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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260821T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260821T183000
DTSTAMP:20260526T015405
CREATED:20260506T171128Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260519T150420Z
UID:10001974-1787333400-1787337000@www.visitottawail.com
SUMMARY:Best Beard Contest
DESCRIPTION:As part of Debate Days: \n  \nCategories: \nLongest Beard \nBest Styled Beard \nMost Legendary \nLooks Like He Lives in the Woods Award \nCrowd Favorite \nContestants\, spectators\, & beard envy welcome! \n  \nLongest Beard
URL:https://www.visitottawail.com/event/best-beard-contest/
LOCATION:Washington Square Park\, 100 West Jackson St\, Ottawa\, IL\, 61350\, United States
CATEGORIES:Entertainment,Festivals,Historic Downtown,History,Outdoor,Seasonal
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.visitottawail.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/beard.png
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260822T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260822T170000
DTSTAMP:20260526T015405
CREATED:20260121T205133Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260520T192506Z
UID:10001711-1787385600-1787418000@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. \nClick here to check out our Lincoln Douglas Bobbleheads\, available in a set or separately. \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 We’re currently selecting participating locations—stay tuned for the official lineup!\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  \nSchedule\nSaturday the 15th \nPuzzle contest 10am & 4pm @ Scouting Museum \nEvent @ LaSalle County Genealogy Guild 1pm \nTicketed Gala @ Ottawa Center for the Arts (evening) \nArt Show w/ Lincoln Theme by Ottawa Arts Committee \nFlag Scavenger Hunt from 8/15 – 8/22 \nSunday the 16th \nLecture on Black Hawk Wars 11am @ Scouting Museum \nTicketed Mrs. Lincoln/Douglas Character Tea @ Reddick Mansion 2pm\, with Quilt Trunk Show \nMonday the 17th \nLecture on Early Pioneers 6pm @ Scouting Museum \nStore Deals \nTours \nTuesday the 18th \nLecture on Lincoln’s in Town 6pm @ Scouting Museum \nStore Deals \nTours \nWednesday the 19th \nStore Deals \nTours \nChris Vallillo Concert @ the Abbey 7pm \nThursday the 20th \nLecture on the 7 Debates 6pm @ Scouting Museum \nStore Deals \nTours \nFriday the 21st \nStore Deals \nTours \nThird Friday Market \nBest Beard Contest 5:30pm in Washington Park \n \nMusic by Illinois 33rd Band in Washington Park 6pm w/ Lincoln & Douglas Impersonators \nSaturday the 22nd \nStore Deals \nTours \nOld Time Fair w/ Farmers & Makers Market on Jackson St. from 11am to 4pm (fair is FREE) \nCarriage Rides pick up on Columbus/Jackson St Corner (Time TBD) \nRe-enactment of Lincoln Douglas Debate 4-5pm \nIce Cream Social in Washington Park 6pm w/ Scouting Museum 6pm \nMusic in the Park 6-9pm \nSunday the 23rd \nStore Deals \nTours \n250th Anniversary Parade 1pm
URL:https://www.visitottawail.com/event/debate-days/2026-08-22/
LOCATION:Downtown Ottawa
CATEGORIES:Entertainment,Family,Festivals,Get Educated,Historic Downtown,History,Live Music,Outdoor,Seasonal
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.visitottawail.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/debate-days.png
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260823T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260823T170000
DTSTAMP:20260526T015405
CREATED:20260121T205133Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260520T192506Z
UID:10001769-1787472000-1787504400@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. \nClick here to check out our Lincoln Douglas Bobbleheads\, available in a set or separately. \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 We’re currently selecting participating locations—stay tuned for the official lineup!\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  \nSchedule\nSaturday the 15th \nPuzzle contest 10am & 4pm @ Scouting Museum \nEvent @ LaSalle County Genealogy Guild 1pm \nTicketed Gala @ Ottawa Center for the Arts (evening) \nArt Show w/ Lincoln Theme by Ottawa Arts Committee \nFlag Scavenger Hunt from 8/15 – 8/22 \nSunday the 16th \nLecture on Black Hawk Wars 11am @ Scouting Museum \nTicketed Mrs. Lincoln/Douglas Character Tea @ Reddick Mansion 2pm\, with Quilt Trunk Show \nMonday the 17th \nLecture on Early Pioneers 6pm @ Scouting Museum \nStore Deals \nTours \nTuesday the 18th \nLecture on Lincoln’s in Town 6pm @ Scouting Museum \nStore Deals \nTours \nWednesday the 19th \nStore Deals \nTours \nChris Vallillo Concert @ the Abbey 7pm \nThursday the 20th \nLecture on the 7 Debates 6pm @ Scouting Museum \nStore Deals \nTours \nFriday the 21st \nStore Deals \nTours \nThird Friday Market \nBest Beard Contest 5:30pm in Washington Park \n \nMusic by Illinois 33rd Band in Washington Park 6pm w/ Lincoln & Douglas Impersonators \nSaturday the 22nd \nStore Deals \nTours \nOld Time Fair w/ Farmers & Makers Market on Jackson St. from 11am to 4pm (fair is FREE) \nCarriage Rides pick up on Columbus/Jackson St Corner (Time TBD) \nRe-enactment of Lincoln Douglas Debate 4-5pm \nIce Cream Social in Washington Park 6pm w/ Scouting Museum 6pm \nMusic in the Park 6-9pm \nSunday the 23rd \nStore Deals \nTours \n250th Anniversary Parade 1pm
URL:https://www.visitottawail.com/event/debate-days/2026-08-23/
LOCATION:Downtown Ottawa
CATEGORIES:Entertainment,Family,Festivals,Get Educated,Historic Downtown,History,Live Music,Outdoor,Seasonal
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.visitottawail.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/debate-days.png
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261024T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261024T200000
DTSTAMP:20260526T015405
CREATED:20260121T213203Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260121T213203Z
UID:10001714-1792850400-1792872000@www.visitottawail.com
SUMMARY:A Victorian Haunting
DESCRIPTION:Take a step back in time with the Ottawa Downtown Association and experience a night of shadows\, suspense\, and intrigue…
URL:https://www.visitottawail.com/event/a-victorian-haunting-2/
LOCATION:Downtown Ottawa
CATEGORIES:Entertainment,Historic Downtown,Holiday,Outdoor
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