SPONSORED BY

Good morning, Princeton friends. Fall is officially here, and so is your Tuesday edition. In today’s issue: big changes at Festival 56, a tough Friday night for the Tigers, tethered balloon rides for spooky season, and a full slate of upcoming events, homes for sale, business news, job openings, and preview what’s playing at the Apollo.

That’s 🔥

—Justin Bullington

📬IN THIS ISSUE

💡What You Should Know
🏠Princeton Homes for Sale
☀️Princeton Weather
⛽️Princeton Gas Prices
🗓️Upcoming in Princeton
💼Princeton Businesses
🐅PHS Varsity Football
🍿At the Apollo

💡WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• BCR: Festival 56 has appointed Marc Bitler as its new Producing Artistic Director, marking his return to the Princeton theater company after a decade away.

• The Princeton Tigers fell to the Monmouth-Roseville Titans, 36-8 in a Three River Mississippi Conference matchup Friday night in Princeton.

• Princeton Tigers Cross Country Rock River Run Results

• Bureau County Railroad Crossing to be Closed Up to 7 Days

• The Tiskilwa Historical Society invites the community to a special free program on Monday, October 13th at 7:00 p.m. with award-winning Ojibwa author and Illinois Humanities Road Scholar Kim Sigafus McIver.

• The Princeton Chamber of Commerce is selling tethered hot air balloon ride tickets for the Monster Mash Balloon Bash. Limited spots are available online now—don’t miss the chance to float into spooky season.

🏠PRINCETON HOMES FOR SALE

• Listed at $499,900, this 2,934 sq. ft. brick two-story home features 6 bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms, offering endless possibilities on over 2 acres in a prime location. A circular driveway leads to a spacious layout that includes a 4-car garage, first-floor bedroom, and generous room sizes such as an 11’ x 15’ primary suite. With 6 total bathrooms (5 full, 1 half) and bedrooms measuring up to 10’ x 14’, this well-designed home has been long admired and is now finally available. It combines comfort, space, and convenience in a property perfect for family living or entertaining.

• Priced at $265,000, 823 W Central Ave in Princeton, IL is a charming 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath home offering 2,292 sq. ft. of living space on a 0.3-acre corner lot. Built in 1886, this move-in-ready home features rich wood trim, hardwood floors, an original staircase, and a remodeled kitchen with quartz countertops, subway tile backsplash, and a large center island with pendant lighting. The home includes an inviting living room with natural light, a spacious upper-level bonus room, main-level laundry, and a mix of old-world character and modern finishes throughout. A 2-car attached garage, an additional detached garage, and a flexible layout make this property ideal for both everyday living and entertaining.

• 1007 W Farnham St, Princeton, IL 61356 is a spacious 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath home listed at $159,900. The property sits on nearly half an acre with a fenced yard, a two-car detached garage, and an additional storage shed. Inside, the home offers built-ins throughout, a den/office with a closet that could serve as a fourth bedroom, and several updates including a new roof in 2023, exterior paint in 2022, and a water heater in 2021. Additional features include fruit trees, a long driveway with ample off-street parking, and updated windows throughout most of the home.

🌼DANDELION WISHES REFURBISHED FURNITURE

Michelle DeVoss has this hand-painted jewelry cabinet available at her home shop in Princeton for $135. Standing 40” tall by 15” wide and 8” deep, it’s a one-of-a-kind statement piece. 

Be sure to follow “Dandelion Wishes Refurbished Furniture” on Facebook for upcoming projects! Michelle can be reached through Facebook Messenger or by email at [email protected]. 

🌤️PRINCETON WEATHER

🌤Today: Mostly sunny and hot, high near 90°F with a light SSE 5–10 mph breeze and humidity ~57% (UV moderate, rain unlikely). Evening turns partly cloudy and cooler near 56°F with SE ~5 mph winds. Moonrise 3:24 PM (waxing gibbous).

🌤️ Wednesday: Very warm with clouds mixing with sun, high around 86°F; SSE 5–10 mph, humidity ~58%, 0% precip (UV moderate). Night is partly cloudy, low near 59°F, winds light SSE ~5 mph, humidity ~74%. Moonrise 4:01 PM, moonset 12:14 AM.

