Fall Migration Bird Hikes
2026-10-16 08:00 - 18:00, 2026-10-23 08:00 - 18:00, 2026-10-30 08:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago)
Get outside and learn about our feathered friends at Fall Migration Bird Hikes on Fridays, Sept. 4 through Oct. 30 from 9-11 a.m. Meet in the Main Parking Lot .
Allerton’s Natural Areas Managers will lead this morning adventure to discover what bird species are migrating through the Park. As birds begin to move south for the winter, the variety of species will change each week. A limited number of binoculars will be available on a first-come basis.
$10/person*. Register here. Hikes are free for Allerton Bird Club members. Join the Bird Club here. All sales are final. If a meeting location changes, registrants and bird club members will be notified by email.
*At times the hikes will leave the trails, so please dress accordingly.

If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate, please email Nate Beccue at nbeccue@illinois.edu.

Basketweaving: Little Boo!
2026-10-16 12:00 - 16:00 | The Studio
Experience Level: All skill levels (ages 18+)
Create your own spooktacular basket at Basketweaving: Little Boo! on Friday, Oct. 16 from 12-4 p.m. in The Studio.
Instructor Bonnie Rideout will lead students through basketweaving techniques, including setting up a woven base, twining, start/stop weaving and shaping. The color accents are chocolate brown, walnut, mustard and rust. An Amish-made leather handle finishes the basket, while a fall floral sprig and a Jack-O-Lantern adorn the front. This cutie is perfect anywhere you want to use it!
$75/person. Register here. Registration closes on Oct. 9 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the Instructor
Bonnie Rideout wove her first basket in 1994 and quickly caught the “basket bug.” She created a business — Bonnie’s Baskets in Decatur — in 2006 to teach others to weave. She is also a traveling instructor and has taught weaving in 18 states.
Find out more about Bonnie on her website, Facebook, Instagram and Etsy pages.

(Witchy!) Weekend Wind Down presented by Busey Bank: Oct. 16
2026-10-16 17:00 - 22:00
We have reserved the Mansion for the public on Friday, October 16 for a special Witchy Weekend Wind Down with live music, a fire, and spooky fun! Wear your best witch, warlock, or wizard attire and try our new potion-inspired pours at the Solarium Bar from 5-10 p.m. (see optional activities below)!
Grab a bite to eat at the Greenhouse Café, bring your own food, or patronize the restaurants in Monticello just five miles away!
Those choosing to spend the night can take advantage of our discounted lodging rate ($110/night + tax), plus two complimentary drinks per room. View guest rooms and make your reservation online or call 217-333-3287.
Optional activities include:
*Basketweaving: Little Boo!, 12-4 p.m.
Live Music from Colt Ball, 7-9 p.m. by the Koi Pond (in case of inclement weather, music will be in the Mansion Gallery)
Yard games around the Koi Pond & Fire on the Library Terrace (weather permitting)
*Pre-registration required; click on links above for more information.
About Busey Bank
Busey Bank is more than a financial institution—we’re a trusted partner in the communities we serve. For over 150 years, we’ve built lasting relationships by delivering personalized banking solutions while investing in local initiatives that strengthen families, businesses, and neighborhoods.

Can’t make this Weekend Wind Down? Find additional dates.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Hali at halicarp@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

Beginning Weaving II
2026-10-17 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-10-18 09:00 - 17:00 | Greenhouse Auditorium
Experience Level: Some weaving experience needed (ages 18+)
Have you taken Beginning Weaving I and want to continue your craft? Do so at Beginning Weaving II on Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 17 & 18 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in the Auditorium.
This 2-day class with instructor Sharon Bowles will be a continuation of Beginning Weaving I, but instead of everyone doing the same article, students will pick their own project, measure the warp, beam the warp, thread the heddles to their selected pattern, thread the reed, tie the warp to the cloth beam rod, wind bobbins and weave a sample of their selected yarn. Students will then weave samples from the other looms, giving them a wide variety of weave structures they can try out.
$250/person. Register here. Registration closes Oct. 7 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the Instructor
Sharon Bowles began weaving in 1990 and started teaching shortly after. She was taught to weave in a one-on-one class and wove two table runners in 12 (approximately) 2-hour lessons, and she teaches the same method when she teaches. Sharon has experience in weaving with silk, lace weaving, 8-shaft pattern weaving, parallel weaving, block weaves, and Shaker reproduction towels.
Sharon has experience in weaving with silk, lace weaving, 8-shaft pattern weaving, parallel weaving, block weaves, and Shaker reproduction towels. She has taught many workshops and classes to weavers’ guilds in Florida, Ohio, and Champaign-Urbana. She earned her Journeyman certification from the Weavers Guild of Boston in 2021 and a master’s certification in April of 2022.
Most recently, Sharon taught Beginning Weaving I & Weaving II at The Farms, and a 2-day workshop in 4 shaft patterns for the Champaign-Urbana Spinners and Weavers Guild.

