Here are 3 things to do for the weekend of Aug. 23-25, 2024, curated by WGLT's Lauren Warnecke. You can find more coverage on our Datebook - Arts & Music page or by subscribing to WGLT's Weekend Scoop email newsletter, which goes out every Friday.
Look up in Lincoln: Chances to hop in a basket for Lincoln’s Balloons Over 66 event are sold out, but looking up at 34 hot air balloons—particularly the night flights—is a stunning experience with feet firmly planted. For the fourth year, Lincoln Arts Institute hosts a companion art fair in downtown Lincoln. Flights at 6 p.m. Friday, 6:15 a.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday at Open Arms Lincoln, 1321 IL-10, Lincoln. destinationlogancountyil.com.
Learn to juggle: Carnies and cornies come together for the annual Sweet Corn Circus in Uptown Normal this weekend. Look for endless sweet corn on the cob, live music, a wresting ring of Iron Spirit pros and Gamma Phi and CirqueMania routines, with pop-up workshops teaching juggling and other tricks. Duck into the Normal Theater for non-stop cirque, too—they’re playing The Greatest Showman, Killer Klowns from Outer Space and The Circus, starring Charlie Chaplin. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday; free admission. normalil.gov.
Chill out: Chicago jazz phenom Thaddeus Tukes brings the vibes to Jazz UpFront. Literally. Vibraphonist Tukes has regularly held court in Bloomington-Normal while studying music therapy at Illinois State—so get it while you still can. 8 p.m. Saturday; $8 cover at jazzupfront.com or $10 at the door.