🌤️ Thursday: Sunshine and clouds mixed, high near 87°F with a S wind 5–10 mph; humidity ~57%, rain unlikely (UV moderate). Night stays partly cloudy around 60°F with a light SSE ~6 mph breeze, humidity ~75%. Moonrise 4:33 PM, moonset 1:22 AM.

☀️ Friday: Mostly sunny despite a few afternoon clouds; hot high near 89°F with S 5–10 mph, drier humidity ~51%, and no rain (UV moderate). Night is mostly clear, mild around 61°F, with SSE ~5 mph and humidity ~68%. Moonrise 4:59 PM, moonset 2:35 AM.

🌤️ Saturday: Warm and mainly sunny with a few fair-weather clouds, high around 88°F; winds W 5–10 mph, humidity ~57%, 0% precip (UV moderate). Evening brings a few clouds, low near 62°F, winds light/variable (E ~5 mph) with humidity ~76%. Moonrise 5:23 PM, moonset 3:47 AM.

⛽️PRINCETON GAS PRICES

Regular

Amoco, 720 N Main St: $3.04
Sullivan’s Foods: $3.06
Casey’s West/North: $3.09
Beck’s West/North: $3.09
Road Ranger, N Main St: $3.05
Shell, 2225 N Main St: $3.09

🗓️UPCOMING IN PRINCETON

👻 Nightmare Haunted Attraction – Haunted barns, bonfire & concessions at Bureau County Fairgrounds, 811 W Peru St. Opening night Friday, October 3, 7–10 PM.

🎨 Fall Craft and Vendor Show – A wide selection of fall crafts and goods at Bureau County Fairgrounds, 811 W Peru St. Saturday, October 18, 8 AM–2 PM.

👖 Pumpkins & PJs – Apple cider, donuts, and pumpkin painting at The Knack, 906 N Main St. Monday, October 13, 10 AM–4 PM. $7 kids, $10 adults + cost of pottery.

🎃 Trunk-or-Treat at Liberty Village – Fun games, food & candy at Liberty Village of Princeton, 140 N 6th St. Thursday, October 16, 4–6 PM.

🎸 MOJO ROCKS LIVE at BARREL SOCIETY – Live podcast recording at Barrel Society, 903 N Main St. Saturday, October 11, 5–9 PM. The show airs October 17.

🚜 Heritage Tractor Halloween Howl – Trick-or-Tractor & costume contest with treats and John Deere toys (while supplies last). Heritage Tractor, 20144 1800 Ave N. Saturday, October 25, 8 AM–12 PM.

🏀 Harlem Wizards Game – High-flying hoops and family fun at Logan Jr High School (Pannebaker Gym), 302 W Central Ave. Tuesday, October 28. Doors open 5:30 PM, game at 6:30 PM.

🛠️ Princeton Swap Meet – Find old garage treasures at Walneck’s Motorcycle Swap, 811 W Peru St. Sunday, November 9, 8 AM–2 PM. $10 admission, $50 vending.

🎶 Wild Card at Hawg House – Day drinking and live music at Hawg House Saloon, 18066 US Hwy 6. Wednesday, December 31, 3–7 PM.

🔒PRINCETON NOW PREMIUM

• Princeton NOW Premium subscribers receive:

  🚫Ad free

  ❤️Local Obituaries

  🚔Arrests

  🏡Property Transfers

  🔍Health Department Food Inspections

  💍Marriages

  🏛️Board and City Council Meeting Summaries

  ⏫Upgrade your newsletter today and join 191 others.

💼PRINCETON BUSINESSES

• Sisler’s Ice Cream will be open Friday, October 3 from 4 to 10 p.m. for Witches Night Out and will be selling their 5th and final year of Witches Night souvenir mugs. If you’ve collected the first four, this is your last chance to complete the set. Mugs are $15 and include a scoop of ice cream for $2.

• Tailholt Trading Post brought out several unique pieces from storage and returned them to the shop this week. Each item is priced to sell and available now.

• Bureau County Senior Center is hosting Bingo and Dinner on Tuesday at 5 p.m. The cost is $5, and participants are asked to call Sam to sign up.

• Cafe Grace is serving up daily lunch and dinner specials including an $8 burger basket Tuesday, Firecracker Shrimp Salad Wednesday, and Taco Salad Thursday. Hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday–Thursday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4–8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.

