Ottawa, IL - The Middle of Everywhere

Camp Tuckabatchee Haunted Camp 2025
2025-10-10 16:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | Camp Tuckabatchee, 1973 N 35th Road, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Experience the classic Haunted Camp at Camp Tuckabatchee! Not scary from 4 to 6:30 pm, scary from 7 to 10pm.

Tech Time
2025-10-10 10:00 - 12:00 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Struggling with technology? Join us for some hands-on help from our
knowledgeable staff in honor of Digital Inclusion Week! Whether you’re facing
issues with the internet, your phone, or tech accessories, we’re here to help.

More Dead People of Illinois
2025-10-09 18:00 - 19:00 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Join John Lynn, historian and researcher, to hear of his exploration of hundreds of
Illinois cemeteries to find interesting graves, headstones, intriguing lives and
deaths.

Wednesday Evening Book Group
2025-10-08 19:00 - 20:30 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
True Biz by Sara Nović will be discussed at this patron-led book group.

Shake, Rattle, Read
2025-10-08 10:00 - 10:45, 2025-10-01 10:00 - 10:45 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Join the Reddick Library for stories, songs, and a craft! Stay and play after the craft if you have the time! Find each week’s theme on the Events Calendar on the Reddick Library website. This event is for children ages birth to 3 years.

Medicare Basics
2025-10-07 18:00 - 19:00 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Financial Professionals from Bankers Life will lead this informational
introduction to Medicare. This adult event is for educational purposes only.

Frankenstein Drawing (Grades K-2)
2025-10-07 16:00 - 16:45 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Become Dr. Frankenstein and create your own monster with this step-by-step art activity!

Ready, Set, Read!
2025-10-07 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 the time! Find each week’s
theme on the Events Calendar on our website. This event is for
children ages 3-5 years.

Story Time @ the Woodland
2025-10-06 10:30 - 11:30 | Nell’s Woodland, 2000 Alexis Ave., Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Join us at Nell’s Woodland for a naturethemed story time. Enjoy stories,
music, and crafts followed by a short hike through the park. Please
register in person at Reddick Library or call (815) 434-0509. This event is
for children of all ages. Monday, October 6 @ 10:30-11:30am

Monthly Kit: Pepitas
2025-10-06 09:00 - 17:00 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Available the week of October 6th. This month’s kit will contain a sample of
pepitas (pumpkin seeds) along with recipes. Kits will be available as supplies
last and are limited to one per patron.

Daniels Cemetery Historic Re-enactment Tour
2025-10-05 15:00 - 16:30, 2025-10-04 15:00 - 16:30 | Dayton Bluffs Preserve, 2997 N. IL 71, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
In the summer of 1854, the Daniels family of Rutland Township was beset by sudden and inexplicable illness. On a Saturday in August, 17 year old Minervy fell ill and was dead by nightfall. Over the next ten days, 17 other family, friends and neighbors succumbed to the same horrible illness. What caused this mysterious illness? How could one avoid the same fate? As if the other privations of pioneer life weren’t enough, now comes this dread disease!

You are invited to attend the Daniels Cemetery Historic Re-enactment Tour at the Daniels Cemetery at the Dayton Bluffs Preserve. This tour will address the lives of the pioneers interred in this burial ground…. and their tragic deaths. It also describes the three-year restoration of the abandoned cemetery by Dayton Bluffs volunteers.

The program will be performed on Saturday and Sunday, October 4 and 5, at 3 PM each day. The players will perform in period costume. The program will last 90 minutes. Reservations are required and can be obtained by calling 815.488.1010 (leave a message) or Emailing dmanig@sbcglobal.net. Additional instructions will be provided in advance of the program. A $10 voluntary donation is suggested and will be used to support the Cemetery’s preservation.

Ottawa Fall Fest & Parade
2025-10-05 12:00 - 17:00 | Downtown Ottawa
Come downtown Ottawa for a wonderful family friendly day!
The parade is at noon, followed by live music by Libido Funk Circus, food trucks, local vendors, and free kids activities from 1-5pm.

Trolley Tours for General Wallace Memorial Event
2025-10-05 10:00 - 16:00 | Ottawa, IL, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
The Wallace-Dickey Cemetery Preservation Association NFP is presenting an event honoring the life and death of General WHL Wallace. This year’s event is Trolly Tours of the Wallace-Dickey Family Cemetery and The Wallace Home, The Oaks in Ottawa, Illinois. Wallace was one of Illinois’ greatest Civil War heroes. Visitors can meet famous figures of the past and learn of the relationship WHL Wallace had with Abraham Lincoln.
All tours start at the LaSalle County Historical Society 101 E. Canal Street, Utica, IL 61373. Tours begin at 10 am, noon, and 2 pm.
Cost: $20/person
Note: All must ride on provided transportation, comfortable walking shoes are recommended and the tours are not handicapped accessible.

