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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261010T110000
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DTSTAMP:20260503T114930
CREATED:20191220T094901Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260430T165118Z
UID:124-1791630000-1791734400@carillon-rees.org
SUMMARY:Carve For The Carillon
DESCRIPTION:🎃 Carve for the CarillonGet into the fall spirit at Carve for the Carillon\, a beloved Springfield tradition where creativity and community come together! Spend the afternoon surrounded by pumpkins\, laughter\, and the beautiful backdrop of the Thomas Rees Carillon in Washington Park as we prepare for the upcoming Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular! \n🎃 Note: Pumpkins are first come\, first served each day. Once they’re gone\, they’re gone—so carve out time early to snag yours! \nFall Family Fun Starts HereCarve for the Carillon is a free\, family-friendly event where the community comes together to carve pumpkins that will be displayed during the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular the following weekend. \nWhether you’re a master pumpkin artist or a first-time carver\, this event is for you. Everyone’s invited—families\, artists\, scout troops\, classrooms\, friend groups\, or anyone with pumpkin spirit! \nBring your favorite carving tools—we’ll provide the pumpkins (available while supplies last). \nVolunteer & Get a Free Ticket!Volunteers make this event possible by assisting with set-up and preparing pumpkins for the community to carve. \nThere are three available shifts: \n\nAll Day Shift: 9:00am-4:00pm\nMorning Shift: 9:00am-12:00pm\nAfternoon Shift: 12:00pm-4:00pm\n\nSign up to volunteer at Carve for the Carillon and receive 1 free ticket to the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at the end of your shift! \nReady to sign up? \nSIGN UP TO VOLUNTEERThe Scoop on Carve for the Carillon\nDates: Saturday\, October 10 & Sunday\, October 11\, 2026\nTime: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM each day\nLocation: Near the Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon in Washington Park\, Springfield\, IL\nCost: Free admission & free pumpkins to carve\nPumpkins: First come\, first served each day—don’t be late!\nDonations: Always appreciated to keep this community tradition alive\n\nPumpkin Today\, Spectacular Tomorrow!After you carve your pumpkin\, come back the next weekend to see it shine in the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular! From spooky faces to creative masterpieces\, the pumpkins you help make will transform the park into a one-of-a-kind glowing gallery of jack-o-lanterns. New this year\, there’s also Scarecrow Row—an added trail of whimsical scarecrows created by local groups!  \nDon’t miss the chance to come back and see your creation glowing bright! \nLearn More About Jack-O-Lantern SpectacularPumpkin Pro Tips: Plan Your CarveTo make your carving time fun and stress-free\, a little preparation goes a long way! While a limited number of carving supplies will be available\, we encourage you to bring your own. Here are some helpful tips to get the most out of your carve: \n\nCarving Tools: Bring pumpkin saws\, scoopers\, or your favorite carving kit to make cutting and detailing easier.\nMarking Supplies: Use pencils\, markers\, or stencils to sketch your design before you carve.\nComfort Items: Pack picnic blankets to sit on or bring a foldable table for extra carving space.\nClean-Up Helpers: Wet wipes\, paper towels\, and garbage bags make it easy to clean as you go (please toss trash into the provided cans).\nDesign Tips: Remember—your pumpkin will be lit from the inside during the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular! Bold\, simple shapes and larger cut-outs will glow best in the dark. Add a few small details for character\, but think about how your design will shine at night.\n\nWith these little extras\, you’ll carve like a pro\, stay comfortable\, and create a pumpkin that glows beautifully in Springfield’s most magical fall display! \nFor more information or to become an event sponsor or a prep-work volunteer: please contact jols.pumpkins@gmail.com
URL:https://carillon-rees.org/event/carve-for-the-carillon/
LOCATION:Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon\, 1740 W Fayette Ave\, Springfield\, IL\, 62704\, United States
CATEGORIES:Carve For the Carillon
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://carillon-rees.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/800x600_ReesCarillon_Event_CarveForTheCarillon.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261016T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261017T213000
DTSTAMP:20260503T114930
CREATED:20191220T095235Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260430T164816Z
UID:126-1792175400-1792272600@carillon-rees.org
SUMMARY:Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular
DESCRIPTION:🎃 Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular \nSpringfield’s Favorite Fall Tradition at Washington Park Carillon \nJoin us for the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular\, where hundreds of glowing pumpkins light up the night in Springfield’s beautiful Washington Park. \nMany of the pumpkins showcased come straight from our Carve for the Carillon community event! \nCLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT CARVE FOR THE CARILLONThis beloved fall event blends artistry\, community spirit\, and a little Halloween magic for a weekend you won’t want to miss! \n\n📅 Event Details\n🎃 When: Friday\, October 16 – Saturday\, October 17\, 2026 \n📍 Where: Washington Park\, Springfield\, IL – at the iconic Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon \n💲 Tickets \n\nAt the Gate: Adults: $10 Kids (ages 4–11): $7 Kids 3 & under: Free (Credit cards accepted at the gate!)\nAdvance Tickets: Adults: $7 Kids (ages 4–11): $5 Kids 3 & under: Free (Advance sales are cash or check only) 🎟️ Purchase tickets from Potter Drug or Keller Williams Capital in Springfield. Advance sales are cash or check only\n\n🚌 Parking & Shuttle \nSkip the parking stress! Take advantage of free remote parking and shuttle buses at the former Ashley HomeStore Outlet (Wabash & Chatham Rd) both Friday and Saturday nights. \n\nWhat To Expect\n\nHundreds of Hand-Carved Pumpkins: From spooky faces to creative works of art\, each glowing pumpkin has its own personality.