PRAIRIE SKY MUSIC FESTIVAL*
September 7, 6-9:30pm | September 8, 12:30-9:45pm | Gatehouse Lawn
$37 Festival Pass, in advance ($45 at the gate)|$15 Friday-only Pass, in advance ($20 at the gate) | GROUP DISCOUNT – Buy 6, Get 2 Free | Kids 12 & under free
It’s only two weeks away! The 2nd Annual Prairie Sky Music Festival presented by Lodgic Everyday Community will go beyond great music with food, drinks, outdoor activities, vendors, camping, yoga, and more! Featuring performances by Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives, The Barefoot Movement, The Way Down Wanderers, Edward David Anderson, Sleeping Okami, Fox Crossing Stringband, and Mank & Sass, this Americana lineup will set the stage for a memorable weekend!
*Keep your eyes peeled in our next newsletter for our Festival Guide, which will include a map, lineup, lists of food trucks & vendors, and more!
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE | View Facebook Event | Lineup | Camping Info | FAQs
CELEBRATE THE SEASON IN STYLE!
Dates are filling up for winter holiday parties at Allerton – Book yours during the month of September, and we’ll waive the ENTIRE rental fee! Let our staff take care of the set-up, décor, food and beverage while your family, staff, or co-workers enjoy the holiday season in Allerton’s beautiful historic Mansion! Call 217-333-3287 to book your event today.
September 12 | 6 – 7:30 PM | Mansion Library | $35
IT’S BACK! Due to popularity, Allerton will be hosting another Cacti & Succulent Container Workshop. Sign up now before it sells out!
There is almost no lower maintenance container garden than one filled with succulents. Learn with Horticulture Educator, Candice Hart how to plant your own water-wise, succulent and cacti container perfect for surviving those hot, dry, summer months. The workshop includes all supplies needed to create your own succulent container garden.
REGISTER HERE | View Facebook Event
Second Thursday of Each Month | 9 – 10 AM | Greenhouse Café | FREE
Enjoy your morning pick-me-up while getting up-to-speed on all things Allerton! Grab a coffee and join Allerton staff in the Greenhouse Café on the second Thursday of each month to hear about a blend of topics on the past, present, and future of the Park. All sessions will include an opportunity for Q&A; some will end with an optional walk/hike.
SEPTEMBER 13TH TOPIC: Event Planning 101 – Planning an upcoming meeting or personal party? Allerton is full of memorable spaces and a variety of catering options to fit your needs! Includes an optional short tour of the Mansion.
September 13 | 6:30 – 8:00 PM | Visitor Center | $5
Eliana Brown, Extension Stormwater Specialist, and Katy Kraszewska, from the U of I Department of Landscape Architecture, will lead you through the basics of rain garden design for your home. Rain gardens not only put your stormwater runoff to good use, but are also a wonderful way to plant and encourage native plant species in your own back (or front!) yard. Eliana and Katy will walk you through the design steps in this hands-on workshop: siting, sizing, and plant selection. You’ll learn common mistakes to avoid and see examples of successful rain gardens. Sign up early – space is limited for this event.
REGISTER HERE | View Facebook Event
September 15 | 9 – 10 AM | Visitor Center | FREE
This informational volunteer orientation is open to the public and great for anyone interested in volunteering at Allerton. Get your questions answered, find out about different opportunities, and take the first step to becoming an Allerton volunteer! No registration required. Contact Mindy Brand at brand@illinois.edu for more information.
September 15 | 10 – 11 AM | Visitor Center | $ – Donation-based
Allerton Park has 14 formal gardens, created by Robert Allerton between 1899 and 1946. Join us to experience the beauty of each garden while listening to the history behind its creation. Tours typically last 45-60 minutes, and all ages are welcome.
September 22-23 | 11:30 AM – 11:30 AM following day | Meadow | Child Ticket (9 & under) – $15; Adult Ticket (10 & older) – $20
Spend the weekend exploring Allerton’s Natural Areas with the whole family! Champaign Outdoors (formerly Champaign Surplus) presents this hassle-free camping experience, providing families the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and learn about nature.
Spend the day helping biologists (from the U of I Illinois Natural History Survey and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources) catch, identify, and release various wildlife; try out the newest camping gear and gadgets from Champaign Outdoors, and enjoy a live wildlife show by the Natural History Education Company of the MidSouth. After dinner (included with ticket purchase), relax by the campfire for stories, s’mores and sing along, or go on a stargazing night hike led by the U of I Astronomy Department. In the morning, sleep-in or get up early to help check wildlife traps, catch birds, or stretch your legs on a biologist-led hike. This event will be limited to 250 people.
REGISTER HERE | View Facebook Event | Campout Schedule | FAQs | Packing List
September 23 | 1-3 PM | MEADOW* | $ – Donation (Suggested $5/person, $10/family)
Bring your lawn chairs, picnic blankets, and littlest family members to this performance by award-winning kids musician Little Miss Ann as a part of our sixth season of the Concert Series, presented by the U of I Community Credit Union. Lots of fun activities are being developed, and food + drinks will be available for purchase from Cool Bliss Popped Bliss, Dragon Fire Pizza, The Pop Stop, Inc, and Dave’s Dogs.
*Your walk over from the 4th Annual Allerton Family Campout and Exploration to the Kids’ Concert has gotten shorter! Due to continued construction on the David J. and Debra C. Rathje Allerton Mansion Grand Drive, the Kids’ Concert will now take place in the Allerton Meadow.
View Facebook Event | Summer Concert Series Schedule | Cancellation Policy
September 27-30 | Allerton Music Barn | Times vary | Adults – $28/performance ($50 for two performances; $75 for three performances); Students – $10/performance
Join us for a weekend of music in partnership with the University of Illinois School of Music!
September 27-28, 7:30pm: Lyric Theatre at Illinois presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
A hilarious musical comedy of high school-aged overachievers, their hopes, their dreams, and their angst as they compete for a slot in the National Spelling Bee at Putnam Valley Middle School.
September 29, 7:30pm: The University of Illinois Jazz Faculty & Concert Jazz Bandpresent “Jazz in Blue”
A performance is based on an exploration of the American blues form and some of the vast repertoire from the Blue Note Records catalog.
September 30, 10am: The University of Illinois Chamber Singers present “Sunday Morning with Bach”
Dr. Andrew Megill, Director of Choral Activities, will lead works by Bach: Jesu, meine Freude sung by Chamber Singers, and Cantata 39 ‘Brich dem Hungrigen dein Brot’ sung by ecco.
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE | View Facebook Event | Cancellation Policy
Allerton Park and Retreat Center
515 Old Timber Road
Monticello, Illinois 61856
