DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau

Turn of the Century Tea Party @ Ellwood House
2026-05-09 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Ellwood House, 420 Linden Place, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
You and your little one are cordially invited to a charming, turn-of-the-century tea party where imagination meets elegance! Take a delightful step back in time and enjoy a “proper” afternoon of tea, treats, and games with Dekalb Public Library at the historical Ellwood House Museum. Start by making fancy hats and accessories to complete party attire before gathering for tea, juice, treats, and etiquette games. Afterwards, retire to the courtyard lawn (weather permitting; otherwise, inside) for old-fashioned party games and end the party with a visit to Ellwood Dollhouse.
Patrons are encouraged to “play dress up” for the occasion!
Teatime starts promptly at 2:00 p.m. and families will be seated first come, first served. Please arrive early for seating. No registration is required.
This program is intended for families with children ages 6-11. Younger children may need additional assistance with crafts and activities.
For additional information, please contact Stormy at stormye@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 3310.

The History of The Beach Boys
2026-05-14 18:00 - 19:00 | DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
The soundtrack for an American summer wouldn’t be complete without The Beach Boys…surf, sun and California dreaming. This presentation will focus on The Beach Boys “sunniest” years from 1962-1967. With the use of performance and interview clips, we’ll trace the arc of the Beach Boys’ early career from “Surfin’ U.S.A”., “Fun, Fun, Fun” and “California Girls” to the more mature Pet Sounds, “Good Vibrations” and the abandoned Smile project. Surf’s Up!
After a rewarding career in advertising sales, Gary Wenstrup retired and developed courses on the Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel and Motown Records for the Continuing Education Departments of College of DuPage and Oakton Community College. He has lectured at over 80 Chicago area libraries.
This event is part of the America 250 initiative; celebrating our nation throughout the year. This event is free and open to all. No registration is required.
This program is open to all ages, but please note that the presentation may include discussion of mature subjects.
For additional information, please contact Chelsea at chelsear@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 1700.

Free Breakfasts for Veterans
2026-05-17 07:30 - 11:30, 2026-06-21 07:30 - 11:30, 2026-07-19 07:30 - 11:30 | DeKalb Moose Lodge, 1231 E Lincoln Hwy.,, DeKalb, Illinois, 60115, United States
Continuing through 2026, the DeKalb Moose Lodge will be offering all veterans a free breakfast on the third Sunday of each month.

Veteran's Breakfast - 250 Birthday Celebration
2026-05-20 06:00 - 10:30 | Hy-Vee, 2700 Dekalb Ave., Sycamore, Illinois, 60178, United States
Join Hy-Vee Sycamore for a free breakfast honoring veterans, active-duty service members, and reservists!
As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday, we want to say thank you to the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve our country. This meal is a small token of our gratitude for your sacrifice, dedication, and service to the United States.
We are proud to honor you. ❤️🤍💙

Stars and Stripes Bikes, Boards and Rollerblades
2026-05-23 10:00 - 12:00 | Rotary Park, 1701 E Lincoln Hwy, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
DeKalb Park District, DeKalb Rotary, and the DeKalb Public Library invite you to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country with a red, white, and blue bikes, skateboards, and rollerblades parade. (No electric scooters, please.)

Listen to a patriotic story read by DeKalb Mayor Cohen Barnes.
Decorate your bikes, boards, and rollerblades in a star-spangled way! Decorations & light refreshments will be available.
Ride, board, or rollerblade in a parade around the park to commemorate our country’s 250th anniversary!
Enter the prize drawing to win: $150, $100, or a $50 gift card!

Ages 10 and UnderNo pre-registration is required.

Beeswax Candles Workshop
2026-05-24 13:00 - 16:00 | Glidden Historical Center, 921 W Lincoln Hwy, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
Step back in time and experience the warm glow of history at the J.F. Glidden Homestead & Historical Center. As part of the Past Times at Glidden series, this hands-on workshop invites participants to explore the art and function of beeswax candle making in the 19th century.

Begin with a brief look at how candlelight shaped daily life in early American homes—long before the flip of a switch. Then, guided by instructor Courtney Sliga, create your own set of beautiful, functional candles. Each participant will make and take home four handcrafted beeswax candles.

This workshop takes place on Sunday, May 24 from 1-4 pm at the Glidden Homestead, 921 W. Lincoln Highway in DeKalb. The cost is $55 per person, with a portion of proceeds supporting the Homestead’s mission. Pre-registration is required and tickets can be purchased at GliddenHomestead.org.

The Past Times at Glidden series is part of the site’s America250 programming, celebrating traditional trades and crafts that helped shape the nation. These programs connect historic practices to the site’s own story as the home of Joseph F. Glidden, who invented and first manufactured “The Winner” barbed wire on this property in the 1870s.

