Sycamore’s Ribs, Rhythm and Blues Fest returns on Aug. 25, featuring award-winning ribs by grille masters from across the region, craft beer, Forge Brewhouse Beer, and live music by opening act Johnny & The Boomers and headliner Back Country Roads.

There’s no excuse to be idle this summer in Sycamore.

From Park District sports and classes to trips and festivals, there’s plenty to keep active and engaged from summer’s unofficial Memorial Day kickoff through Labor Day and and return to school.

“We put the MORE in Sycamore,” proclaims the Park District on the cover of its 44-page summer programing and activity guide.

Here’s a rundown of what’s ahead this summer, including park district facilities and offerings as well as a community calendar of events

SYCAMORE PARK DISTRICT

The district features 19 parks, including the crown jewel Sycamore Community Center on its Legacy Campus on Airport Road that celebrated its first anniversary in the spring.

Check the park district’s web site (www.sycamoreparkdistrict.com) or the full summer guide distributed to every home in town for details on sports, classes, trips and golf.

But since weather is warming up, we’ll take a brief look at the ultimate way to cool off — swimming.

The Sycamore Community Pool, 940 E. State, officially opens June 1 and will lap swim, open swim and late hours spread through its eight daily hours of operation. Admission is $5 for ages four-plus ($8 for non-residents). Late swim costs are $3 for residents and $6 for out-of-towners.

The facility features a toddler pool with seal slide, lap pool, two diving Board and a high dive board.

Be sure to check out the new kid-friendly Splash Fountain, Legacy Campus, 480 S. Airport Road. 

SYCAMORE SUMMER CALENDAR

JUNE 1-2 

Northern Illinois Art Show, DeKalb County Courthouse lawn, 133 W. State St. Saturday 9-5 p.m., Sunday 9-4 p.m. Free admission. The non-profit Kishwaukee Valley art League hosts its 48th show featuring art and fine crafts from throughout the Midwest on the

JUNE 4

Farmer’s Market, Sacramento and State Streets, downtown Sycamore, 3-7 p.m., every  Tuesday from 3-7 p.m. in downtown Sycamore. Features locally grown just-picked produce, fresh from the farm plus freshly baked breads and confections, organic herbs, beautiful fresh-cut and potted flowers, annual and perennials, olive oils, home-made sauces, local honey and jams, live music and handcrafted products from area artists.

JUNE 6

Ladies Night Out, downtown Sycamore, 4-8 p.m. Ladies Night Out is a non-profit organization dedicated to fight breast cancer. Visitors have a chance to win prizes, giveaways and drawings from area businesses. Information:  facebook.com/LNOJane

JUNE 8

Family Health and Fitness Day, Sycamore Park District Legacy Campus, 480 S. Airport Road., $6 residents, $8 non-residents, free with park district pass or membership if registered by June 1. Open to all ages.  Join Park District staff on a trek through the entire Legacy Campus on a fitness adventure! Wear comfy clothes.

JUNE 11

Tuesdays on the Town: ‘Touch a Truck’, downtown Sycamore, 5:30-7:30 p.m. A variety of city vehicles will be featured, including  police cars, a fire truck, ambulance, street sweeper and the new snow plow. Local businesses will provide trucks as well. Downtown businesses will be open late. 

JUNE 12 

Pop-Up Picnics, Charley Laing Memorial Park, 11:30 am.-12:30 p.m., free, no registration needed. Pack a picnic and meet at the park for stories in the sun, activities and more. Participants can also sign up for a library card and pick out a book. 

JUNE 13 

Video Game Night, Midwest Museum of Natural History, 425 W. State St.,  5:30 p.m., $10. Join them for some Jack Box Party Pack mini games, some Mario Kart, and a few other multiplayer games.

JUNE 15  

Community Yard Sale, Midwest Museum of Natural History, 425 W. State St., 10 a.m. Community yard sale and swap meet in downtown Sycamore that is focused on sustainability including a book and clothing exchange. Vendors and individuals are also welcome to sign up for a 10×10 square foot space for $15.

