August has arrived and, with it, you can expect many, many people moving into the community for the first time or returning after a summer hiatus! There’s still plenty of things to do this month before university students come to town. Keep reading to learn about seven fantastic things to do in Champaign this month.
1. Fresh Produce at the Champaign Farmers Market
Say what you will about the weather we’re having, the farmers are still producing some great, fresh produce in the area. Stop by the Champaign Farmers Market at the Neil-Washington lot in downtown every Tuesday, 3 to 6 PM to grab the weekly harvest. Flowers, zucchinis and summer squash, cucumbers, green beans, flowers like zinnias, and tomatoes are just some of this month’s bounty!
2. Summer Quad Film Series at Illini Union
Your journey through Champaign wouldn’t be complete this summer without a visit to the University of Illinois’s main quad. A sprawling green site situated between the iconic Illini Union and statuesque Foellinger Auditorium, the Quad is one of the most picturesque locations on the University’s campus.
On August 5th, check out the last movies showing during the Summer 2021 Quad Film Series! Godzilla vs Kong right there on the Quad starting at 9 PM. Popcorn and other treats for sale will be available at the Quad Shop inside the Illini Union.
3. Friday Night Live continues Downtown
Downtown Champaign is the venue for Friday Night Live every Friday from 6-8 PM and performances occur at the intersections of Neil & Park, Neil & Church, and Market & Taylor. A fantastic variety of musical genres are on display at Friday Night Live, including folk, soul, country, rock, blues, jazz, and bluegrass. With that kind of variety, not only can audience members enjoy the genres they love, they might find they’ve developed a taste for a previously unfamiliar style! And to top it all off, there’s a free kid’s activity each week! Performance schedules are updated weekly, so stay tuned regularly at: https://40north.org/programs/friday-night-live.
4. University YMCA's Dump & Run
Every year, The University YMCA diverts tons of reusable, quality stuff from the landfill because of YOU. Volunteer, donate, and shop @ the Y’s Dump and Run on August 18-19 located at the U of I Stock Pavilion, 1402 W Pennsylvania Ave.
HAVE STUFF TO DONATE? Visit universityymca.org/dump_and_run for full days and times for collections or furniture pickup
5. Habitat for Humanity ReStore's Bike Sale
On August 28th, the ReStore will have a large amount of bicycles set up outside the Champaign County ReStore during regular store hours (10 AM to 2 PM). You can get your rehabbed, vintage, and kids bikes or check out the selection of project bikes in need of tune-up.
All money from the sale of the bicycles during this event will go directly towards funding Habitat for Humanity home builds here in Champaign County.
While at the sale, make sure to also check out what treasures await inside the ReStore… you truly never know what you will find!
6. Last call for 13 Thursdays in Campustown
There’s only a few more weeks left of summer before U of I students return to start the fall semester. Every Thursday until August 12 you can get deals at participating campustown businesses! Whether you are looking for new flavors like Paris Super Crepes and PokeLab or classic go-to’s like Murphy’s Pub and Cracked, then campustown is the place to be this summer. Learn more at champaigncenter.com/13-thursdays.
7. Shop Small Summer Sales
Shop small and shop local this summer in the heart of Champaign on August 20-22. Browse sidewalk sales at participating shops like Furniture Lounge, Circles Boutique, Ten Thousand Villages, and Plant Mode. And, meet new businesses open to the public like Fire Doll Studio and Golden Weather Goods. Plus, don’t stop there, there are many great local shops all around the heart of Champaign.