Memorial Day Sunset Observance 2026
2026-05-24 19:00 - 20:00 | Franklin Township Park, 250 W. South St, Kirkland, IL, United States
Join the Northern Illinois Veterans Memorial for a Memorial Day Sunset Observance at Franklin Township Park.

Service Schedule:Pledge of AllegianceNational AnthemWelcome Statement (Brent Bacon)Invocation Pastor (Dee Mede)Laying of WreathsService Branch Medely Musical Selections

Intro for Chris Mitchell USMC From Kirkland

Chris Mitchell SpeechBuilding of Battle Field CrossTaps (Service Concludes After Taps)

Motorcycle Parade Escorts
2026-05-25 06:15 | IL
On Memorial Day, the Genoa American Legion Riders are coordinating motorcycle escorts for the DeKalb, Sycamore and Genoa Memorial Day Parades.

Anyone with a motorcycle may participate and ride at their own risk. Staging starts at the DeKalb Elks Lodge 765, 321 South Annie Glidden Road.

If you wish to attend the Mayors’ Memorial Day Breakfast, staging is from 6:15 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. Breakfast is $10.00 RSVP prepaid and $15.00 pay at the door. For more information contact Frank Beierlotzer at ffb66@juno.com or 815-901-3834. If you do not attend the breakfast, staging is 7:30 a.m. to 7:50 a.m. with KSU at 8:05 a.m.

There will be an escorted ride to downtown DeKalb and staging again to attend the Clock Ceremony at 8:30 a.m. There will be KSU at 8:58 a.m. and then escort the DeKalb parade to the Ellwood House. Sycamore American Legion Riders will lead to Sycamore to stage for their parade. From there, the escort will go to Genoa and stage for their parade. KSU at 11:28 a.m. to escort the Genoa parade to the cemetery for their Memorial Day Ceremony. After the ceremony, riders will be treated to free hamburgers at the Genoa Veterans Home about 1:20 p.m.

2026 Mayors' Memorial Day Breakfast
2026-05-25 06:30 - 08:00 | DeKalb ELKS Veteran’s Memorial Plaza, 209 South Annie Glidden, Dekalb, IL, 60115, United States
This will be the 34th breakfast on Memorial Day and the 10th breakfast at the Elks Lodge. DeKalb County Forty et Eight Voiture 207 asks everyone to join the breakfast and then attend one or more of the Memorial Day events.

There will be a United Prayer at 7:15 a.m., a short program at 7:30 a.m. and we will be done by 8 a.m.

Memorial Day Celebration
2026-05-25 09:00 - 10:00 | Ellwood House, 420 Linden Place, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
The parade will be held in downtown DeKalb on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, at 9 a.m., with lineup beginning at 8:30 a.m. The parade will travel west down Locust Street, DeKalb’s honorary Veterans Way, and past the DeKalb Veterans Memorial Mural. It will then proceed north on Linden Place to the Ellwood House. Join this enhanced Memorial Day parade as we commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the nation’s founding and salute America’s greatest heroes.

Genoa Memorial Day Parade 2026
2026-05-25 10:00 - 11:00 | Genoa Veterans Home, 311 S. Washington St., Genoa, Illinois, United States
You’re invited to Genoa’s Memorial Day Parade starting at 10am at the Genoa Veterans Home and ending at the Genoa Cemetery!

Sycamore Memorial Day Parade 2026
2026-05-25 10:30 - 11:30 | Downtown Sycamore, Sycamore, Illlinois, 60178
Join the Sycamore Veterans Home Association for their annual Memorial Day Parade!

Music the Native Way
2026-05-30 14:00 - 15:00 | DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
In this program, Kim Sigafus McIver will present on the history of Native instruments and their use. The drum, rain stick, and flute will be introduced, and attendees will be invited to play an instrument and learn a song. Everyone will also receive a handout of music to take home. A brief Q&A will follow the presentation.
Kim Sigafus McIver is an award-winning Ojibwe author and speaker.
This event is part of the America 250 initiative, celebrating our nation throughout the year.
This program is for all ages. No registration is required. It is sponsored by the Kishwaukee-DeKalb Kiwanis Club.
For additional information, please contact Chelsea at chelsear@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 1700.

