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MARENGO, ILLINOIS
Everything happening in Marengo, delivered every week.
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| SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2026 |
ISSUE NO. 17 |
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THIS WEEK'S ISSUE IS SUPPORTED BY
Sunstone Glow and Wellness
Tanning, red light therapy and recovery, now open on Grant Highway
Paid placement. Sponsors have no say in what we cover.
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Settlers' Days starts Friday. Carnival, the parade Sunday at 2, and a few days of running into everybody you know downtown. Full schedule and street closures are below. This week's stories: the 38 acres behind Forest Street, the September 28 council meeting, and chronic absenteeism in the schools.
THIS WEEK'S STORIES
TOP STORY
GOVERNMENT · SEPTEMBER 30
Behind the homes on East Forest Street sits one of the biggest pieces of empty land inside Marengo's city limits. The city approved a subdivision there by 2007, which marketing materials describe as 54 duplexes and 24 houses. None were built. Public records tell the story of what happened instead, and why the land is suddenly worth watching again.
MEETING RECAPS
MEETING RECAPS · SEPTEMBER 29
Marengo will ask the state why it can't add a fourth road off the I-90 roundabouts on Route 23, after a property owner asked the city to reconsider a 2018 promise not to seek one. The council also worked through a rewrite of the city's building code, due back for a vote October 12, and approved an after-the-fact $35,331.50 change to the Meyer Road paving job.
SCHOOLS
SCHOOLS · SEPTEMBER 28
Before the pandemic, both Marengo school districts had lower rates of chronic absenteeism than Illinois as a whole. In the most recent state data, both are higher. We asked all three districts serving the area what changed. None of them said the counting did.
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Events This Week
What's happening around Marengo
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Banned Books Week
Let books be. Protect the freedom to read. A display of banned books will be available for patrons to peruse.
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Video Gaming Club
Level up your library fun! Join us for video games on our Xbox or Switch. Feel free to grab a controller or bring your own device for plenty of play! Free; registration required at muld.org.
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Create & Connect
A fun and relaxing way to spend an evening! Patrons ages 14 and older are invited to create a fun craft. Whether you come with a friend, a family member, or on your own, you'll enjoy a welcoming atmosphere, great conversation, and a chance to get creative. Free; registration required at muld.org.
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Chair Yoga
Join us for a relaxing session of Chair Yoga, a gentle form of yoga done while seated or using a chair for support. Perfect for all fitness levels, this class focuses on stretching, breathing, and improving flexibility, no floor work required! Free; registration required at muld.org.
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Cards and Tiles
Join us for Mahjong and maybe even a game of Pinochle! Beginners are always welcome. Free; registration required at muld.org.
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Marengo Boys Soccer vs. Winnebago
Marengo hosts Winnebago in varsity boys soccer, 4:30 pm at the high school soccer field, 110 Franks Rd.
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Homeschool Adventures
Join us throughout the year as we travel the globe without leaving the library! In this homeschool series, we'll explore different countries, cultures, traditions, geography, and more through hands-on activities, crafts, and learning. Free; registration required at muld.org.
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Marengo Boys Soccer vs. Rockford Lutheran
Marengo hosts Rockford Lutheran in varsity boys soccer, 4:30 pm at the high school soccer field, 110 Franks Rd.
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Toddler Storytime
Toddler Storytime encourages a love of reading through age-appropriate stories, music, and movement. Perfect for toddlers and their caregivers to enjoy together. Free; registration required at muld.org.
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After School Adventure Society
The After School Adventure Society invites kids ages 9-14 to dive into fun, beginner-friendly tabletop adventures featuring ready-to-play characters and imaginative one-shot quests. Free; registration required at muld.org.
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Settlers' Days Movie
An American Tail (1986) Rated G, 80 min. Universal Pictures.
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Settlers' Days: Carnival Opens
Settlers' Days weekend opens. The carnival (Skinner's) opens at 5 p.m. in the municipal parking lot by the railroad tracks and runs to 10 p.m. Also Friday: Cody's Farm 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., pumpkin decorating at Locust School 4 to 5:15 p.m., bingo at the Firehouse 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., and Beads for Bail at Northside Tap at 7 p.m. Pre-sale ride bracelets are $30 through Oct. 8. Full schedule at settlersdays.com.
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Settlers' Days: Saturday Night on Main Street
The festival's big evening downtown: live music on two stages (Main Stage: Jack Beltz 5 p.m., Electric Brew 6:30, Back Country Roads 8:30; North Stage: Prince and Princess pageants 5 p.m., Embers Rise 7), food vendors, crafts, kids' activities, street performers and the Chamber's beer tent at 100 W. Washington St., licensed 5 to 11 p.m. Route 23 is closed from the Route 20 stoplight to Railroad Street from 3 p.m. to midnight, and West Washington from State to Ann from 11 a.m. Saturday to 4 p.m. Sunday. The carnival runs 1 to 11 p.m. Earlier Saturday: car show and crafts fair at MCHS, Touch-a-Truck at Zion, the MASEF 5K, the pet parade and more. Full schedule at settlersdays.com.
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Settlers' Days Car Show
Car show with a DJ and food truck, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Marengo Community High School, where it moved last year from Calvin Spencer Park. Registration opens at 9 a.m.; $10 pre-registered, $15 the day of. The arts and crafts fair runs alongside it in the same place, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Part of the Settlers' Days weekend, Oct. 9 to 11.
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Settlers' Days Parade
The Settlers' Days parade steps off at 2 p.m. from East Railroad Street, runs down Main Street to East Washington, then down Washington to Prospect. This year's theme is "All-American Affair: A Star-Spangled Spectacular," for the country's 250th. Route 23 is closed from the Route 20 stoplight to Railroad Street from 1 to 4 p.m. Also Sunday: pancake breakfast at the Union fire station 7 a.m. to noon, carnival 1 to 5 p.m., and the marching band field show competition at 4 p.m. at Rod Poppe Field, MCHS. Full schedule at settlersdays.com.
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CLOSED for Settlers' Days Parade
The Library will be closed. Meet us at the Settlers' Days parade!
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City Council Meeting
Regular Marengo City Council meeting, 7:00 pm at City Hall, 132 E Prairie St. Open to the public.
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Art lab
Mondays are for makers! Come learn about a topic and create a masterpiece with us! This month: Watercolor Spider Webs Watch your artwork come to life! Free; registration required at muld.org.
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Marengo Weekly
Everything happening in Marengo, delivered every week.
© 2026 Marengo Weekly. All rights reserved.
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