Record high gas prices may lead some to think twice about traveling far and wide for summer fun. Fortunately, now more than ever, there is plenty to do here at home.
The Decatur Area Convention and Visitors Bureau published a brochure in recent years that says, "There's nothing to do in Decatur except." The brochure then went on to list about 250 events and activities.
That list continues to grow. Decatur now offers more than 300 events throughout the year, said Denene Wilmeth, executive director of the Visitors Bureau. And many of them take place over the summer.
"There is just so much to do," Wilmeth said.
Among the major summer draws are the Lakeside Music & Arts Festival and Decatur Celebration.
The Lakeside festival will be held June 30 and July 1 at Nelson Park, featuring live music, creations of more than 100 artisans and lots of creative activities for children.
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Decatur Celebration, Illinois' largest free family street festival, is held Aug. 3 to 5. The celebration is expected to draw more than 300,000 people to downtown Decatur.
And the Farm Progress Show will draw agriculture enthusiasts from around the globe to fields flanking Richland Community College from Aug. 28 to 30.
This year's Farm Progress Show will feature a concert by two of country music's biggest names. Tracy Byrd and Tracy Lawrence will perform Aug. 29 at Progress City.
"We wanted to make sure this is something that everybody can enjoy," said Matt Jungmann, the show's manager. "It will be something special, new and different from the 2005 show."
Decatur also is host to a number of recreational activities: a crappie tournament on Lake Decatur, a youth basketball tournament at Millikin University, softball championships at Rotary Park and golf tournaments at Red Tail Run, Hickory Point and Scovill golf courses.
Youngsters enjoy the Children's Museum of Illinois, a two-story museum with hands-on interactive exhibits, and Scovill Zoo next door.
Downtown is host to musical and cultural events over the summertime, and the city continues to promote the region's deep connections with Abraham Lincoln.
In Decatur, Lincoln practiced law, delivered his first political speech and was nominated for president at the 1860 Illinois Republican Convention.
Mayor Paul Osborne still hears residents complain occasionally that there's nothing to do in Decatur. They're not looking very hard, he said.
"There's plenty to do in Decatur," Osborne said. "If you're interested in history or golf or the lake or the Farm Progress Show or getting together with friends, there's a multitude of events. We have it here."
Osborne should know.
The mayor usually is asked to cut a ribbon or say a few words at most summertime events.
"After four years, the calendar is a lot busier," Osborne said. "We're moving in the direction of more and more events in the city all the time."
The summertime events are a great way to promote the community and improve its image, Osborne said.
"When you bring people in from outside of the community, they go back and tell others, 'Hey, Decatur is a great community,'" Osborne said. "That's the way you dispel myths, (such as) people saying Decatur is going nowhere.
"You can't spend money to buy publicity like that - somebody goes back and tells someone about a great experience in Decatur, whether it's Farm Progress or a ball tournament or Decatur Celebration."
It's not a matter of finding something to do. With so many activities in Decatur, residents sometimes might be forced to choose between enticing events that occur at the same time.
"You can't make it to them all," Osborne said.
Also, for a schedule of all activities from around Central Illinois, visit GO! Central Illinois' Complete Entertainment Resource.
