Things To Do in Grundy, Will, Kendall, and LaSalle Counties This September

Things To Do in Grundy, Will, Kendall, and LaSalle Counties This September

September might be my favorite month around here! The farmers markets are wrapping up their season, Corn Festival takes over downtown Morris (which I'm so excited about!!), and every town seems to have something going on. I put together a roundup of what's happening this month so you can plan your weekends.

1. Grundy County: Corn Festival Takes Over

If you only do one thing this month, make it Corn Festival. The 76th Annual Grundy County Corn Festival runs September 23 through 27 in downtown Morris, with two stages of entertainment, a carnival, craft show, beer garden, and the Sunday parade that shuts down Liberty Street.

There's a whole week of buildup too. The Scarecrow Stroll runs through Chapin Park September 23 to 28, the Art & Photo Contest opens at the Exhibit Fine Art Center on the 19th, and Flannel Fest kicks off the same day with shop and dine specials around downtown.

And if you're an early riser, 3 French Hens Country Market wraps up its season September 12 behind 402 Liberty St. Get there by 8am if you want the good stuff.

2. Will County: Markets, Music, and a Milestone Weekend

Will County has a packed month too. New Lenox has its final Fridays After Five concert on the Commons September 4, and Joliet's Fiestas Patrias parade rolls down the Collins Street corridor September 12, a tradition that goes back to 1948.

If classic cars are your thing, the Lions Luau & Car Show at St. Joseph Park hits its 14th year September 6.

And out in Lockport, Military History Weekend at Dellwood Park September 12 and 13 is one of the bigger living history events in the Midwest, with battle reenactments and a USO show.

3. Kendall County: Last Call for the Farmers Market

The Riverfront Farmers Market in Yorkville runs its final Tuesday of the season September 22 at Bicentennial Riverfront Park.

And if vintage is more your speed, the last Sunday of the month brings the Vintage Faire to Veterans Park in downtown Minooka, September 27, with antique vendors, live music, and food trucks.

4. LaSalle County: A Brand New Street Festival

LaSalle Business Association is debuting Rock the Block this year, a two day street festival downtown. Night one is September 18 with live bands and a beverage tent, and night two on the 19th is BBQ-n-Blues & Shop the Block, with a rib cook off, more live music, and fireworks closing out the weekend.

If you're further out toward Utica, the Starved Rock Harvest Powwow at Carey Memorial Park September 12 features traditional drumming and dancing hosted by Illinois Valley Intertribal.

And Ottawa's Third Friday Artisan Market runs September 18 downtown if you want an evening of local shopping.

Here's a look at the farmers markets running across Grundy, Will, Kendall, and LaSalle Counties this month.

And here's what's happening in Morris this September.

Here's a quick look at events happening in the surrounding areas too.

One More Thing

This is just a slice of what's happening. I posted this same roundup on Instagram and Facebook if you'd rather scroll through it there, and I've got a full guide you can download here with every market, festival, and community event across all four counties, dates and links included, if you want the whole list in one place.

— Christy Schmaedeke, your local real estate agent in Morris and Grundy County 🐾