Small town communities and long-running annual celebrations seem to go hand in hand. The village of Herscher fully embodies that notion, having hosted its 104th annual Labor Day Celebration over the weekend - the longest running annual event in Kankakee County.

More than 200 demonstrators gathered outside the Grandon Civic Center and Sterling’s post office on Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, joining thousands across the country in a “Workers over Billionaires” Labor Day protest aimed at highlighting labor struggles and income inequality.

Yorkville celebrated the last holiday weekend of summer with its annual Hometown Days festival, held over Labor Day weekend, Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 28-31, at Beecher Community Park, 908 Game Farm Road, Yorkville.

Former 6-term Herscher Mayor Ray Schneider will be honored as Herscher's Labor Day parade grand marshal.

The annual Herscher Labor Day Celebration kicks off Saturday and activities run through Monday, highlighted by the Grand Parade at 10:30 a.m.

The Byron Public Library will be closed in observance of Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, and will reopen for regular hours Tuesday, Sept. 2.

After an 11-year hiatus, the Kankakee River Valley Regatta has scored a two-year commitment from the American Powerboat Association for a national event for Labor Day weekend 2025.

The Joliet Police Department is conducting a traffic safety campaign aimed at reducing impaired driving and other hazardous driving behaviors now through Sept. 3.

The village of Manhattan will be hosting its third annual Labor Day Party on Sunday, Sept. 3

DeKalb County law enforcement agencies plan to step up patrols starting Friday through the Labor Day holiday weekend Sept. 5 to combat potential drunk or impaired driving.

Patrols include occupant restraint enforcement and distracted driving

Mask up, step back, be safe