Get out and enjoy free movies for the family starting Thursday, June 9

Summer’s here! Get out with the family and enjoy a season of free movies in the park beginning Thursday, June 9, in Oswego at the new amphitheater, Venue 1012, located at 1012 Station Drive.

This year’s Movies Under the Stars series. presented by Allied First Bank, will take place on the lawn while watching the featured movies on the big screen near the main stage. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets with you. (Bug spray may be useful depending upon the night.) No alcoholic beverages, are permitted. Attendees are invited to bring their own food and drinks and Oswego’s Chik-fil-a will offer a limited menu on each evening.

Movies Under the Stars are free, and no registration is required. Spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Portable restrooms and sinks will be provided. Attendees are asked to follow all CDC health and safety guidance in place the day of the show.

The 2022 Movies in the Park season includes:

• Thursday, June 9: Disney’s Encanto.
• Thursday, June 23: The Game Plan with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
• Thursday, July 21: Spider Man: No Way Home
• Thursday, August 18: Disney’s LUCA

All movies begin at twilight, between approximately 8:30 and 8:50 p.m. Entry starts at 6:30 p.m.

• Schedule:
  • 6:30 p.m. venue opens
  • Lawn Games available – first come/first-served
  • 7:30 p.m. Prize give-aways from sponsors
  • Twilight:  Movie begins (Approx. 8:30 – 8:50 p.m.

For questions or more information, contact Community Engagement Coordinator Julie Hoffman at jhoffman@oswegoil.org.

For more updates on events for the family happening in Oswego, follow @GoOswego on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and sign up for special events email alerts.

Oswego’s newest Mexican restaurant has arrived!

La Marimba will soon have everyone talking. Focusing on fresh and quality food, they make every dish from scratch to satisfy your taste buds in a setting perfect for kicking back on the weekends.

Exposed wood and colorful murals combine with bright natural light from large windows giving a fun, light ambience, perfect for an authentic Mexican meal with family and friends.

Enjoy enchiladas next to one of two cozy indoor fireplaces or near the large garage door that lets in a cool breeze on hot summer days and creates a welcoming indoor/outdoor space. Or, head out to the back patio, featuring a small garden with a fountain, perfect for happy hour margaritas with family and friends.

Be on the lookout for live music on the patio coming later this summer.

Following its wildly popular soft opening on May 28^th, La Marimba is open now, Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Follow them on their Facebook page for Grand Opening announcements in the next few weeks.

Get ready to enjoy the summer by renting a bike downtown Oswego!

Oswego has officially joined the Fox Valley Bike Share program through Koloni. Download the free Koloni app on your mobile device through Google Play or the Apple Store, scan the QR code on the back of the bike, and away you go!

Renting a bike is just $4 for the first hour, then $5 each hour after that. Daily, monthly, and annual passes are available. Payments are made through the Koloni app.

Pause your bike ride for a quick stop to sight-see, grab a coffee, or browse a unique Oswego shop. Once you’re done, just park the bike at a Fox Valley Bike Share location. The Oswego location is at the Oswego Public library downtown. Fox Valley Bike Share has other locations in Montgomery, Aurora, and in towns all the way up to Elgin.

“I’m a huge cyclist, so it’s exciting to have an increase of bikes as transportation in Oswego to encourage exploration of the city,” head of the Young Adult Services at the Oswego Public Library District, Bill Thurston, said.

With several bike share racks located along the Fox River, you can enjoy the Fox River Trail and the views that the river has to offer. You can even rent a bike in Oswego, ride it to an Aurora bike share location, then have a short walk to the Metra station to catch a train! Once you get back, you can ride the bike back to Oswego.

Each bike has a basket perfect for carrying a backpack or groceries. Oswego currently has six bikes at the downtown location.

Make sure to take photos and share where you go with the bikes by posting your photos and tagging #BikeOswego.

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Oswego’s newest restaurant, 113 Main, is now open on Block 11 in downtown Oswego!

The menu features eclectic American food serving a familiar style of tasty bold flavors, with their chef’s special twist. The modern rustic feel, wide selection of craft drinks, and eclectic menu has something for everyone.

Limited dine in (following all appropriate protocols) and carryout available! Visit 113Main.com for more!

Bring your blankets and lawn chairs and get ready for a show! Oswego’s annual Fourth of July Fireworks Display will be held at dusk, approximately 9:30 p.m., on Monday, July 4, 2022, at Prairie Point Park. The rain date is scheduled for Tuesday, July 5.  Limited parking will be available at the park.  

Weather information and other real-time updates for the show will be available on the Village of Oswego’s Facebook page. Like or follow @VillageofOswego for notifications, including weather-related postponements and emergency evacuation instructions in inclement weather.

For your safety, the shoot zone is a restricted area. Monitor children closely near this area. The shoot zone, located near the Prairie Point soccer fields, will be clearly marked with a yellow rope. If patrons enter the shoot zone at any time, the fireworks display will be temporarily halted until the zone is once again clear. for the safety and enjoyment of all, please remain outside the shoot zone at all times.

No alcoholic beverages are permitted. While dogs are permitted, pet owners are reminded that many dogs are frightened by fireworks and that the Fourth of July is the biggest day of the year for lost dog reports. Often, it is best to leave your pet home, in a quiet, secure environment.

Prairie Point Community Park is located at 4120 Plainfield Road, between Plainfield and Grove Roads. Parking is available at Oswego Public Works, the former Old Traughber Jr. High/Oswego Senior Center rear lot, Eastview Elementary/District #308 Administration Center, Traughber Junior High School, Eastview Elementary, Prairie Point Elementary and Oswego High School.

