DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau

Kite Fest
2024-09-08 11:00 - 15:30 (America/Chicago) | DeKalb Kiwanis Park, South 4th Street & Fairview, DeKalb, IL, 60115
The DeKalb Park District is excited to host the 19th annual DeKalb Kite Fest again! Kite Fest is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and see amazing kites! Demonstrate your flying abilities and watch as our pilots bring you dazzling displays of kite flying. Food trucks, music, and seasonal activities will be available on-site. Families are welcome to bring their own kite or purchase one on-site (while supplies last). This is a FREE event!

Featured Kite Flyers:

Al Sparling, Darryl Waters, Anthony Catalano, Team Sky FX, and Team Chicago Kite

Johnny K's Cruise Nights
2024-09-10 17:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Johnny K’s, 125 Duvick Ave, Sandwich, Illinois, 60548, United States
Johnny K’s Cruise Nights season kicks off May 7th and will run every other Tuesday through October 22nd! All shows are 100% free. Each driver will get a discount to Johnny K’s for the evening!

Renter’s Right & Responsibilities
2024-09-11 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | DeKalb Township Board Room, 2323 S 4th Street, DeKalb, Illinois, 60115, United States
Learn about tenants’ rights and their obligations. Consumer Credit Counseling Services will present valuable content which will be followed by a brief discussion with Bob Redel of DeKalb’s Crime Free Bureau. This event is offered in-person and via Zoom.

NIU STEAM STEM Café
2024-09-11 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | Fatty’s Pub and Grille, 1312 W Lincoln Hwy,, DeKalb, IL, 60115
Don’t miss these STEM Cafés this fall!
Sept. 11, 2024 – Critical Minerals: The Hidden Materials Required for Green Energy
Many of the technologies we need for green energy – such as advanced batteries and solar panels – are made from materials that exist in incredibly small proportions within the Earth. These critical metals and minerals are difficult to find, and often we know little about their processes of formation.
We’re now facing urgent questions: do we have enough of these critical materials to support a shift to green energy sources in a timely manner? Or do we risk having found an answer to climate change but not being able to implement it in time?
Speaker: Mark R. Frank, Ph.D. Professor and Chair, NIU Department of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment
Oct. 9, 2024 – Supercomputing to Change the Course of American Science
Nov. 6, 2024 – Artificial Intelligence in Sales and Pricing
Dec. 4, 2024 – The Fast-Moving World of Electric Vehicles
Find details and descriptions on the STEM Café webpage.

DeKalb Farmers' Market
2024-09-12 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Van Buer Plaza, 148-198 N 2nd St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
The DeKalb Farmers’ Market is in the heart of Downtown DeKalb, Illinois, and features vendors that provide the community with locally grown produce, bread, baked goods, olive oil, honey, coffee, flowers, food trucks, and live music. Enjoy and support over 25 local vendors. Cash, credit, and Link are accepted. They Link Match so Link card holders can purchase up to $50 worth of produce for $25! Visit the Information Booth on market days for Link tokens and Link Match to use at qualifying vendors.

Learn more at dekalb.org/dekalb-farmers-market/.

I-Pass Transponder Return & Recycle with Sticker Swap
2024-09-12 13:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | DeKalb Township, 2323 S. 4th St., DeKalb, Illinois, 60115, United States
DeKalb Township is partnering with the Illinois Tollway to host an event for residents to recycle and swap out their I-PASS transponders in favor of the new I-PASS stickers. This event offers an opportunity for attendees to safely recycle their lithium-containing transponders. Participants also will receive an I-PASS account credit equivalent to the amount of their transponder deposit.
The event will be from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, September 12th at the DeKalb Township Road District Building, located at 2323 S. 4th St. in DeKalb.
Admission to the event is free, however, appointments are mandatory. For questions or to book an appointment, call 815-758-8282.

Learn more

NIU Art Museum: Portrait Exhibition Suite Opening Reception
2024-09-12 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | NIU Art Museum, 1425 W. Lincoln Hwy, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
Join NIU Art Museum for their opening reception of three fall exhibitions: “Seeing Each Other: Portraits in Time and Place,” “Hold Still: Portraits from the Permanent Collection” and “Homage to Humanity: Portrait Prints by Sidney Chafetz” in the Art Museum Galleries. Refreshments provided.
Talk with photographer Sandro Miller from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Altgeld 125.