Formal Garden Tours
2026-10-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Greenhouse Café Patio
Attend one of our Formal Garden Tours*, where you can experience the beauty of Allerton’s formal gardens and learn the history of the estate, created between 1899 and 1946 by Robert and John Gregg Allerton.
Tours typically last 60 minutes and will meet on the Greenhouse Patio. Tours will continue in a light drizzle. In the event of lightning or thunder, the tour will be canceled and tickets can be transferred to another tour date upon request.
$10/person. Register here. All sales are final.
*2026 tour dates:
— Saturday, April 18, 10-11 a.m.
— Saturday, May 2, 10-11 a.m.
— Thursday, May 14, 10-11 a.m.
— Saturday, May 16, 10-11 a.m. Cancelled
— Monday, May 18, 10-11 a.m.
— Wednesday, May 20, 10-11 a.m.
— Friday, May 22, 10-11 a.m.
— Sunday, May 24, 10-11 a.m.
— Tuesday, May 26, 10-11 a.m.
— Saturday, June 20, 10-11 a.m.
— Saturday, July 18, 10-11 a.m.
— Saturday, Aug. 15, 10-11 a.m.
— Saturday, Sept. 19, 10-11 a.m.
— Saturday, Oct. 17, 10-11 a.m.
If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Sarah at sputman2@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

Collage Intensive
2026-10-17 10:00 - 2026-10-18 17:00
Spend two full days learning about two-dimensional composition and how to create striking collages at Collage Weekend Intensive, Saturday through Sunday, Oct. 17 (Evergreen Lodge) & 18 (Studio) from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Instructor Billie Theide will lead students as they learn about color theory, mix paint, create value and intensity scales, and generate a rich collection of experimental collage papers. Results are guaranteed to be frameable!
Enrollment includes most materials including acrylic mixing paint set, paint brushes, mixing palette, bound hard cover sketchbook, cutting mat and precision cutting knife, glue, tape, color wheel, and stainless-steel ruler.
$230/person*. Register here. Registration closes Oct. 10 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.
*As this is a two-day immersive experience, you may want to stay on site.
The Greenhouse Café, located in the Allerton Greenhouse, offers fresh and fun sandwiches, homemade baked goods, unique salads, classic refreshments, beer, wine, and more.
Monticello, Illinois is five miles from Allerton, and you will find a variety of restaurants there.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the Instructor
Billie Theide is Professor Emerita and a former Chair of the Crafts Program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Theide is a metalsmith, jeweler, textile artist, and ceramicist. Her work is in public art collections around the world including the Smithsonian, Museum of Arts & Design in New York City, Nelson Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, and the Racine Art Museum, among others. She is the recipient of a Visual Arts Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts and five Artists Fellowship Grants from the Illinois Arts Council. Theide has been recognized for her excellence in teaching and is a Distinguished Member and Past-President of the Society of North American Goldsmiths.

