University News
Heritage Days Festival Kicks Off in Macomb Today
June 26, 2025
MACOMB, IL - - Discover the spirit of small-town America while celebrating the legacy of Unforgettable Forgottonia's Macomb native and Monopoly inventor, Lizzie Magie, at Macomb's 43rd annual Heritage Days Festival.
The Macomb Heritage Days Committee and Visit Unforgettable Forgottonia are hosting this event and Western Illinois University is proud to be a sponsor for the Heritage Days Festival. From Thursday, June 26 through Sunday, June 29, Macomb will be alive with sights, sounds and flavors in its historic downtown, Chandler Park and Municipal Airport. Whether you're drawn to visit Macomb to play the world's largest Monopoly-style game, Macombopoly or simply looking for a weekend of family fun, Heritage Days is the perfect time to visit Unforgettable Forgottonia.
The event will feature nationally recognized artists, mouth-watering unique food trucks like Bucher Boys BBQ, Cousins Maine Lobster, Twisted Pasta and more, American Banner's spectacular carnival attractions, a Classic Car Show, handcrafted/artisan vendors, a cooled tented beer & cocktail tent, an exotic animal petting zoo with free pony rides, The Bob Anstine Memorial Parade, the annual Airport Pancake Breakfast Fly-In, plus so much more!
This year's free concert lineup features incredible musical artists from across the county including 1970's pop from the Imperial Sound, modern country and americana from Chicago's singer/songwriter The Rachel Drew Band, Southwestern Modern Soul and R&B from Austin, Texas' Tomar & The FCs, South Side Blues and Nashville Americana from Nathan Graham, modern country from Sarah Jean Stevens & The Swamp Angles, uptempo rockabilly music from the Mississippi Dogfish and wrapping things up with the explosive alternative rock sound of Minneapolis' The Melismatics featuring Ryan Smith of Soul Asylum.
"The all-volunteer Heritage Days Committee works long and hard, year-round in the effort to bring Macomb, McDonough County and Unforgettable Forgottonia a top-notch festival experience presenting some of the finest musical entertainment and amusements in the nation, all absolutely free of charge to the public," Heritage Days Co-Chair Jock Hedblade said. "In doing so, we're confident this year's Heritage Days truly will be Unforgettable."
For parade & vendor forms and more details about the event, go to MacombHeritageDays.com or visit "Heritage Days – Macomb, IL" on Facebook.
About Visit Unforgettable Forgottonia
Macomb-affectionately known as Unforgettable Forgottonia—has become a destination where history, innovation and small-town charm converge. At the center of its growing tourism draw is Macombopoly, the World's Largest Monopoly-style Game, paying homage to Lizzie Magie's original 1903 invention.
Heritage Days Festival is the perfect time to visit Macomb for an Unforgettable experience in Forgottonia!
To learn more about Heritage Days Festival, Unforgettable Forgottonia, Macombopoly and upcoming events, visit visitforgottonia.com.
Posted By: Aaron Viner (AP-Viner@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing
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