Bald Eagle Days in Rock Island, Illinois

Each year from mid-December through February, the Quad Cities area serves as host to a large majority of bald eagles making their annual southern migration from Canada to the unfrozen waters of the Mississippi River. The Quad Cities celebrates over 40 years of bald eagle education in the area.

Bald Eagle Days is the feature celebration from January 7 to 9, 2011, at the QCCA Expo Center located at 2621 4th Avenue in Rock Island, Illinois. It is the largest event in the Midwest dedicated to the United States’ national symbol of freedom.  Hours: Friday 4-8 pm, Saturday 10 am-8 pm, and Sunday 10 am-5 pm.  Admission is $5 for adults and $1 for kids.

Thousands of residents and visitors turn out for the annual event which includes live eagle programs and live bird of prey demonstrations. In addition, some of the Midwest’s finest artists exhibit in the wildlife art show and sale. Also included is the Pella Wildlife Company accompanied by their wolves. There will also be spotting scopes set up and manned by the Quad City Audubon Society at Sunset Marina in Rock Island for a great eagle watching opportunity with free shuttle bus service from the Expo Center. 
 
Located on the Mississippi River in the Midwest, the Quad Cities is comprised of Davenport and Bettendorf, Iowa; Rock Island and Moline/East Moline, Illinois; and surrounding communities. The population of the area is nearly a half-million people. The Quad Cities is an easy 2½-hour drive west from Chicago, Illinois.

For more information about top events in Illinois take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Illinois.

For more information visit the Expo Center at www.qccaexpocenter.com

MEET SANTA’S EIGHT LEGENDARY REINDEER FRIENDS IN CENTRAL ILLINOIS

Celebrate the season in Illinois and discover a wonderland of holiday events and wintertime festivals across the state. Here are some of them.

Get close to Santa Claus with a visit to Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch in Rantoul in Central Illinois to see the famous herd of Alaskan reindeer. The ranch plays host every year to visitors from across the nation who come to see the beautiful relatives of Santa’s eight legendary friends. The 100-year-old barns, which have been recently restored, house the animals and five acres of fertile farm grounds produce more than five thousand Christmas trees. Take your family for a day in the country to see the reindeer and pick out a magnificent tree to cut down and bring home to decorate.

The Northern Illinois sky will light up in festive colors throughout the 21st Annual Holiday Festival of Lights display in Rockford through to December 31. More than 50 lighted displays are featured throughout Sinnissippi Park. Drive through the scenic park to view breathtaking seasonal exhibits and see why this festive drive hosts more than 120,000 spectators each year.

Peoria in Western Illinois welcomes the spirit of the holidays with the East Peoria Festival of Lights holiday light show through to December 31. Some 30 floats are showcased throughout the city at various holiday festivals including Filipe’s Wonderland, where cars can drive through to marvel at the floats from their cars.

Celebrate 20 years of holiday magic and whimsical lights in Kewanee at the 21st Annual Windmont Park Lighting/Drive of Lights through to January 1.

Get up close and personal to beautiful eagles in Southwest Illinois as they take flight at the Locks & Dam Eagle Meet and Greet, Jan. 17, 24, 31 and Feb. 7. Visitors will have an opportunity to see, learn and ask questions about the eagles and their habitats at the National Great Rivers Museum. Afterwards, enjoy eagle viewing in the area by taking a 75-minute trolley tour where you can watch eagles in their natural habitat.

The city of Belleville in Southwest Illinois honors everyone’s favorite holiday cookie with the annual Gingerbread Walk through to January 4. Take a leisurely stroll along East Main Street where dozens of edible gingerbread creations are displayed in shop windows.

For more information about top events in Illinois, take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Illinois at http://www.topeventsusa.com/state-events-illinois.html

Or, take a look at the official web site for Illinois at http://www.enjoyillinois.com

‘TIS THE SEASON FOR CHEERFUL EVENTS IN ILLINOIS

Illinois offers a flurry of festive happenings as popular attractions showcase the spirit of the season – with Chicago leading the way.

One of the most anticipated and visited markets in the city, Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza, through to Dec. 24, has already kicked off. Visit this seasonally delightful German heritage festival and bazaar and witness the plaza transformed into a holiday wonderland where you can procure German trinkets and taste delicious holiday fare such as savory sausages and sweet waffles. Be sure to grab a glass of Gluhwein, a traditional German holiday hot spiced wine to please your palate and warm your heart, in a take-home souvenir mug.

Visit the Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier, through to January 3. Navy Pier turns into a magnificent winter spectacle of attractions, food and more. The Winter Wonderfest transports patrons to a land of beautiful, ornate winter scenes and brings the magic of the holidays to life. It’s a great family destination.

Lace up your skates and glide through an ice rink in the heart of the city at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park, open for the winter season until March 14. The scenic rink has been a staple of winter festivities in Chicago for nine years. Afterwards, warm up with some hot chocolate, browse the surrounding shops or stroll through Millennium Park to see how it transforms in the winter months.

Visit the Chicago Botanic Garden as the Wonderland Express returns to the Garden, until January 3. Take a trip through a wonderland of twinkling lights and holiday beauty where 750,000 lights sparkle outside, while inside, a 10,000 square-foot exhibition of miniature trains winds over bridges, past waterfalls and through more than 80 mini-replicas of Chicago?s favorite landmarks. A brand new ice skating rink will be on the Esplanade, or you can snowshoe on the paths of the McDonald Woods.

Nearly 1 million twinkling lights illuminate the zoo’s walkways during Brookfield Zoo’s 28th Annual Holiday Magic, every weekend in December. After visiting Santa at the Candy Cane Corner, enjoy ice-carving demonstrations, magicians and live musical performances, sample holiday treats and browse the gift shops with hundreds of unique items. New this year is the Wild Lights Spectacular light show at Roosevelt Fountain.

Enter a world of exquisite Christmas extravagance at “A Glimpse of Christmas Past” at the Cuneo Museum until December 31. The stunning mansion will be decorated in holiday finery; lights, garland, decorated trees and poinsettias add festive beauty to an already breathtaking backdrop. And the Winter Wonderland Holiday Light Show at the museum, until January 2, is a Lake County tradition.

For more information about top events in Illinois, take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Illinois at http://www.topeventsusa.com/state-events-illinois.html

Or, take a look at the official web site for Illinois at http://www.enjoyillinois.com