February 04, 2025
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5 Things to Do: Ronald Reagan birthday, line dancing in the Sauk Valley

By 5 Things to Do in Sauk Valley
A brick building viewed from the street with a white sign reading "Mad Water Saloon."

Join in every Monday night at Mad Water Saloon in Dixon for line dancing and lessons at a cost of $2 per dancer. (Payton Felix)

Looking for something new to do in the Sauk Valley? Here is a list of five upcoming events:

  1. Ronald Reagan birthday celebration: Dixon will honor its favorite son, President Ronald Reagan, on Thursday, Feb. 6, to celebrate his birthday. To mark the date, the Young American Foundation, the current owners of the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home, plans to celebrate the event at the Northwest Territory Historical Center. The special guest will be former Secret Service agent Tim McCarthy. McCarthy is the agent who took a bullet while protecting President Reagan during the failed assassination attempt in 1981. Director Kyle Ferrebee said there will be a question-and-answer session after McCarthy’s presentation. Tom Wadsworth will be the moderator for the evening. Cocktail hour begins at 5:30 p.m., with the dinner to follow. To be a part of the evening, register at yaf.org. Adult tickets cost $25 each.
  2. 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.
  3. Dinner at the Legion: The Dixon American Legion will be serving roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetable, roll, salad and dessert from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7. The cost is $13. Call 815-284-2003 to reserve your meal, available for dine-in at the Post, 1120 W. First St., or for carryout.
  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 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.
  5. Line dancing with Dixon Country Dancing: Join in every Monday night at Mad Water Saloon for line dancing and lessons at a cost of $2 per dancer. The next session will be Monday, Feb. 10, at the Mad Water Saloon, 321 W. First St., Dixon. From 5:30-6 p.m. there is a more intermediate to advanced class where the group works on learning one challenging dance for four to five weeks. From 6-8:30 p.m. the floor is open dancing for all ages and levels, with lessons for different skill levels during part of the evening. Children are welcome until 8 p.m. with adults. Usually ages 8 and up do well with this class. Visit Dixon Country Dancing on Facebook or svdance.weebly.com.

• Would you like your event listed in this weekly feature? Submit your events to Sauk Valley Media’s community calendar at shawlocal.com/sauk-valley/local-events.

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