• The Studio will host the Hocus Pocus Hags during Witches Night Out on Friday, October 3. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. in The Studio parking lot.

• Miss Betsy’s is now offering donut toppings like chopped peanuts or coconut—just ask when you order.

• Join Mojo Rocks for a live podcast recording at Barrel Society on October 11 from 5 to 9 pm, which will air October 17.

• The Knack is hosting Pumpkins & PJs on Monday, October 13 from 10 am to 4 pm, with no reservations needed and prices starting at $7 for kids and $10 for adults.

• Myrtle’s Pies will be closed for vacation from October 6 to 15.

• Barrel Society’s lineup includes Philly Factory on Tuesday, Whiskey Talks Wednesday, a Pumpkin Chuckin’ competition Friday, and live music Saturday.

• Wild Honey Boutique is open Monday 11–3 with new arrivals and sales, and Witches Night Out begins Friday at 4 pm sharp.

• Buttercream Bake Shop will be set up Friday for Witches Night Out and Saturday for the Monster Mash Balloon Bash with treats including black magic cookies.

• Five 22 is preparing for Witches Night Out with many new arrivals this week.

• Monical’s Pizza is offering a variety of coupon deals including pizza and breadstick combos through October 8.

• The Knox Hotel offers boutique-style rooms and will host a mystery event during Witches Night Out next Friday, just steps from shopping and dining.

• Rotary Club of Princeton is hosting a free outdoor challenge event for 6th–8th graders on October 18 at Echo Bluff Park, including ropes courses, ziplining, archery, and more.

• Hoffman’s Patterns of the Past is hosting a Fall Open House October 4–6 with refreshments, a drawing for a fall-themed gift basket, and the shop filled with seasonal home décor and gifts. Located at 119 N Main St.

✉️NEW SUBSCRIBER?

You have access to all previous newsletters: click here to read them.

👉Please, please, please make sure to add the Princeton NOW newsletter email address as a “contact,” “VIP,” or “Whitelist” in your email service. This will prevent it from going to spam or bouncing.

🐅2025-26 PHS VARSITY FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

All games start at 7:00 PM

• August 29 – at Newman Central Catholic L

• September 5 – vs Rockridge L

• September 12 – at Sherrard* W

• September 19 – vs Kewanee* W

• September 26 – vs Monmouth-Roseville* L

• October 3 – at Hall/Putnam County*

• October 10 – vs Mendota*

• October 17 – vs Mercer County*

• October 24 – vs Erie

👷PRINCETON JOB OPENINGS

• Culver’s in Princeton is hiring a part-time Weekend Porter at $17–$19/hour, responsible for maintaining restaurant cleanliness and readiness through tasks like unloading deliveries, cleaning equipment, light landscaping, and preventative maintenance. Early morning weekend shifts are required, and candidates should be reliable, mechanically inclined, and capable of handling varied physical tasks. The role supports Culver’s mission to deliver quality food and memorable experiences in a team-oriented environment rooted in community values.

• McDonald’s in Princeton, IL is hiring for its closing crew, offering $16.25/hour for both full-time and part-time roles with benefits including medical, dental, vision, retirement plans, PTO, flexible scheduling, and free meals. Additional perks include educational assistance through Archways, high school diploma opportunities, and advancement potential. This franchise location emphasizes a positive work environment, respectful management, and development of life and leadership skills, though employment is handled independently from McDonald’s USA.

• Beck’s in West Princeton is hiring part-time drive-thru cashiers at $11.25–$15.25/hour, offering flexible scheduling, medical, dental, vision, PTO, and retirement benefits. Team members enjoy perks like weekly gas discounts, casual dress code, free shift drinks, and a supportive, 100% employee-owned work environment focused on growth and customer satisfaction. Ideal candidates thrive in fast-paced settings, provide outstanding service, and are physically able to handle on-your-feet shifts with lifting up to 50 lbs.

🍿AT THE APOLLO

One Battle After Another

• Tuesday–Thursday: 6:00 pm only

The Senior (PG)

• Tuesday–Thursday: 6:15 pm only

🍿 Note: Apollo Pop is now open! Check out more at www.apollo-pop.com

Want to advertise? Email: [email protected].