Joey McLaughlin talks with the Illinois Times’ Michelle Ownbey about what is going on this holiday weekend.

Springfield Oyster and Beer Festival
SATURDAY: 12-5
6,000 oysters, three food trucks serving pizza, gyros and more plus 50 different kinds of craft beer and live music. This year’s beneficiary is Downtown Springfield, Inc.
The Inn at 835

Springfield Mile
SATURDAY, SUNDAY
The annual doubleheader of the world’s premier flat track motorcycle racing series.
The grand marshal for this year’s event in Angela Savage, and a restoration of her father’s 1973 Indy car will be on display, along with vintage photographs and racing memorabilia.
Illinois State Fair Grandstand

Prairieland Chataqua
FRIDAY, SATURDAY
Live music, storytelling, historical re-enactors presenting a peak into Morgan County’s history. Free event with family entertainment for all ages.
Nichols Park, Jacksonville

Healing Arts Festival
SATURDAY: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Eight musical acts take the stage over eight hours, plus demonstrations by holistic Reiki and nutritional practitioners.
Buzz Bomb Brewing

“Violins of Hope”
THURSDAY: 5:30
Opening reception and recital – free, but reservations required. Internationally known exhibit – many of the instruments belonged to Jews before and during WWII. Continues through Sept. 13 with a variety of concerts and lectures.
Illinois State Museum