Ottawa, IL - The Middle of Everywhere

Muffins with Mom
2026-05-09 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Munch on muffins, get crafty, and play games with your favorite mom
to celebrate Mother’s Day! This is an all-ages event.

Rusty Halo Mini Market
2026-05-09 09:00 - 16:00 | Rusty Halo, 3277 E. 18th Road, Ottawa, IL 61350, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
More details TBA! Parking available in the little town. All vendors will be inside the main Rusty Halo building. Enjoy a unique shopping experience setting in a 1920’s town.

Starved Rock Marathon
2026-05-09 07:00 - 10:00 | Downtown Ottawa
The 2026 Starved Rock Country Marathon, Half-Marathon, 10K, and 5k are a “must-do” event for runners in central Illinois and beyond. These races blend challenging courses with awe-inspiring scenery, making them an annual favorite in the running community

The Starved Rock Country Marathon kicks off in the heart of downtown Ottawa, a vibrant and historic riverside community. From the starting line, runners embark on a scenic journey along the Illinois River, winding through lush landscapes and tranquil views. The course leads participants through the breathtaking trails of Starved Rock State Park, where towering sandstone bluffs, challenging elevation changes, and natural rock formations create a uniquely inspiring backdrop. This picturesque route combines small-town charm with the untamed beauty of nature, making it a truly unforgettable race experience.

Tech Time
2026-05-08 10:00 - 12:00 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Having issues with technology? Join us for hands-on help from our
knowledgeable staff! Whether you’re facing issues with the internet, your
phone, or tech accessories, we’re here to help at this drop-in program.

Family Story Time: Star Wars
2026-05-07 17:15 - 18:15 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Join us in a galaxy far, far away for a Star Wars-themed story time! Stay
after for a craft and play time if you can. Dressing up is welcome but not
required. This is an all-ages event.

DIY No Sew Beverage Cozy
2026-05-06 16:30 - 17:30 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Come join us to make an easy, no-sew felt cozy to hold onto your
hot drinks!

Shake, Rattle, Read!
2026-05-06 10:00 - 10:45 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Join us every Wednesday for stories, songs, and a craft! Stay and play
after the craft if you have time. Find each week’s theme on the events
calendar. This event is for children ages birth to 3 years.

Revenge of the Fifth (Grades K-2)
2026-05-05 16:30 - 17:15 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Explore your dark side at this drop-in event for children in kindergarten to
second grade. There will be crafts and games to enjoy.

Ready, Set, Read!
2026-05-05 10:00 - 10:45 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Join us every Tuesday for stories, songs, and a craft! Stay and play
after the craft if you have time. Find each week’s theme on the events
calendar on our website. This event is for children ages 3-5 years.

Baby Prom
2026-05-04 17:15 - 18:15 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Dress in your best and join us for musical fun, (wagon) limo rides,
photo ops, snacks, and more! It’ll be a night to remember! This event is
for ages 4 and under.

Story Time @ the Woodland
2026-05-04 10:30 - 11:30 | Nell’s Woodland, 2000 Alexis Ave., Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Join us at Nell’s Woodland for a nature-themed story time. Enjoy
stories, music, and a craft, followed by a short hike through the park.
Registration is required. To register, please call the library at (815) 434-
0509 or stop by the Circulation Desk.

Spring Dance
2026-05-03 14:00 - 16:00 | Rivers Edge Event Center, 401 West Main Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Join Ottawa City Rec for a fun-filled Spring Dance featuring live music from the Yorkville Big Band! Come enjoy an afternoon of great tunes, dancing, and community spirit you won’t want to miss.

Girls Who Code (Grades 3-5 & 6-12)
2026-05-02 15:00 - 16:00 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Join in the last meeting of the season! Work on your project and
play with Ozobot and Sphero.

Manga Club
2026-05-02 14:00 - 15:00 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Hey manga and anime fans! We’re getting together to talk about our
favorite manga (and the anime series they’ve inspired). This month,
we’re talking Kagurabachi!

The Loop Group
2026-05-02 13:30 - 15:30, 2026-04-25 13:30 - 15:30 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Learn to knit or crochet in a friendly environment with knowledgeable people.