Maitake Mushroom Hike
2026-10-18 09:30 - 12:00
Experience Level: All Skill Levels
Head into the woods in search of Grifola frondosa – better known as hen of the woods, maitake, or ram’s head – at the Maitake Mushroom Hunt on Sunday, Oct. 18 from 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Meet at the Lost Garden/McDonald Family Trails Parking Lot. (View on Google Maps.)
During this 2.5-hour guided hike, instructor Lee Schuler will share how to find and identify maitake and other fall mushrooms. Students will learn about their life cycle, preferred habitats, tree hosts, how to distinguish edible species from toxic lookalikes, and ways to prepare and cook them.
If nature cooperates, all students will leave with fresh maitake to enjoy. If conditions aren’t right for maitake, students will still discover and learn about a variety of other fall mushrooms—both edible and inedible.
Each student will receive a pocket field guide featuring the most common North American mushrooms to use during the hike and take home afterward.
$35/person*. Register here. Registration closes 1 day prior or when capacity has been reached. All sales are final.
*The class will log finds on iNaturalist in our Allerton Fugal Survey. Feel free to create an iNaturalist account here if you’d like to participate.
PLEASE NOTE: Foraging at Allerton is not allowed except as part of this class.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the Instructor
Lee Schuler recently moved from Illinois from Pennsylvania, where she taught fungal identification and edibility at environmental education centers for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and for private land owners. She is certified as a wild edible mushroom expert and licensed to harvest and sell to restaurants and markets in the State of Pennsylvania. Schuler is also a contributing culinary author for a wild mushroom trade journal.
A graduate of East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania, Lee has worked as a field biologist and environmental educator, and currently works in public health. She is an artist and cook and enjoys acquiring new and useful skills as much as she loves sharing them.

Melt with Mary
2026-10-18 11:30 - 13:00 | The Library
Experience Level: All skill levels (ages 13+)
Learn how to ease your foot, back, or hip pain, and hike without pain at MELT with Mary on Sundays, Sept. 20, Oct. 18, Nov. 15, or Dec. 20 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Mansion Library.
Instructor Mary French will lead this introductory workshop to the MELT (Myofascial Energetic Length Technique) method, a self-treatment system that uses soft rollers and balls to improve the body’s connective tissue, nervous and lymphatic systems.
Students will use MELT soft balls and soft rollers as they learn simple techniques that can be done at home to remain active and healthy, and help provide relief from low back pain, arthritis, bunions and plantar fasciitis
$30/person*. Register here. Registration closes 1 day prior to class or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.
*Students should bring a yoga mat, water bottle, and wear activewear.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the Instructor
As a walker and runner with plantar fasciitis, Mary French received relief from the MELT Method and became a MELT instructor in 2014. She now shares her passion for the self-care method at various health events, including at Allerton.
“If hikers MELT their feet before hitting the trails, they will reduce their risk of injury and aches. Then MELTing afterwards will reduce the soreness from hiking.”

Mystic Mondays: Intro to Astrology
2026-10-19 18:00 - 20:00 | Carriage House
Entry Level: Beginner (ages 18+)
Learn what stars and constellations can tell you at Mystic Mondays: Intro to Astrology on Monday, Oct. 19 from 6-8 p.m. in the Mansion Carriage House.
In this introductory class, instructor Charlie Rainbow Wolf will share the background of astrology, the different types of astrology and astrological signs and planetary correlations. Students will look at how the planets and signs fall into their own chart — and what this could mean for them on a personal level.
$55/person*. Register here. Registration closes Oct. 16 or when the capacity is reached. All sales are final.
*Students should bring a smart phone or tablet to connect to the internet and view their own charts, a notebook, and writing utensil.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the Instructor
Charlie is an old hippie who’s been studying the weird ways of the world for nearly 50 years. She’s happiest when she’s got her hands in mud, either making pottery in the ‘Artbox’ or tending to things in the yarden (yard + garden = yarden). Astrology, tarot, and herbs are her greatest interests, but she’s dabbled in most metaphysical topics in the last five decades, because life always has something new to offer. She is a contributing author for Llewellyn Worldwide, a ghostwriter for renowned psychic celebrities, and makes a wicked batch of fudge. She lives in central Illinois with her very patient husband and her special needs Great Danes.

