Previewing the 25th Anniversary of Ebertfest with Chaz Ebert
Join us in celebrating the 25th year of Ebertfest with Chaz as she shares a bit about this year's films and guests.
Prairie Fire Masthead
Every third Thursday of the month
Prairie Fire is a newly reimagined take on WILL-TV's beloved magazine program from the mid-'90s. Rooted in storytelling, "Prairie Fire" brings you cinematic documentaries, profiles and performances from downstate Illinois.
Watch Prairie Fire on WILL TV every third Thursday of the month at 7:30 PM, or on demand on YouTube or PBS Online.
Prairie Fire: Episode 11 - April 2024
In celebration of Earth Month, Prairie Fire presents "Cetacean (The Whale)," a one-hour special filmed by the Media and Cinema Studies students at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. This multimedia performance created by artists Deke Weaver and Jennifer Allen provides a look at the creation and presentation of the show, along with excerpts from last fall's live performance.
Prairie Fire Stories
Remembering Mark Rubel
Mark Rubel was a music legend whose impact reached far and wide. His passing last week at the age of 65 was felt by many in the industry and beyond, and many of his former…
Flesor’s Candy Kitchen
After three generations of ownership, Flesor's Candy Kitchen is still going strong in the heart of downtown Tuscola. Flesor's has established itself as one of the…
Taylor Studios, Inc.
Have you ever wandered through a museum and wondered how an exhibit actually gets made? Taylor Studios is a leading exhibit design and fabrication firm right here in central…
The Underground Railroad in Illinois
Illinois, with its proximity to Missouri and Kentucky which were slave states, played a significant role in facilitating escapes through the Underground Railroad.
Candy Foster - Entertainer
Gerald "Candy" Foster knows a thing or two about how to keep a crowd happy. Foster, who was born and raised in Danville, is one of the most recognizable names…
Operation Wild Horse
Home to wild mustangs and burros, Operation Wild Horse pairs these magnificant creatures with U.S. military veterans, active duty service members, and their families for a…
Charles Dickens previews “A Christmas Carol”
Charles Dicken's returns to Praire Fire to give us a preview of a new Christmas story he has been working on.
U of I Black Chorus Performs in Collins Studio
The U of I Black Chorus, lead by Artistic Director and Conductor Dr. Ollie Watts Davis, performs some holiday songs in the Collins Studio at WILL-TV as part of the Praire Fire…
Haunted Illinois: The Avon Theater
Author and ghost story expert Troy Taylor gives us the grim history of the Avon Theater in Decatur, and tells us the story of a chilling encounter he had personally with one…
A House That Made History
First Lady of Illinois MK Pritzker gives the Prairie Fire team an exclusive walking tour of the newly redecorated Illinois Governor's Mansion, a project she documented in…
The Great Pumpkin Patch
Prairie Fire is on the road this month, and we visited The Great Pumpkin Patch to celebrate the harvest season and catch up with the owner Mac Condill.
Haunted Illinois: Alton & The Mineral Springs Hotel
Author, historian and renowned ghost story expert Troy Taylor tells us the story of how a small town in southern Illinois came to be one of the most small towns in America,…
Arcadia: America’s Playable Arcade Museum
We introduce you to John Yates, the owner and creator of the Arcadia, America’s Playable Arcade Museum. He’ll tell us how he combined his love of arcade and…
The Coonley Playhouse
Have you ever wanted to own a piece of history? How about a home designed by one of America’s most famous architects? Take a look at the Coonley Playhouse in Riverside,…
Charles Dickens on the Mississippi River
Well, we know Charles Dickens didn't like the Illinois prairie, but what did he think of the Mississippi River?
Los Texano’z
To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Los Texano'z joins us in the studio to perform Tejano music, a blend of Mexican and US influences with German and Czech…
The Brown Bag
When Harlean Swing came into some money in the 1970s, she told her husband she wanted to kick back and live the easy life. Instead, she opened a deli and restaurant…
A Toast to…Kaighla Rises
Meet a local author and poet who has lived a lot of life in her short years. Learn about her life incredible journey across the world searching for purpose, and her…
Anthony Becker
Learn about the incredible journey of one central Illinois resident who, despite all odds, refused to give up his love of gardening.
Past Favorites with Alison Davis
Former Producer and Host of the original Prairie FIre tells us about her favorite episodes and talks about her experience working on the long running magazine show started in…
Chris Vallillo
Singer/Songwriter and Roots Musician Chris Vallillo stops by the WILL studio to perform songs from his 2021 album "Forgotonia".
Preston Jackson
We visit with renowned Illinois artist and musician Preston Jackson in Peoria. Jackson's works documenting the Black experience appear all over the United States.
Cherry Blossoms at Japan House
The man who helped bring cherry blossom trees to the University of Illinois campus turned 100 this year. Tinisha Spain marks the milestone with a brief history of the trees…
High Cross Sound
We take you inside a very unique recording studio in Central Illinois, and introduce you to the owner whose journey led him make to his small town roots.
Charles Dickens Visits Illinois
One of the world's most beloved authors regales us with his less than flattering thoughts about the Prairie.
Stango Cuisine
Stango Cuisine brings us African-based cooking right here in Central Illinois.
Susannah Scaroni
In this inspiring story, follow the remarkable journey of Paralympian Susannah Scaroni, from her days growing up in Washington, to adapting the challenges of life in a…
Leah Marlene
She may have grown up in a town called Normal, but Leah Marlene is far from it. From an American Idol finalist to a hometown hero, she's keeping busy and looking to…
Gettin’ to It: The Jazz Life of Christian McBride
Brian Moline had a chance to sit down for an hour-long interview with Christian McBride during his visit to the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana campus in the spring of…
Prairie Fire Episodes
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Prairie Fire: Episode 11 - April 2024
In celebration of Earth Month, Prairie Fire presents "Cetacean (The Whale)," a one-hour… -
Prairie Fire: Episode 10 - March 2024
We take you to Taylor Studios in Rantoul, where they create and manufacture the actual exhibits you… -
Prairie Fire: Episode 9 - February 2024
In celebration of Black History Month, we sit down with Gerald "Candy" Foster, one of the… -
Prairie Fire: Episode 8 - December 2023
In this special holiday edition of Prairie Fire, we travel to Bull Valley, Illinois to introduce you… -
Prairie Fire: Episode 7 - November 2023
In November, we take a look back at three stories from this season that celebrate the Illinois great… -
Prairie Fire: Episode 6 - October 2023
We visit the Great Pumpkin Patch in Arthur, get an personal tour of the Governor's mansion with… -
Prairie Fire: Episode 5 - September 2023
Meet a couple restoring a Frank Lloyd Wright home in Riverside Illinois. Get a tour of an old school… -
Prairie Fire: Episode 4 - August 2023
We visit a popular deli in Monticello that has been a favorite stop for close to 50 years. And we… -
Prairie Fire: Episode 3 - July 2023
This month, we introduce you to a local gardener with an incredible story, we sit down with a former… -
Prairie Fire: Episode 2 - June 2023
Prairie Fire introduces you to renowned artist and musian Preston Jackson, visits a unique central… -
Prairie Fire: Episode 1 - May 2023
Prairie Fire makes its return with stories about Paralympian Susannah Scaroni, restauranteur Mubanga… -
The Movement Revisited with Christian McBride
Jazz legend Christian McBride and his bandmates visited the University of Illinois campus last year…