\nMagical Carillon Backdrop: Experience the Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon tower surrounded by the warm glow of fall.\nFamily-Friendly Atmosphere: Perfect for kids\, parents\, and grandparents alike.\n\n\n👻 New for 2025: Scarecrow Row \nThis year\, the trail just got more exciting! Take a stroll down Scarecrow Row\, where local businesses\, schools\, and community groups have created quirky\, creepy\, and colorful scarecrows to keep you company along the path. \nLocal businesses\, organizations\, schools\, and community groups are invited to design and display a scarecrow along the event pathway. Each scarecrow will showcase creativity\, community spirit\, and seasonal flair\, adding even more festive fun to the experience. \n💰 Prizes: $100 for 1st place\, $50 for 2nd\, and $25 for 3rd \nHow It Works \n\nEnter the Contest: Groups and individuals can register to create a scarecrow.\nSet Up: Scarecrows will be displayed along the event route throughout the duration of the Spectacular.\nJudging & Prizes: Visitors will scan a QR code to vote for their favorites throughout Friday & Saturday.\n\n👉 Are you a business or local group ready to take on the challenge?  \nDownload the Scarecrow Row application to enter.Click here for Scarecrow Row Application 2025\n🎃 Pumpkin Give-Away – Sunday\, October 18th \nThe magic doesn’t end when the lights go out! On the Sunday after the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular\, you’re invited back to Washington Park for our Pumpkin Give-Away. \nHow It Works \n\nFor a small donation\, you can gather pumpkins from the event to take home.\nPick your perfect pumpkin—or maybe even snag your favorite from the show!\nStraw bales will also be available for just $5 each (perfect for fall decorating).\n\nIt’s a fun way to keep the spirit of the season alive at home\, while supporting the Rees Memorial Carillon! \n\nHistory & Sponsorship\nThe Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular has become one of Springfield’s favorite fall traditions\, but do you know how it started? \nOur Story \nThe event was founded by former Rees Carillon Society Board Member Brenda Poston\, inspired by the world-famous Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular in Providence\, Rhode Island. Unlike Providence’s artist-only display\, Springfield’s twist is all about community participation. Held the second weekend in October\, Carve for the Carillon invites everyone to roll up their sleeves and create their own glowing masterpiece. \nThe following weekend\, more than 2\,000 illuminated jack-o-lanterns light up the Carillon and Washington Park Botanical Garden. \nWhat Makes This Event Unique? \n\nLive Carillon music\, special lighting\, and spooky sound effects\nThe one-of-a-kind Tree of Lights\nFood vendors and festive fall fun for all ages\nA truly participatory and family-focused experience\n\n🤝 Sponsorship & Support\nThe Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular is made possible by the generous support of corporate sponsors\, admissions\, and volunteers. Attendance ranges from 5\,000 to 8\,000 people each year\, making it a fantastic opportunity to showcase your business while supporting a beloved community event. \n📧 Interested in becoming an event sponsor or joining our volunteer prep team? \nContact us at jols.pumpkins@gmail.com for details.
URL:https://carillon-rees.org/event/jack-o-lantern-spectacular/
LOCATION:Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon\, 1740 W Fayette Ave\, Springfield\, IL\, 62704\, United States
CATEGORIES:Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://carillon-rees.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/800x600_ReesCarillon_Event_JackOLanternSpectacular.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261213T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261213T170000
DTSTAMP:20260503T114930
CREATED:20191220T095710Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260430T164616Z
UID:129-1797174000-1797181200@carillon-rees.org
SUMMARY:Caroling At The Carillon
DESCRIPTION:🎄About Caroling at the Carillon\nSpringfield’s Most Festive Holiday Sing‑Along in Washington Park sponsored by Hickory Point Bank \nBundle up\, bring your singing voice\, and celebrate the season with a community carol-along beneath one of the world’s largest musical instruments. “Caroling at the Carillon” is an annual Springfield tradition featuring festive carols\, beautiful holiday lighting around the tower\, and the magical sound of 67 bells ringing across Washington Park. \n  \n📅 Event Details \n❄️ Date: Typically the 2nd Sunday in December \n✨ Festivities: 3:00–5:00 PM \n🎵 Community Caroling: 4:00–4:50 PM \n📍 Location: Washington Park – 1740 W. Fayette Ave\, Springfield\, IL \n🎁 Admission: FREE & Family‑Friendly \nWhat to Expect\n\nHoliday sing-along led by the Carillon with familiar favorites.\nFestive activities with crafts\,  Santa and various other entertainment & treats throughout the event.\nPlenty of space to spread out on the lawn — feel free to bring blankets and camp chairs.\nPhoto-worthy moments with the Carillon as your backdrop.\n\n\nTip: Dress warmly and bring a flashlight or phone light to help you see your song sheet after dusk. \n\nAbout the Event\nThe “Caroling at the Carillon” tradition began in 1982 as a way to bring the Springfield community together through music and light. 🎵 \nWhat started as a small gathering of singers has grown into one of the city’s most cherished holiday events — where generations come together each December to celebrate joy\, unity\, and the spirit of giving. \nThe event is hosted at the Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon\, a Springfield landmark since 1962. The Carillon’s 67 bronze bells have become a signature sound of the city — marking weddings\, celebrations\, and seasonal events year-round. \nOver the years\, Caroling at the Carillon has continued to grow — blending timeless holiday traditions with new memories each season. Whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth\, this event captures the true magic of Springfield’s community spirit.
URL:https://carillon-rees.org/event/caroling-at-the-carillon/
LOCATION:Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon\, 1740 W Fayette Ave\, Springfield\, IL\, 62704\, United States
CATEGORIES:Caroling At The Carillon & Jingle Bells Spectacular
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