Visitors Guide for Events April 2011
Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway Area
Madison, Jersey & Calhoun Counties, Illinois

     
     
Probable Events
Dates, times, and other details will change and will be listed as soon as we get updated information.

ART EXHIBIT

Alton
, IL
 
  March 9 - April 11, 2010
Tues. - Sat hours are 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday hours: 12 pm  - 4 pm
Jacoby Arts Center, 627 E. Broadway
The Jacoby Arts Center presents Natural Elements - Abstracted Form, featuring the work of artists Erin K. Cork, Melody Evans, Jessica Forys-Cameron and Linda Vredeveld in the JAC Gallery. Natural elements are a shared source of inspiration among the four artists. For each artist nature is an essential partner in the exploration of form, relationships and environment.
Free
For more information call 618-462-5222
 
 

WILDFLOWER LETTERBOX WALK
Godfrey, IL
  Saturday, April 10, 2010
9 am - 12 pm
Talahi Lodge at the Olin Nature Preserve
Letterboxing combines navigational skills and rubber stamp artistry into a charming "treasure hunt" style outdoor quest. The Nature Institute is combining its annual orienteering hunt with the twist of finding, recognizing and appreciating spring wildflowers. Each “stamp” will belong to a common Illinois wildflower and participants can find each by reading and mapping the Nature Institute’s preserves.
Free, registration required
For more information call 618-466-9930

FUND RAISER FOR
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
Edwardsville, IL
  Sunday, April 11, 2010
Registration at 11 am
Walk starts at 12 pm
Township Park, 6368 Center Grove Road
Join other walkers in this signature fundraising event of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in routes of either 1 and 3 mile options.
For more information call 618-830-3908

SPRING & MUSHROOM FESTIVAL
Pere Marquette State Park
Grafton, IL
  Sunday, April 11, 2010
11 am - 3 pm

Pere Marquette Lodge & Conference Center
Celebrate Mushroom season and the beginning of warmer weather with the first annual mushroom and spring festival.  The festivals features artisans and craft vendors displaying their wares for purchase, live entertainment and a competitive morel hunt in Pere Marquette Park (weather permitting) where the winner will get one free nights stay at Pere Marquette Lodge.
Free

For more information call 618-786-2331

GUIDED PRAIRIE WALKS
Alton, IL
  Tuesdays, April 13 - October 26, 2010
6 pm
Gordon Moore Park, 4550 College Avenue
Enjoy an evening walk as a guide from the Nature Institute leads you through the Heartland Prairie at Gordon Moore Park. The park hosts nine species of native prairie grasses and 150 prairie wildflowers that are native to Madison County and surrounding Illinois counties. If you want to see wildflowers this is a great place and time to visit
.
Free
For more information call 618-466-9930

ATLATL COMPETITION

Cahokia Mounds
State Historic Site
Collinsville, IL
  April 16 - April 17, 2010
10 am - 4 pm each day
Collinsville Road
The atlatl is the weapon that transformed early humans from scavengers to big-game hunters such as the mammoth and the mastodon and predates the bow and arrow by thousands of years. The Missouri Atlatl Association, a group of primitive weapon enthusiasts will hold its annual competition and demonstration of this ancient spear throwing device.
Free
For more information call 618-346-5160

FUND RAISER FOR
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
Godfrey, IL
  Saturday, April 17, 2010
Registration at 10 am
Walk starts at 10:30 am
Glazebrook Park, 1401 Stamper Lane
Join other walkers in this signature fundraising event of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in routes of either 1 and 3 mile options.
For more information call 618-830-3908
YOUNG ARTISTS PRESENTATION
Godfrey, IL
  Saturday, April 17, 2010
8 pm
Alton High School Auditorium, 4200 Humbert Road
Support the Riverbend area's terrific young artists as they join the Alton Symphony Orchestra to showcase their talents.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors & $5 for students.
For more information call 618-468-4782 or visit www.altonsymphony.org

MIGRATORY BIRD WALKS
Godfrey, IL
  Sunday, April 18, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010

8 am
Talahi Lodge at the Olin Nature Preserve
Every spring thousands of birds migrate north along the Mississippi River Flyway back to their summer homes and representatives from The Nature Institute and naturalist and avid birder, Edna Alexander, will lead guided hikes to identify the many species that stop off at the Olin Preserve. Dress for the weather, wear good hiking shoes, and bring binoculars and drinking water.
Admission fee
For more information call 618-466-9930
ANNUAL ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION
Godfrey, IL
  Saturday, April 24, 2010
8 am - 2 pm
Glazebrook Park, 1401 Stamper Lane
Join in the celebration of trees and the environment at this growing community event. Activities for children will include a fishing derby, tree climbing, environmental crafts, and other games. There will be tree seedlings as long as supplies last. Other activities include a Tree Memorial Program and demonstrations by expert climbers.
Free
For more information call 618-466-1483
MILITIA MUSTER
Edwardsville, IL
  April 24 - April 25, 2010
Saturday: 10 am - 4 pm
Sunday: Noon - 4 pm

Stephenson House, 409 S. Buchanan
Citizen soldiers gather at Stephenson House to take up arms in defense of their homes. Visitors will view a militia encampment, soldiers' daily routine, and preparations for the expedition led by Colonel Stephenson during the War of 1812.
Admission
For more information call 618-692-1818
RUG RETREAT
Elsah
  April 29 - May 2, 2010
Professional rug hooker Kathy Meentemeyer is a certified McGown rug hooking teacher from St. Louis, Missouri. She teaches at workshops throughout the country, as well as her studio at home. Kathy is an accomplished dye artist and specializes in color planning. Her desire is to help students express their own creativity. The camp includes overnight accommodations at one of Elsah's bed and breakfast inns, catered meals by My Just Desserts, a house tour and a walking tour of the village.
Registration Fee.

For reservations or more information call My Just Desserts at 618-462-5881
SPRING TALK
& CONVERSATION

Elsah
  Friday, April 30, 2010
7:30 pm - 9 pm
Farley Music Hall, 37 Mill Street
Historically, farming was one of the Elsah area's main economic activities. A community farm is a new type of agriculture organization that seeks to return to the roots of traditional farming. Amy Cloud of Three Rivers Community Farm will explain how a community farms operates. She will give news of what is taking place this year at the farm that once again provides local residents an opportunity to enjoy local produce from the immediate area. After the presentation there will be a conversation and the meeting will include "garden appropriate refreshments." All are welcome at this family friendly evening activity.
Free
     
   

This Calendar of Events provides listings free of charge for events that are of interest to visitors to the area and that are organized or sponsored by Non-Profit or community based organizations. To have your event listed here contact the webmaster. We reserve the right to limit content. We also willing to provide a web page free of charge for these types of events to provide more details for our readers.

 
FEATURED ATTRACTIONS ALONG THE GREAT RIVER ROAD
Pere Marquette
State Park
McCully
Heritage Project
Mississippi
River Ferries
Lewis and Clark
State Historic Site