Joe Jencks in Concert
2024-09-13 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Unitarian Universalist Congregation of DeKalb, 158 North Fourth St, DeKalb, IL, 60115
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of DeKalb (formerly known as the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of DeKalb) is proud to announce a special performance by Joe Jencks for a benefit concert at its church at 158 N 4th Street in downtown DeKalb on Friday, September 13, 2024. Tickets can be purchased via PayPal at uufdekalb.org/joejenksconcert or you can reserve tickets by emailing the church office at office@uudekalb.org and pay for your tickets at the door. Ticket Price: $20.00 for adults; children under 13 are free.
Joe Jencks sings with a lyric baritone voice that has the edgy richness of a good sea-salt caramel. A 25-year veteran of the international Folk circuit, an award-winning songwriter and a celebrated vocalist based in the Chicago area, Joe delivers engaging musical narratives filled with heart, soul, groove, and grit. Blending well-crafted instrumentals and vivid songwriting, he is known for his performances of musical beauty, social consciousness, and spiritual exploration. Jencks has penned several #1 Folksongs including the ever-relevant Lady of The Harbor. From Carnegie Hall to Lincoln Center to Festivals across the U.S. and Canada, Jencks has become a fan favorite throughout North America and beyond.
Joe’s 2017 CD Poets, Philosophers, Workers, and Wanderers earned #1 Artist, #1 Album, and #1 Song on the North American Folk DJ Chart as well as spending several weeks at #1 on the SIRIUS XM Americana Chart. In August 2022 Joe released The Coming of the Years – a new album more deeply exploring matters of social justice and his Irish heritage. Blending modern and traditional Celtic instrumentation, this recording is already receiving critical acclaim in advanced reviews. In addition to his work as a touring performer, songwriter, and producer, Joe also leads songwriting workshops with diverse communities from Military Veterans to School Children. Joe is a dual US-Irish citizen and has served as a Cultural Ambassador with the US State Department. He also received a grant in 2020 from the Archives of American Folk Music at The Library of Congress.
Artist website:
https://www.joejencks.com

Shabbona Farmer's Market
2024-09-14 08:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Purdy Park, 205 E Navaho Ave, Shabbona, IL, 60550, United States

1st Annual Downtown Sycamore Chalk Walk
2024-09-14 09:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | DeKalb County Courthouse, 133 W State St, Sycamore, IL, 60178, United States
Join Downtown Sycamore for the inaugural Chalk Walk, a vibrant celebration of creativity and community! Artists aged 12 and up are invited to register for $25 through Eventbrite, securing their spot with a sidewalk square and chalk to create their masterpieces.

Event highlights include an art competition, viewer participation, food trucks, vendors, and a children section.

Bring your family and friends for a day filled with artistic expression, delicious treats, and community fun. Don’t miss this exciting new tradition in downtown Sycamore!

Ballet Folklórico Aztlán
2024-09-14 11:00 - 11:30 (America/Chicago) | DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
NIU’s Ballet Folklórico Aztlán is a vibrant and newly founded group of passionate dancers dedicated to the rich and colorful art of Mexican folk dance, known as “Folklórico.”
Folklórico is not merely a dance form; it’s a captivating expression of Mexico’s diverse cultures, traditions, and history. Every twirl, step, and costume reflect the beauty and stories of the regions they represent. Ballet Folklórico Aztlán brings these narratives to life through the art of dance.
This group is dedicated to delivering high-quality and professional folkloric entertainment to the NIU community and aims to educate students and other audience members about the history of Mexico.
This performance is for all ages. No registration is required. This performance is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
For more information, please contact Chelsea at chelsear@dkpl.org or (815) 756-9568 ext. 1700.

8 Countries in 1 Day
2024-09-14 11:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
Are you ready to travel the world from the comfort of your own library? Prepare for takeoff at our annual “8 Countries in 1 Day” event when we take you on a journey around the globe!
Minigolf with Nessie in Scotland, sample Pancit Bihon (vegetarian rice boodles) in the Philippines, join the ‘Summer Festival’ games in Japan, and much more. Other countries included will be Madagascar, Jordan, Mexico, Brazil, and France. Each country will have crafts, activities, and food.
Stop by the welcome table to get your “luggage” and passport before your adventure begins. Visit every country, get your passport stamped, and enter for a chance to win one of many prizes. Bring canned food items to get additional raffle tickets.
The library welcomes back the Northern Illinois University’s Center for Southeast Asian Studies and Latino Resource Center as partners.
Off the Leash Coffee Company will provide samples of coffees and chocolates from around the world at their kiosk in the lower level.
Gather in the main lobby for big performances throughout the day!

11:00 a.m.: Folklorico Dancers
12:00 p.m.: Heather and Thistle Highland Dancers and Bagpiper
1:00 p.m.: Harambe Drummers

A big thanks goes out to our many sponsors who make this event possible: Friends of the DeKalb Public Library, DeKalb Kiwanis Club, Pizza Villa, Northern Illinois Federal Credit Union, DeKalb Confectionary, Lin & Ming’s China House, Northern Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine, Fox Valley Community Services, Vinny’s Pizza, DeKalb County History Center, Shaw Media, WNIJ, The Suter Company, Off the Leash Coffee Company, Ellwood House Museum, Arts in Action, and Beyond Good.
Arts in Action is a collaborative project between the DeKalb County History Center and Ellwood House Museum to take a closer look at DeKalb County’s unheard voices. A new “Arts in Action” exhibit is on display through December 2024. Nine artists shared fifteen pieces that reflect the Arts in Action themes of fear, exclusion, community, and hope connected to the local Latino community. Artists were requested to share works related to boxcar communities, migrant workers (in canning factories or on farms), and food traditions.
No registration is required to attend this free event. All are welcome!
For more information, please contact Samantha at samanthah@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 1701.

