The Galva Arts Council is thrilled to announce that it has been selected by the Levitt Foundation as a returning grantee for the 2026–2028 Levitt AMP Galva Music Series, securing a three-year grant totaling $120,000. The grant will be dispersed in annual increments of up to $40,000 and requires a dollar-for-dollar match from the community.

This funding ensures the continuation of one of the area’s most beloved traditions, bringing 10 free, family-friendly concerts to Wiley Park each summer. Since its inception in 2018, the Levitt AMP Galva Music Series has drawn tens of thousands of people together to experience world-class live music in a welcoming outdoor setting, strengthening community bonds and stimulating local pride and economic activity.

The Levitt Foundation selected Galva as a returning grantee after a competitive review process, citing the series’ proven impact, strong community support, and alignment with the Levitt mission of building community through music.

“This series has impacted life in this area immensely and in ways that are well beyond the concerts,” said John Taylor, founder of the Levitt AMP Galva Music Series. “This support allows us to continue offering high-quality, diverse, and inclusive concerts that are completely free to the public. It’s about more than just music—it’s about creating a place to live where people of all ages and backgrounds can come together, connect, and feel a sense of belonging.”

Taylor also emphasized the series’ broader impact: “These concerts not only enrich our cultural landscape but also generate real economic benefits for local businesses, restaurants, and vendors. On concert weekends, you can feel the energy ripple through town—families are out, shops are busy, and Galva shines as a welcoming destination.”

He added, “Of course, none of this would be possible without the incredible support of our community. The Levitt Foundation’s grant requires local matching funds, and year after year our neighbors, sponsors, and volunteers have stepped up to make sure these concerts continue. That kind of collective commitment is what makes Galva truly special.”

The Galva Arts Council is grateful to the Levitt Foundation, local sponsors, volunteers, and community members whose support makes this series possible. Planning for the 2026 Levitt AMP Galva Music Series is already underway, with more details to be announced in the coming months.

Anyone interested in donating or getting involved should reach out via the Levitt AMP Galva Music Series Facebook page or at GalvaMusic.com.

Cà d’Zan House Concerts is honored to present Cécilia, one of Canada’s most dynamic and exciting traditional music groups, on Sunday, September 21st. The evening begins with a potluck and social hour from 6:00–7:00 PM, followed by the concert at 7:00 PM. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on. This all-ages event has a suggested donation of $20–30 to support the artists.

About Cécilia

Cécilia is the inspired collaboration of three of Canada’s finest musicians: accordionist Timi Turmel, pianist/violinist Erin Leahy, and fiddler Louis Schryer. Together, they craft a thrilling blend of Celtic, Québecois, and traditional music infused with the freshness of jazz, swing, and classical influences. Their performances are joyous, virtuosic, and deeply human, inviting audiences to share in the sheer fun and connection of live music.

Their debut album, Accent, showcases the trio’s vibrant arrangements and rhythmic drive, and their concerts have been described as “overflowing with warmth, energy, and soul.” Whether weaving the intricate fiddle lines of Schryer—an 8-time Canadian Fiddle Champion—the powerhouse piano and violin of Erin Leahy of the world-renowned LEAHY family, or Turmel’s dazzling accordion playing, Cécilia creates an experience that lingers long after the final note.

Each performance is not just a concert but a celebration of tradition, innovation, and community. Audiences leave with smiles on their faces, uplifted by music that is as timeless as it is contemporary.

Event Details:

Who: Cécilia (Timi Turmel, Erin Leahy, Louis Schryer)

When: Sunday, September 21st

Where: Ca d’zan House Concerts, Cambridge, IL (Bishop Hill Creative Commons rain location)

Schedule: Potluck & Social Hour at 6:00 PM | Concert at 7:00 PM

Suggested Donation: $20–30 | All Ages Welcome

Bring: Lawn chairs or blankets

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience three master musicians at the top of their craft in an intimate small-town setting.

For tickets and more information please visit the link below.

The annual 19th century harvest festival Jordbruksdagarna (pronounced yord-brooks-DAH-ga-na) will take place Saturday September 27 and Sunday September 28, 2025 in historic Bishop Hill, IL. As always, there will be a variety of traditional craft demonstrations, food, vendors, and hands-on activities for the children during the 53rd Jordbruksdagarna (Swedish for “agricultural days”) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Demonstrations, hands-on activities, music, and the history skit are all free.

In the village park each day, artisans will weave, carve wood, forge metal, make butter, and more. Vendors will also be selling baked goods, crafts, and much more in the park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Musical performances will include Coffee Creek at noon and 2 p.m., and the Nordic Dancers of Chicago at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. each day at the gazebo.

Jordbruksdagarna is not just in the park but all over Bishop Hill. Uncle Bud’s Apple Cider Slushie and Pop of the Morning will be next to the Carpenter Building serving food and drinks. Nature’s Creations will be selling pumpkins, gourds, and more by the Colony Store. Behind the Bjorklund Hotel from noon to 4 p.m. each day, visitors, especially children, can try their hand at shelling corn, making bricks, pressing apples into cider, and creating a cornhusk doll. You can view sorghum pressing and cooking. Visitors can explore Henry County’s agricultural heritage at the Henry County Historical Museum, where a variety of antique tractors and implements will be on display outdoors. Each day at the Henry County Historical Museum and by the Krans Livery Stable, the Bishop Hill Agricultural Association will be conducting 19th century harvest activities. The Colony School will be hosting “Meet the Colonists” display. Author Mary Davidsaver will be doing a book signing at the Prairie Arts Center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tractor people movers will also be available to transport people around town to experience many of the activities, museums, and stores that Bishop Hill has to offer. All the previously mentioned activities will be occurring both days.

