The LASER

Knox-Rootabaga Jazz Festival
2026-05-06 00:00 - 2026-05-09 23:59 (America/Chicago) | IL
Join the Knox-Rootabaga Jazz Festival for an evening celebrating outstanding student jazz musicians from across the region.
Featuring:
Galesburg Junior High Big Band — Joanna Sieczka, director
Canton High School Big Band — Bethany Herink, director
ROWVA High School Big Band — Garrett Sprinkle, director
Jammers Big Band — Jeff Davis, director
Also appearing: Doug Stone with the Cherry St Combo, directed by Andy Crawford
Guy McEntarffer (piano), Jude Reed (bass), Maya Kaufman (alto sax),
Eileen Sheetz (tenor sax), Maddie Goss (trumpet), Dylan Poniewaz (percussion),
Isabella Maldonado (vocals), Ian Catanzaro (drums)
Smokin’ Willies BBQ
6:00–10:00 PM
Admission: $3
For more than four decades, the Knox Rootabaga Jazz Festival has brought world-class jazz to Galesburg through a unique collaboration of schools, businesses, and the community.
Schedule, tickets, and donation information: www.knox.edu/jazzyear
Tuesday, May 5th
7pm | Free
United High School
Doug Stone Rootabaga School Tour Band
Wednesday, May 6th
6pm-10pm | $3
Smokin’ Willies BBQ (161 N Cherry St)
Area High School Big Bands
Cherry St Combo with Doug Stone
Thursday, May 7th
7-10pm | $5
Smokin’ Willies BBQ (161 N Cherry St)
Faculty and Friends Band: The Faculty and Friends performance features Knox’s accomplished jazz faculty and local jazz musicians from the vibrant live music community of central Illinois.

Friday, May 8th
6-10pm | $10
Smokin’ Willies BBQ (161 N Cherry St)
6pm: Galesburg High School Big Bands
7pm & 9pm Alyssa Allgood Sextet w/Victor Garcia and Greg Ward
8pm Cherry St. Combo w/ Doug Stone

Saturday, May 9th
6:30pm | Free Admission to all thanks to the generosity of NAEIR
Orpheum Theatre
Rootabaga High School All-Stars Big Band (6:30pm)
Knox Jazz Ensemble (7pm)
The Baga Big Band (8pm)
The music of Justin Haynes
with special guests: Victor Garcia, Greg Ward, Doug Stone, & Alyssa Allgood

Kiwanis Club of Galesburg Community Cookout
2026-05-08 20:30 - 22:30 (America/Chicago) | Hy-Vee on Main, 2030 E. Main St., Galesburg, IL, 61401, United States
Kiwanis Club of Galesburg Community Cookout
The Kiwanis Club of Galesburg is hosting a Community Cookout on Friday, May 8, 2026, with proceeds benefiting Kiwanis Club initiatives.
Serving times:
Lunch: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Dinner: 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Menu includes:
• Burger or tenderloin
• Potato salad or chips
• Fountain drink
Carry-out is available.
Location: HyVee, 2030 E. Main Street, Galesburg
Tickets: Available at the door – $12 per person

Berwick Day 2026
2026-05-09 07:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Berwick Baptist Church, 1173 130th Street, Berwick, IL, 61401, United States
Fireman’s Breakfast
Berwick Baptist Church – bake sale, lunch, and lemonade stand
Berwick School Memorial Reveal – all alumni are invited
Pedal Tractor pull
Kids rides
Music by Zach Simpson
Parade
Raffle Tickets
Garage Sales/flea market/craft vendors
Antique and Collector cars and tractors

Second Saturdays: How Does Your Garden Grow?
2026-05-09 09:30 - 11:00 (America/Chicago) | Lakeside Nature Center, 1033 South Lake Storey Road, Galesburg, IL, 61401, United States
Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026
Time: 9:30-11:00 AM
Cost: Free for all ages
Location: Lakeside Nature Center
This month’s theme is “How Does Your Garden Grow?”
Spring is here! We will plant some veggies and seeds in our nature center garden bed and explore the Nature Center’s Monarch Waystation Gardens & pollinator plot while we learn about spring wildflowers! We will also take home your very own sunflower to grow!
Class is held outdoors at the Lakeside Nature Center Shelter, with a Nature Walk through the woods, so dress for the weather!
Pre-register at: https://app.amilia.com/store/en/city-of-galesburg-pr/shop/activities/6466711

Spring Creations Magic Flowers!
2026-05-09 11:00 - 13:30 (America/Chicago) | Discovery Depot, 128 S Chambers St, Galesburg, IL, 61401, United States
Stop by and make a bouquet of magic flowers in our Art Studio! Free with admission

BINGO at the Galesburg VFW
2026-05-09 12:45, 2026-05-16 12:45 (America/New_York) | Galesburg VFW Post 2257, 1001 Michigan ave, Galesburg, IL, 61401, United States
Come and have some fun at the Galesburg VFW with BINGO each Saturday. Doors open at 10:30a and BINGO starts at 12:45p.

