Get your Buzz On at Blaum Bros. Public House. Start the weekend off with a cicada-themed specialty cocktail created just for the Emergence Convergence. Available during regular business hours. Limited quantities, 21 and up.

This guided tour around scenic Casper Bluff Land and Water Reserve will focus on the the captivating life cycle of periodical cicadas. The tour will tell the story of the historic 2024 emergence convergence of both a 17 year Cicada Brood and a 13 year Cicada brood. Something that hasn’t happened since Thomas Jefferson was president 221 years ago. Free and RSVPs not needed.

If You Can’t Beat ‘Em, Eat ‘Em! In celebration of the historic 2024 Cicada Emergence Convergence enjoy a Blaum Bros. specialty cocktail paired with a delicious edible insect snack! Fare will include cicada and cricket delicacies. The Chicago Field Museum’s own Jim Louderman will be on hand to share his knowledge of cicadas and other unusual insects found in our area. Limited quantities, 21 and up. Ticket price TBD.

Bring the whole family to explore all of the ways that you can see signs of cicadas at Casper Bluff Land and Water Reserve.  We will be joined by Jim Louderman, Entomologist from the Field Museum, who will have interesting insect  displays and lots of insect knowledge to share with us. Peak cicada emergence in NW IL of 17-year brood is between May 15 and June 15, so we will see what we can find and learn about the cicada’s life above and below ground. Free and RSVPs not needed.

Join trained volunteer guides for a family friendly, interactive tour of the magical Casper Bluff Preserve. We invite you to learn about the unique ecology and geology of the Driftless Area on display at Casper Bluff, as well as the presence of Indigenous cultures going back thousands of years. The tour winds through acres of restored native prairie and oak savanna to the bluffs of the Mississippi River. Group size is limited and RSVPs required here.

Join trained volunteer guides for a family friendly, interactive tour of the magical Casper Bluff Preserve. We invite you to learn about the unique ecology and geology of the Driftless Area on display at Casper Bluff, as well as the presence of Indigenous cultures going back thousands of years. The tour winds through acres of restored native prairie and oak savanna to the bluffs of the Mississippi River. Group size is limited and RSVPs required here.

Join trained volunteer guides for a family friendly, interactive tour of the magical Casper Bluff Preserve. We invite you to learn about the unique ecology and geology of the Driftless Area on display at Casper Bluff, as well as the presence of Indigenous cultures going back thousands of years. The tour winds through acres of restored native prairie and oak savanna to the bluffs of the Mississippi River. Group size is limited and RSVPs required here.

Join trained volunteer guides for a family friendly, interactive tour of the magical Casper Bluff Preserve. We invite you to learn about the unique ecology and geology of the Driftless Area on display at Casper Bluff, as well as the presence of Indigenous cultures going back thousands of years. The tour winds through acres of restored native prairie and oak savanna to the bluffs of the Mississippi River. Group size is limited and RSVPs required here.

Join trained volunteer guides for a family friendly, interactive tour of the magical Casper Bluff Preserve. We invite you to learn about the unique ecology and geology of the Driftless Area on display at Casper Bluff, as well as the presence of Indigenous cultures going back thousands of years. The tour winds through acres of restored native prairie and oak savanna to the bluffs of the Mississippi River. Group size is limited and RSVPs required here.

Join trained volunteer guides for a family friendly, interactive tour of the magical Casper Bluff Preserve. We invite you to learn about the unique ecology and geology of the Driftless Area on display at Casper Bluff, as well as the presence of Indigenous cultures going back thousands of years. The tour winds through acres of restored native prairie and oak savanna to the bluffs of the Mississippi River. Group size is limited and RSVPs required here.

Join trained volunteer guides for a family friendly, interactive tour of the magical Casper Bluff Preserve. We invite you to learn about the unique ecology and geology of the Driftless Area on display at Casper Bluff, as well as the presence of Indigenous cultures going back thousands of years. The tour winds through acres of restored native prairie and oak savanna to the bluffs of the Mississippi River. Group size is limited and RSVPs required here.

Join trained volunteer guides for a family friendly, interactive tour of the magical Casper Bluff Preserve. We invite you to learn about the unique ecology and geology of the Driftless Area on display at Casper Bluff, as well as the presence of Indigenous cultures going back thousands of years. The tour winds through acres of restored native prairie and oak savanna to the bluffs of the Mississippi River. Group size is limited and RSVPs required here.

Join us at the Galena Center for the Arts for a performance by actor, musician and American Cruise Lines favorite Steven Marking.

One hundred years ago, Will Dilg was the singular driving force behind the formation of our Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge.  The Refuge borders all of Jo Daviess County, including three JDCF preserves.  In all, it covers 261 river miles and 244,000 acres of wildlife habitat, extending from the Chippewa River in Wisconsin to Rock Island, Illinois.  Steven Marking’s multi-media production showcases his talents as an actor, musician, and filmmaker, all in service of bringing to life the true story of the man who roused a nation to a fete of conservation never before imagined.

This event is presented in partnership with the Galena Center for the Arts.

Join trained volunteer guides for a family friendly, interactive tour of the magical Casper Bluff Preserve. We invite you to learn about the unique ecology and geology of the Driftless Area on display at Casper Bluff, as well as the presence of Indigenous cultures going back thousands of years. The tour winds through acres of restored native prairie and oak savanna to the bluffs of the Mississippi River. Group size is limited and RSVPs required here.

Join trained volunteer guides for a family friendly, interactive tour of the magical Casper Bluff Preserve. We invite you to learn about the unique ecology and geology of the Driftless Area on display at Casper Bluff, as well as the presence of Indigenous cultures going back thousands of years. The tour winds through acres of restored native prairie and oak savanna to the bluffs of the Mississippi River. Group size is limited and RSVPs required here.

Join trained volunteer guides for a family friendly, interactive tour of the magical Casper Bluff Preserve. We invite you to learn about the unique ecology and geology of the Driftless Area on display at Casper Bluff, as well as the presence of Indigenous cultures going back thousands of years. The tour winds through acres of restored native prairie and oak savanna to the bluffs of the Mississippi River. Group size is limited and RSVPs required here.