MACOMB, Ill. – Forgottonia’s unforgettable Art, Wind and Fire Festival weekend, held annually in Macomb, includes three special events – the 53rd Gazebo Art Festival, the annual YFC Disc Golf Tournament and the 36th Annual Macomb Hot Air Balloon Rally – on Friday and Saturday, September 6 and 7.
The Gazebo Art Festival takes place Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in historic Chandler Park. The art festival features a juried art sale featuring dozens of incredible regional artists exhibiting exceptional original artwork in glass art, painting, sculpture, photography, jewelry, wood ceramics, fiber, fine art prints and more.
Visitors can watch live demonstrations by glassblowers, weavers and potters on the potter’s wheel. The annual Friends of the Library book flea market and a community art project and children’s activities including chalk drawing and rock painting will take place on Saturday. The event is free and all works are for public sale. Details at www.facebook.com/GazeboArtFestival.
The Macomb YFC Open Mystery Challenge Disc Golf Tournament is open to the public and begins at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Macomb Park District’s Everwood Disc Course and WIU’s Sipolt Memorial Course. Registration begins at 8 a.m. The entry fee is $40 per player, with all funds raised going directly to benefit youth in our community. For more information and to register, visit https://www.yfcwi.org/macomb-yfc-open-2023
The annual balloon rally, which began in 1987, opens at 6 p.m. Friday. This year’s theme reflects Macomb’s sensational new national attraction, Macombopoly, which features a giant Mr. Monopoly hot air balloon.
Guests can enjoy food trucks, beverages and live music while watching over 20 giant hot air balloons take off and take off from Vince Grady Field on the WIU campus. Starting at 6 p.m., after the Western Illinois University football game at Vince Grady Field, guests can enjoy food from local food trucks and listen to live music while admiring a field of towering hot air balloons. As the sun sets, pilots will light the balloons for the unforgettable spectacle known as “The Balloon Glow.”
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/MacombBalloonRally.
A free screening of the PBS television special documentary “More Than Monopoly: The Story of Lizzie Magie,” filmed entirely in Macomb, will be held at 6 p.m. at the Tri-State Public Radio studios at 320 W. University.
