A Mid-Summer Storytelling Evening with Brian “Fox” Ellis will take place Friday, June 19th at 7:00 pm at The Twinflower Inn, located at 110 North Olson Street in Bishop Hill. This medley of stories will walk through local and regional history, beginning with the first Americans to grow corn along the Edwards River, the early settlers, prairie lawyer Abraham Lincoln and end with a Civil War ghost story rooted right here in Northern Illinois. Come early for dinner at The Filling Station; stay over for the Midsommer Music Festival! Bring a lawn chair, bring a snack, bring a friend. A free will donation is always appreciated. This program is presented by The Twinflower Inn & Fox Tales International. Please call 309-927-3506 for more information.
Bishop Hill’s Midsommar Music Festival will return Saturday, June 20th with a strong line-up of musical performers. Highlights of this all-day event include Main Stage performances, a Swedish Maypole celebration, and Old-Fashioned Barn Dance. The free Main Stage performances in the village park gazebo will begin at 11 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. This year’s lineup includes the Mountain Men, Jazz on the Side, Turas, Wendy Anderson, and Black Hawk Pipes and Drums. After the Main Stage performances are completed, the Maypole will be decorated with flowers. Everyone is then invited to join the Maypole procession. Accordionist Ernie Sandquist will lead the procession. It will begin in the park and end at the Colony School where visitors can join in the Maypole dancing and have refreshments. Later that evening, enjoy supper at PL Johnson’s and then go to the barn dance at the Colony School with The Rusty Pickup String Band and caller Gail Hintze. Admission to the barn dance is $5 per person.
Also on June 20th, starting at 8 a.m., find new, vintage, and collectable treasures at the Prairie Market held at the VASA National Archives Museum.
The Midsommar Music Festival is sponsored by the Bishop Hill Arts Council, co-sponsored by the Bishop Hill Heritage Association, Bishop Hill State Historic Site, Bishop Hill Old Settler’s Association, Bishop Hill Vasa Lodge #683, and area businesses. This project is supported by Illinois Arts Council Agency, a state agency. Donations are welcome. For directions and more information about the Music Festival, visit www.bishophill.com, call 309-927-3899, or email bhha@mymctc.net.
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