State’s largest bocce tournament comes to Illinois Valley – Shaw Local

Here are five things to do in the Illinois Valley this weekend and in the coming weeks.

1. Toluca Labor Day Festival: The annual four-day family events include activities for children, the state’s largest bocce ball tournament on Sunday, a fishing derby, bands and a parade on Monday at 2 p.m., among other things. The carnival runs from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and from noon to 5 p.m. on Monday. Tickets purchased during the event cost $30. If you need tickets for multiple days, you must purchase a ticket for each day. For more information, visit the Toluca Labor Day Festival Facebook page.

2. Streator Cruise Night, Labor Day Parade: Take a trip back in time Saturday night in Streator. Classic vehicles of all kinds will be on display throughout downtown, most of them on Main Street. A route will be set for the classic vehicles to drive through the streets of downtown. The Dream Machines Car Club’s Cruise Night begins at 5 p.m. and features all kinds of vendors and music. Cruise Night will be preceded by a car show from 9 a.m. to noon in City Park, with awards from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Streator Area Chamber of Commerce’s Labor Day Parade begins at noon Sunday on Main Street from Illinois Street to Park Street. Lineup begins at 10:30 a.m.

3. Tri-County Fair: The Tri-County Fair is held Thursday through Monday at 501 First Ave., Mendota. The fair features a carnival, live entertainment each night, pony rides, arts and crafts and food booths and fireworks on Sunday night. There is free parking, free admission and a free petting zoo. Admission to the event is $10 and the special fair wristband is $25. For more information, visit facebook.com/mendotatricountyfair.

4. Home Festival: Princeton’s Summerfest runs Thursday, September 5 through Sunday, September 8 and features several family-friendly activities. The Homestead Festival Parade is scheduled for September 7 at 1:30 p.m. The festival begins on September 5 with the Walk of Fame dedication at 5:45 p.m. at the Apollo Theater, followed by a performance by the World Turning Band in the Down on Main Street Concert Series: a Fleetwood Mac Tribute on South Main Street. The 44th annual car show will be September 8 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on South Main Street. For more information, visit facebook.com/HomesteadFestival.

5th Renaissance Fair in Marseille: The festival will be held on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Guthrie Park baseball field, 655 Commercial St. The event will include stage performances, interactive games and artisans. There will be artisans from around the area, including wool spinners, card readers and a fire breather. In addition, there will be musical performances and the Renaissance reenactment troupe Gryphon Poursuivant. Admission is free, but donations are gratefully accepted. For more information, visit Facebook at Marseilles Renaissance Faire, Marseilles, IL.

• Would you like your event to be highlighted in this weekly feature? The first step is to add your events to the Illinois Valley Community Calendar at shawlocal.com/illinois-valley/local-events.