ARCOLA — Brothers Whittier, 10, and Archie Bruno, 8, have watched their father perform with the iconic Lawn Rangers in past parades.
Auburn Anderson, 7, picked out a mower before she participated in the Lawn Ranger Boot Camp during the first Ben Franklin Fest on Friday in Arcola.
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The Lawn Rangers Boot Camp was one of the activities held during the first Ben Franklin Fest in Arcola.
Families cleaned up during the bubble foam party at the Ben Franklin Fest in Arcola.
Mattoon residents Scarlette, 6, left, and her sister Hazeleigh Criner, 3, took part in making their own brooms during the Broom Workshop at the Ben Franklin Fest in Arcola.
Molly Stuart and Israel Banda attempted to set the world record for the most lemon shake-ups sold in one evening during the Ben Franklin Fest in Arcola on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026. Although they didn’t succeed, the food truck will try again at future local events.
Remember these Decatur events? Gone but not forgotten
21 Film Project
Launched in 2007, the film festival drew entries from around the country. It became part of Decatur Celebration in 2011, with entrant screenings taking place at The Avon Theatre, then the Decatur Civic Center theater. Films were also screened throughout Decatur Celebration in an air-conditioned tent set up in the event's Back Lot area.
Lakeside Music & Arts Festival
The Lakeside Music & Arts Festival drew crowds to Nelson Park and Lake Decatur from 2004 to 2011.
Fun Fair
Fun and sun combined on the first day of Decatur's 29th Fun Fair in 1984. Taking a spin on the Scrambler are, from left: Lindsey Delahunty, 9; Angie Michel, 12, Kim Ehrmantraut, 11, and Christine Houseworth, 12.
Fun Fair in Fairview Park
The giant slide offered the daring a bird's-eye view of the Fun Fair in Fairview Park in 1980.
Blues in Central Park
Blues in Central Park was held for 16 years starting in 2001.
Lake races
Power boat pilot Mark Weber of Detroit pulled into Decatur for a weekend of competitive racing in 1991. The boat races were on Lake Decatur from 1970 to 1986 and in the 1990s.
Lake Decatur races
Tom Thompson of East New Market, Maryland, drives his Super Chief 5-litre power speed boat to a second place finish on Lake Decatur in 1993.
American Power Boat Association's National Inboard Championships
North Carolinian Jim Parker, left, and Steve Earle of Los Angeles make late adjustments to Parker's 482cc pro comp racer in the parking lot of the Holiday Inn in 1983. Parker will participate in the American Power Boat Association's National Inboard Championships today through Sunday on Lake Decatur
Power boat racing
An estimated 20,000 people were expected in 1970 for boat races on Lake Decatur, including the Bill Heath Invitational Grand Prix.
Contact Donnette Beckett at (217) 421-6983. Follow her on Twitter: @donnettebHR
Donnette Beckett
"Together Decatur" Columnist and Food/Drink Reporter