Candlelight Meditative Sound Bath
2026-10-19 19:00 - 19:45 | The Library
Experience Level: All Levels (ages 16+)
Immerse yourself in soothing sounds at a Candlelight Meditative Sound Bath on Mondays Sept. 21, Oct. 19, or Nov. 30 from 7-7:45 p.m. in the Mansion Library.
Sound practitioner Marissa Michael will lead a sound bath using crystal singing bowls and chimes designed to promote relaxation and mindfulness. Breath-centered grounding and the resonant tones of the bowls will help to guide students inward.
These sessions offer a serene and contemplative atmosphere to soften, unwind, and settle into reflective stillness, reconnecting with yourself in a meaningful and restorative way.
$25/person*. Register here. Registration will close 1 day prior to each class or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.
*Students should bring a yoga mat, blanket and pillow, and dress for movement. Limited mats will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email  owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the Instructor
As a sound practitioner, Marissa Michael weaves crystal singing bowls into her work, creating meditative sound bath experiences that support chakra alignment, emotional release and deep therapeutic rest. In her candlelit meditative sound baths, she blends gentle mindfulness cues, breath-centered grounding and the resonant tones of the bowls to guide students inward.

Fall Yoga
2026-10-20 09:00 - 10:00, 2026-10-27 09:00 - 10:00 | The Meadow
Experience Level: All Skill Levels
Allerton provides the perfect setting to relax, unwind, and reconnect with your body and spirit at Fall Yoga on Tuesdays, Sept. 1 through Oct. 27 from 9 to 10 a.m. in the Meadow.
Josie Heck from Yoga Off the Square will lead students through strengthening poses and breath work designed to invigorate the body and mind while resetting the nervous system to a balanced state.
Registration is required here*. Community classes are donation-based to help support the Park and public programs. Make your gift online or in-person.
Students are encouraged to bring their own mat. Limited mats will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia Bunting at owarren@illinois.edu.

About the Instructor
Josie Heck began teaching yoga in 2014 after receiving her 200-hour teacher training through Amara Yoga and the Arts and Yoga Alliance. Since that time, she has expanded her range of classes to better serve the community. While she specializes in Ashtanga and Vinyasa Flow, her most popular classes are Beginners Yoga, Chair Yoga, Kids classes, Yin Yoga, Restorative Yoga and Gentle Flow.
She teaches yoga classes through The Farms as well as providing free classes at Monticello Middle School and free breathwork at Monticello High School. She has also led classes at the local hospital and senior assisted facilities.

Learn Guitar: Get Started the Right Way
2026-10-20 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-10-27 18:00 - 19:00 | The Studio
Experience Level: Beginner (ages 16+)
Learn a new instrument at Learn Guitar: Get Started the Right Way on Tuesdays, Sept. 15 through Nov. 17 from 6-7 p.m. in the Studio.
Leading this course is musician Rex Parvin, who has a very specific approach to teaching guitar based on having an understanding of how music works and how that understanding applies specifically to the guitar. It is essentially a 3-step process:
— Learn the notes on the guitar
— Learn how those notes go together to form chords.
— Apply and combine steps 1 and 2 to form chords and play songs, developing your own style and creative expression.
$200/person*. Register here. Registration will close Sept. 11 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.
*Students should bring their own guitar.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the Instructor
Rex Parvin knew from early adolescence that his primary passion in life was music, having taken guitar lessons and learning to read music starting at age five. He learned how to conduct choirs in high school and went to college as a voice major, getting bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education, specializing in voice and conducting.
Rex’s musical abilities and passions led to a 30-year career as a full-time music director, studio musician, conductor, and guitar teacher. He is a “people person” who loves to interact with others and see them grow in their abilities and understanding of music, encouraging them to new levels of excellence. Those who have learned from him have always commented that they learned many new things in ways that were easily understandable and created a hunger to learn even more.

Advanced Knitting: Cables & Lace
2026-10-21 18:00 - 20:00 | The Studio
Experience Level: Intermediate (students should be proficient in casting on, knitting, purling, and casting off)
Learn the timeless techniques of cable and lace knitting at Advanced Knitting: Cables & Lace on Wednesday, Oct. 21 from 6-8 p.m in the Studio.
Instructor Charlie Rainbow Wolf will teach students the basics of creating raised traveling stitches with a cable needle and simple lace techniques.
$60/person*. Register here. Registration closes Oct. 18 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.
*Students should bring:
-110 yards of bulky weight yarn,
-16″ circular size 9 (5.5 mm) knitting needles, and a cable needle (available at hobby shops like Michaels or Hobby Lobby)
– 2 balls (100 grams) worsted weight yarn
– a pair of 10″ straight size 8 (5 mm)

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the Instructor
Charlie is an old hippie who’s been studying the weird ways of the world for nearly 50 years. She’s happiest when she’s got her hands in mud, either making pottery in the ‘Artbox’ or tending to things in the yarden (yard + garden = yarden). Astrology, tarot, and herbs are her greatest interests, but she’s dabbled in most metaphysical topics in the last five decades, because life always has something new to offer. She is a contributing author for Llewellyn Worldwide, a ghostwriter for renowned psychic celebrities, and makes a wicked batch of fudge. She lives in central Illinois with her very patient husband and her special needs Great Danes.