Girls Who Code Club (GRADES 3-5 & GRADES 6-12)
2025-10-04 15:00 - 16:00 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
This new club isn’t just for girls, but uses the Girls Who Code
curriculum. Members will learn computer coding at their own
pace at home or at the library and meet once a month for
activities and snacks to go. Parental permission and an email
address are required.

Manga Club
2025-10-04 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
mangas (and the anime series they’ve inspired). This month we’re talking
Hellsing.

The Loop Group
2025-10-04 13:30 - 15:30 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Learn to knit or crochet in a friendly enviornment with knowledgeable people.

Ottawa American Legion Fall Festival
2025-10-04 11:00 - 17:00 | American Legion Post 33, 901 LaSalle Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Get ready for a day of food, drinks, and fun! Enjoy music by Gaffney Davis Band from 2 to 5pm.

Ottawa Scarecrow Festival
2025-10-04 10:00 - 16:00 | Downtown Ottawa
Come downtown on Saturday October 4th from 10am-4pm for the annual Ottawa Scarecrow Festival. So much fun to be had!!!

NFD Safety Day 2025
2025-10-04 10:00 - 14:00 | Vittone Park, 1801 W. Ottawa Avenue, Naplate, IL, United States
Join us the Naplate Volunteer Fire Department for their Annual Safety Day! This free, family-friendly event will feature a variety of organizations sharing valuable information about their services. There will be plenty of activities for kids, ensuring a fun and educational experience for all ages.
Activities include:
• Fire truck rides
• Vehicle tours
• Smoke house
• K-9 demo
• Lifeflight helicopter
• Sprinkler fun
• Face painting

parkrun
2025-10-04 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.

Farmers and Makers Market
2025-10-04 08:00 - 12:30 | Ottawa, IL, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Start your Saturday with an exciting market experience from 8am to 12:30pm. Enjoy fresh produce, local honey, handmade crafts, and delectable local treats.
Indulge in farm-fresh fruits and vegetables.
Explore unique, handcrafted treasures from talented local artisans.
Relish mouthwatering baked goods and tasty treats from food stalls.
Bring your family, friends, and even your pets for a day of fun and community spirit. Let’s celebrate and support our local farmers and makers together. See you there!

AI Safety Basics
2025-10-03 14:00 - 15:00 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
October is Cybersecurity Month. Come and learn the basics of Artificial
Intelligence (AI), common AI scams, and how to protect yourself.

Silent Book Club
2025-09-30 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!
2025-09-30 10:00 - 10:45 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Join the Reddick Library for stories, songs, and a craft! Stay and play after the craft if you have the time! Find each week’s theme on the Events Calendar on the Reddick Library website. This event is for children ages 3-5 years

Catapault Bowling
2025-09-29 16:00 - 16:45 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
For grades 3-6, Your challenge is to build a catapult that can accurately launch a ping pong ball at 10 clothespins. Can you hurl a strike?

Homeschool Art
2025-09-29 10:00 - 11:00 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
For children of all ages, learn about an artist and create a masterpiece inspired by their style. Wear clothes you don’t mind getting messy!

Kid's Book Club: Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs
2025-09-28 13:00 - 13:45 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
This month, the library will be discussing Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs by Mo Willems and hatching dino eggs! Copies of the book will be available for checkout in the Children’s Department.

General WHL Wallace Memorial Event
2025-09-28 09:00 - 16:00 | Ottawa Historical and Scouting Museum, 1100 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Enjoy guided tours of the Wallace-Dickey Family Cemetery and the Wallace Home, The Oaks.
Sept 28, 2025: Starting at the Ottawa Historical and Scouting Heritage Museum, enjoy Guided Tours of the Wallace-Dickey Family Cemetery and The Wallace Home, The Oaks in Ottawa, Illinois. Wallace was one of Illinois’ greatest Civil War heroes. Visitors can meet famous figures of the past and learn of the relationship WHL Wallace had with Abraham Lincoln. Tours will run from 9am to 4pm.
Family Entrance Fees
$15/person, $10/Students, $50/family
The definition of family for this Event shall be limited to parents and children under the age of eighteen (18) and shall be for no more than a total of five (5) attendees.
Note: All must ride on provided transportation, comfortable walking shoes are recommended and the tours are not handicapped accessible.