Nell's Woodland Earth Day 2026
2026-05-02 11:00 - 15:00 | Nell’s Woodland, 2000 Alexis Ave., Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Join Nell’s Woodland for an all day Earth Day celebration! They are collaborating with their partners this Earth Day for a number of exciting events that coincide with their 3 spheres of stewardship; Ecology, Wellness, and The Arts.

Tom Nauman Memorial Midwest Morel Fest & Burger Bash
2026-05-02 08:00 - 16:00 | Washington Square Park, 100 West Jackson St, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
*Registration for Morel Fest has closed*
In loving memory of Tom Nauman—our founding father from Morel Mania—this event exists because of his passion and vision. Without Tom, none of this would be possible.
Join us at Washington Park along Jackson Street, where you can shop and peruse a large Botanical Market and Morel Market featuring everything… you guessed it… MUSHROOMS! We’ll even host MOREL UNIVERSITY, where you’ll learn to identify morels, so you know exactly what to look for on your guided hunt. (Please note: The educational hunt has limited availability.)
Interested in being a vendor? Use this form to register.
*Burger Bash information and registration is below the Morel Fest information and registration form.*

Schedule:
7:30 am – Hunt and Morel Market sign-in
8-8:30 am – Morel University
8:45 am – Busses depart for guided hunt
9am – 3pm – Morel Market – morel mushrooms only
8am – 3pm – Vendor Market
9am – 11:30 am – Guided Hunt
12:30 pm – Awards
Morel Fest Registration

Burger Bash Details
Join Us for the Burger Bash at the Tom Nauman Memorial Midwest Morel Fest!
Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 2, and come hungry for one of the tastiest highlights of the Tom Nauman Memorial Midwest Morel Fest—the Burger Bash!
Open to all—no restrictions on who can compete! Whether you’re a seasoned chef, backyard grill master, or just love making a great burger, we welcome you to join the fun.
Enjoy mouthwatering, handcrafted burgers hot off the grill, served with all your favorite fixings and sides. Local chefs and grill master’s will be bringing their best creations, and every bite supports the Exploreum, helping keep the spirit of Morel Fest alive for years to come.
Buns & Stipend Option:We will provide Hawaiian rolls for all participants. Prefer to bring your own buns? You can opt out and receive a $75 stipend instead.
It’s the perfect way to kick off the weekend—great food, great company, and a great cause. Don’t miss this delicious start to the festivities!
Schedule:

11:00 AM – Set-up
12:00 PM – Competition begins
4:00 PM – Awards

Burger Bash Registration

Tom Nauman Memorial Midwest Morel Festival & Burger Bash

Tom Nauman Memorial Midwest Morel Festival & Burger BashJoin us for the Burger Bash, a fun and flavorful new addition to the Tom Nauman Memorial Midwest Morel Festival!
This friendly cook-off celebrates community, creativity, and the joy of great Midwest food — all in memory of Tom Nauman’s love for gathering people together.

Event Highlights:

FREE to enter – no registration fees.

Slider buns provided by the festival.

Each competitor must prepare at least 200 bite-sized sliders for judging and public tasting.

Judging Categories:

Judge’s Choice (official panel)

People’s Choice (guest coin voting)

Prizes:

🏆 $250 Cash Prize + Trophy – Judge’s Choice Winner

🏅 Trophy + Bragging Rights – People’s Choice Winner

Proceeds from the Burger Bash benefit The Exploreum and the Fireworks Fund.Name*

First

Last

Contact person:Address*

Street Address

Address Line 2

City

State / Province / Region

ZIP / Postal Code

AfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAmerican SamoaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntarcticaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBonaire, Sint Eustatius and SabaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBouvet IslandBrazilBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryBrunei DarussalamBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCabo VerdeCambodiaCameroonCanadaCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaChristmas IslandCocos IslandsColombiaComorosCongoCongo, Democratic Republic of theCook IslandsCosta RicaCroatiaCubaCuraçaoCyprusCzechiaCôte d'IvoireDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFalkland IslandsFaroe IslandsFijiFinlandFranceFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGibraltarGreeceGreenlandGrenadaGuadeloupeGuamGuatemalaGuernseyGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHeard Island and McDonald IslandsHoly SeeHondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsle of ManIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJerseyJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKorea, Democratic People's Republic ofKorea, Republic ofKuwaitKyrgyzstanLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacaoMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMexicoMicronesiaMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontenegroMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNiueNorfolk IslandNorth MacedoniaNorthern Mariana IslandsNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestine, State ofPanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPitcairnPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarRomaniaRussian FederationRwandaRéunionSaint BarthélemySaint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da CunhaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint MartinSaint Pierre and MiquelonSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSamoaSan MarinoSao Tome and PrincipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSint MaartenSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSurinameSvalbard and Jan MayenSwedenSwitzerlandSyria Arab RepublicTaiwanTajikistanTanzania, the United Republic ofThailandTimor-LesteTogoTokelauTongaTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluTürkiyeUS Minor Outlying IslandsUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUnited StatesUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuelaViet NamVirgin Islands, BritishVirgin Islands, U.S.Wallis and FutunaWestern SaharaYemenZambiaZimbabweÅland Islands
Country

Phone*Email*

Burger Name or ThemeDescribe Your Burger (ingredients, inspiration, etc.)“Competitor Agreement”*

I will prepare a minimum of 200 bite-sized sliders for tasting and judging.

I understand that slider buns will be provided by the festival.

I will bring my own grill, ingredients, and cooking tools.

I will arrive and set up by the required time on May 2, 2026.

I will notify organizers by April 15, 2026, if I cannot participate.
Hold HarmlessHOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT By submitting this registration, you acknowledge and agree to the following: The undersigned individual, partnership, corporation, or limited liability company, including its successors and assigns, in consideration of its participation in the Midwest Morel Festival and partnership with The City of Ottawa, Illinois, The Ottawa Visitors Center, Inc., The Ottawa Exploreum Children's Museum, Ottawa Downtown Association, and/or their volunteers, hereby agrees to the terms outlined below. I acknowledge and accept that there are inherent risks and hazards associated with participating in festival activities and being present on the event premises. I willingly choose to enter the premises and engage in activities despite these risks, understanding that conditions may be hazardous or may become dangerous to me or my property. I voluntarily assume full responsibility for any loss, property damage, or personal injury, including death, that may occur to me or any damage or loss to property owned by me. It is my explicit intent that this Hold Harmless and Indemnification Agreement applies to my family members and spouse, if I am alive, and to my heirs, assigns, and personal representatives if I am deceased. This Agreement serves as a Release, Waiver, Discharge, and Covenant Not to Sue the aforementioned persons/entities, including their heirs, successors, executors, administrators, or assigns. The undersigned further acknowledges and agrees that this Hold Harmless and Indemnification Agreement is legally binding and supported by valid consideration. By signing, I affirm that: I have full authority to execute this document. I have read, understood, and voluntarily agreed to this Hold Harmless and Indemnification Agreement. No oral representations, statements, or inducements apart from this written agreement have been made. I am at least eighteen (18) years of age and fully competent. I enter into this Agreement knowingly and willingly, with the intent to be legally bound. NOTICE: This is a legal document that grants rights to The City of Ottawa, IL, and all associated entities listed above while creating obligations for the signing party. You may wish to consult an attorney before signing.“Type your full name as digital signature”*

Flower Fun (Grades 3-6)
2026-04-30 16:30 - 17:15 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
At this STEAM program we will create origami flowers and magic blooming flowers.

Shake, Rattle, Read!
2026-04-29 10:00 - 10:45 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Join us every Wednesday for stories, songs, and a craft. Stay and play after the
craft if you have time. Find each week’s theme on the event calendar on our
website. This event is for children ages birth to 3.

LEGO Club
2026-04-28 18:00 - 19:00 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Play with the library’s LEGO pieces with friends and display your creations
afterwards in the Children’s Department. This month’s theme is buildings.

Yappers Book Club
2026-04-28 16:30 - 17:30 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Need a place to study after school or somewhere to hang out with friends?
Bring schoolwork, a project, or a book to read for fun! There’s no pressure
here, just friends, snacks, and time to get something done at the library.

