Osage Orange Festival returns as part of celebration for Class of 2024
Illinois College will host the Osage Orange Festival on Saturday, May 11, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Memorial Lawn located at the corner of Mound Road and Lincoln Avenue.
The all-ages event is free admission and open to the public. The evening will feature face painting, inflatables, games and more. A variety of the area’s favorite food trucks including Twyfords BBQ, Leo’s on Wheels and Lazy Laker will provide festive food and drink options, including beer and wine, for purchase.
The annual celebration kicks off the 190th Commencement Weekend and will serve as a welcome to the graduating Class of 2024 and their families as they join the Illinois College alumni community.
The festival dates back to 1882, when students and faculty would break from their studies to picnic and trim the Osage hedge that surrounded campus. In that same spirit, Illinois College welcomes the Jacksonville community, alumni and friends to join in the fun tradition.
The Illinois College Alumni Association will host the event. Osage Orange Festival and Senior Celebration attendees are invited to RSVP online to help with planning, but all are welcome to attend without an RSVP. For more information about Commencement Weekend, visit www.ic.edu/commencement.