EGVFD Taco Trivia
2026-05-09 17:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | Knoxville American Legion, Knoxville, IL, 61448, United States
Join us for Tacos & Trivia hosted by the East Galesburg Volunteer Fire Department at the Knoxville Legion on Saturday, May 9th!
🌮 Tacos begin at 5:00 PM
Cost: Goodwill donation
🧠 Trivia starts at 6:00 PM
Cost: $20 per person
👥 Teams of up to 10 players
All proceeds will help purchase much-needed gear and equipment for the department.
Come out for a fun night, great food, and to support your local firefighters!

Muffins, Mugs and Memories with Mom!
2026-05-10 10:30 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Discovery Depot, 128 S Chambers St, Galesburg, IL, 61401, United States
Start off Mother’s Day with a special morning at the Depot!
$1.50 with admission

Resume 911
2026-05-12 08:00 - 09:00 (America/Chicago) | Carl Sandburg College, 2400 Tom L. Wilson Blvd., Galesburg, IL, 61401, United States
Bring your draft (or start fresh) and get quick, expert tips to rescue your resume, and make it shine!
Free and open to the community!
Galesburg Campus / G building / Room G108A

Engine & Caboose
2026-05-12 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-05-13 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-05-19 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-05-20 10:30 - 11:30 (America/Chicago) | Discovery Depot, 128 S Chambers St, Galesburg, IL, 61401, United States
Engine and Caboose Preschool Program
Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10:30 to 11:30
Book will be read at 10:30am.
Engine and Caboose is a weekly preschool program for children ages 2 to 5 years old. It promotes early literacy, fine motor and math skills. FREE with paid admission.

Ladies of St. Crescent Altar and Rosary Society Potato Bar
2026-05-14 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Corpus Christi Church Parish McAteer Center, 273 South Prairie, Galesburg, IL, 61401, United States
Ladies of St. Crescent Altar and Rosary Society Potato Bar is Thursday, May 14 from 11 am to 1 pm at the McAteer Center next to Corpus Christi Church. The cost is $7 for Potato bar, salad, dessert and drink.

Jazz Night
2026-05-14 19:00 - 22:00, 2026-05-21 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | Smokin' Willies BBQ, 161 N Cherry St, Galesburg, 61401
Join in a Galesburg tradition that is 30+ years strong, now at a brand new venue!
Come hear the Knox Cherry Street Combo on Thursday’s from 7-10 pm at Smokin’ Willies BBQ. This is a free event and all ages are welcome. Full bar and the best barbeque around!

Audition Dates for Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella
2026-05-15 18:00, 2026-05-16 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Prairie Players Civic Theatre, 160 S Seminary Street, Galesburg, IL, 61401, United States
The timeless enchantment of a magical fairy tale is reborn with the Rodgers & Hammerstein hallmark of originality, charm, and elegance. Originally presented on television in 1957 starring Julie Andrews, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella was the most widely viewed program in the history of the medium. Directed by Kenny Knox, production dates at Prairie Players Civic Theatre are July 17 – 19 & 24 – 26.
An adult play, this production will include some children in the cast. Auditions will be held at Prairie Players Civic Theatre, 160 South Seminary, on Friday, May 15, at 6:00 P.M. and Saturday, May 16, at 1:00 P.M. Callbacks will be held on Sunday, May 17, at 2:00 P.M. Roles are available for students in 5th grade and up through adults. Please prepare a song of your choice for auditions. You will be asked to read a selection from the script and learn and perform a short dance sequence. A pianist will be on hand to accompany those auditioning.
While audition forms will be available on May 15 & 16, we recommend going to prairieplayers.com and completing the online form ahead of time. This helps ensure you have time to share complete information and will make for a more relaxed audition experience.