Read, White and Blue! Summer Reading Kick-off
2026-06-01 10:00 - 13:00 | DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
Register on the first day of Summer Reading for Read, White and Blue! Resource Bank will be in the lobby to distribute bookmarks and treats between 10:00 and 1:00 p.m. Children may then collect a clock sheet to track their reading, and they will be set to earn reading rewards and enjoy a summer of reading and other colorful activities at the library.
Teens and adults may also register for Summer Reading beginning June 1.
Summer reading is free and open to all.
For additional information, please email Theresa at theresaw@dkpl.org or call (815) 756-9568 ext. 3350.

Revolutionary Ruth and Patriotic Paul
2026-06-06 11:00 - 12:00 | Malta Township Public Library, 203 Adams St., Malta, Illinois, 60150, United States
Kids are invited to create their very own Patriotic Paul & Revolutionary Ruth paper dolls inspired by the Flat Stanley concept! After designing and coloring their dolls, participants can take them on adventures, snap photos, and share where their patriotic friends travel. Sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution, this hands-on activity encourages creativity while helping children connect with American history in a fun and memorable way.

Voices of 1776: The Diverse Faces Behind America’s Founding
2026-06-06 13:00 - 14:00 | DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
When we think of America’s Revolution, we often picture a handful of famous Founding Fathers—but the fight for independence was far broader, richer, and more diverse.
This one-hour program brings to light the stories of women, enslaved and free African Americans, Native peoples, and immigrants whose contributions shaped the Revolution and the new nation. From Phillis Wheatley’s poetry to Deborah Sampson’s bravery in disguise, from the strategies of Native leaders to the labor of ordinary farmers and artisans, “Voices of 1776” uncovers the hidden figures whose voices helped define liberty.
This event is part of the America 250 initiative; celebrating our nation throughout the year.
This program is intended for adults, but teens are welcome. It does not require registration. Sponsored by the Kishwaukee-DeKalb Kiwanis Club.
For more information, please contact Britta at brittak@dkpl.org or (815) 756-9568 ext. 2150.

In Time: A Live History Experience
2026-06-13 10:00 - 16:00 | DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
The library is alive with characters from the past! These legendary Illinois personalities have emerged from different eras of history, appearing as “living exhibits” drawn together by a mysterious force. A hidden mystery threatens to erase their entire family histories and legacies from existence—unless you can help them.
Combining elements of immersive theatre, escape rooms, and high-stakes quests, In Time turns you into a participant in history. As you explore the library, you will solve logic puzzles, find hidden clues, and complete tasks that assess your skills. The stories and characters appear in real time as they go about their day. Spend time with each figure to learn their unique stories and decide which paths to follow.
You may meet Wild Bill Hikock, Ulysses S. Grant, Ernest Hemingway, Amelia Earhart, or others!
This program runs from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and takes about one hour to complete. Missions will start every 15 minutes, with the final slot beginning at 3:00 p.m.
Please register now for a time slot. Drop-ins are welcome if we can accommodate. All ages are welcome.
During the event, free flavored iced lattes will be available from The Greenhouse in Sycamore. Sample their blueberry crumble and banana bread lattes while you complete your group’s mission! Beverages available while supplies last.
For additional information, please contact Samantha at samanthah@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 1701.

Flag Day Celebration
2026-06-14 14:00 - 15:00 | DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
Intertwined within the threads of red, white, and blue, lies a story of a country and its people. The American Flag not only acts as a symbol of our great nation’s freedom, but it is a representation of our country’s citizens and their history. Old Glory is the thread that binds us all together. Every year on June 14, we get to honor our nation’s greatest symbol, the Flag of the United States of America.
Our Flag Day celebration includes the Pledge of Allegiance led by the Boy Scouts, a flag-folding demonstration, an explanation of flag etiquette, and singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” with musician and veteran Ron Lofton. Children will receive a patriotic pinwheel, and there will be a raffle of American Flags and children’s Flag Day books. We’ll also take an America 250 Flag Day photo in front of the library.
This all-ages event is sponsored by the Friends of the Library and provided in collaboration with American Legion Post 66. It is part of the America 250 initiative: celebrating our nation throughout the year.
For more information, please contact Susan at susang@dkpl.org or (815) 756-9568 ext. 2114.

Countdown to 250 - Celebrating our Freedom
2026-06-20 11:00 - 12:00 | Malta Township Public Library, 203 Adams St., Malta, Illinois, 60150, United States
With Terry Lynch of HFK Presents
Terry Lynch leads a tour of previous milestones like the 50th Jubilee, Centennial, Sesquicentennial, and Bicentennial were commemorated as the United States celebrates its 250th birthday!

