Smile Politely

Weekender: October 6-8

Smile Politely Editors
Jessica Hammie

FRIDAY, October 6th

Midway of Madness, Champaign County Fairgrounds, 7-11 p.m., $15

This is the opening weekend for the annual Midway of Madness haunted house at the Champaign County Fairgrounds. Apparently this one was voted favorite haunted house of 2016 on hauntedillinois.com. Most people fall into one of two catagories when it comes to being scared out of your wits…you love it or can’t stand it. Those in the former will probably be all in for this event. (JM)

 

KrannerthallU of I Symphony Orchestra, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, 7:30 p.m., $4-$10

Come to the Krannert Center to hear the University of Illinois’s premier orchestra play a selection of music. Tickets are very affordable, the orchestra is very talented, and the venue is gorgeous. (DT)

 

Bookmobile, Kowabunga Kid, The Dry Look, Cowboy Monkey, $7, 10 p.m.

 
Feeling like getting some energy out this weekend? No better way to that then with music and the Bookmobile, Kowabunga Kid, and the Dry Look show is a perfect place to do this. Get some energy out to the quick and explosive songs at this punk show, Friday at Cowboy Monkey. (DS)

SATURDAY, October 7th

Flannel-fest-logo-300x208Flannel Fest, Hessel Park, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., free

Log rolling! Axe throwing! Mustache competition! Get your flannels on and head to Hessel Park for Flannel Fest 2017. There’s live music all day, food trucks, lumberjack skills demos, arts and crafts vendors, and more. It’s running pretty much all day, so get up late, take your time leaving the house, and still get there on time to join in all the festivities. (DT)
 

Women Making Waves Brunch and Panel Discussion, Hawthorne Suites by Wyndham Champaign, 101 Trade Center Dr, Champaign, IL 61821, 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

This year marks the 3rd Annual Women Making Waves Brunch and Panel Discussion. This year’s keynote address will be from Lori Gold Patterson. Lori is a dynamic, successful entrepreneur in a male-dominated field. She will share what drives her, her path to success, and how she’s using her position to help more women climb the ladder. Women Making Waves is committed to encouraging more women to run for office. (CR)

C-U Oktoberfest, Downtown Champaign, 3 p.m. to midnight, $5 entry plus cost of food and drink
 
What better way to celebrate the beginning of fall than with some sausages and German beer? This event, organized by and a fundraiser for Developmental Services Center, has been steadily improving each year. There’s plenty of musical entertainment, opportunities to dance to polka (if that’s your thing), and definitely enough sausage to go around. Check it out. Photo by Jessica Hammie (JH)
 
Oktstonerfest, The Loose Cobra in Tolono, donations suggested, all day/night
 
A bunch of rad metal bands are about to crush you on Saturday, that is, if you’re smart enough to get out to the Loose Cobra. Yes, if the weather holds, that’s the stage they’re performing on. It will rule, and if you want to see what it will sorta be like, check out this review of CobraFest from last year. (PS)

SUNDAY, October 8th

 
Campus Walking Tour: Campus Cultural Centers, 600 S. Gregory, Urbana, 1:15 or 2:30 p.m., free
 
The university is home to students and faculty from all different cultures, and there are many cultural centers on campus that offer programming, outreach, and a place for folks to gather. This tour gives you the opportunity to learn about the many campus cultural centers that are located within walking distance of the Spurlock Museum, and tour the Native American Cultural center. Walks last 45-60 minutes and total distance is about a mile. Each tour will meet in the Spurlock lobby. (JM)

CU Indivisible Town Hall Series: Betsy Londrigan for Congress, Champaign Public Library, 200 W Green St, Champaign, IL, 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Join CU Indivisible as they host a town hall with Democratic candidate for Congress in IL-13, Betsy Londrigan. This is one in a series of events intended to help the community get to know a variety of candidates, ask questions, and become involved in the electoral process. This event will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis. It will be town hall style question and answer session. Please feel free to prepare your question in advance. (CR)

Fall Festival, Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery, 4410 N Lincoln Ave, Champaign, 3 to 6 p.m., free
 
On this long weekend (for some), why not take a Sunday afternoon and spend it at Prairie Fruits Farm, one of the best places in all of C-U. Here’s what’s happening: Cider pressing demonstrations between 4-5pm (free); Apple cider and apple cider floats w/ gelato for purchase; Hayrides: Wes will lead hayrides around our property that will last about 30 minutes. There will be three total at 3:30pm, 4:30pm and final ride at 5:30pm. $5/adult, $3/child 12 or under (1 or younger free). All of these are cash-only, so come prepared. There will also be yummies to buy at the Real Stand farm store. Photo by Jessica Hammie (JH)
 

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All event information is accurate to the best of our abilities, but sometimes we make mistakes and sometimes event information, times, prices, etc., change after we look them up. Whenever possible, we’ve provided a link to the original event page; you should always double-check the source before you make any firm plans. Thanks for your understanding.

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