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Passage To The Rock

A 3 day, 2 night weekend festival at Starved Rock State Park. A celebration of the I&M Canal Corridor
Event Schedule  |  Key Speakers  |  Lodging Options  |  Food, Drank, & Music |  Sponsors  | Full Map
> Get Tickets

3 Day Festival

August 24th, 25th, and 26th 2018. Friday thru Sunday
Held At:  (Papa Murph's Tavern & Campground)  at 799 IL-71, Oglesby, IL 61348 | View Map
Note* Tickets and camp spots are limited. You must purchase your tickets down below before you arrive to the Festival

Join us as we celebrate the Illinois Bicentennial this year with an event connecting Chicago to Starved Rock State Park. 

Pigs will be roasted, beers will be toasted, and we’ll have music jammin’ each night.​

​​Beyond the fun, the event will highlight the I&M canal trail,  the natural asset and history of Starved Rock State park, the role Openlands played in the creation of the trail, and "how & why" the Natural Heritage Corridor was formed. 
​Proceeds are in support of public land, trails, and the Out Our Front Door Organization's mission: To immerse, educate, preserve, and advance the history, culture, trails, and native habitats of the Lower Lake Michigan Basin Area.

​Ticket Options:

Connecting Chicago to Starved Rock

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Right now there exists a trail gap between Chicago & Starved Rock and we want to close it.  The festival brings awareness of the gap and how to ultimately close it. 

​Arriving to the Festival Campground-

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​Festival Activities and Camping are Held at Papa Muprh's Campground
The exact address for the festival campground is  799 IL-71, Oglesby, IL 61348  (Papa Murh's Tavern & Campground) which has parking available for anyone who is driving down to stay the night or who wishes to visit for the day.
There are three cycling start point options down below, all of which lead to the Festival campground located at  799 IL-71, Oglesby, IL 61348  at Papa Murph's Tavern & Campground 

Chicago Cycling Start Point  100 Miles

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Meet 5:30 am at Eleanor Boathouse at Park 571 | 2828 S Eleanor St, Chicago, IL 60608​ | 100 miles to the Festival Campground | view start point map | view route
​

​Are you ready to Earn the Passage? Are you an experienced cyclist? There are no official parking options here. Cyclists who choose to start here are responsible to arrive fully prepared, packed and are ready to go. After we depart there will be roads, there will be traffic, and there will be sweat and struggle. Expect and respect this type of road scrutiny for most of the morning until we reach Lockport "The 65" mile rendezvous point. People who sign up for Chicago's start point are ready to, or have already done a 100 mile bike trip. So if you've ridden in the city streets and have 100's of miles under your pedals then this is for you. Cyclists will leave in small group waves.
> Choose this option

Lockport Cycling Start Point  65 Miles  

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Lockport "The City of Historic Pride" will be the official 65 mile start point. This will also be the rendezvous point for all cyclists who started from Chicago.
​Meet at 8:30 am at the Illinois State Museum Lockport Gallery | 201 W 10th St # 1W, Lockport, IL 60441 | view start point map | view route

This route is almost entirely on the I&M Canal Trail with very very little road riding. Easy and intuitive to follow.  "The 65" start point comes with secured overnight full weekend parking, available onsite brunch for purchase, and bathrooms & water fountains This start point will also be the main gathering break point for all cyclists who started from the Chicagoland Area. ​

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  • The Mayor of Lockport will give us a speech and a sendoff.
  • Comes with Overnight Parking in parking lot  (car spots limited, register here to secure your parking spot)
  • Onsite breakfast for purchase by local vendor and Public Landing restaurant 
  • ​Available After Party at Embers Tap House on Sunday with dinner and drinks for purchase.
  • Free Cliff Energy bars 
  • Vehicles enter the parking lot from the south end via 10th street
> Choose This Option

Mile Zero Start Point | Drive or Bike Down

Drive or bike from your local bike shop, or from your house... with "Mile Zero" you are more than welcome to start from where ever you like. Everything is still included in your camp or day pass and it’s up to you on how you want to arrive to the festival. 
> Choose This Option

​At The Festival-

All You Can Eat | Drink | Music

We Got That BBQ (All You Can Eat)
​Friday night Dinner & Full Pigroast on Saturday night!
Three Breweries | Three Influential Players
Marz Brewing, Tangled Roots, more to come!
Move Your Body to the Music & the Hootenanny:
DJ Mags | Lumpen Radio DJ's | DJ Glenn Russell | DJ Paul |  Bag shot Row


Hiking & Exploration

-swipe to see photos-
Over the Weekend, explore at your leisure 13 miles of well marked hiking trails, numerous waterfalls, canyons, cliffs and outlooks at Starved Rock State Park. Another hiking option just 1 mile south from camp is Mattheison State Park. It's a more primitive site with miles of trails and numerous waterfalls. Each State Park offers its own spectacular views, trails, and amenities.

Key Note Speakers

Openland's President & CEO Gerald W. Adelmann | Speaking on Saturday August 25th. 