Rocks and Feathers: Understanding the Emotional Weight of Money
2026-10-22 18:00 - 20:00 | The Studio
Experience Level: Beginner (ages 16+)
Take a step towards a healthier relationship with money in Rocks & Feathers: Understanding the Emotional Weight of Money on Thursday, Oct. 22 from 6-8 p.m. in The Studio.
Financial stress is about more than money. Instructor Liz Ackerman will share how emotions such as fear, shame, guilt, overwhelm, and scarcity can shape the choices we make and the results we experience. Students will identify the emotional “rocks” they may be carrying around money and learn how to replace them with empowering “feathers” that support healthier financial habits and decisions. Through guided discussion and reflection, students will gain greater awareness of the beliefs and emotions influencing their financial lives.
This workshop is ideal for anyone who wants to create a healthier relationship with money and develop an understanding of the emotional side of financial well-being.
$75/person. Register here. Registration closes Oct. 19 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the Instructor
Liz started teaching at age 14 and never stopped. She has taught subjects from religion to cooking, and from childbirth education to financial literacy to all age groups. Ackerman has presented “Rocks and Feathers” to live and virtual groups, including one of Moms for America’s National Homeschool Mom2Mom webinars. She is not a therapist or a financial advisor, but someone who has carried heavy money emotion rocks for a long time, and who has spent years using various modalities to learn how to recognize and remove her “rocks” and replace them with “feathers.” She is in the final stages of completing a workbook for teens to accompany the presentation. Focusing on teens first so that they don’t have to carry heavy money emotion rocks for years like she has. This class is for everyone, as the principles are the same for all age groups.

Tree ID Hike
2026-10-23 12:00 - 14:00
Experience Level: Beginner
Explore the high-quality, picturesque forest on Allerton’s south side at a Tree ID Hike on Friday, Oct. 23 from 12-2 p.m. Meet at the Lost Garden/McDonald Family Trails Parking Lot. (View on Google Maps.)
Allerton Natural Areas Manager Nate Beccue will share identification strategies to help students learn how to identify a variety of tree species on this leisurely hike.
$10/person*. Register here. Registration will close Oct. 22 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.
*Hikers should bring a water bottle, bug spray, and sunscreen.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

Beginner Mountain Dulcimer
2026-10-24 10:00 - 12:00 | The Studio
Experience Level: Beginner
Keep your mind active with an easy-to-learn and fun instrument at Beginner Mountain Dulcimer on Saturdays, Oct. 24 through Nov. 21 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. in The Studio.
Instructor Lou Ann Koebel will lead students through basic chords and strum patterns that will give them the ability to play rounds, fiddle tunes and much more! Playing the dulcimer requires only a love of music and a desire to create beautiful sound – it is a simple instrument that requires little musical knowledge.
$225/person*. Register here. Registration closes Oct. 21 or when the class has reached capacity. All sales are final.
*Students should bring their own dulcimer. Dulcimers are available to rent by emailing the instructor at koebel@illinois.edu.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the Instructor
Lou Ann Koebel currently leads a weekly dulcimer jam for the East Central Dulcimer Illinois Dulcimer Club at Lincoln Square. She also plays in a local band that visits and performs at local assisted living facilities. Last Fall, she taught a beginning dulcimer class for The Farms at Allerton Park, where she had a wonderful time teaching the group and realized her love of teaching and passing on the tradition of playing a mountain dulcimer. Luckily, there are several local jams throughout the week at Lincoln Square, as well as several music festivals, both online and in person.