Researching the Colonial Days & the New Republic
2026-06-24 17:00 - 19:00 | Malta Township Public Library, 203 Adams St., Malta, Illinois, 60150, United States
Celebrate America 250 by stepping back into the nation’s earliest days with genealogist Laura Chaplin. This fascinating presentation explores genealogy research during the Colonial era and the New Republic (1607–1800), highlighting the lives, records, and stories that shaped early America. Learn tips and resources for tracing ancestors from the nation’s founding generations while honoring 250 years of American history. Perfect for history enthusiasts, genealogy researchers, and anyone curious about their family’s connection to America’s past!

Women in Aviation: Bessica Raiche
2026-06-24 17:30 - 18:30 | DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
Dr. Bessica Raiche is recognized as the First Woman Aviator of America, having soloed the airplane she helped to design and build on September 16, 1910. She is the first woman in America to do so and attended Rockford High School as a teen.
In early aviation—the obstacles were plenty-especially for women. The Aeronautical Society of America declared Bessica’s flight as the first solo flight by a woman in the United States for which she was awarded a diamond-studded gold medal inscribed ‘First Woman Aviator in America’. She was an inspiration to many future female aviators.
Provided by Midway Village Museum, this presentation is part of the America 250 initiative: celebrating our nation throughout the year.
This program is open to all ages and is sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Registration is not required.
For more information, please contact Susan at susang@dkpl.org or (815) 756-9568 ext. 2114.

Conductor Cody: American Railways
2026-06-27 14:00 - 15:00 | DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
All aboard! Join Conductor Cody on a magical railway adventure through America’s 250-year history.
From the earliest years to the present day and the eras in between, Conductor Cody will highlight our country’s best moments and achievements. He will also share the ways in which railroads have been crucial to this country reaching its 250th birthday.
Cody is a magician and autism self-advocate. He uses the art of magic to deliver an important message: our differences are nothing to be scared of, but simply a different way of thinking.
This event is free and open to all ages. It is designed specifically for those with sensory needs, but all are welcome.
For additional information, please contact Samantha at samanthah@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 1701.

Hinckley Good Time for All Festival - Fireworks at Dark
2026-06-27 17:00 - 22:00 | Hinckley High School, 700 E Lincoln Ave, Hinckley, IL, 60520, United States
Hinckley Good Time for All Festival.
Fireworks at Dark – Activities in the Afternoon.
Find more details as the event approaches at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069410888832

The Declaration’s Promise of Liberty and Equality
2026-06-30 18:00 - 19:00 | DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
In his second inaugural address in 2013, President Barack Obama said “What binds this nation together is not the colors of our skin or the tenets of our faith or the origins of our names. What makes us exceptional, what makes us American, is our allegiance to an idea articulated in a declaration made more than two centuries ago:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
Today, we continue a never-ending journey to bridge the meaning of those words with the realities of our time. Explore a deeper understanding of our country’s most famous declaration in this presentation.
This event is free and open to all. No registration is required. It is part of the America 250 initiative: celebrating our nation throughout the year.
For additional information, please contact Susan at susang@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 2114.

78th Annual Kirkland 4th of July Festival
2026-07-02 00:00 - 2026-07-04 23:59 | Franklin Township Park, 250 W. South St, Kirkland, IL, United States
Three-day festival, Kirkland 4th of July will host its 78th annual event at Franklin Township Park starting July 2nd, 2026. This event brings us together every year with live music, carnival rides, vendors, games, a parade, car and tractor show, and of course fireworks! This year’s live performances will feature Ethan Larson, Back Country Roads, Six Pack Band, Back Forward Band and more. The festival will close out on the night of Saturday, July 4th with one of Northern Illinois’ best fireworks shows. You won’t want to miss it! View the schedules below.

Shabbona 4th of July Festival
2026-07-04 07:00 - 14:30 | Purdy Park, 205 E Navaho Ave, Shabbona, IL, 60550, United States
The Village of Shabbona’s 4th of July craft fair, parade and festival is an annual event. Start your day off with the Shabbona Fire Protection District’s pancake breakfast at the Fire Barn, then mosey around Purdy Park and check out all the crafters beginning at 8am. Stick around and view the parade at noon and enjoy all the festival activities. Fireworks are at Shabbona Lake State Park and begin at dusk.

America 250 Ceremony
2026-07-08 15:00 - 16:00 | DeKalb County Courthouse, 133 W State St, Sycamore, IL, 60178, United States
One County, One Nation: America 250 Ceremony

Join the DeKalb County Community as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States! The ceremony will include a public reading of the Declaration of Independence and is envisioned as a community-focused event celebrating our shared history and civic values.

Reading of Declaration of Independence
2026-07-08 17:00 - 18:00 | Hinckley Community Building, 100 N. Maple Street, Hinckley,, Illinois
Join with citizens across the country in a simultaneous reading the Declaration of Independence at the Hinckley Community Building.
