EIU Media Relations

EIU, community partner events: September 4 through 13, 2026

(Charleston, IL) – The following public events are scheduled at Eastern Illinois University and in the Charleston community during the week of September 4 through 13, 2026.

Friday, September 4

• 12:05 to 12:50 p.m. – Yoga for Every Body!
  • EIU Campus Recreation hosts Yoga for Every Body in the Dance Studio at McAfee Gym. All skill levels are welcome.
• 3:45 p.m. – EIU Women's Cross Country: Walt Crawford Open
  • EIU Women's Cross Country competes in the Walt Crawford Open 6K in Charleston.
• 4:30 p.m. – EIU Men's Cross Country: Walt Crawford Open
  • EIU Men's Cross Country competes in the Walt Crawford Open 8K in Charleston.

Saturday, September 5

• 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. – Farmers Market on Courthouse Square
  • Local growers will gather from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Charleston's historic downtown square.
• 10 a.m. – Saturday Story Series at Lincoln Log Cabin
  • Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site hosts its monthly Saturday Story Series. The free program features a historically themed children's book followed by activities and crafts for children ages 5-10. All youth must be accompanied by an adult.
• 3 p.m. – EIU Men's Soccer vs. Northern Illinois
  • EIU Men's Soccer hosts Northern Illinois at Lakeside Field.

Sunday, September 6

• 10:30 a.m. – Worship Service at Christian Campus House
  • Christian Campus House hosts its weekly worship and community service across from Lawson Hall on 4th Street.

Monday, September 7

• Labor Day, EIU Closed

Tuesday, September 8

• 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. – Writing Center in-person and online appointments
  • Free Writing Center appointments are available to all students at any stage in the writing process. In-person appointments are available at the Center on the third floor of Booth Library.
• 6 p.m. – Library Ambassadors of Booth weekly meeting
  • The Library Ambassadors of Booth, a student advocacy team for Booth Library, meets at 6 p.m. in the library classroom. All students are welcome. 

Wednesday, September 9

• 7:30 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. – Fill in the Bun Contest
  • The University Food Court hosts the Fill in the Bun Contest Sept. 9-27, inviting participants to submit ideas for a new menu item.
• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – EIU Study Abroad Fair
  • The Fall 2026 Study Abroad Fair will feature representatives from across campus and around the world in the Library Quad. The event also will offer opportunities for questions and prizes. The rain location is the University Ballroom.
• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Writing Center in-person and online appointments
  • Free Writing Center appointments are available to all students at any stage in the writing process.
• 5 to 9 p.m. – Writing Center online-only appointments
  • Free online Writing Center appointments are available to students at any stage in the writing process.
• 6 p.m. – Free Dinner at Christian Campus House
  • Christian Campus House hosts a free dinner and fellowship for students at its location behind Lawson Hall on 4th Street.
• 7 to 8:30 p.m. – Wednesday Night Bible Study
  • Christian Campus House hosts its weekly Bible study and community gathering.

Thursday, September 10

• 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. – Writing Center in-person and online appointments
  • Free Writing Center appointments are available to all students at any stage in the writing process.
• 3 p.m. – EIU Women's Soccer vs. Illinois State
  • EIU Women's Soccer hosts Illinois State at Lakeside Field.
• 5:30 p.m. – Charleston Baptist College Ministry Group Night
  • Charleston Baptist Church hosts a weekly student group and game night featuring food, Bible study and games for students from the community.
• 7 p.m. – Charleston Board of Zoning Appeals & Planning
  • The Charleston Board of Zoning Appeals & Planning meets in the City Hall Council Chambers, 520 Jackson Ave.
• 7 p.m. – Concerts in the Park featuring Yvonne Larson Trio
  • The free concert will be held at the Daum Amphitheater at Kiwanis Park. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket.

Friday, September 11*

• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Writing Center in-person and online appointments
  • Free Writing Center appointments are available to all students at any stage in the writing process.
• 3 p.m. – EIU Men's Soccer vs. Bradley
  •  EIU Men's Soccer hosts Bradley at Lakeside Field.

* EIU’s Students & Veterans of Eastern group is coordinating a flag display on the front lawn of Old Main the evening of 9/10 that will remain on display September 11 to honor the lives lost and the heroes and first-responders of September 11, 2001 on the 25th anniversary of the tragic event.

Saturday, September 12

• All day – Whyatt's Warriors 6th Annual Softball Tournament
  • Whyatt's Warriors hosts its annual softball tournament at 1201 Wooddell Way in Mattoon during Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month. The event brings teams, families and community members together for fellowship and fundraising to support children and families affected by childhood cancer.
• 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. – Farmers Market on Courthouse Square
  • Local growers will gather on the historic downtown square.
• 8 a.m. to noon – Coles County E-Recycling Event
  • Coles County hosts an electronics recycling event in the Charleston High School parking lot. Accepted items include computers, monitors and televisions, printers, scanners, video game consoles and other electronic equipment. A $10 cash fee applies per television or monitor, with a limit of seven. No appliances or batteries will be accepted.
• 12 to 3 p.m. – EIU Squared: EIU Block Party on the Square
  • EIU, Charleston CAN and the City of Charleston Tourism Office will host a free, community-wide block party welcoming new and returning EIU students to Charleston. Community members are invited to visit downtown shops and restaurants during the event.
• 6 p.m. – EIU Football vs. Indiana State
  • EIU Football hosts Indiana State at O'Brien Field.
• 7:30 p.m. – Panther Performance Festival
  • The Doudna Fine Arts Center hosts a free public performance featuring student-created songs, skits, scenes, monologues, poetry and dance. The performances are developed during a 30-hour creative process open to interested EIU students from any major.

Sunday, September 13

• 10:30 a.m. – Worship Service at Christian Campus House
• Christian Campus House hosts its weekly worship and community service across from Lawson Hall on 4th Street.
• 5 to 9 p.m. – Writing Center online-only appointments
• Free online Writing Center appointments are available to all students at any stage in the writing process.

For additional information on upcoming EIU and other community partner events, visit the EIU Events Calendar. For EIU Athletics events, visit the EIU Athletics calendar.

EIU prepares students to accomplish their life goals through a combination of quality academics, personal relationships, and both on-campus and online learning opportunities. For more information about Eastern Illinois University, including its broad array of academic and career readiness programs, community-based services and opportunities, visit eiu.edu or call EIU's Public Information Office at (217) 581-7400.

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MEDIA QUICKLINKS
Eastern Illinois University — eiu.edu
EIU Calendar — eiu.edu/calendar
EIU Athletics Calendar — eiupanthers.com/calendar