193521Z
UID:10002131-1787245200-1787250600@www.visitottawail.com
SUMMARY:Bling your Book (Book Bedazzling)
DESCRIPTION:For adults: Customize your own book with glitter and gems. Bring your own book or bedazzle one of ours. Registration is required as spots are limited due to the availability of supplies. To register for this class\, visit our events page\, stop by the Circulation desk\, or call the Library at (815) 434-0509.
URL:https://www.visitottawail.com/event/bling-your-book-book-bedazzling/
LOCATION:Reddick Public Library\, 1010 Canal Street\, Ottawa\, IL\, 61350\, United States
CATEGORIES:Arts
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260820T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260820T210000
DTSTAMP:20260810T201440Z
CREATED:20260810T201440Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260810T201440Z
UID:10002138-1787252400-1787259600@www.visitottawail.com
SUMMARY:Tale of Two Bluffs Showing
DESCRIPTION:Enjoy a free showing of the Ottawa Historical & Scouting Heritage Museum’s documentaries at The Roxy in Ottawa. Catch “Forgotten Valor: The Life and Death of General W.H.L. Wallace” & “John Hossack: No Apologies” on Thursday\, August 20th\, at 7pm.
URL:https://www.visitottawail.com/event/tale-of-two-bluffs-showing/
LOCATION:The Roxy\, 827 La Salle St\, Ottawa\, IL\, 61350\, United States
CATEGORIES:Entertainment,Festivals,Get Educated,Historic Downtown,History
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ORGANIZER;CN="Ottawa Historical & Scouting Heritage Museum":MAILTO:ottawahistoricalscoutingmuseum@gmail.com
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