Ready, Set, Read!
2026-04-28 10:00 - 10:45 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Join us every Tuesday for stories, songs, and a craft. Stay and play after the craft if
you have time. Find each week’s theme on the event calendar on our website.
This event is for children ages 3-5 years.

Homeschool Art
2026-04-27 10:00 - 11:00 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
We will be learning the art of printmaking. Explore different
techniques and then put what you’ve learned to use to create your own unique
artwork. Be sure to wear clothing you don’t mind getting messy. Funding for
this event was provided in part by the Illinois Arts Council and the Starved Rock
County Community Foundation.

Crafter Hours: Pressed Flower Frame
2026-04-25 10:00 - 11:30 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Come make a frame decorated with pressed flowers. Registration is
required as spots are limited due to the availability of supplies. To register for
this class, visit our events page, call the library @ (815) 434-0509, or stop by the
Circulation Desk.

2026 Boater Safety Courses
2026-04-25 09:00 - 17:00 | Illinois Waterway Visitor Center, 950 N 27th Rd, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
*Free IDNR Approved Boater Safety Classes* (Advanced registration required)
This 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.
Did 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
This class is recommended for:

New boaters
Families that enjoy boating
Seasoned boaters who would like to brush up on rules and regulations

Participants should bring their own snacks, lunch, and drinks. Class materials will be provided. Call to register today!
Course Dates:
April 25, 9am to 5pm
May 23, 9am to 5pm
June 20, 9am to 5pm
July 11, 9am to 5pm
August 15, 9am to 5pm

parkrun
2026-04-25 09:00 - 10:00 | Heritage Harbor Ottawa, 2 Great Loop, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Heritage Harbor parkrun, Ottawa is a FREE weekly 5k event for participants of all standards, which takes place every Saturday at 8:00 AM, May – September, & 9:00 AM, October – April, in Heritage Harbor. It offers an opportunity for all the local community, regardless of age or gender, to come together on a regular basis to enjoy the outdoors and get physically active. We want to encourage people to run, jog, walk and volunteer together – this event is truly open to all and best of all it really is FREE! Taking part is easy – just register before your first ever parkrun. The great thing is that you only ever need to do this once! Then just set your alarm for Saturday morning and get yourself there! Every week we grab a post parkrun coffee in the Bluegill Boathouse & Marina Bar – please come and join us! Maybe swap stories about your parkrun that day, chat to other parkrunners over a cup of tea or coffee and just be an part of this community. So whether you’re a complete novice looking to get yourself started or a regular wanting to use this as a part of your training schedule, you’re welcome to come along and join us. Please register before you first come along. Only ever register with parkrun once and don’t forget to bring a scannable copy of your barcode (request a reminder). If you forget it, you won’t get a time. You can visit the event website link to register.

OVC 30th Birthday Party
2026-04-24 16:00 - 19:00 | Ottawa Visitors Center, 1028 LaSalle Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Ottawa Visitors Center with us!
30 years… right here in the middle of everywhere
The Ottawa Visitors Center has been sharing the stories, history, and heart of this community for three decades… and we think that’s something pretty special. And if you really want to see what that looks like, Ryan has started a blog series featuring 30 stories from past board members… and let me tell you, they are something special.

So… we’re celebrating Join us for our 30th Anniversary Open House on April 24 from 4–7 PM!
We’ll have great company, great stories, and live music from Kaedon Cronkright (because of course we do ).
Whether you’ve been part of our journey for years or just discovered us, we’d love to celebrate with you.
30 years in the middle of everywhere… and we’re just getting started

ImpactLife Blood Drive
2026-04-24 12:00 - 15:00 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Help save lives by donating blood at our ImpactLife Blood Drive. Sign-ups
for specific times are preferred, but we will do our best to accommodate walk
ins. To sign up for an appointment, go to our events page.

Story Time with State Representative Briel
2026-04-24 11:00 - 11:30 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Join us for a special National Library Week Story Time with State
Representative Briel. She will be reading a story in the Children’ Department.
