Get to know Farmer City through its city parks, recurring events and efforts to preserve local history. When planning your visit, it’s worth checking the event against the calendar: festivals take place at different times of the year, while museum hours are limited to two Saturdays a month. This will help you decide whether parks, an event or a museum visit should be the focus of your stay.
Parks and Camping in Farmer City
South Park is a city park south of town on S. Main St. Salt Creek Area 21 Camping is located within the park, about half a mile south of downtown Farmer City. The 10-acre site has 21 primitive campsites. Camping is free; you can register by calling 309-928-3412 and leaving your name, phone number and campsite number. Confirm the registration instructions before you arrive.
South Park also has a walking path. If you’d like to include both an overnight stay outdoors and a walk in your plans, you’ll find both within the same park. These details offer specific points to consider when choosing between staying at the campground and visiting the park.
Weedman Park is directly north of the city swimming pool on N. John St. Its facilities include a pickleball/tennis court, a basketball court, baseball fields, a playground and a skate park. This makes it different from South Park: Weedman Park offers a variety of sports and play areas, while South Park features a walking path and camping. These differences can help you choose a park based on the activities you’d like to enjoy in Farmer City.
Events Throughout the Year
Farmer City Heritage Days takes place every year on the weekend after Memorial Day. The program includes live entertainment, a carnival, a free community meal, arts and crafts, and food vendors. It also features a car show, a cornhole tournament, a 5K run or fun run, and free children’s activities. The range of events offers several reasons to visit; if you plan to travel for the festival, check the dates for the year in question.
The Farmer City Christmas Parade began in its current form in 1975 and takes place on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Traditionally, it runs the full length of Main Street each year. It falls much later on the calendar than Heritage Days, which takes place on the weekend after Memorial Day. Comparing the dates can help you plan for the two events at different times of year; if you’re traveling specifically for the parade, check that year’s date as well.
The Farmer City Antique Show takes place every year on the first weekend in March at Blue Ridge High School, 411 N. John St., Farmer City. Since the dates for each year should be confirmed before your trip, it’s a good idea to check them before you arrive. Together with Heritage Days and the Christmas Parade, it provides an overview of three different times of year to visit.
Museum and Local History
The Farmer City Museum is open on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Hours are limited and may change, so check them before your visit. If the museum is a focus of your plans, checking which Saturday you’ll be there can help you fit this short window into your stay.
The Farmer City Genealogical & Historical Society is also part of the community’s local history work. The society identifies, marks and preserves historic buildings and sites. It also informs the community about the value and importance of preserving family and local history for future generations. Together with the museum and the historic parade, this offers several different ways to connect with local history, rather than limiting it to a single place to visit.
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