Date/Time
29 Aug 2026
3:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Location
Hessel Park – Large Pavilion on the north side of the park, 1401 Grandview Drive, Champaign, Illinois
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International Friendships is hosting a picnic to welcome you to the Urbana-Champaign community! Join us for IFI’s free International Welcome Picnic on Saturday, August 29th, at Hessel Park in Champaign! Please sign up with your RSVP by Wednesday, August 26th!
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Enjoy plenty of free food! There will be many vegetarian options included! You won’t leave hungry! Play some outdoor games including baseball, soccer, volleyball, cornhole bags, and more! Visit with other international students, as well as local residents. We would love to meet you and extend some Central Illinois hospitality! Your international friends are very welcome to attend as well, but please have them sign up at uiuc.ifiusa.org by August 26th. Games and fun start at 3:30 and food will be served at 5:00.
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MTD Bus Directions: The park is just four blocks west of the UIUC football stadium on Kirby Avenue. There will be no IFI transportation for the picnic, but the park is easily accessed by using the MTD’s 100 Yellow South bus from campus (scheduled every 15 minutes from the MTD’s Transit Plaza on Wright Street across from the Illini Bookstore. Departures there are at 3:00, 3:15, 3:30, 4:00, etc.). Get off the bus at State and Birch Streets in Champaign. Hessel Park is just a 1.5 block walk heading west from there. The IFI picnic will be held at the north end of the park by the large covered pavilion. To head back toward campus, take the 100 Yellow North Bus at State and Kirby every 20 minutes. For further bus route information, call 217-384-8188.
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IFI wants to help you feel at home in the Urbana-Champaign community! We hope that you will participate in our international friendship events and activities throughout your time here. Always feel free to contact us for any assistance that you might need during your time here. Regularly check uiuc.ifiusa.org to sign up for other enjoyable IFI opportunities throughout the year!
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We will notify you if rain causes any changes for the picnic. Please attend if you sign up because food will be prepared based upon the number of guests who signed up. Thank you!
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Welcome to Urbana-Champaign!
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Bill & Donna Erickson and your IFI friends from the local community
Area Director for International Friendships (IFI)
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Sharing God’s invitation of love for the world through caring friendship, help and understanding!
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