Mattoon residents Scarlette, 6, left, and her sister Hazeleigh Criner, 3, took part in making their own brooms during the Broom Workshop at the Ben Franklin Fest in Arcola.
Molly Stuart and Israel Banda attempted to set the world record for the most lemon shake-ups sold in one evening during the Ben Franklin Fest in Arcola on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026. Although they didn’t succeed, the food truck will try again at future local events.
Remember these Decatur events? Gone but not forgotten
21 Film Project
Launched in 2007, the film festival drew entries from around the country. It became part of Decatur Celebration in 2011, with entrant screenings taking place at The Avon Theatre, then the Decatur Civic Center theater. Films were also screened throughout Decatur Celebration in an air-conditioned tent set up in the event's Back Lot area.
Power boat racing
An estimated 20,000 people were expected in 1970 for boat races on Lake Decatur, including the Bill Heath Invitational Grand Prix.
Contact Donnette Beckett at (217) 421-6983. Follow her on Twitter: @donnettebHR
Mattoon residents Scarlette, 6, left, and her sister Hazeleigh Criner, 3, took part in making their own brooms during the Broom Workshop at the Ben Franklin Fest in Arcola.
Molly Stuart and Israel Banda attempted to set the world record for the most lemon shake-ups sold in one evening during the Ben Franklin Fest in Arcola on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026. Although they didn’t succeed, the food truck will try again at future local events.