Topic: Gerald W. Adelmann will be presenting the creation of the National Heritage Corridor, celebrating its 30 year anniversary and accomplishments thus far, using this momentum to completing the trail gap and reinforcing how to close it.​ Read his full bio down below  and learn more about Openlands | Conserving Nature for Life

Archaeologist Clare Tolmie PHD, RPA | Senior Research Archaeologist Illinois State Archaeological Survey
​

Topic: Clare Tolmie will present the topography, glacial history, and historic peoples of north eastern Illinois and Starved Rock area at camp breakfast followed by a Q&A. A great way for you to be equipped with knowledge and history before you go hiking in the state park. Read her full bio down below and learn more about ​Illinois State Archaeological Survey

The House of OOFD | Andrew St. Paul & Glenn Schneider  | Speaking Friday Evening 

Topic: The Out Our Front Door Organization will present the history of Illinois, the importance of the I&M Canal, the birth of Chicago, it's industry, and the remarkable biodiversity of the Lower Lake Rim. With additional presentations of establishing multi-day bike camping circuits for Chicago and the Lower Lake Lake Michigan Basin Area. 

Active Transportation's Steve Simmons | Speaking Friday Night
Topic: Steve Simmons with Active transportation will be presenting what the future I&M Canal Trail may look like, discuss/present the proposed route, current efforts of the gap, what can be done to close the gap, what is keeping the trail from completion, and who to contact and get more involved. Read their full bios down below and learn more about Active Transportation Alliance 

The Route & Break Points

​​*Out Our Front Door will be at two official start points for cyclists with small goodies and basic maps. (Canal Origins Park and Lockport)
*All cyclists are responsible for arriving to the festival on their own. You can bike with us or go at your own pace. 
*This is a Self supported ride meaning you carry your own tent gear, snacks, spare inner tubes, and personal items. etc. on your bike.
*Rules of the trail: Cyclists help Cyclists and know your route.
*Victory is had at festival campground.

​Event Schedule and Timeline 

​Friday
  • Campground is open all day for arrivals and setup
  • 5:15 am | Chicago/Bridgeport meet up at Canal Origins Park 2701 S. Ashland 
  • 6:00 am | Departure from Bridgeport
  • 8:30 am meet up in Lockport 
  • 10:00 am | Departure in Lockport time  (this is the 65 mile start point and rally point for 100 mile cyclists) 
  • 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm: Strong cyclists start to arrive at campground
  • 6pm-7pm 50 miles cycist and slower 100 miles cyclists/visitors to arrive before/around dinner time
  • 5:00 pm -9:00 pm | Dinner Available and celebration. Drinks provided by Bridgeport's very own Marz Brewing and more. (participants can explore organizational tents/booths)
  • 8pm- 9pm | The Fire Night Welcome  OOFD and Active Transportation presentations accompanied with fire, and s'mores.
  • 9 pm till 2am Dj Maggie spins the most funkiest records from her collection inside the Papa Murphy's Bar. Dance, pool table, drinks and pizzas for purchase. (participants can also go to the Starved Rock Lodge)

Saturday
  • 8am to 10am | Camp Breakfast
  • 9am -10am | Senior Research Archaeologist Clarie presents the topography, glacial history, and historic peoples of north eastern Illinois and Starved Rock area with Q&A at camp with breakfast. A great way to learn about the area before you go hiking the state park.
  • 10am - 7:30pm | Free Exploration. For example guided hikes, go hike on your own, visit the visitor center, bike around the surrounding area. Do what you what you want.
  • 5pm-8pm |   Tap takeover on the Lodge Deck. The takeovers include sampling beverages and giveaways for guests by Tangled Roots Brewing Co. 
  • 6:00- 7:30pm | Pig Roast Dinner served at camp.
  • 8-9pm: President of Openlands presentation during dinner
  • 9:10pm till 2:00am | Fiddle from the woods and music at the campground bar.
  • 9pm-11pm (optional after keynote speaker and dinner): Live music on the Lodge Veranada Bar by "Bagshot Row"  bouncy tunes from 50’s and 60’s. 

Sunday
6 am -9:00 am Camp Breakfast
7 am Recommended Departure Time for 100 mile cyclists
9 am Recommended Departure Time for 65 mile cyclists
9:30 am Organizer clean-up and breakdown
3 pm Departure for everyone off the campground

Passage To The Rock 

Let's Build the Regional Trail Network and Close the Gap. A Three Day, Two Night Weekend Festival. A Celebration of the Illinois Bicentennial and the I&M Canal Corridor. 
> Get Tickets
SHARE THE PASSAGE TO THE ROCK EVENT WITH A FRIEND
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A  Bike Camping + Nature Community ​for Chicago and the Lake Michigan Area
​​Founded in 2015.​ A 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
​www.oofd.org
  • Adventures
    • Adult Bike Camping
    • Family Bike Camping
    • Youth Program
    • Adaptive Bike Camping
    • Where The Wild Things Grow
  • About Us
    • Mission, Vision, Values
    • The Team
    • Our Origins
    • FAQ
    • Get Involved >
      • Volunteer
      • Contact Us
      • Organization Station
    • Photo Journal
    • Radical Inclusivity Statement
    • 2025 Hootenanny Fundraiser
  • Blog
  • DONATE
  • Shop