Are you up for a high speed challenge? Join us for a day of Power Boat racing on the Kankakee River on August 31.  This should be a fun and challenging day of photography for an event many of us have not tried to photograph before.  

Parking will be provided on the South bank of the Kankakee River in designated areas ONLY.  Parking in other areas runs the risk of being towed.  We will be going to the River Road Sports Complex to park and prepare. 

IMPORTANT---Pre parking passes will be available starting August 1.  We suggest Parkling Lot A if available. This lot is close to rest rooms, and close to the river. If this fills up, Parking Lot B at Kankakee Community College will be used for overflow, but farther from the river.  See links and maps provided in this email.  

IMPORTANT #2-READ ALL FAQ PROVIDED IN LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE EMAIL.   

I would encourage bringing chairs to sit on and stake out our spots.  Sunscreen would be advisable, and bug spray.  NOTE-No coolers, grills, or tailgating allowed. 

AGENDA:

8:00 am--Leave the QuikTrip at Neil/I74 

9:00am--(Gate opens)

10:00am--Arrive at River Road Sports Complex.  Parking Lot A is on Pirate Road at the L by the river across from Pirate Ship Park.

11:00am-Food trucks and Beer Garden Open

NOON: Races begin!

 Links: 

Home Page.  Make sure you read the FAQ section - https://kankakeeriverregatta.com/

Race information and park map -https://kankakeeriverregatta.com/services/race-information-2/

Event Facebook Page for event - https://www.facebook.com/people/Kankakee-River-Valley-Regatta/61577789000883/

RSVP to Steve Heater, Outing Coordinator at (heaterography@gmail.com)/

Welcome Back!!!!

As a tentative agenda, we will discuss what leadership has been working on all summer in our weekly zoom meetings. Since we do not have a President at the moment, we will share how we are going to handle this. Any other items about club plans will be shared, including upcoming meetings, outings and anything else club related.

As is the tradition, for the first meeting of the club year, we will be showing your favorite 10 photos from the summer, taken from mid May to the meeting date. If possible, please send these to [champaigncountycameraclub@gmail.com] with the title "2025 Summer Photos". This allows us to have photos ready to go quicker at the meeting, however, you are still welcome to bring photos on a flash drive for us to load on the laptop. Please arrive early if bringing photos on a flash drive.

Jpeg images are preferred. The maximum size for a projected image is 1400 x 1050 pixels. Images should be sized so they do not exceed 1400 pixels in the horizontal direction or 1050 pixels in the vertical direction. For example, an image that is 1400 x 1050 pixels is acceptable, but one that is 1450 x 1050 pixels is not. Also remember when entering an image in a vertical orientation, that the vertical dimension cannot exceed 1050 pixels. This also applies to the dimensions for a square format, which should not exceed 1050 x 1050 pixels.

We look forward to seeing everyone there to get reacquainted and tell us about your summer adventures!

We plan to leave at 8:00 a.m. and spend the day. Events include the following:

Saturday Morning – Hare & Hound Target Competition – 6:15AM

Saturday Evening Balloon Launch – 6PM

Saturday Evening Balloon Glow – 8PM/8:30PM

Other events include an art show, live bands, food trucks and balloon walks.

RSVP to Steve Heater

Join us for a day at the Monticello Railway Museum for the Southern 401 in Steam event.  The steam engines are impressive to see and photograph.  If you desire, you can even ride in a car pulled by the steam engine.  

We have been invited to come early to see the preparations for the steam engine event. Let's meet at the Museum, near the front door, at 9:00 am.  We can photograph there, and then move to a couple other locations that may give us opportunities for different perspectives.  We should be able to get some really amazing and unique images!

Contact Steve Heater to RSVP and for more information.

The planned rocket launch event at Dodds Park for 8/9 was canceled. We will, instead, be taking advantage of photographing the sunflower maze at Clearview Farm to start our morning of nature!

6:00 AM- Meet at the sunflower maze at Clearview Farm in NW Champaign.  This is on the corner of Olympian Drive at Saber Drive, near St. Thomas More High School. There should be ample parking.

After we are done there, we can cross Olympian Drive to Legacy Drive to walk around Legacy Ponds to look for birds, landscapes and macro photography. Note, there is parking on only one side of the street there. Try to park between the hydrants. Once we are done at Clearview Farm,  we will head over to Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Plan on using the Race Street parking lot.  Again, birds, landscapes, macro,  and the sculptures in the park. The prairie looks really good right now.

Weather:  currently, rain is expected to hold off until very late Saturday.  If this changes, any cancellation decision will be made Friday night.  Be prepared for humidity and heat and use appropriate insect and tick protection. 

Contact Steve Heater to RSVP or for more questions about this event.

Come join us at the Cherry Hills Church, 2125 Woodside Rd, Springfield IL for the Abe Lincoln Car Show on Saturday August 2nd. This looks to be a fun event, with a LOT of photo opportunities!I will wait at the QuikTrip, I74 and Neil St, Champaign,  until 730am for anyone wanting to caravan to Springfield. TRAFFIC NOTE - Woodside road will be closed from the railroad tracks to Chatham rd. All vehicles must enter from Chatham Rd. Directions - I72 to Exit 96. Left on McArthur Drive, and follow Knights Recreation Drive to Chatham Road.  Left on Chatham, then left into the church.  Let's meet at the NE corner of the spectator parking lot (near the C on the map) at 9:15am.

Contact Steve Heater to RSVP and for any questions you might still have about this event.