Science Saturday Fizzing Flowers!
2026-05-16 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Discovery Depot, 128 S Chambers St, Galesburg, IL, 61401, United States
Come join us for a flower experiment in our Science Lab! Free with Admission

O.A.K.S Senior Center Fundraiser
2026-05-16 11:00 - 13:30 (America/Chicago) | OAKS Senior Center, 176 Farnham, Galesburg, IL, United States
Pasta lunch, with garlic bread, salad, pie and a beverage. Freewill donation, Carry outs available. 309-343-0435. 176 N Farnham, Galesburg.

Scratch Art Fun!
2026-05-17 12:30 - 14:30 (America/Chicago) | Discovery Depot, 128 S Chambers St, Galesburg, IL, 61401, United States
Create a Scratch Art Masterpiece in our Art Studio! Free with Admission

39th Annual Fishing Derby
2026-05-17 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Lincoln Park, Galesburg, IL, 61401, United States
Date: Sunday, May 17, 2026
Time: 1:00 – 3:00 PM
Cost: Free
Ages: 3-15 years old
Location: Lincoln Park
The 39th Annual Youth Fishing Derby is a free event for families from the Galesburg area! It is an excellent chance for children to be exposed to outdoors person skills, the need for conservation, and a fun way to spend the day. A representative from the IDNR may be present to discuss local aquatic wildlife with participants. Hundreds of prizes will be given away for the first fish catchers. Bring your own pole or borrow a loaner from the Youth Fishing Derby volunteers. Can’t fish? We have volunteers are available to help your child learn!
Held rain or shine 1-3pm or until prizes run out!
600 goodie bags and prizes available to give away!
Hy-Vee will be grilling out starting at 12PM with a low cost hot dog meal, so come early to grab lunch.
Mobile Playground Truck will be there 12-3PM, with toys and games for all ages.

Community Blood Drive
2026-05-19 11:00 - 14:30 (America/Chicago) | Galesburg Public Libray, 264 W. Main Street, Galesburg, IL, 61401, United States
The Galesburg Lions Club is sponsoring an Impact Life Blood Drive at the Galesburg Public Library on Tuesday, May 19th from 1130 am to 200 pm. Follow this link:
https://login.bloodcenter.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/147673 or scan the QR code to schedule your donation time.

Pokémon Club for Kids
2026-05-19 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Galesburg Public Library, 264 W Main St, Galesburg, IL, 61401, United States
Hey Pokémon trainers! Come journey on over to the Children’s Library for Pokémon Club. Join us to play the card game, trade cards, or both! For kids in grades K-6. All children under 8 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

Interview Bootcamp
2026-05-19 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Carl Sandburg College, 2400 Tom L. Wilson Blvd., Galesburg, IL, 61401, United States
Get interview-ready with strategies, mock questions, and expert guidance to help you make a lasting impression and land the job.
Free and open to the community!
Galesburg Campus / G building / Room G108A

Toddler Plus Tuesday
2026-05-19 17:30 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Discovery Depot, 128 S Chambers St, Galesburg, IL, 61401, United States
Toddlers Plus Tuesday
This program is for toddlers plus their families and is offered after hours. This program is in collaboration with ROE #33 educators. Special developmental activities will be available each month. Reduced admission rate is $6.50. Members are free.

Knox-Galesburg Wind Ensemble Spring Concert
2026-05-20 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Knox College, Kresge Hall, Center for Fine Arts, 2 East South St., Galesburg, 61401
Come hear the Knox-Galesburg Wind Ensemble in their Spring concert!
Kresge Recital Hall
Free and Open to the public.
Directed by Justin Haynes

Discovery Depot's 30th Birthday
2026-05-21 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Discovery Depot, 128 S Chambers St, Galesburg, IL, 61401, United States
Come celebrate our 30th birthday with cupcakes, crafts, & photo ops! Free with admission!

Craft Night Out: Clothespin Dragonfly Wall Decor
2026-05-21 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Lake Storey Pavilion, 1572 Machen Drive, Galesburg, IL, 61462, United States
Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Cost: $15 by May 18
Location: Lake Storey Pavilion
Join us for a night of fun crafts and friendship! This month, create a simple but stunning dragonfly wall decor! Canvas panels are available to mount your dragonfly, if you prefer that to hanging right on your wall.
All supplies and crafting tools provided.
Recommended for ages 10+ due to use of hot glue guns- must have adult assistance.
Register at: https://app.amilia.com/store/en/city-of-galesburg-pr/shop/activities/6948339