Beginning Weaving I (Midday)
2026-10-24 10:30 - 13:30
Experience Level: Beginner
Learn the basics of working with a loom at Beginning Weaving I (Midday) on Saturdays, Oct. 24 through Nov. 21 from 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. in the Greenhouse Auditorium.
This 5-week class led by Sharon Bowles will encompass all aspects of beginner weaving as students create a table runner. Students will become familiar with weaving terminology, parts of the loom, figuring the weaving pattern for the width of the loom and project, measuring out the warp, beaming the warp back to front, threading heddles, threading the reed, tying on the warp, and winding bobbins.
$250/person*. Register here. Registration closes Oct. 14 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.
*Students should bring a 4-shaft loom if they have one. All other supplies will be provided, including a loom if needed.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia at owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the Instructor
Sharon Bowles began weaving in 1990 and started teaching shortly after. She was taught to weave in a one-on-one class and wove two table runners in 12 (approximately) 2-hour lessons, and she teaches the same method when she teaches. Sharon has experience in weaving with silk, lace weaving, 8-shaft pattern weaving, parallel weaving, block weaves, and Shaker reproduction towels.
She has taught many workshops and classes to weavers’ guilds in Florida, Ohio, and Champaign-Urbana. She earned her Journeyman certification from the Weavers Guild of Boston in 2021 and a master’s certification in April of 2022. Most recently, Sharon taught Beginning Weaving I at The Farms, and a 2-day workshop in four shaft patterns for the Champaign-Urbana Spinners and Weavers Guild.

Woodworking Basics: Wooden Tray
2026-10-24 13:00 - 17:00 | The Studio
Experience Level: Beginner
Learn the basics of woodworking and build something you can be proud of at Woodworking Basics: Wooden Tray on Saturday, Oct. 24 from 1-5 p.m. in The Studio.
Instructor Lou Ann Koebel will teach students how to safely use a drill, miter saw, nailer and clamps to build a small 15” x 8” x ”3 wooden tray with decorative metal embellishments. The tray can be used to help organize small items in just about any room!
$130/person. Register here. Registration closes Oct. 19 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the Instructor
Lou Ann Koebel has worn many hats over the past several years: a woodworker, an AV technician and lover of restoring or repurposing antiques. Living in an older home has also helped Lou Ann to learn how to repair various items around the house, search YouTube for “fix it” videos and collect tools to cover a wide variety of tasks.
Her Fix-It courses are meant as an entry to help students explore how to proceed safely with basic tools and build a home DYI toolbox, creatively repurpose a picture frame or fix/alter a lamp.

Beginning Weaving I (Afternoon)
2026-10-24 14:00 - 17:00 | Greenhouse Auditorium
Experience Level: Beginner
Learn the basics of working with a loom at Beginning Weaving I (Afternoon) on Saturday, Oct. 24 through Nov. 21 from 2–5 p.m. in the Greenhouse Auditorium.
This 5-week class led by Sharon Bowles will encompass all aspects of beginner weaving as students create a table runner. Students will become familiar with weaving terminology, parts of the loom, figuring the weaving pattern for the width of the loom and project, measuring out the warp, beaming the warp back to front, threading heddles, threading the reed, tying on the warp, and winding bobbins.
$250/person*. Register here. Registration closes Oct. 14 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.
*Students should bring a 4-shaft loom if they have one. All other supplies will be provided, including a loom if needed.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia at owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the Instructor
Sharon Bowles began weaving in 1990 and started teaching shortly after. She was taught to weave in a one-on-one class and wove two table runners in 12 (approximately) 2-hour lessons, and she teaches the same method when she teaches. Sharon has experience in weaving with silk, lace weaving, 8-shaft pattern weaving, parallel weaving, block weaves, and Shaker reproduction towels.
She has taught many workshops and classes to weavers’ guilds in Florida, Ohio, and Champaign-Urbana. She earned her Journeyman certification from the Weavers Guild of Boston in 2021 and a master’s certification in April of 2022. Most recently, Sharon taught Beginning Weaving I at The Farms, and a 2-day workshop in four shaft patterns for the Champaign-Urbana Spinners and Weavers Guild.