Highland Dance with the Thistle & Heather Dance Ensemble
2024-09-14 12:00 - 12:45 (America/Chicago) | DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
We welcome the Thistle & Heather Highland Dancers of Chicagoland for a traditional Scottish dance performance in our Main Lobby, accompanied by bagpiper Scott McCawley.
The Thistle & Heather Highland Dancers of Chicagoland, founded in 1981, perform the colorful, expressive and physically demanding traditional Scottish Highland and National Dances.
This performance is for all ages. No registration is required. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
For more information, please contact Chelsea at chelsear@dkpl.org or (815) 756-9568 ext. 1700.

Global Rhythms with the Harambee Percussion Ensemble
2024-09-14 13:00 - 13:45 (America/Chicago) | DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
Dance along to the rhythms of the Harambee Percussion Ensemble!
Harambee was founded by Dr. Sherry Jones in the early 2000s at Littlejohn Elementary as an after-school enrichment program. Co-directed by Sharon McKee, it soon expanded to include its middle school alumni, who became the group’s first student leaders. Harambee moved to Cortland Elementary in 2011, expanding still further as students returned to continue playing as high-schoolers, and members began combining efforts with the younger musicians. Harambee settled in its current location at the Federated Church of Sycamore in 2015.
This performance is part of 8 Countries in 1 Day, the library’s biggest event of the year. It will take place in the main lobby and is free and open to all. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
For more information, please contact Chelsea at chelsear@dkpl.org or (815) 756-9568 ext. 1700.

NIU Art Museum: "Face and Persona" Drawing Workshop
2024-09-14 13:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | IL
Observational and conceptual approaches to drawing a representative and an expressive self-portrait led by NIU foundations/drawing instructor Cynthia Hellyer-Heinz. $10 covers materials.
For ages 17 and above. Open to all skill levels. Limited to 12 participants. Preregistration deadline: Tuesday, Sept. 10. Call the museum at 815-753-1936 to register and pay $10 materials fee.
Location: Jack Arends Hall (Art Building), room 212.

MVP Block Party
2024-09-14 17:00 - 23:00 (America/Chicago) | IL
Join MVP Sports Bar as they take over S. California Street in Sycamore! Live music by the Party Doctors, drink specials, face painting for kids, and more!

All ages are welcome.

Windy City Pro Wrestling Stacked!
2024-09-14 18:30 (America/Chicago) | Sycamore Recreation Center, 480 Airport Road, Sycamore, Illinois, 60178, United States
WCPW® is in utter chaos after the events at WCPW® Windy City Wrestling™! The WCPW® Title is VACANT & there are now FIVE #1 contenders to the Championship!

“Mr. Windy City” Damian Air Fenrir“Big Trouble” Ben Bishop“The Wildcard From The West Coast” Nate Bock“The Silver Snake” Richard Adonis“The Human Locomotive” Traxx

It’s been decided that the #1 contenders will start The Badder Ladder Royal™! in the Stacked Ring™ while the other 25 contestants will start in the lower ring. The five #1 contenders have literally been placed closer to the Championship than the rest of the participants!

The Badder Ladder Royale™ main event will be a 30 man battle royal & there are 2 ways to win.

1) Be the last person in the ring after all others have been thrown over the top rope with both feet touching the floor!

2) Climb to the top ring, climb the ladder 1st, and pull down the vacant WCPW® Championship Belt!

This show will be unlike any other you’ve seen or attended in a generation! Nobody else will bring you a show like this one! Make sure to get your tickets as soon as possible because these will go fast.

Eclipse at Warehouse on Park
2024-09-14 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | Warehouse on Park, 662 Park Ave, Genoa, IL, 60135, United States
Eclipse, a Pink Floyd tribute band, will be performing at Warehouse on Park on September 14th from 7:00pm-10:00pm. More information is available on the Warehouse on Park website.

Whose Live Anyway?
2024-09-14 19:30 (America/Chicago) | Egyptian Theatre, 135 North 2nd Street, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
Whose Live Anyway? is coming to the Egyptian Theatre on Saturday, September 14th at 7:30 PM! Cast members Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, Jeff B. Davis, and Joel Murray will leave you gasping with the very witty scenes they invent right before your eyes!
