5 Things to Do: Watch eagles or swim in ice water like a penguin in the Illinois Valley

Here are five things to do this weekend:

Eagle Watch Weekend: Along with viewing eagles along the Illinois River in the Starved Rock area, live birds of prey programs will take place each day at Starved Rock Lodge, the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center, the Starved Rock Visitor Center and Utica Village Hall. Starved Rock Lodge and Utica Village Hall will host live birds of prey programs at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The Illinois Waterway Visitor Center and Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center will offer live birds of prey programs at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. each day, with an additional show at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center. The family-friendly weekend will offer children’s activities at three sites. All events are free and open to the public. Activities and programs have limited space, and no advanced registration will be available. A variety of educational and photographic exhibits will be on display in the Great Hall of Starved Rock Lodge from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. The Utica Village Hall will host a Children’s Bald Eagle Craft Time at 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Sadie also will be at the State Park Visitor Center at noon Sunday for photos. Children attending the Owl Pellet Dissection at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center will learn, hands-on, what kinds of prey become food for owls. Throughout the weekend, Starved Rock Audubon Society members will have viewing scopes at the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center and be available to answer all eagle questions. A shuttle service will be available both days to all four locations, departing from Starved Rock Lodge from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wristbands (for unlimited daily rides) will be $5 per day.

Penguin Plunge: The 15th annual Penguin Plunge fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Illinois will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Skydive Chicago, at 3215 E. 1969th Road, north of Ottawa. Make-A-Wish Illinois, the local portion of the national organization that grants wishes to children with critical illnesses, will receive all the proceeds from the plunge, whether donors choose to dive fully into icy waters of the local pond, lean over to dip a toe in or just hold a towel in support of others doing those things. Registration is free, but it is asked that each plunger or dipper raise $100 in pledges to benefit the cause.

Valentine Event: The family-friendly event is scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at First Congregational Church, 1431 Fourth St., Peru, featuring games, make-and-take crafts, a bake sale and a free box of valentines for kids (while supplies last). Bake sale proceeds and good-will donations will benefit Bubbles Coaching and Tutoring Curriculum.

Berry Valentini: A paint-and-sip BYOB event is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday at 408 Fine Arts Factory in Peru. The cost is $36. Call 815-223-4408 or register online at www.408fineartsfactory.com.

Round up for Waltham: A trivia night is scheduled at 7 p.m. Saturday at Senica’s Oak Ridge, 658 Route 6, La Salle. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tables are $100 for up to 10 participants. There will be cash prizes for the top three finishing teams. There will be raffles, a 50/50 and silent auction and a cash bar. Call Kyle at 815-910-6327 to reserve a table.

Would you like your event highlighted in this weekly feature? The first step is submitting your events to the Illinois Valley’s community calendar at shawlocal.com/illinois-valley/local-events.