Knitting 201: Hats
2026-10-25 13:00 - 16:00 | The Studio
Experience Level: Beginner
Fall is the perfect time to knit a winter hat. Knit a hat for yourself, a new baby, or a knit worthy friend or family member at Knitting 201: Hats on Sunday, Oct. 25 & Nov. 1 from 1-4 p.m. in the Studio.
“Knitting 201: Hats” is designed to further your knitting skills by expanding on “Knitting 101: Knitting for Beginners,” or for someone who is proficient in knitting garter stitch. In this workshop, Billie Theide will work with students to practice reading knitting patterns, determine size, gauge, cast on in the round using those mysterious double pointed knitting needles, learn to work magic loop on a long circular, stay on track with stitch markers, knit rib stitch, work garter and stockinette for visual interest, decrease, and correct mistakes. Additionally, the class will talk about pom poms, blocking and caring for hand knits.
$95/person*. Register here. Registration closes Oct. 18 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.
Students should bring the following:
OPTION 1 YARN
1 skein (2 skeins of the same dye lot for adult large) Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash Merino. This is classified as DK/Light Worsted weight yarn made of 100% Merino Wool. There are 220 yards per skein. Available in 82 colors. It is machine washable. Avoid purchasing a dark colorway.
OR
OPTION 2 YARN
1 skein (2 skeins of the same dye lot for adult large) Lion Brand Wool-Ease DK. This is classified as a Light/DK 3 weight yarn made of 80% acrylic and 20% wool. There are 232 yards per skein. Available in 18 colors. It is machine washable. Avoid purchasing a dark colorway.
AND
OPTION 1 NEEDLES
1 set 7” long bamboo #4 (3.5 mm) Clover Takumi double pointed knitting needles. There are five needles in a set
1 set 7” long bamboo #6 (4 mm) Clover Takumi double pointed knitting needles. There are five needles in a set
OR
OPTION 2 NEEDLES
1 set 8” long natural bamboo ChiaoGoo double pointed knitting needles. There are five needles in a set
1 set 8” long natural bamboo ChiaoGoo double pointed knitting needles. There are five needles in a set
AND
pair of small sharp scissors
laptop, iPad, or smartphone
pencil

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the Instructor
Billie Theide is Professor Emerita and a former Chair of the Crafts Program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Theide is a metalsmith, jeweler, textile artist, and ceramicist. Her work is in public art collections around the world including the Smithsonian, Museum of Arts & Design in New York City, Nelson Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, and the Racine Art Museum, among others. She is the recipient of a Visual Arts Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts and five Artists Fellowship Grants from the Illinois Arts Council. Theide has been recognized for her excellence in teaching and is a Distinguished Member and Past-President of the Society of North American Goldsmiths.

Full Moon Hike
2026-10-25 18:00 - 20:00
Experience Level: All levels (ages 10+)
Experience Allerton after dark at a Full Moon Hike on Sunday, Oct. 25 from 6-8 p.m. Meet at the Main Parking Lot.
Allerton Natural Areas Managers will lead this memorable walk through the woods to listen for owls, coyotes, and other nocturnal wildlife under the light of a full moon.
Enjoy the hike on its own or add a beer to enjoy while you walk!
$10/person; $20/person with two beers (Ages 21+). Register here. Registration will close one day before each hike.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia at owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

Full Moon Yoga
2026-10-25 19:30 - 20:30 | The Sun Singer
Experience Level: Beginner
Meet us under a full moon to strengthen your body, mind and spirit at Full Moon Yoga in the Meadow:
— Wednesday, July 29, 7:30-8:30 p.m. (Will be held in the Bowling Lawn)
— Friday, Aug. 28, 7-8 p.m.
— Saturday, Sept. 26, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
— Saturday, Oct. 25, 7:30-8:30 p.m. (Will be held at the Sun Singer)
— Tuesday, Nov. 24, 7-8 p.m. (Will be held in the Library)
Instructor Josie Heck with Yoga Off the Square will lead the class through strength poses perfect for students of all levels.
$5/person*. Register here. Registration will end one day before each class or when capacity is reached. All Sales are final.
*Students are encouraged to bring their own mat; limited mats will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Please print and sign the liability form and bring it with you to class.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the Instructor
Josie Heck began teaching in 2014 after receiving her 200-hour training through Amara Yoga & Arts and Yoga Alliance. Over the last decade she has expanded the range of classes to better serve the community. While she specializes in Ashtanga and Vinyasa Flow the most popular classes are Beginners Yoga, Chair Yoga, Kids classes, Yin Yoga, Restorative Yoga, and Gentle Flow.
She teaches Community Yoga and Full Moon classes through The Farms at Allerton Park and Retreat Center and provides free classes at Monticello Middle School and Monticello High School. Josie has also led classes at the local hospital and senior assisted living facilities.

