Get ready for food trucks, art in Ottawa and fireworks in the Illinois Valley

Here are five things to do in the Illinois Valley this weekend and in the weeks to come.

1. Infinity Food Truck Festival/Art in the Park/Kids Expo: There’s no shortage of activities in downtown Ottawa on Saturday, starting with the new food truck festival. The Infinity Food Truck Festival will feature 21 food trucks offering a variety of cuisines from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Washington Square and Jordan Block. Some food trucks around Washington Square will stay open until 8 p.m. for the Music in the Park crowd. The Art in the Park art show and sale runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Washington Square with dozens of local artists displaying original artwork including paintings, graphics, sculptures, photographs, wood, glass, metal, ceramics, jewelry and mixed media. . Starved Rock Regional Center’s Celebration Kids Expo will also take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the Old Central School grounds near the YMCA with bounce houses, a car show, kids’ crafts, games and other activities.

2. Mendota Fireworks: The Mendota Fireworks Celebration will take place Saturday at 7 p.m. Food will be available from the Mendota Lions Club, Flo’s on Pulaski and Taco Guzman. New this year, there will be a Capture the Flag tournament. Registration forms can be picked up at the Chamber office, 800 Washington St., or at the Mendota Area YMCA, 1811 S. 13th Ave. The fireworks will take place around 9:30 p.m.

3. Marseille Fun days: The biggest Marseille festival continues until Sunday. Friday’s entertainment will include Fiddlerock from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Wreckin’ Dixie from 8 p.m. to midnight at Knudson Park. An obstacle course, gelly ball, four-way jousting, bounce houses, water slides and other activities will be set up from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and noon to 10 p.m. Saturday on Lincoln Street. On Saturday, the Blooze Brothers with their Blooze Mobile will perform from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, followed by Jessies Girl 80’s from 8:30 p.m. to midnight at Knudson Park. A fireworks display is planned for Saturday at dusk. The Fun Days parade is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m., as well as an afternoon pétanque and volleyball tournament at the Marseille Lions Club, 511 rue Commercial, and its fried chicken from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more activities and a complete program, go to the Marseille Fun Days Facebook page.

4. Rock the river: Peru will once again hold its fireworks display on Wednesday, July 3 on Water Street. The fireworks will begin at nightfall. Food vendors Big B BBQ, Maria’s, Dog House, Rosati’s and Mickey’s Massive Burritos will be located on the grounds. There will be an alcohol-free entertainment area for children to play games. Trolley service will be provided by Starved Rock Trolley from Fourth/Calhoun and Fourth/Putnam from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Valley Katz will perform from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at South Shore Boat Club, She’s a Maybe from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Riverfront Bar & Grill followed by DJ Chuck Dog and Tim Ajster Band from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Bridgetender’s Pub.

5. Toilet bowl races: Sheridan will offer a full range of Independence Day activities from Sunday through July 4. Activities include toilet bowl races in the village’s downtown area. Registration takes place at 2 p.m. and races start at 2:30 p.m. The person or group whose toilet bowl is the fastest will win the Golden Toilet Trophy. Go to the Sheridan Community Club Facebook page to pre-register or get more information.

Would you like your event to be highlighted in this weekly section? The first step is to submit your events to the Illinois Valley Community Calendar at shawlocal.com/illinois-valley/local-events.