Decatur Illinois - City Government

Racing is done and the pits are open for pictures and autographs from the drivers and teams. Thank you to all the boat racers and teams for traveling to Decatur for Hardy's: Race for the Lake!

See you in 2027 🏁

We are at a break for Hardy's: Race for the Lake. Back on shortly for the finals! Vendors open until 5:00 p.m.

Miss U.S. is in the water and the first heat is loading in for the start of Hardy's: Race for the Lake day 2!

Racing stars around 10:00 a.m. Come on down to Nelson Park today to enjoy the races, food trucks, arts/crafts & hobby vendors, and more!

We are about halfway through day one of Hardy's: Race for the Lake with more racing to come shortly after the break.

Want to take a moment and thank all of the dedicated first responders helping out this weekend: Decatur Fire Department dive team, Decatur Police Department, Decatur Lake Patrol, Decatur Park Police, Illinois State Conservation Police, Black Diamond Dive & Rescue, and Abbott EMS. Thank you 👏

Hungry? Lots of food options at Hardy's: Race for the Lake! Trucks are located in the main boat ramp parking lot and over at the Devon Amphitheater. The Beach House is also open. Enjoy!

Hardy's: Race for the Lake starting up momentarily! If you are not at the lake, listen live on NowDecatur.com or watch the drone stream at https://droneteamsix.com/watch-live

The Miss U.S. U-36 Vintage Unlimited "Thunder Boat" is here!

Kicking off the Boat Races at 10:00 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, and closing out the action when each day’s race concludes, is the mighty Miss U.S. 36. Spectator boats please be aware: all boats in basin 2 must be beyond the red buoy line when the Miss U.S. runs each day.

This boat will be very fast on the straightaways. For the safety of everyone on the water, all spectator boats need to be between the red buoys and Rt 36 bridge.

The Miss U.S. is an original, fully restored 1957 Unlimited Hydroplane powered by a mighty V12 Allison engine, the same engine used in iconic aircraft like the P38 Lightning, P39 Air Cobra, P40 Warhawk, and P51A Mustang.

Enjoy the racing! Second photo on the water is by Gleason Racing Photography

Decatur Fire Department receives $24,850 grant for new equipment 🔥

We thank the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal for awarding the Decatur Fire Department with a Small Equipment Grant. The $24,850 grant will be used to purchase six Scott Rit-Pak Fast Act emergency air supply systems and six search rope bags. We appreciate the State's support of local fire protection!

Boats are here and getting in the water for testing this morning/afternoon! Keep up with the latest by following Hardy's: Race for the Lake page 🚤

Bulky Item Pickup: all Decatur residential customers have access to 5 pickups

As part of basic waste collection service, residential Decatur customers have five (5) separate bulky waste collections each year, with each collection allowing up to five (5) bulky items. Each pickup may include removal of only one (1) household appliance such as a refrigerator, oven, dishwasher, etc. and not more than four other items.

Please note, you must schedule the pickup with your garbage hauler:

- Waste Management: Use www.WM.com and sign in/create your account, use the live chat at bottom right, or call 800-796-9696

- GFL: Use www.gflenv.com or call 217-935-5652

- Jeremy Doolin Disposal: 217-422-5298

- Doolin Disposal: 217-423-1680

- Murrell's Disposal: 217-519-0910

https://www.decaturil.gov/323/Garbage-Recycling-Yard-Waste-Information