Nestled just off Interstate 57, Arcola marks the entrance to Illinois Amish Country. Our quiet central location is just a little more than two hours from St. Louis, Indianapolis and Chicago. Tucked between the University of Illinois and Eastern Illinois University, our quaint community offers a variety of opportunities for working, relaxing, dining, shopping and learning for residents and visitors alike.
Arcola celebrates its heritage as "broomcorn capital of the world" with the renowned Broom Corn Festival. Visitors pack in every year the weekend after Labor Day. They come for numerous broom activities, unique arts and crafts, free entertainment, and great food. The festival's parade is Central Illinois' largest and is home to the world famous Lawn Rangers, who twirl and toss their brooms. The community still boasts ties to broomcorn and the broom industry with companies such as the Thomas Monahan Company and the Libman Company.
The community is also the birthplace of Johnny Gruelle, creator of Raggedy Ann and Andy. The Raggedy Ann and Andy Museum downtown commemorates the legendary pair and their creator. And every year, the community honors all three with the Raggedy Ann and Andy Festival. The festival, held in June, brings collectors from the world over to trade dolls and priceless stories of Raggedy Ann and Andy. The festival also provides a number of activities for families, especially children, to ensure that the National Toy Hall of Fame characters remain enamored in the hearts and minds of generations to come.
Arcola's historic downtown is lined with stately buildings and its original brick street. You'll find a host of unique shops that offer shoppers opportunities to purchase art, antiques, locally made Amish baked goods and hand crafted Amish furniture. And before heading out the countryside, head to the Amish Interpretive Center downtown to learn more about the history and heritage of the local Amish community.
With that knowledge in mind, you'll find a trip out of town to be more than a breath of fresh, country air. Farming styles are diverse: everything from the latest in farming technology for planting and harvesting to the the horse-drawn machinery of Amish farmers. Douglas County is home to Illinois' largest Old Order Amish settlement. The rural area is lined with Amish homes, businesses, and schools, plus horse-drawn buggies.
If you require something with a little more activity, novel adventures are right around the corner at Rockome Gardens. The theme park offers a chance to learn about the local Amish community and watch artisans produce ornate objects. New additions to the popular buggy and train rides are a petting zoo and large stock animal displays. Here, you'll see deer, elk and buffalo. Also available to visitors are fishing, horseback riding and kayaking. And new in 2007 was the launch of a light show to cap off the winter holidays.
