Amboy bursting with pride at Depot Days’ return

AMBOY — The city will explode with joy next week when the Depot Days celebration returns.

“We are all looking forward to a big weekend,” City Clerk Melissa Eisenberg said. “I think everyone is looking forward to have everything back this year.”

Like most larger festivals and happenings throughout the region, Depot Days was canceled last year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

A committee and an army of volunteers put together plans for the annual Depot Days, from the entertainment, 5K run/walk, car show, food and craft vendors, and famous 50/50 raffle.

Depot Days raffle proceeds benefit a wide array of community organizations, including the historic Amboy Depot Museum, local food pantries, Teen Turf, soccer program, school library and girl scouts, to name a few.

“Depot Days is very important to the community,” she said.

Eisenberg didn’t have a total for how much the 50/50 pot is so far, but she said ticket sales are going great.

In 2019, the raffle raised a total of $210,850, with $105,425 going to a lucky winner.

There will also be drawings for 10 $3,000 prizes. People don’t have to be present at the drawing to win.

Tickets are $5 for six or $10 for 12. They are available throughout Depot Days as well as at The Last Alarm, The Depot Tap, The Longbranch Saloon, Two Sisters on Main, Shell, Amboy Thrift Store, Jones-Berry Lumber, Mowers and More, Green River Oaks, Mendota Hills, and Pine View, all in Amboy. They are also at the Shamrock Pub in Dixon, Vaessen Brothers Chevrolet in Sublette, Bonnell’s General Store and Sublette Saloon.

There will also be a raffle for a quilt to benefit the Depot Museum and go toward a $500,000 restoration project. The quilt was donated by Becky Welty, and the colors are white, red and black.

Tickets are currently being sold by Peggy Horstman in Dixon, Linda Disney in Amboy, Amboy City Hall, Amboy Thrift Shop and Amboy Depot Museum.

During Depot Days Saturday and Sunday, an outside table will also be set up selling the tickets. The drawing is Sunday afternoon before the car trophy and big 50/50 drawing. Tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5. The quilt is hanging on display in the Depot Museum, and you do not have to be present to win.

Depot Days will run Thursday, Aug. 26 through Sunday, Aug. 29. Saturday’s schedule includes a full day of activities including the parade at midafternoon. The closing event will be the 30th Depot Days Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show – and the mega 50/50 raffle – on Sunday.

The schedule:

Thursday: Food stands open at 5 p.m. at the Depot Museum grounds. Carnival begins at 6 p.m. The Depot Days Little Dancers will be on the main stage at 6:30. The Miss Amboy and Little Miss Amboy pageants begin at 7 p.m.

Friday: Communitywide garage sales and craft booths open at 8 a.m. Food stands open at 10 a.m. Carnival opens at 6 p.m. The Beaux Band performs on the main stage at 7 p.m. The K.C. Beer Garden is open from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Saturday: The Amboy Fire Department pancake breakfast will be served in the beer garden from 7 to 11 a.m. The Sylvan Shuffle 5K run-walk begins at 8 a.m.; call 815-857-2164 to register.

Also starting at 8 a.m. are the Amboy Farm Tractor Show, the communitywide garage sales and craft booths downtown. Food stands open at 10 a.m., the beer garden at 11 a.m. and the carnival at noon. Mr. Steve Magic Show and Whimsy Face Painting start at 2 p.m. The Depot Days parade begins at 3 p.m. Whiskey Romance takes the main stage at 7 p.m.

Sunday: The communitywide garage sale and craft booths open at 8 a.m., food stands open at 10 a.m., and the beer garden opens at noon, as does the carnival. The Knights of Columbus pancake breakfast will be served from 6:30 to 10 a.m. at the beer garden.

The 30th Depot Days Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show starts at 6 a.m. downtown, with judging at 11:30 a.m., and the awards presentation and 50/50 drawing at 3 p.m.