Intro to Bobbinlace
2026-10-27 10:00 - 12:00 | The Studio
Experience Level: Beginner
Experience a fascinating textile art in action at Intro to Bobbinlace on Tuesdays, Oct. 27 through Nov. 10 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. in The Studio.
Instructor Robin Bagwell will show students what to expect in bobbin lacemaking! Learn the basic movements of cross and twist to form beautiful lace from hanging bobbins wound with thread. Think “connect the dots” as stitches are made and pinned to the dots on a card stock pattern
$115/person*. Register here. Registration will close on Oct. 13 or when the class has reached capacity. All sales are final.
*Students can choose one of the following options for class materials upon registration:
–Bring your own Bobbin Lace kit using one of the suggestions below:
–Bobbin Lace Kit from the Lace Museum
–Bobbin Lace & Lacemaking Kit from Van Sciver Bobbin Lace
–Wooden or Beaded kit from Snowgoose Lace
-Search “Bobbinlace kits” on Etsy or Amazon
(Please note that Lacis Pillow Kits are NOT recommended for this class)
OR
–Use one of the instructor’s kits with the option to purchase at the end of class
Your instructor will supply all the beginner materials needed for this class. If you already have Bobbinlace materials, feel free to bring them to class.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the Instructor
Robin Bagwell learned bobbin lace at a park in 1994 after running across a lady she just happened to meet! That led to Sunday afternoon sessions during the summer to learn the textile art form. She has been enjoying and teaching bobbin lace since.
Robin demonstrated lace for many years at the annual Apple n Pork festival in Clinton IL, numerous Civil War reenactments, Fiber Festivals and even annual lace exhibitions in Paducah KY. She has presented programs on lacemaking for various community organizations around McLean and Dewitt County. She is a member of various international lace groups/ organizations.

Owl Night
2026-10-28 18:00 - 21:00 | The Music Barn
Experience Level: Beginner
Join us for an enchanting evening dedicated to the fascinating Northern Saw Whet Owl at Owl Night on Wednesday, Oct. 28 from 6 to 9 p.m.* in the Music Barn (588 Allerton Rd., Monticello).
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to get up-close with these elusive creatures and connect with nature as researchers conduct live banding of these migrating avian wonders. Bring the little ones along for a variety of engaging kids’ activities that promise both fun and learning. As the night unfolds, enjoy the camaraderie at our bar — including both kid-friendly and adult beverages — as you mingle with fellow owl enthusiasts.
The Illinois Raptor Center will also be on hand with live birds to view and learn about.
*Nets will be opened for live banding at 5:30 p.m., but most owls will likely be captured after 8 p.m.
$10/person (Ages 5 & under free). Register here. Registration will close Oct. 21 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.
Learn more about ongoing research at the Park.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

Needlefelt Goldfinch
2026-10-29 17:00 - 20:00 | The Studio
Experience Level: Beginner (All ages; parents/guardians are not required to register with their children, but all minors must have a parent/guardian on-site and they are encouraged to be present for those 13 and younger.)
Create a unique piece of art out of locally sourced alpaca fiber at Needlefelt Goldfinch on Thursday October 29, from 5 to 8 p.m. in The Studio.
Stephanie Block of Sundrop Alpacas will walk students through the needlefelting process to make a goldfinch, which can be customized to make them look authentic, whimsical or anything in between. The class is perfect for those wanting to learn a new art form.
Take advantage of a fun opportunity to bring a friend or family member for just a $10 add-on fee as you work together on a single project kit!
$65/person* + $10/person for add-on (limit one). Register here. Registration will close Oct 22 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.
*A $15 discount is available during registration for those who bring their own needlefelting tools.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.
