Make It Monticello

07/23/2025

Well that sounds like a great deal!!!

Kids Ride FREE July 26th and 27th!

All aboard for family fun at the Monticello Railway Museum! This Saturday and Sunday, July 26th and 27th, kids ride FREE with a paid adult on our diesel-powered weekend excursions. It’s the perfect summer outing — enjoy the sights, sounds, and nostalgia of a classic train ride.

Don’t miss out — grab your tickets now at mrym.org/schedule!

07/10/2025

Yay it’s Monticello Farmers' Market Day!! It’s going to be a full one so be sure to check it out!!

06/26/2025

Don’t miss out the Monticello Farmers' Market today and be sure to swing in to Hartfield Book Co. (and our other downtown retailers) while you’re downtown!!

06/12/2025

Here we go again...lots of fun things to do this weekend!! Check out Monticello Farmers' Market on Thursdays 3-6 starting today!! Dad's ride fee at Monticello Railway Museum this Father's Day weekend. Eli Field has the Aerotow this weekend that is always a fun activity. Cool off at the Monticello Family Aquatic Center! Don't forget all the great shopping in Downtown Monticello...many of our retailers and restaurants have shopping and dining guides if you need a refresher on what you can find!!

06/05/2025

Soo many fun things to do this weekend!!
Grab a train ride with the Monticello Railway Museum!
Enjoy some great music in a great atmosphere at Allerton Park and Retreat Center or the Monticello Community Building
Catch the Illinois High School Rodeo Association State Finals at the Piatt County Trail Blazers
Search out some treasures in Downtown Monticello. Find a map here: https://monticellomainstreet.org/play/Shopping_and_Dining_Guide

06/04/2025

Here's a great opportunity for the kiddos in the area to enjoy some art classes!! Check it out! Parents drop them off and do a little Downtown Monticello shopping! There is something for everyone!

✨Art Class Overview✨
🎨Wednesday June 11 & Thursday June 12, 2025
🎨All classes cost $25 and are held in the Garden Room of the Monticello Community Building in Monticello, IL.
🎨While the evening classes are adults only (BYOB) the other classes are designed for artists of ALL ages! 🥰

***Tap/Click the link for full class descriptions and sign up links.***
https://sites.google.com/view/summerartclasses/june-art-classes_1

06/03/2025

It’s been a busy day here in Monticello with filming at the old Hardee’s building and a great group of ladies visiting from the Downs IL HCE group!!

We were thrilled to help out those producing the film Chili Finger throughout Central IL!! We certainly hope all the actors, extras, production, catering, security, etc etc feel welcome. They will be shooting for the next few days!

Before we even knew about the filming we had a tour for these ladies booked! The ladies received a guided tour of State St Historic District, lunch at Brown Bag (they seemed to especially love their Pies by Inge treats) and then they were off for some Downtown Monticello Main Street district shopping!! Big thanks to Piattran (Piatt County Public Transportation) for their help with this tour!!

We’ve certainly caught some attention from our news friends: Meteorologist Kevin Lighty, WCIA 3 News
Mix 94.5 - Champaign/Urbana, IL, ReelChicago.com, Illini Media Group

You never know what could happen in Monticello!! Close to Everything, Far from Everyday!

City of Monticello, Monticello Area Chamber

05/16/2025

We ask that our friends, far and near, keep the Brown Bag family in their thoughts and prayers. Please show kindness patience as they navigate through this tough time. Many of you have met Harlean Swing the founder and owner of The Brown Bag here in Monticello, which will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary next year. She was a town institution and matriarch who will be missed dearly by our community and so many of our visitors. As of late, she had been unable to be at the Brown Bag regularly, but her spirit and heart never left and will always be felt in that space! Stories will be told for years to come...there are so many great Harlean stories! We know Leslie and the rest of the Brown Bag family will continue to build on her legacy, and my, what a legacy she has left!

05/04/2025

We’re not quitters!! We’ve got vendors setting up for our 10 AM start! BBQ, crafts, jewelry, hot sauce, lawn & garden, baked goods…….

Come out later and check out May Market!!

05/01/2025

We tried something new this week and want you to see it if you wish! We'll try to send an email no more than once a week, but maybe less when we figure out what works best, outlining upcoming events and activities for people to enjoy. We want to help our out-of-town friends, although we know many locals will also appreciate it, so the events and activities will appeal to visitors. We will still post these things on social media and do our radio calls, but this is one more way we want to communicate with those who love to visit Monticello!

If you didn't get the email and would like to receive it, go to this link, and there will be a box at the top where you can enter your information to join our email list. If it says you are on the list but didn't receive our email, check your spam folder and maybe whitelist [email protected] to correct that issue.

Thanks to those who gave feedback already!!

https://conta.cc/42zM9q

Email from Monticello Chamber   Sometimes dates are hard!! So sorry for any confusion... We're trying something new. We will never do this more than once a week, but we may adjust it to once a month i