Spring Break in Champaign County can be fun, too!
The best men’s and women’s collegiate wheelchair basketball teams will come to the State Farm Center March 14-16 for the 42nd Annual National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Tournament. Games will begin at 8 a.m. on Thursday play will culminate Saturday with third and fourth place games beginning in the morning and the championship games at noon and 2 p.m.
Illini fans won’t want to miss the Illini Women begin play at 2 p.m. on Thursday. The men’s team will take the court at 4 p.m.
Admission is free, parking is free, but concessions will come at with a price tag!
For more information visit the Illinois Wheelchair Basketball facebook page.
FMG Rewards members can access “Free Spring Movies” at the Goodrich Quality Theater in Savoy when they present their FMG card at the box office. Each member receives up to six (6) free admissions with their FMG card per show. Non-members will be charged $1.00 per ticket.
Free Spring Movies begin at 10 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. During Spring Break, Savoy’s Goodrich Quality Theater will show Smallfoot from March 15-17 and House with a Clock in its Walls from March 22-24.
It’s courting season! Join the Champaign County Forest Preserve as they highlight the courting rituals of the American Woodcock in “Woodcock Walk” on March 15 at the Buffalo Trace Parking Lot in Mahomet and on March 29 at the Homer Lake Forest Preserve from 7 to 8 p.m. The program will begin with a short presentation, then the group will hike, looking for the “sky dancers.” Space is limited. To register visit ccfpd.org.
While the night air is still too chilly to explore the wonders of the universe, visit the Staerkel Planetarium to get an intimate look at how those big lights up in the sky affect our history, present and future.
“Prairie Skies” showing on March 15 from 7-8 p.m., $6/adult and $5/student, tickets sold at the door. A live-narrated tour of the wonders of tonight’s sky, accompanied by some of the legendary stories of the ancient sky. Find out what constellations and planets are visible tonight from your backyard. This show is updated seasonally and is intended for all ages.
“Secrets of the Sun” showing on March 15 and March 16 from 8 to 9 p.m., $6/adult and $5/student, tickets sold at the door. Take an intimate look at the role the Sun plays in the life of our solar system. From the nuclear forces churning at the heart of the Sun to the mass ejections of solar material into surrounding space, we experience the power of the Sun and its impact on the planets and ultimately life on Earth. We will trace the life cycle of the Sun itself, going back to its beginnings and moving forward in time to its eventual death.
“Flight Adventures” showing on March 16 from 7-8 p.m., $6/adult and $5/student, tickets sold at the door. Discover the science of flight through the eyes of a young girl and her grandfather as they explore how birds, kites, planes, and models fly. Learn about the history and future of flight and how NASA is discovering new and safer ways to travel with the help of future engineers and aviators—like you!
Looking for fresh produce? Coffee? Flowers? Dog Treats? Local vendors at the Urbana Market in the Square set up shop every Saturday morning from 8 a.m. to noon until April 3. Located inside Lincoln Square Mall in Urbana, local shoppers can help boost the local economy by purchasing items from local vendors. Plus, you’ll find unique items to add to your everyday life!
Calling all builders! The Urbana Free Library is hosting its annual LEGO® Palooza LEGO® Contest on Saturday March 16 in the Lewis Auditorium. Registration for the event began on February 4 and will end on March 13, 2019 at 11:55 p.m.
Using LEGO®, DUPLO®, Mega Bloks®, or other LEGO® compatible plastic bricks, contestants must create an original piece no larger than 24×24” at the base and 4’ in height. Judging will take place during a public viewing time from 11 a.m. to noon on March 16. Awards will be handed out at 1 p.m. For more information, visit the Urbana Free Library’s contest page. LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO Group of companies which does not sponsor, authorize, or endorse this contest.
The Japan House at the University of Illinois hosts free public tours on the third Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
iPower Gym wants to help your child get his or her jumps, wiggles and giggles out during Open Gym time! With iPower staff to help participants with play and to work on skills, but no instruction is provided during open gym. Parents are required to stay at iPower during open gym. Each session is $7 for children ages 2-12, children under 2 are free.
Preschool Open Gym (ages 0-5):
Monday/Thursday – 10am-11am
(Participant cap is 25 – first come, first serve)
* Located in our Main facility at 215 S. Staley Road
Saturday – 12:30-1:30pm(Participant cap is 15 – first come, first serve)
* Located in our Preschool facility at 301 S. Staley Road
School Age Open Gym (ages 5-12)
Saturday – 12:30-1:30pm
(Participant cap is 40 – first come, first serve)
* Located in our Main facility at 215 S. Staley Road
Teen/Adult Open Gym (ages 13-23)
Wednesday – 8:00-9:00pm
(Participant cap is 40 – first come, first serve)
* Located in our Main facility at 215 S. Staley Road
Let’s Play Ball! The Illinois Baseball team will kick-off their home schedule during opening weekend March 15-17 as they host Southern Illinois University. The Illini will play at 4 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.
The Illinois Softball team will host IUPUI on Opening Day March 19. The game will begin at 5 p.m. The Illini will then host Indiana State at 6 p.m. on March 20 before playing three games against Wisconsin on March 22 (5 p.m.), March 23 (1 p.m.) and March 24 (noon).