On Saturday September 27 only, at the Colony School, the Old Settlers’ Association will be selling their famous Colony Stew from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. At the Steeple Building Museum, the BHHA Acting Troupe will perform their Bishop Hill Colony history skit On the Road Again! starting at 11 a.m. In the southwest corner of the park, TriCo Equestrian Center will have pony rides from noon to 3 p.m. for a fee. Miller’s Petting Zoo will be located in the northwest corner of the park. The traditional Irish music duo “The Ammonites” will be busking outside the Bishop Hill Creative Commons from noon to 2 p.m. Author Jannifer Powelson will be doing a book signing at the Prairie Arts Center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. At the Henry County Museum from 1 to 2:30 p.m., there will be a presentation on Illinois Ho-Chuck Native Americans. Finally, the Bishop Hill Methodist Church will be having a bake sale and Operation Christmas Child will be having a pulled ham lunch by the Steeple Building.

On Sunday September 28 only, there will be a Community Church Service in the park at 10 a.m. open to all.

Jordbruksdagarna is organized by the Bishop Hill Heritage Association and supported by the Bishop Hill State Historic Site, Bishop Hill Agricultural Association, and VASA National Archives. The event is also partly funded by the Illinois Art Council, Nature’s Creations, State Bank of Toulon, TerraForm Power, Wilbur and Marilyn Nelson, River Valley Cooperative, Gold Star FS, Peck Farms, and Henry County Independent Insurance Agents Association. WJRE is our major media sponsor. The Cambridge FFA, Galva FFA, and Galva Boy Scouts provided special assistance, along with many other volunteers.

For more details about Jordbruksdagarna activities, call 309 927-3899, email bhha@mymctc.net, or visit the links below.

Residents of Illinois can safely and responsibly dispose of unwanted household hazardous waste at a FREE collection event on Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Rock Island County Fairgrounds, 4200 Archer Drive, East Moline.

Accepted items include aerosol paint, antifreeze, cleaning products, fluorescent bulbs, gasoline, herbicides, insecticides, oil-based paints, pesticides, used motor oil, and more. Please note that latex paint, electronics, appliances, and other non-household items will not be accepted.

Advance registration is required to reserve your drop-off time. To sign via the link below.

This event is hosted by the Rock Island County Waste Management Agency (RICWMA) in partnership with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA). Learn more about the event and RICWMA at the links below.

A prime collection of residential building lots in the newly developed Northpoint Estates Subdivision on the north edge of Galva is now officially on the market.

These lots, listed with Debbie Wright of Mel Foster Company (Kewanee), range from just under an acre to a substantial 6.40-acre parcel. Each lot is priced uniformly at $9,400 per acre, offering flexible opportunities for homebuilding and investment.

Here are just a few of the available lots:

All lots come equipped with essential utilities—city water, gas, and electricity—plus highspeed fiber internet access, and none are subject to HOA restrictions.

Listing Agent Profile

Debbie Wright, a seasoned REALTOR® with Mel Foster Company of Kewanee, brings over 14 years of experience and a strong track record in Galva area real estate. She holds certifications including ABR®, SRES®, and CRS, and has completed 67 sales in Galva in the last five years.

For those looking to build, invest, or simply enjoy country-site living with town conveniences, these lots represent a rare opportunity in a growth-minded community. Interested parties should contact Debbie Wright for further inquiries or to arrange a viewing.

To view the listings of the lots visit the listings available at the links below.

Congratulations to ELLORY GLASER for exemplary crosswalk design featuring Galva’s key agriculture harvest, the wind towers, and the wildcat’s paws in an inviting and exciting color arrangement. This design and others will be incorporated into the designated crosswalks around the town soon.

Thanks and Congratulations also to the following participants with exemplary work and ideas surrounding key themes:

Galva Life Theme

Around The Town Theme

Fun Cultural Moments Theme

Other Ideas Had Been Added by Allenia Space

Culinary, Fire Fighting & Police, Construction Tools, Wind Towers, Flowery Piano, Swedish Patterns, and more

Watch for an announcement for a fun community painting day!

A huge thank you to Allenia Space for brining this wonderful competition and beautification project to Galva!

Built using the free app TheClio.com, this tour includes historic and modern photos, brief historic text, a text to voice audio app, and professionally filmed narration. The tour starts at the south end of town, at the Bishop Hill State Historic Museum, and then leads visitors on a walking tour meandering through the entire village. Focusing on the Colony period with interludes of recent history, the tour weaves stories of the towns founding with more current affairs. It also includes traditional Swedish music intertwined with humor and insight. The tour is both a way of immersing yourself in a delightful afternoon walk or an armchair tour of this beautiful historic village.

The Clio app uses your phone’s GPS coordinates to recognize where you are and then shows you the information about that specific historic site. With the walking tour app, a simple map gives you directions on where to go next. Clio was originally designed to be a multimedia platform, but most sites simply use photos and text. Bishop Hill is pushing the envelope by adding a series of YouTube videos so you can carry your own personal narrator in your pocket.

The Bishop Hill Heritage Association sponsored the creation of the tour with a grant from the Bill and Susan Sherrard Foundation. This project was also made possible in part by a grant from Illinois Humanities, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Illinois General Assembly. Fox Tales International and Twin City Productions are responsible for the research, script, filming and editing. Photos were contributed by the Bishop Hill Heritage Association, the Bishop Hill State Historic Site, Lou Lourdeau and Brian “Fox” Ellis.