Capital City Parent

06/04/2026

Students entering grades 6–8 and 9–12 are invited to enter an essay contest exploring a pivotal moment in Springfield and Illinois history, the 1908 Springfield Race Riot, and its lasting aftermath.

Cash prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place. Submission deadline is July 17.

For more information, visit https://www.uis.edu/sangamon-experience/sangamon-experience-programs/education-resources

06/03/2026

Lincoln Library kicked off its Summer Reading Program: Plant a Seed-Read with a community planting party yesterday, but there's still time to get signed up.

Enjoy reading challenges, prizes and programs for all ages throughout the summer.
Participants can earn books, prizes, raffle entries and other rewards.

Lincoln Library will also host a wide variety of free programs and events throughout the summer.

For complete details about Summer Reading challenges, prizes, events and registration, visit lincolnlibrary.info.

but there's still time to get signed up for the summer reading program. 🌱

06/02/2026

Lincoln Land Community College is offering free Media Makers Camps July 13-16 for rising high school sophomores, juniors and seniors to get an introductory, inside-look at the field of 21st-century graphic design, also known as integrated media design. The camps will be held at LLCC-Medical District, 130 W. Mason St., Springfield.

Each camp is four days with morning (9 a.m. to noon) and afternoon (1-4 p.m.) options. The morning camp will focus on digital photography and video. The afternoon camp will focus on animation and game design. Space is limited. Registration is available at www.llcc.edu/media-makers.

The sessions will be led by Matthew Shaver, professor, and Kerri Risch, instructor, in LLCC’s integrated media design program.

The free camp is made available through a Strengthening Community Colleges Training grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. More information about integrated media design at LLCC is available at www.llcc.edu/imd

06/01/2026

Stop by the Springfield Police Department Open House from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3, at 800 E. Monroe St.

This free, family-friendly event will feature K-9 and drone demonstrations, tours of the station and Real Time Information Center, touch-a-truck, games and activities, food and more.

05/29/2026

Free admission to the zoo on Saturday, plus special activities for the whole family.

05/29/2026

The inaugural Springfield Cultural Arts Festival takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 30, in Union Square Park downtown.

This family-friendly event will feature more than 20 local artisans displaying their creations, musical and dance performances, children’s activities, craft areas, food and more.

Article link in the comments.

05/28/2026

Local middle and high school students are invited to the Illinois College campus this summer for Camp College, a two-day immersive experience designed to introduce students to STEAM projects, college life and career exploration.

The camp will take place June 15 – 16 and is open to rising sixth graders through eight graders and rising sophomores through seniors.

05/25/2026

The Springfield Park District will hold a ribbon cutting for the new Gietl Park splash pad at noon on Tuesday, May 26.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1DZ7VqKet8/

05/23/2026

The Sherman Splash Pad opens this weekend!

05/22/2026

Parkway Christian Church will host Springfield from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, May 23, featuring fun experiences for children and their entire families.

Enjoy storytelling, face painting, dessert walk, duck pond game, vendors and more. Free admission.

Parkway Christian Church Springfest 2026 Springfest features fun experiences for children and their entire families including storytelling/face painting, dessert walk, duck pond game, vendors and more.