This year, the Atlanta Library Dinner Programs, catered by the Palms Grill Cafe, will complement the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum on Mainstreet exhibit, “Crossroads: Change in Rural America” hosted by the Atlanta Museum Feb. 2 - Mar. 16 2019. Featuring speakers and performers who will present programs focused on rural culture and history, the Dinner Programs are held at the Union Hall Building, 114 SW Arch Street in downtown Atlanta. Dinner begins at 5:30 pm [except for Danny Tackett programs when it begins at 5pm], with the evening’s program starting at 7pm. Reservations are required and limited to approximately 50 people. The Palms Grill Cafe features a set of dinner specials, including homemade desserts for each program. Phone 217-648-5077 to make reservations.

The First Night® Springfield is the city’s Annual New Year’s Eve Celebration of the Arts, presented by the Springfield Area Arts Council. On New Year’s Eve, First Night’s events begin with free children’s hands-on activities and entertainment from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. From 6:00 to 11:15 PM, the city becomes a stage, with over 30 performances taking place on ten stages in downtown Springfield. The early First Night performances, from 6:00 to 7:45 PM, include magicians, jugglers, and dancers, along with jazz and classical guitar. The traditional First Night fireworks display begins at 8:00 PM at Fourth Street and Capitol Avenue.

The 13th Annual Red Carpet Corridor Festival traverses 13 Communities from Joliet to Towanda along a 90-mile stretch of Old Route 66 that collectively celebrates the Mother Road. Each town puts together its own events for that Saturday, making for a great shopping and sight-seeing experience. Gather the family and take a trip down memory lane. Towns include Joliet, Elwood, Wilmington, Braidwood, Godley, Braceville, Gardner, Dwight, Odell, Pontiac, Chenoa, Lexington and Towanda.