On August 7-9, Le Claire, Iowa and Port Byron, Illinois hosted the 38^th Annual Tug Fest. The “tug” refers to a tug of war game between Illinois and Iowa with a 2,700-foot long rope that stretches across the Mississippi River. This year, Illinois won all eleven rounds of tugging to continue their win streak to over a decade.

Aug. 8, 1860 was a seminal moment in the history of Springfield, when 80,000 people rallied and marched to end slavery and support then-candidate for president, Abe Lincoln. The energy was ecstatic, bands, clubs and floats marched through Springfield. What lit the fire for this great expression of free speech and civil duty? The contentious admission of the new territories west of the Mississippi as slave states, or free states.

The parade and rally were held to support the view that the territories must be admitted as free states. A prominent float in the parade featured 33 young women, each representing a state.  Behind them, a buggy in the rear carried a woman representing Kansas with a sign, “Will you let me in? – Kansas.” This theme had followed statements that Lincoln had made during the campaign, regarding the issue, “Do not give in; do not compromise. Do not choose some middle ground between right and wrong. Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith let us dare to do our duty.”

This worldview was reflected in the crowd that day, as members of Springfield’s African American community took part in the rally. There were also folks of different social backgrounds, projecting the idea that America is a patchwork of people who should all have a voice. This love of Lincoln and his ideas are memorialized in Springfield today. To learn more about these monuments and museums click here.

With summer in full swing, now is a perfect time to explore some of the unique wildlife and animal sanctuaries across Illinois!

If you’re looking for an outstanding birdwatching opportunity, Stewart Lake Wildlife Sanctuary in Mason County is a sanctuary with over 1,500 acres of beautiful wetlands. It serves as a key resting location for teal, pintails and mallards as they migrate across Illinois. Another great option for wetland animal sightings in Illinois is Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge in Havana. Whether you’re looking for a wetland, bottomland forest or prairie, this refuge has hikes in a variety of ecosystems, all available to the public. It is home to a variety of herons and swans and if you’re lucky, you may even see a river otter or beaver while you’re there.

Looking for an activity to do with family this summer? There are zoos all across the state of Illinois that are waiting to be explored!

Aikman Wildlife Adventure is a perfect place to start. Located in Arcola, it is home to over 200 animals and 75 different species. There are different ways to view the animals at the sanctuary, including a wagon adventure, drive-thru safari and an interactive petting zoo.

Heading north, another option is the Peoria Zoo. The zoo takes care of several vulnerable and critically endangered species, like the white rhinoceros, Siberian tiger and mandrill. Whether it’s the Asian trail, Australia walk-about or tropics building, there is plenty to see for everyone.

West Dundee is home to Randall Oaks Zoo, which offers several farm animals for kids to feed and pet. The location also includes plenty of activities for a whole day with kids including hayrides, playgrounds, a disc golf course and volleyball courts.

For those near the Quad Cities, Niabi Zoo is a great opportunity to see more than 600 exotic animals. A great feature of the zoo is the Mel McKay Express: a replica of an old steam engine that carries visitors around the park. With activities like carousel rides, animal encounters and tours, it’s perfect for a great day of fun with the family.

If you’re looking for other options, here is a list of a few more zoos throughout Illinois:

• Wildlife Prairie Park (Peoria)
• Phillips Park Zoo (Aurora)
• Henson Robinson Zoo (Springfield)
• Scovill Zoo (Decatur)
• Miller Park Zoo (Bloomington)