Explore Utica UBA

09/05/2026

Meet Brandon Wilson. At just 20 years old, Brandon Wilson is turning a lifelong passion into a dream come true. A graduate of Ottawa High School and Illinois Valley Community College with a degree in Business, Brandon has opened Wilson General Store in the heart of Utica. With a love for antiques, collectibles, vintage treasures, and unique finds, Brandon created Wilson General Store to bring together items with history, character, and charm.

Whether you're a seasoned collector, searching for a special gift, or simply enjoy browsing one of a kind pieces, there's something for everyone.

As a proud local business owner, Brandon is excited to welcome visitors from near and far and become part of the Utica community.

Stop by Wilson General Store, meet Brandon, and discover the treasures waiting for you today!

09/05/2026

Explore Utica followers, this one’s for you!

Save 20% on Vintage Illinois tickets with code EXPLOREUTICA! 🍷

Join us September 19–20 at Carey Memorial Park for a full weekend of Illinois w**eries, live music, local food & plenty of sipping. Even better? Your ticket is good all weekend long, come Saturday, Sunday, or make a weekend of it and do both!

🎟️ Use code EXPLOREUTICA at checkout for 20% off General Admission or VIP tasting tickets.

Get your Vintage Illinois tickets here: https://www.vintageillinois.com/tickets/

Come for the w**e, stay awhile & Explore Utica! 🍂🍷

09/04/2026

Labor Day weekend plans? 🇺🇸☀️

Head over to Jack’s Restaurant & Bar at Grand Bear Resort for a weekend full of food, family fun & live music!

🍔 Cookout Special | Saturday + Sunday, 12–8 PM
BBQ grilled chicken, hot dogs, pork chop sandwiches, classic cookout sides & a sweet treat.
Adults $18 | Kids $9

🎨 Labor Day Activities | Monday, 12–5 PM
Free face painting • Scavenger hunt • Putt Putt Challenge

🎶 Plus, live music Friday & Saturday!
-Friday | Live music by BRIAN NEUMANN | 5:30 to 8:30 PM
-Saturday | Live music by JEFF MANFREDINI | 5:30 to 8:30 PM
-Sunday | Live music by CHRIS HAWKINS MUSIC | 3:30 to 6:30 PM

And while you’re here, make a day of it in Utica! Stop into town for a drink, grab a bite, browse the local shops, visit Market on Mill and see what else you can discover along the way!

There’s plenty to eat, sip, shop & explore this Labor Day weekend in Utica. 🇺🇸

📍 Utica, Illinois
📸 Flyer courtesy of Grand Bear Resort

09/04/2026

Spend Labor Day Weekend in Utica 🇺🇸☀️

From North Utica to South Utica, there’s plenty to discover. Stroll through town, stop by Market on Mill, grab a bite, sip something local, browse the shops and enjoy the outdoors.

This walkable little town won’t leave you hungry, thirsty or bored. Come spend the long weekend getting to know everything Utica has to offer.

📍 Eat. Sip. Shop. Explore.

And follow along to get to know Utica like a local. 💙

09/01/2026

What’s happening in Utica this month? 👀

There’s always something to eat, sip, shop & explore in Utica! Each month, we’re rounding up what’s happening around town so you can plan your next visit.

September is bringing us the best of both seasons. ☀️🍂 Soak up the last days of summer, settle back into the back-to-school routine, and enjoy the beautiful weather while it lasts. From Labor Day weekend to local events, w**e, and the first hints of fall, there are plenty of reasons to make your way to Utica this month.

📅 SEPTEMBER IN UTICA

🦅 Starved Rock Pow Wow
Saturday, September 12 | Carey Memorial Park
Learn more: https://www.starvedrockpowwow.org

🚗 Illinois Region Crosley Automobile Club
Sunday, September 13 | Carey Memorial Park

🍷 2026 Vintage Illinois W**e Festival
Saturday & Sunday, September 19–20 | Carey Memorial Park
For one weekend, Vintage Illinois turns Utica into the largest tasting room in the state! Now in its 23rd year, the festival brings w**eries from across Illinois together for a weekend of sipping and exploring.
🎟️ Tickets: https://www.vintageillinois.com/tickets/

And don’t forget to spend some time exploring everything else Utica has to offer while you’re here. Eat local. Sip something new. Shop small. Explore Utica. 💙

📍 Utica, Illinois

Save this post & send it to someone you want to explore Utica with this September!

