5 things to do in DeKalb County: Waterman Summer Fest, DeKalb Family Fun Fest, and summer concerts

1. The 21st Annual Waterman SummerFest on Saturday, July 17 at Lions Park, 435 S. Birch St. in Waterman.

The event will also feature an Antique Tractor & Truck Show, and a special attraction this year: a Civil Water camp reenactment with demonstration by the 10th Illinois, Company H. Sandwich Guards.

COVID vaccinations will be offered by the DeKalb County Health Department for those 12 years and older.

midnight after a fireworks show and beer garden featuring bands The Beaux and Party Doctors.

Other attractions include tractor, engine and truck exhibits, drive a tractor experience, Mr. Steve children’s show, wagon rides, tractor parade, kiddie tractor pull, pony and camel rides, petting zoo, bags tournament, vintage baseball, raffles, Lions food concession, craft show-flea market, bags tournament, 4 p.m. pork chop barbecue by Waterman Fire Department and more.

For information, visit www.watermantractorshow.com/.

2. DeKalb Family Fun Fest on Tuesday, July 20 from 4 to 6 p.m. in Hopkins Park, 1403 Sycamore Road, DeKalb.

Bring out the family for an evening of activities, games and summer fun hosted by the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, July 20. The event is free to attend.

Family Fun Fest is a great opportunity for businesses to connect with families in the community while enjoying summertime and local Hopkins Park. Families are invited to stop by 25-plus booths to try new activities, play games, take home giveaways, enter raffles, and learn more about local businesses. Businesses are invited to participate.

Sponsorships, raffle opportunities and business booths are available at https://www.dekalb.org/familyfunfest.html.

3. Summer Concert Series begins at the historic Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St. in DeKalb

The Egyptian Theatre will screen three family-friendly films during its Summer Family Film Series sponsored by Thrivent Financial.

The series starts on Tuesday, July 20, with “The Sandlot,” then “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” on Tuesday, July 27, and the series ends on Tuesday, Aug. 3, with “Toy Story.” All show times are at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for students and children. Tickets can be purchased at the Egyptian Theatre box office during box office hours (3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday), online at www.egyptiantheatre.org or by calling the box office at 815-758-1225.

4. “Places and Spaces,” new exhibit opens at DeKalb County History Center, 1730 N. Main St. in Sycamore through Sept. 3

“Places and Spaces,” a new exhibit at the DeKalb County History Center, showcases a variety of maps from the center’s collection. Not only do these maps illustrate how to get from one place to another, they are great storytelling tools that reveal fascinating local history.

The maps start in the 1840s and go up through 1969. They feature geographical information, roads, railroads, homes and landmarks within DeKalb County, but there are also maps of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and as far away as China. There are also several maps of places that are no longer towns along with maps of places that appear to exist but were not developed.

The exhibit is now open to the public and will run through Sept. 3. Admission is $5 for adults and free for members and children younger than 14. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

The History Center is located at 1730 N. Main St. in Sycamore. For information, visit dekalbcountyhistory.org or call 815-895-5762.

5. DeKalb’s Crosswinds Flute Choir to perform Friday, July 16 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1915 N. First St. in DeKalb.

The unusual and unique aspect of a flute choir, which sets it apart from a flute section in a band or orchestra is that it uses a variety of sizes of flutes, some of which you have never seen, working together.

Cherie Sanderson, a member of Crosswinds from the beginning, will play alto flute. Marissa Murphy plays bass flute. Teresa Muir of Geneva is joining the group for the first time on contrabass flute.

Selections will include “Ring of Flutes,” Mozart’s “The Abduction From the Seraglio,” “The Comedians Gallup,” “The Pink Panther” and more. If the weather cooperates, the concert on July 16 will be held outdoors in the tent behind the church, so bring a lawn chair or blanket. In case of rain, heat or wind, the concert will be inside the church.

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