Not actually pictured here, the Civic Center plays host to numerous banquets, theatrical performances, and touring exhibitions. The Decatur City Council holds its meetings on an upper floor of the building. In the winter, the large exhibition hall is turned into a full-length ice skating/hockey rink.

Located just outside the Civic Center is a commemorative statue of Decatur's namesake, Commodore Stephen Decatur, a famous patriot.

The view of downtown pictured above is from the Civic Center parking lot looking west. This parking lot is home to many of the rides and events associated with the Decatur Celebration, held during the first weekend of August every year. The Celebration is one of the largest free family festivals in the nation, and the largest in Illinois.