More than 150 exhibitors showcased home improvement and landscaping products at the 2008 Home and Garden Show April 5 at Assembly Hall.

Thousands of fans made the trip to Peoria for the IHSA State Basketball Finals on March 14, 2007, to see Central take on Simeon. The Maroons fell to the Wolverines 46-51 at the Peoria Civic Center.

Thousands of fans made the trip to Springfield to cheer on the Champaign Central Maroons' boys basketball team at the Springfield Convention Center for the IHSA super-sectional on March 11, 2008. The Maroons beat Mt. Vernon 44-37 to advance to the state finals.

Thousands of students on the University of Illinois campus participated in the Unofficial St. Patrick's Day event on Feb. 29, 2008.