Oct. 26 celebrates National Pumpkin Day! Throughout the month of October, pumpkins are all around us on porches, at stores, and in patches. A pumpkin serves as a tribute to fall and Halloween. There are numerous ways you can celebrate National Pumpkin Day including baking, carving pumpkins and enjoying pumpkin flavored treats. One of the best ways to celebrate National Pumpkin Day and to get a taste of Illinois’ greatness is to visit an exceptional pumpkin patch.
Illinois has many fun fall pumpkin patches for the whole family. Here are a list of some of the best pumpkin patches across the state:
As we get closer to Halloween, many enjoy watching horror movies to set the tone of the holiday. From ghosts, demons and goblins to evil, abandoned and haunted places, a wide range of these scary films were made right here in Illinois.
Here are just a few of the creepiest ghoulish movies filmed in the state:
Have you watched any of these horror films? It’s thanks to the rich, filming history and locations across the state that flock movie producers here every year.
Illinois is a hub for merchandise with iconic city centers and modern shopping malls that bring the latest products and goods to locals and visitors from across the state and the country. Illinois also offers a variety of shopping experiences that cater to a large range of customers, including vintage shoppers.
Illinois is a hotspot for vintage with countless antique stores and local thrift shops. However, one of the greatest opportunities to shop vintage is the Illinois Vintage Fest. The Illinois Vintage Fest is a pop-up event that brings together numerous vendors of vintage goods in once place. The Illinois Vintage Fest originated in Joliet as a street pop-up in downtown. Over the years, the fest has grown in popularity and size and has begun hosting pop-ups in cities across the state.
The U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona recognized 18 Illinois schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2024. The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes elementary, middle and high schools based on their overall high academic achievement or success in closing the achievement gap among diverse groups of students.
“The National Blue Ribbon Schools Award is a testament to the exceptional achievements of students and educators at each of these schools,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools are raising the bar for our nation’s students, serving as models for effective teaching and intentional collaboration in their schools and communities. As we celebrate their achievements, let us look to these schools for inspiration as we champion education as the foundation of a brighter future for every child.”