Traffic and parking restrictions will be in effect on streets surrounding the park prior to and immediately following the fireworks. Temporary “no parking” signs will be posted and enforced at the following locations:

• Franklin Street, on the fire hydrant side only • Wilmette Avenue, on the fire hydrant side only • Calumet Street, on the fire hydrant side only • Woolley Road between Plainfield Road and Colchester Drive • Bell Court • Plainfield Road between Route 71 and Linden Drive • Grove Road between Plainfield Road and Arboretum Way • The Prairie Point Park parking lot adjacent to the shoot zone

Regular “no parking” signs are posted along Stonehill Road, Theodore Drive, Templeton Drive, and Plank Road. These will also be enforced. Please remember that parking on private property is prohibited without prior permission from the landowner.

To alleviate congestion, traffic patterns will be changed at several intersections around the park. Those areas include:

Motorists exiting both parking lots of Oswego High School and Eastview Elementary will only be allowed to travel northbound on Route 71.

• Motorists traveling east on Franklin Street will only be allowed to turn southbound onto Route 71.

• Motorists exiting Stonehill Road onto Wolf’s Crossing Road will be required to turn eastbound onto Wolf’s Crossing Road.

• Motorists exiting Stonehill Road onto Woolley Road will be required to turn eastbound onto Woolley Road.

• Motorists exiting from the Traughber Junior High School lot will only be allowed to travel northbound on Colchester Drive or eastbound on Woolley Road.

Oswego police officers, community service officers, and police explorers will be located at intersections to direct traffic. Please consider carpooling and remain patient while traffic is clearing.

For your safety, the launch zone is a restricted area. Monitor children closely near this area. The launch zone, located near the Prairie Point soccer fields, will be clearly marked with a yellow rope. If patrons enter the shoot zone at any time, the fireworks display will be temporarily halted until the zone is once again clear. for the safety and enjoyment of all, please remain outside the shoot zone at all times.

No alcoholic beverages are permitted. While dogs are permitted, pet owners are reminded that many dogs are frightened by fireworks and that the Fourth of July is the biggest day of the year for lost dog reports. Often, it is best to leave your pet home, in a quiet, secure environment.

Plans for this event are subject to change at any time.

For more free family-friendly events happening throughout Oswego throughout the year, check out www.venue1012.com!

The news feels like a constant barrage of anger and hopelessness. Anxieties are high. The future is uncertain.

But you, brave Oswegoan, aren’t thinking about any of that. You’re thinking “How can I help?”

(Because that’s just the kind of community we have here.)

Here are a few ideas for what you can do locally to help others in the Oswego community. Not only might your contributions keep others safe and healthy, giving back right now might just bring you a little bit of calm, too.

1. Care for families, kids, and seniors in our school district

Community Cares in 308 is a Facebook group dedicated to connecting people with all kinds of needs to available services throughout the Oswego 308 School District area. Join, and you’ll find both resources for your family and ways to help others.

You can find activity and project suggestions for self-quarantined families, community members needing assistance or certain tough-to-find grocery items, and teachers offering to help students with homework.

Read more on KendallCountyNow.com and request to join Community Cares in 308 on Facebook.

2. Offer a Helping Hand to seniors

State Rep. Mark Batinick’s office has launched a Helping Hands program connecting residents who want to help seniors in need of assistance. Residents have pitched in to deliver meals for various agencies that serve seniors in the 97th district, pick up prescriptions and grocery shop, arrange rides to doctors, and more. You can sign up to volunteer (or, if you’re a senior, you can sign up for assistance) at 815-254-0000.

3. Volunteer with a community organization through Serve Illinois

Serve Illinois helps connect volunteers to community organizations across the state, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, they’re mobilizing volunteers for disaster relief projects at both civic- and faith-based organizations, especially those focused on homelessness, meal delivery, and senior citizens.

Serve Illinois has several opportunities for college students stuck at home and those who are unable to work from home and want to do something constructive. Organizations with in-person service opportunities are prepared to do health screenings on volunteers and distance volunteers to keep them healthy while they serve others. Find volunteer opportunities at Serve Illinois.

If you have medical training, sign up for positions that use your skillset with Illinois HELPS.

4. Give blood.

Thousands of blood drives around the country have been canceled amid the outbreak and the American Red Cross is warning of a severe blood shortage across the country. Whole blood is only useable for 42 days, and platelets for just five days. With the cancellation of drives and many people home sick or quarantining, blood is running short for people undergoing surgery, people injured in car accidents or other accidents, and cancer patients.

If you’re feeling healthy, consider donating blood at a Red Cross drive or your local blood bank.

5. Call a neighbor.

It’s a little thing, but it helps a lot. If you have friends and neighbors who might be at risk — including seniors and those with underlying health conditions — give them a call. Offer to pick up some groceries or run to the pharmacy for them, or just have a chat. Staying connected promotes mental and emotional wellness for everyone and makes Oswego a stronger, healthier community.

How are you pitching in to stay connected with others? Tell us on Facebook using #OswegoTogether6FtApart

Stuck at home? Feeling drained? Been watching the news *way* too much? Take a break and enjoy the arts with Arranmore Farm + Polo Club’s Artist-A-Day.

Arranmore will be working with their family of artists so that they can continue to create, as well as offer audiences fun activities to help break up the days and get through the next few weeks with some grace, laughter, energy and a stronger sense of community than ever before. 

They’ll be sharing virtual events in music, art, standup comedy and whatever else these talented folks offer up! (Including children’s programming!) Each artist has chosen their own platform- either Facebook Live or Instagram Live. Find the schedule of events on the ArranmoreArts website and through their Facebook pages (both ArranmoreArts and Arranmore Farm + Polo Club) as well as their Instagram channels. 

Watch in real time as we build new restaurants and commercial spaces, plus a pedestrian promenade and additional parking, on the former Village Hall block in downtown Oswego!