5 Things to Do: Wedding Expo, Vienna presentation planned in the Sauk Valley

Looking for something fun to do in the Sauk Valley?

Here are five suggestions:

The Sauk Valley Wedding Expo: The annual expo will take place from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2, at Northland Mall, located on Route 2 in Sterling. The event is considered the area’s largest wedding expo and is designed for couples to help plan their perfect wedding, all in one stop, according to a news release. The expo will feature a fashion show along with exhibits on flowers, tuxedos and a variety of other wedding staples. Couples who register are entered to win a $250 gift certificate to use at the wedding expo vendor of their choice.
Learn about Vienna: The Odell Public Library Friends will host Connie Koehn at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, at Odell Public Library, 307 S. Madison St., Morrison. The charm, beauty, history, variety and livability of Vienna all will be a part of this evening’s event, “Vienna – A Living Symphony.” Connie and her husband, Ron, have traveled extensively since they met while studying abroad in Salzburg, Austria. They also have had several extended stays in Vienna, most recently 2024, and through a photographic in-depth exploration of Vienna, Connie will bring this city alive with both her narrative and PowerPoint presentation. There is no charge; however, donations are welcome.
First Fridays Open Mic: Performers will take part in this monthly show at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, at Oregon Veterans of Foreign War Post 8739. The show starts at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free, although a jar is available for donations. Performers can sign up for time slots on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s best to arrive by 6 p.m. or earlier. For more information, call Jerry Tice at 815-449-2660. The VFW is at 1310 W. Washington St. in Oregon. It provides ample parking, along with the availability of a restaurant and bar within the building. A fish fry runs from 4 to 8 p.m.
The Stupor Bowl: The Dixon Public Schools Foundation is gearing up for its annual Stupor Bowl, a competitive community trivia contest supporting local education. The event will begin with morning rounds at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, in the Reagan Middle School cafeteria, 620 Division St., Dixon. The top four teams will continue to the playoffs at 1:30 p.m. The event costs $150 per team for nonprofits and families, and $300 per team for businesses. All proceeds will go to support the Dixon Public Schools Foundation, which already has donated more than $50,000 in classroom grants to area schools. The event also will feature a silent auction, with bidding on a variety of items throughout the day. To compete, participants must submit an online entry form, which is available at www.dps170.org. The deadline to submit the entry form is Tuesday, Feb. 4.
Flock to the Rock: The fifth annual Flock to the Rock is Feb. 8 in Rock Falls. Head down to the Lower Dam, 300 W. First St., Rock Falls, any time before 10 a.m. to view eagles soaring around the Rock River. Then, go over to Rock Falls American Legion Post 902, 712 Fourth Ave., (note the location change from previous years) at 10 a.m., when there will be two educational speakers. The first, from Northern Illinois Raptor Rehab & Education, will give an hourlong presentation about birds of prey and will bring birds such as owls and hawks. The second speaker will present a 45-minute program about Native American storytelling. Robert Storm, an ice carver, will entertain with his skills of live ice sculpting outside the American Legion. This event is free and welcomes all ages.

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