JUNE 11

Book Recycling and  Donation Drop-Off, Sycamore Public Library, 9 a.m.  The library accepts larger donations of new/used books, and other materials at the Circulation Desk on the 3rd Saturday of each month. Additionally, books in need of recycling may be dropped off at this time as well.

JUNE 17

Go Bilingual Story time, Sycamore Public Library, 10 a.m The whole family is welcome to this bilingual story time in English and Spanish. Enjoy stories, songs, rhymes and fun.

JUNE 18 

Stories & Songs with Bruce, Sycamore Public Library, 4 p.m.  See Bruce Wallace, an amazing storyteller and performer.

JUNE 21

Trails & Tales, Sycamore Lake Rotary Park, 6 p.m. Ride the 1/2-mile trail to Leon Larson Park and take in some of Sycamore’s trails while learning about nature, participating in a themed craft, and enjoying a snack.

JUNE 26

 Sustainable Sycamore, Sycamore Park District Legacy Campus, Community Center, 6 p.m. A series of lectures on environmental topics presented by local group C.A.S.E.S. (Citizen Advocates for a Sustainable Environment). The June 26 session covers Art and the Environment.

JUNE 28

Summer Concert in the Park — Sycamore Park District, Good Tymes Shelter, Sports Complex, 7 p.m Bring a picnic or purchase food and beverages from the Caddyshack Grill, on site and listen to music by Second Time Around or check out other activities like volleyball courts, outdoor table tennis, horseshoe pits, fishing, walking path.

Music on the Patio, Sycamore Park District Outdoor Amphitheater, 6 p.m., all ages welcome. Kristina & Paul entertain with everything from popular party tunes to classic music from the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket and be prepared to dance the night away.

JULY 4

Fourth of July celebrations. Sycamore doesn’t have a formal event, but fireworks and fun are just a short drive away.   The City of DeKalb features a concert at Hopkins Park along with food vendors to enjoy during the fireworks. Sandwich Freedom Days,  Kirkland 4th of July and Shabbona Home Town Festival are hometown festivals that go all weekend long.

JULY 17

Lit and Fit, Legacy Campus, Community Center, 7-9 p.m. Looking for an opportunity to get fit in mind and body? Join us for Lit and Fit! Participants will read and discuss popular titles each month, followed by a 45 minute walk around the indoor track.

JULY 27-28

 Cruise Night & Car Show, downtown Sycamore, 3-11 p.m., free.  The 50’s are making a comeback in Sycamore during the Cruise Night, the opening event for the Turning Back Time Weekend scheduled for July 27 and 28. See more than 1,000 classic vehicles on Sunday.

JULY 31

Sustainable Sycamore, Sycamore Park District Legacy Campus, Community Center, 6 p.m.

A series of lectures on environmental topics presented by local group C.A.S.E.S. (Citizen Advocates for a Sustainable Environment). The July 31 session covers Composting.

AUG. 9

Music on the Patio, Sycamore Park District Outdoor Amphitheater, 6 p.m., all ages welcome. Kristina & Paul entertain with everything from popular party tunes to classic music from the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket and be prepared to dance the night away.

BMR4, Sycamore Park District Outdoor Amphitheater, 6 p.m.  The BMR4 is a Chicago jazz quartet that features some of the best players in Chicago including members of the Buddy Guy, Lonnie Brooks, and Patricia Barber bands. Bring a lawn chair or blanket.

AUG. 25 

Sycamore’s Ribs, Rhythm & Brews Fest, downtown Sycamore, 5-11 p.m. Enjoy lip smackin’ ribs from some of the best grill masters in the region. Wash wash it down with wide variety of refreshing brews and check out live music playing during the event. Visit discoversycamore.com for more details

AUG 27

August 27, 2019 – Tuesdays on the Town ‘Family Ag Night’, downtown, 5:30 p.m. Experience farm tractors, a petting zoo, and several interactive games for the entire family