Do you want to dance? The Phillips Recreation Center will host their 17th Annual Marchfest Traditional Dance and Music Festival from March 15-17. The event will feature a Friday evening contra dance, various dance workshops during the day Saturday, a Saturday evening English Country Ball, and a Sunday afternoon Farewell Dance. Nikki Herbst, and English dance leader from Iowa will provide instruction while Rare Privilege will provide music.
Want to make your own music? Attend the Phillips Recreation Center’s Free Ukulele Workshop from 4:30 to 5:20 on March 21. Ukulele Workshops are designed for absolute beginners. Even if you don’t own the instrument, the Recreation Center will loan you one during class times. All skill levels are welcomed and encouraged to attend. The workshop will be capped off with a group recital at Clark-Lindsey on Thursday, April 25 at 4pm. Pre-registration for the class is required, so please RSVP by calling 217-840-6892 or emailing jrjohnston@urbanaparks.org.
Calling all leprechauns! The 3rd annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on March 17 at 2:45 p.m. Little Leprechauns can join in on the fun at 1 p.m. as they build their own float to be in the parade! The parade will run on Main Street between Broadway and Race.
In the mood for jazz? The Mahomet Public Library will kick off their new Music @ The Library Series with a performance by the Parkland Jazz Combo. This popular group will entertain with jazz classics, well-known standards, and original songs and arrangements by Combo members.
There’s something to do every day at Homer Lake!
Monday, March 18
SPRING CLEANUP – Interpretive Center
Help get the Interpretive Center spruced up for the season! We will clean out flower beds, spread mulch, and do general cleanup. Bring gloves and dress for the weather. All ages. FREE. Register by March 17 at ccfpd.org; For more info: (217) 896-2455 or pleiter@ccfpd.org.
Tuesday, March 19INTRO TO LETTERBOXING – Interpretive Center
Ever been on a real-life treasure hunt? Come out to Homer Lake for a lesson on Letterboxing, a popular hobby for all ages that uses clues to lead you to hidden treasures in the woods! Ages 5 and up. FREE. Register by March 18 at ccfpd.org; For more info: (217) 896-2455 or jwick@ccfpd.org.
Wednesday, March 20
REMARKABLE REPTILES – Interpretive Center
Come meet some Illinois reptiles, and learn interesting facts about the animals that live inside the Interpretive Center. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet our resident reptiles up close! All ages. FREE. Register by March 19 at ccfpd.org; For more info: (217) 896-2455 or jwick@ccfpd.org.
Thursday, March 21
SURVIVAL SHELTERS – West Lake Trail (north parking lot)
Would you know how to survive a night lost in the woods? The first step is knowing how to build a shelter to keep you warm and dry. After a short introduction, we’ll practice making shelters. For families and adults. FREE. Register by March 20 at ccfpd.org; For more info: (217) 896-2455 or pleiter@ccfpd.org.
Friday, March 22
FIRE BY FRICTION – Interpretive Center
Before the convenience of matches and lighters, how did we start a fire? Try out old-fashioned fire making skills like flint & steel and the bowdrill in this exciting program. We’ll also learn how to make a one-match fire in the woods. For families and adults. FREE. Register by March 21 at ccfpd.org; For more info: (217) 896-2455 or pleiter@ccfpd.org. Register by March 18 at ccfpd.org; For more info: (217) 896-2455 or jwick@ccfpd.org.
There’s also something to do every day at the Museum of the Grand Prairie!
Monday, March 18
SPINNING & WEAVING – Want to know how cloth and textiles are produced? Come and try your hand at old fashioned spinning and weaving methods!
Tuesday, March 19
QUILL WRITING – Try your hand at writing with a quill feather. Take yourself back in time and write a letter like many did centuries ago!
Wednesday, March 20
BUTTER CHURNING – We need your help churning this treat! Join us as we create butter using various methods that require just a little cream and no electricity!
Thursday, March 21
CANDLE DIPPING – During the 19th century, candles were the most common form of interior lighting. Dip a wick in some candle wax and take home your very own classic candle!
Friday, March 22
CIVIL WAR CRAFT & ACTIVITY DAY – The Civil War was an influential time in United States history. Join us for a day of fun and learning as we provide hands-on activities to bring this period in history to life!
If you can’t go to the beach, you can still swim at the Urbana Aquatic Center’s public swim from 1:30 to 9 p.m. on March 15 and March 18-22. More information on prices can be found here.
Some kids would rather not go undersea. Instead they want to fly. The Illini Glider Club can help get you off the ground! Soaring is one of the leading forms of recreational flying available today! It’s safe, fun, cost-effective, and has a close-knit community that’s extremely friendly. The Illini Glider Club is excited to announce a free seminar series about soaring! Through the seminars, you will be introduced to soaring and then have the opportunity to learn the basics of glider flight.
The Intro session will be from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on. March 20th at the Champaign Public Library.
Bug out at the Insect Petting Zoo! Learn about interesting and amazing insects from the UIUC Entomology Graduate Student Association at the Insect Petting Zoo on March 23 from 3 to 5 p.m.. You’ll get to meet Madagascar hissing cockroaches (Gromphadorhina portentosa), Chilean rose hair tarantulas (Grammostola rosea), blue death-feigning beetles (Asbolus verrucosus), Eastern lubber grasshoppers (Romalea microptera), Arizona hairy scorpions (Hadrurus arizonensis), and many more!
This event is designed especially for kids and their families.
