BISHOP HILL — The 2026 Spring Fling in Bishop Hill will be held April 11, 2026, as local businesses, museums, and restaurants offer special discounts to mark the start of the tourist season in the village. Visitors can collect signatures from six participating locations to enter a gift basket drawing at the Colony Store, while events and activities will take place throughout the day across town.
From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Colony School will host the This N That Rummage Sale, where attendees can browse items to purchase. The Bishop Hill Old Settlers Association is sponsoring the sale, with proceeds going toward building maintenance projects. The Vasa Archives will also open its 2026 season with an exhibit titled Heritage and Community The Vasa Order of America New Jersey District Six, running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and highlighting Swedish American history and culture.
The Bishop Hill Art Invitational will open the same day at the Steeple Building Museum, featuring artwork from local high school and adult artists. The exhibit, hosted by the Bishop Hill Arts Council, will remain open through May 1 with free admission. At the Bishop Hill Creative Commons, the Annual Book Fair will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring local authors and book sales, with proceeds supporting Crossroads Cultural Connections.
At 1 p.m., the Steeple Building Museum will offer a free program on Colonial America presented by Barry Grove, covering daily life in the colonies before the Revolutionary War. The day will conclude with a potluck social hour at 6 p.m. followed by a concert by Rye Davis at 7 p.m. at the Bishop Hill Creative Commons.
For more information about Spring Fling events, contact organizers at 309-927-3898 or VasaArchivist@gmail.com, or visit visitbishophill.com.