09/01/2026

🍷 VINTAGE ILLINOIS W**E FEST IS ALMOST HERE! 🍇

One of Utica’s favorite weekends is just around the corner! Join us September 19–20 at Carey Memorial Park for the 23rd Annual Vintage Illinois W**e Fest! 🎶🍷

Enjoy Illinois w**es, live music, food, shopping, and a whole lot of fun in beautiful Starved Rock Country!

📅 Saturday, Sept. 19 | 11 AM–6 PM
📅 Sunday, Sept. 20 | 12–5 PM

🎟️ Get your tickets: vintageillinois.com

Grab your friends and come sip your way through the weekend! 🥂

**e

Illinois premier w**e and music festival brings together local w**eries, live bands, and a vibrant crowd in Utica. Plan your visit to Vintage Illinois for an unforgettable weekend.

08/31/2026

🏘️ UBA COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Village of North Utica ❤️

We’re so grateful for the Village of North Utica and the incredible support they continue to show the Utica Business Association and our local businesses!

Strong communities are built through partnerships, and we’re lucky to have a village that believes in supporting local businesses, events, and the people who make North Utica such a special place. 🤝

We truly appreciate everything the Village does to support the UBA, and we’re so glad to have such an amazing partnership! Together, we’re working to make our community an even better place to live, work, visit, and do business.

Thank you, Village of North Utica, for being such a wonderful community partner! ❤️

08/29/2026

🪶 TWO WEEKS AWAY! 🪶

The Starved Rock Pow Wow is just 2 weeks away! Mark your calendar for Saturday, September 12th and make plans to join us in Utica! ❤️

Come experience a day filled with Native American culture, dancing, music, food, crafts, and family fun in beautiful Starved Rock Country.

📅 Saturday, September 12, 2026
📍 Carey Memorial Park • Utica, IL
🌐 https://www.starvedrockpowwow.org

08/28/2026

🍺 UBA BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Ginger Road Brewing Company 🍺

If you haven’t stopped by Ginger Road Brewing Co. yet, consider this your sign! ❤️

Ginger Road Brewing Co. is all about small batches with BIG taste—and a whole lot of heart. What started as a passion project for its owners has grown into a welcoming, family-friendly spot where you can bring your crew, relax on the patio, and let the good times flow. 🍻

And seriously… the owners are some of the nicest people you will ever meet! They have created a place that feels less like a business and more like you’re hanging out with friends.

🐾 Dog-friendly patio (leashes required!)
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-friendly
🍺 Small-batch craft b**r
🥤 Homemade root b**r
🌿 Mostly outdoor seating
❤️ A brewery built on passion

📍 166 Mill St., Suite G, Utica

Bring your family. Bring your friends. Bring the dog. Come taste what Ginger Road is brewing! 🍻

08/26/2026

Hike + Camp was created from a simple idea: the outdoor lifestyle should not end when the hike does.
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Built through a collaboration between Starved Rock Hikers and Camp Aramoni, Hike + Camp brings together trail-ready gear, camping essentials, outdoor apparel, and curated provisions designed for weekends outside.
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Just minutes from Starved Rock State Park in downtown Utica, the store is a basecamp for hikers, campers, weekend travelers, park visitors, and anyone looking to make more of their time outdoors.
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From hiking essentials and camping supplies to thoughtful gifts, provisions, and local adventure resources, every detail is selected with purpose.

Hike + Camp Hours:
Monday: Noon–5 p.m.
Thursday: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Friday: 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

Hike + Camp is located in downtown Utica at 107 Mill St, just minutes from Starved Rock State Park.

Come experience the great indoors, inspired by the great outdoors.