Friends of the Hennepin Canal

Sheffield, IL 61361

On the Hennepin - A Day of Discovery
Oct 7, 2007

Thanks to all who attended "A Day of Discovery" and made it a huge success. Many thanks go out to all who helped with the planning and putting on the event. Please feel free to share your thoughts on the days' events.

Limited number of T-shirts are still available. Cost is $15.00 for adult sizes and $!0.00 for youth sizes.

day of discovery logo

The Friends of the Hennepin Canal invite you to a fun filled day on the Canal on Sunday, October 7, 2007. Join us as we celebrate the Hennepin Canal's 100th year. Events and times are subject to change:

8:00am - 10:00am
- Registration for 100K Bike Ride - Ride 100 kilometers on the Canal banks; cross bridges and aqueducts, all while enjoying the nature along the Canal. (Bike helmets for young people are strongly recommended fro their safety.) Start at any time and peddle at your own pace. Is a 100k ride too far, then just ride the recreational paths as far as you want and then return. There is no fee for the "Hennepin Hundred". Waivers will need to be signed. T-shirts will be available for purchase.
11:00am - 3:00pm
- Self Guided bike tours - Bring your bike and take a ride along the canal, go as far as you want and return to the Visitor's Center.
- Self Guided hikes - Take a stroll along the Hennepin Canal and see what the canal has to offer or hike the 4.5 miles of mowed paths inside the parkway where you will see upland timbers, natural prairies, wetlands, and a waterfowl observation area. Perhaps you will see some of the many critters that call the parkway home, including: white-tail deer, pheasant, squirrels, rabbits, a variety of birds like indigo buntings, doves, finches, cardinals, & field sparrows. The parkway has an abundance number of native grasses & flowers to enjoy.
- Historical Societies - Geneseo and Wyanet Historical Societies will be bringing canal memorabilia. So step back in history with the family to see how the canal was build and who (maybe some relatives) helped build the canal.
- Army Corp of Engineer - presentation from when the Corp was the overseer of the canal.
- Book Signing - Betty Marchon will be on hand to sign her just release book on the canal - "An Engineer's Dream"
- Share a Memory - Bring your favorite canal pictures and your stories about your experiences on the canal and record them for the future generations.
- Tours - Enjoy a tour of the Visitor's Center which including an art show featuring different art pieces from various local artists.
- Food - "Roast your own" hot dogs over a campfire, chips, soda, water, and marshmallows.
- Music - Live acoustical music and Water Harp Music will be featured throughout the day.
12:00 (noon) - 2:15pm
- Montreal Canoe Rides - The DNR is bringing a 34 person canoe and is offering canoe rides in the lagoon. Bring the kids for a memorable ride in the canoe.
1:30 - 3:00 pm (registration at 12:45pm)
- Fishing Derby - The Better Fishing Association will be holding a fishing derby for youth ages 6-15.
3:15pm
- Raffle - Help support the Friends and purchase raffle tickets for some great prizes. Tickets $1 each or 6 for $5.00. (Need not by present to win, but winners are responsible for picking up their prize.)
  - Boys bike - 20" BMX Racing Bike (No Exchanges) donated by B & B Lawn Equipment & Cyclery, 820 S. Chicago Street, Geneseo, IL 61254, 309-944-2660
  - Night stay at the Cozy Comfort Cottage (located on the Hennepin Canal near Mineral) donated by Cozy Comfort Cottage
  - Framed picture of the Hennepin Canal, picture by Bryon Dudley
- Silent Auction - "Historic Package" includes framed drawing of the bridge at Lock 21, stamps, t-shirt, copy of the proclaimation, and a copy of "An Engineer's Dream" signed by Betty Marchon.
4:30pm
- Grand Finale - "Locktender" by Dexter Brigham - a dramatic presentation about life on the canal centering on the Canal's early history. Performed stage in the lagoon. Featuring four short acts.
  - Act 1 - A Call to Action, March 24, 1874. Mr. Augustus G. Langworthy Jr. speaks at the Rock Island convention.
  - Act 2 - An Orange Peel of a Different Color, November 10, 1907. An Irish laborer named Fin watches the Marion pass by from the canal bank.
  - Act 3 - The Key to a Lock is the Person Who Turns It, June 22, 1951. A lock tender tells his wife that the canal is being decommissioned.
  - Act 4 - ... And From the Ashes..., May 22, 1978. A canal lover speaks at the National Registry of Historic Places ceremony.
- Party time - Sing "Happy Birthday" to the canal and join us for free cake and ice cream!

Directions to Hennepin Canal Parkway Visitor's Center:

Take I80 to exit 45. Turn South onto Route 40. After the s-curve take the first right and follow blacktop road into the Visitor's Center to the main parking lot. We will meet under the shelter by the parking lot.

Thanks to our many sponsors that are making "A Day of Discovery" happen.

Byron Dudley photos for sale of the Hennepin Canal

For more information e-mail us.

On the Hennepin - A Day of Discovery Oct 7, 2007

Directions to Hennepin Canal Parkway Visitor's Center:

Thanks to our many sponsors that are making "A Day of Discovery" happen.

Other sponsors of On the Hennepin - A Day of Discovery:

On the Hennepin - A Day of Discovery
Oct 7, 2007