Ottawa, IL - The Middle of Everywhere

Escape the Study Room Game-Rescue Peter Rabbit
2026-04-02, 2026-04-01, 2026-03-31, 2026-03-30, 2026-03-29, 2026-03-28 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Are you quick enough to solve the riddles that will free Peter Rabbit ffrom Mr. McGregor’s garden? Help Peter escape and win a prize.

Friendly Faces, Safe Spaces: Autism Acceptance Family Night
2026-04-01 17:30 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Join us at the library to explore local autism resources! Meet officers from
the Ottawa Police Department’s LINKED program and hear from representatives
of community organizations about what they have to offer. We’ll also have a
sensory-friendly Touch-a-Truck with the Ottawa Police and Ottawa Fire
Departments (no lights, no sirens) along with light refreshments, kids’ crafts and
activities, and a Quiet Room.

Shake, Rattle, Read!
2026-04-01 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.

Yappers Book Club
2026-03-31 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.

Watercolor Bunnies (Grades 3-6)
2026-03-31 13:00 - 13:45 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Learn about illustrator Catherine Rayner as you create value studies of bunnies using watercolors.

Ready, Set, Read
2026-03-31 10:00 - 10:45, 2026-03-24 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. Find each weeks theme on the event calendar on our website. Stay and play after the craft if you have time. This event is for children ages 3-5 years.

Homeschool Art
2026-03-30 10:00 - 11:00 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
We will be working with charcoal this month. Learn the different techniques and then use that knowledge to create your own unique work of art. Be sure to wear clothes you don’t mind getting messy.

The Loop Group
2026-03-28 13:30 - 15:30, 2026-03-21 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.

Crafter Hours: Cupcake Liner Flowers
2026-03-28 10:00 - 11:30 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Make a beautiful bouquet out of cupcake liners. 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 at 815-434-0509, or stop by the Circulation Desk.

parkrun
2026-03-28 09:00 - 10:00, 2026-03-21 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.

Food for Thought Book Club: Skinnytaste Simple by Gina Homolka
2026-03-26 18:00 - 19:00 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
New members are always welcome. Participants wil be asked to make a recipe out of the cookbook prior to each meeting and share their opinion of the results. Cookbooks will be available for check out from the library.

Kid's Book Club (Grades K-3)
2026-03-26 16:30 - 17:15 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
At this month’s book club we will be discussing the book, Secret Pizza Party by Adam Rubin and will make a craft that will go along with the story. Copies of the book will be available for check out in the Children’s Dept.

Afternoon Tea and Tolkien
2026-03-25 16:30 - 17:30 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Whether it’s your first visit to the Shire, or you’re a regular guest at second breakfast, celebrate National Tolkien Reading Day with tea, treats, and your favorite J.R.R. Tolkien tales.

Shake, Rattle, Read!
2026-03-25 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. Find each week’s theme on the event calendar on our website. Stay and play after the craft if your schedule permits. This event is for children ages birth to 3 years.

Lego Club
2026-03-24 18:00 - 19:00 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Make a daydream-themed creation with library LEGO pieces and have your build displayed afterwards in the Children’s Dept.

Escape the Study Room Game- Leprechaun Chase
2026-03-22, 2026-03-21, 2026-03-20, 2026-03-19, 2026-03-18 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Are you lucky enough to outsmart the leprechaun, King Brian? Solve all his riddles and win a prize.
Saturday, March 7-Sunday, March 22 during open hours.

Bees and Beekeeping
2026-03-19 18:00 - 19:00 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Buzz into the library to learn about bees and beekeeping from Illinois Valley Beekeeping Association President, Warren Norris. He’ll have demonstration hives, tools, suits, as well as frames that are full of capped honey to view.

Restaurant Week 2026
2026-03-08 - 2026-03-21 | IL
https://www.visitottawail.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/RESTAURANT-WEEK.mp4
Discover. Dine. Delight.Join us in The Middle of Everywhere for a two week-long celebration of local flavor, creativity, and community spirit.
For two delicious weeks, Ottawa’s chefs and restaurants will showcase special themed menus designed to highlight the best of Midwest comfort and culinary innovation.
Featured Dining Experiences
✨ Comfort Food ReimaginedClassic Midwest staples with a creative twist — think gourmet mac & cheese, elevated pot roast, and inventive casseroles that turn cozy comfort into culinary art.
👨‍🍳 Chef’s Signature ShowcaseMulti-course tasting menus and chef’s choice creations that reflect each restaurant’s personality and style.
Giving Back
Participating restaurants will also be donating a portion of proceeds from select menu items to the Ottawa Food Pantry, helping support our neighbors in need.
The Dining Passport
Grab your Dining Passport at participating locations! Collect stamps throughout the week for a chance to win prizes and experience all that Ottawa’s food scene has to offer. Due by Friday, March 27th!
A complete list of participating restaurants and their *special menus are linked here* — check back often or follow us on social media for the latest updates. We are proud to be working with B.A.S.H., Misfits, Valentinos Pasta & Wine, The Cheese Shop, The Lone Buffalo, Keagan’s Irish Pub, Rosati’s, Berta’s Tap, Pine Hills, Saffron Bazaar, Jeremiah Joe Coffee, and The Beach House!
Celebrate creativity, comfort, and community during Ottawa Restaurant Week 2026 — where every meal tells a story.
Bite-Sized Interviews
Check out our blog for interviews with the owners and chefs from the participating businesses! You’ll find out the story behind some of the specials and learn more about your favorite local restaurants.
