A celebration honoring world-renowned violinist Maud Powell will take place at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22, at the Maud Powell statue in the Fourth Street courtyard in downtown Peru.

Country star Trace Adkins performs at the Bureau County Fair in Princeton Thursday, Aug. 21.

The Bureau County Fair, Illinois’ longest running fair, returns to the fairgrounds at 811 W. Peru St. from Wednesday through Sunday, Aug. 20–24.

Gallery

Take a look at some of the week’s best photos, captured by Illinois Valley photographers from Sunday, Aug. 10, through Saturday, Aug. 16.

A new event has been planned for the 170th annual Bureau County Fair in Princeton: a tractor show from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24. 

Plenty to do in the Illinois Valley this weekend, from the Princeton Farmers' Market to Ottawa's Third Friday event and more.

Read the transcript from our interview: Trace Adkins is coming to the Bureau County Fair, and spoke with Dani Holland ahead of his visit

Shaw Local Radio’s Dani Holland interviews country music superstar Trace Adkins as Adkins prepares to play at the Bureau County Fair on August 21 in Princeton

The application period for programs happening between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2026, ends Sept. 15. Grant announcements will be made in early October.