The Coliseum Museum is honored to host a special collection of China by members of the Pickard Collectors Club. The club was founded in 1992 by Joy Luke of Bloomington, Illinois, who along with a small group of Pickard enthusiasts thought it was time to bring together collectors of Pickard porcelain and glass.

Wilder A. Pickard (1857-1939) started the company in 1894 by offering his customers hand-painted giftware, artware, and eventually dinnerware of the highest quality.

Today, Pickard, Inc., remains a family-owned business proudly producing high quality, hand-crafted china. Each Pickard generation carries on the tradition of producing Ivory and White porcelain for individuals as well as for government and corporate organizations, both domestic and international. For more information visit their website at https://pickardcollectorsclub.org

Les Allen
Taft Gallery, August 1 – September 30

Les Allen, an award-winning photographer based in Dixon, IL, specializes in Fine Art Traditional Black and White Photography. Using a large format camera, Les captures the surreal and abstract elements of the world around him.

In the world of analog photography, Les is a master printer, creating luminous and mesmerizing images that challenge perception and invite viewers into a dreamlike realm. His photographs, a manifestation of his deep connection with nature, convey his instinctual understanding of light, shadow, and composition. Evoking emotions, provoking thought, and inspiring viewers to explore their own intuitive connections with the world.

Rock River Valley Painters Guild Plein Air Art Show
September 2 – October 31
Lowden Gallery, Coliseum Museum

Sponsored by the RRVPG

​Artists participating in the 2026 annual show include Carol Bingham, Pam Bradford, Dick Cholke, Janice Conkrite, Charles Gregory, Anne Hilliard, Tom Linden, Nancie King Mertz, Sharon Saponari, Donna Smith, Terry Werntz, Lucinda Winterfield and Leah Zahn.

Awards will be presented by judge Jean Apgar, on October 9, in conjunction with the Moments in Monochrome Awards & Reception.

The RRVPG is a not-for-profit organization promoting local art and art education (North Central Illinois).

Janet Beiler
Feature Walls, September 1 – 30
Sponsored by Stillman Bank

“I am a full time artist pursuing my third career in life. I work in oils, acrylics, and watercolor medium and my artistic inspiration has been landscapes, florals, and narrative art, consignment on request. I exhibit at The Next Picture show in Dixon and The Loft in Morrison, IL. Currently you may view my art on Instagram Janet Beiler username Serafinas_window and on Facebook at art created by jbeiler.”

The 3rd Annual Pawpaw Festival in Paw Paw, Illinois will be held on Saturday, September 26, at the Veteran’s Memorial Park, hosted by the Paw Paw Lions Club and the Pizzo Group.

Schedule for the day:

10:00AM - Festival opens
Pawpaw Vendors, Food Trucks, Bake Sale, Kids Corner, Fest Market

11:00AM - Informative speakers begin at Education Tent (full speaker at pawpawfest.org) Trams Tours begin

11:00AM - Live Music at the Band Shell begins & Beer Garden sponsored by Resource Bank opens

Bands: My 80's Band (11-1), Marques Morel (1:30-3:30), and Sound Check 815 (4) - with house band Slow Cooker

11:00AM - A History of Pawpaws in Paw Paw - Neal Rogers

11:30AM - Growing Pawpaws from Seed - Austin Cliffe

12:00PM - Biggest Pawpaw Submission Deadline

12:30PM - Biggest Pawpaw Award

1:00PM - Pawpaws Role in Ecological Restoration - Jack Pizzo

2:00PM - Sensory Characteristics of Pawpaws - Dr. Melani Duffrin

2:30PM - Best Pawpaw Competition

3:30PM - Phantom Fruit - Pawpaws in Japan - Sabii, PopomoDAO

4:00PM - Closing Ceremony

6:30PM - Festival concludes

Like our Facebook page Pawpawfest in Paw Paw IL to keep up to date on the latest news and visit our website pawpawfest.org to find full details on the event.

Whether you’re new to pawpaws or a seasoned enthusiast, the festival offers something for everyone.

World War II Days celebrates its 30th anniversary when it returns next month to Midway Village Museum. Tanks. Pyrotechnic displays. Battles to rival all battles. We have one of the largest WWII reenactor events in the Midwest.

Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026 - 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026 - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Our grounds transform into a European village with Allied and Axis troop encampments. Elaborate and realistic battles are carried out before your very eyes, narrated with heart and grit.

NEW this year: a period wedding is scheduled for Saturday. Two WWII reenactors will tie the knot, sharing their love for each other and WWII history.

Hear briefings from Gen. George S. Patton's mobile command unit. See rare military vehicles like an Amphibious Ford GPA 1942; Opel Blitz Truck, 1942; Hetzer Tank Destroyer; Flak88 Antiaircraft Gun; Panzer Aus 1 C and many more.

Woods skirmishes and battles are crowd favorites — tickets sell fast. Interpreters dressed in period attire will discuss WWII rations for civilians and soldiers, Victory Gardens, and WWII headlines.

Reenactors dressed as the Rockford Peaches and 1940s Girl Scouts (shout-out to Girl Scout Troop No. 241) help bring the past to life and highlight the role of women and their contributions to the war efforts.

Camp Grant USO-style shows, complete with 1940s music, will be a hit in the gazebo.

Venture inside the Museum Center to explore:

• The temporary exhibit What Now? Holocaust Survivors – Between Rebirth and Remembrance
• The Society of Antique Modelers
• Action figure displays of both the European and Pacific Theaters
• Our permanent exhibit You’re in the Army Now: Camp Grant, Rockford’s Legacy

Your dining and snacking needs are covered thanks to delicious offerings from MISSION BBQ, the Polish Shack, Chavez Mexican Restaurante, Pig Minds Brewing, Vintage Goose Café, Sassy Mac Boys, & Bing’s Food Truck.

Discover amazing items for sale from at least 50 militaria sales vendors and the Museum's own Gift Shop. Coming to the Gift Shop: a NEW, LIMITED-EDITION Rosie the Riveter Sock Monkey will grace the shelves along with our sock monkeys dressed in handmade Rockford Peaches uniforms.

Many thanks to our generous sponsors: Schmeling Construction Co.; Hammertime Sports in Belvidere; Midland States Bank; Hard Rock Casino Rockford; Winnebago County; and Aqua-Aerobic Systems, Inc.

Learn more at midwayvillage.com/ww2-days-midway.html.