Canton’s Bicentennial celebration of the city’s 200^th birthday takes place June 20^th through the 29th, but a PRE-Bicentennial event is set for Thursday June fifth.  It will be from 4:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Official Time Out Sports Bar and Grill at 68 East Elm Street in Canton.  Attendees will be among the first to taste and purchase Big Creek Mill…a limited edition ten-year aged bourbon crafted exclusively for the Bicentennial by two Canton natives.  Only 100 bottles are available and they can be purchased only at the event for 100-dollars each.  All sales proceeds go to the Bicentennial Committee to help put together the June 20^th through the 29^th celebration.

            The June fifth Official Time Out event, with the cooperation of the Canton Area Chamber of Commerce and the Spoon River College Community Chorus, will have complimentary food, live music by the Rooftop Big Band, and a special skit…along with drawings to win Bicentennial collectibles including Big Creek Mill bottle number 0001.  There will be complimentary beer in a special cup.  Also, while supplies last, a free collectible etched drink glass will be given to those attending.  Canton’s Spoon River Junction Winery will also be on hand with their limited-edition Bicentennial version of the red vermouth (ver MOOTH’), Forgottonia (for gaw TOE’ nee uh).

            To learn more about the Canton Bicentennial, call 309-647-2677, email [email protected], go to https://cantonillinois.org/canton-bicentennial-information/, or the Canton Illinois Bicentennial 2025 Facebook page.