National Sweet Corn Festival

• 2nd weekend in August

• mid-June through October, downtown Main Street

Tri-County Fair Labor Day Weekend

3-D Archery Shoots at Snyder's Grove

Motor-cross at the Tri-County Fairgrounds

Annual golf tournaments

Sidewalk sales, craft shows and more...!

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A famous nearby attraction is Starved Rock State Park . A natural area on the Illinois River, the park has miles of hiking trails, deep canyons, sandstone bluffs, and the remains of two Indian villages. This beautiful 2,630-acre site offers camping, fishing, boating, hiking, and picnicking. The park lodge is a rustic log and stone structure with an enormous great room highlighted by a vaulted, log-beamed ceiling. Its central focal point is a huge, two-sided stone fireplace. In addition to camping, there are private cabins plus deluxe accommodations in the lodge, which includes an indoor pool and jacuzzi.

Matthiessen State Park is another nearby park. Rich in history and geological formations, the 1,938-acre park is a delight for flower lovers and bird watchers. Its principal canyon, a striking gorge nearly 200 feet deep and 50 to 60 feet wide, is a prime attraction.

Buffalo Rock State Park , located along the Illinois River, offers scenic views of the river along with hiking trails and unique earthen sculptures. Live buffalo are a favorite attraction to this 298-acre park.

The scenic Illinois River provides opportunities for fishing, boating, canoeing, and other water sports. Public docks are only minutes away from Mendota.

The Illinois and Michigan Canal State Trail offers trails for hiking, biking, jogging, and snowmobiling along the path once used to guide boats along the canal.

Hunters and fishermen find opportunities in our area. Northern pike, walleye, and small-mouth bass are among the numerous varieties of fish that frequent the Illinois River and dozens of tributary streams flowing through woodlands and pastures. Ducks and geese by the thousands headquarter in the region long after the winter freeze sets in.

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Hume-Carnegie Museum
901 Washington Street
Phone (815) 539-3373

• Newly remodeled cultural museum housed in Mendota's original public library (1904) with displays of local heritage

• Railroad memorabilia, a large operating model train display, a 1900 telegrapher's office and the operating Amtrak passenger station are features of the museum which opened in 1997

• Agricultural exhibits relevant to the history of Mendota

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Over 325 acres of parkland, 71 of which are lakeside.

Lake Mendota Park & Sports complex

• Pier and non-motor boat fishing
• Skateboard park
• 2 little league baseball diamonds
• 2 basketball/rollerblading courts
• sand volleyball court
• picnic areas with playgrounds
• shelters
• restrooms
• concession building

• Pier and non-motor boat fishing
• Shelter
• Trails

• 104 acre nature preserve with shelters, restrooms, picnic area, playground

• Picnic area, playground, ball diamonds, shelter

• 18 hole public golf course

• 2 indoor shuffleboard courts

Curves For Women Health Club
1313 Meriden Street
Phone (815) 539-3695

The Mendota community is committed to offering a host of recreation opportunities to its youth. These include little league, soccer, softball, and junior tackle football.

• Woodhaven Lakes Community
• Wild Bill Hickok State Memorial

© 2004 The City of Mendota
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