Ribs, oysters and beer, cars and more: 8 summer festivals on deck in Springfield

Enjoy local bands in downtown Springfield, dine on some ribs or check out classic cars.

There's a festival this summer for you in and around Springfield.

Here's a sampling of what's going on:

Chatham Jaycees Sweet Corn Festival

What: There's live music from Revel in Red (July 19) and Soul Experience and The Shenanigans (both July 20), food, vendors, a "sweet cornhole" tournament, a 5K, a Row4Dough to benefit Special Olympics, Ancient Games, children's activities and the Illinois Championship Cow Chip Throw.

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Where: Chatham Community Park, 731 S. Main St.

Downhome Music Festival

What: The Downhome Music Festival is a celebration of Springfield area bands. Money from all ticket purchases goes directly to the local musicians. The lineup includes The Timmys, Go! Tsunami, Sonic Sunday, They Came In Droves, Los Injectors, Wayward Motel, Torch's Hip Hop Hour, The Deep Hollow, Wolf Crick Boys and others.

Where: Seventh and Washington streets, downtown Springfield

When: July 26, 5 p.m. to midnight; July 27, 2 p.m. to midnight

Visit downhomemusicfest.com.

Powerlight Abe Lincoln Car Show

What: The 11th edition of the Powerlight Abe Lincoln Car Show Spectacular features awards in 60-plus categories. Claudia Wells, Michael J. Fox's girlfriend in "Back to the Future," will greet car show-goers.

Where: Cherry Hills Church, 2125 Woodside Road

When: Aug. 2, Cruise from Horace Mann parking lot to Cherry Hills Church, 6 p.m. Aug. 3, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Powerlight Abe Lincoln Car Show on Facebook.

Balloons Over 66

What: Some 35 hot air balloons are expected to descend on Lincoln. The weekend includes an art fair, a BBQ competition, a steak cookoff, a 5K and more.

Where: Balloons are at Open Arms Lincoln, 1321 Illinois 10. Other activities are at Lincoln on the Square, 601 Broadway St.

When: Balloon launches, 6 p.m., Aug. 23-24; 6:15 a.m., Aug. 25. Balloon glow, 8 p.m., Aug. 24

Visit destinationlogancounty.com for detailed schedules.

Staunton Ribfest

What: Ribs, chicken kabobs, pulled pork, bratwurst and more in a St. Louis BBQ Society-judged event, plus live music from The Damned Torpedoes (A Tom Petty Experience) and Up to Eleven.

Where: Staunton Firemen's Park, 900 E. Montgomery St.

When: Noon, Aug. 24

Visit Facebook page.

Springfield Oyster and Beer Festival

What: There's live music, craft beer, cider and, of course, saltwater bivalve mollusks. Proceeds benefit charity.

Where: The Inn at 835, 835 S. Second St.

When: Noon to 5 p.m., Aug. 31

Tickets are $30 to $85. Visit sobfestival.com.

Bluegrass concerts and Traditional Music Festival

What: Performers from all over the Midwest gather for concerts at the outdoor theater. Musicians will be playing traditional music on such instruments as mountain and hammer dulcimers, concertinas, bones, autoharps, fiddles, banjos and guitars.

Where: Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site, 15588 History Lane, Petersburg

When: Bluegrass concerts (Kelso Hollow), 6 to 10 p.m., Sept. 6-7; Traditional Music Festival (throughout village), 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sept. 7

Visit lincolnsnewsalem.com.

Art Spectacular at the Carillon

What: Art Spectacular is a professionally juried fine art and craft show featuring collector and museum-quality works.

Where: By the Thomas Rees Carillon, Washington Park, 1740 W. Fayette Ave.

When: Sept. 14, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sept. 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

: Visit carillon-rees.org.

Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788; sspearie@sj-r.com; X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.