Visitors Guide for Events December 2010
Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway Area
Madison, Jersey & Calhoun Counties, Illinois

PHOTOGRAPHY
EXHIBIT

Cahokia Mounds
State Historic Site
Collinsville, IL
  October 16 - December 12, 2010
Tuesday - Sunday, 9 am - 5 pm
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, Interpretive Center, Collinsville Road
The photographs entered for the North American Indian Photography Contest will be displayed. The contest, sponsored by the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site and Cahokia Mounds Museum Society, is open to both amateurs and professionals and seeks photographs that transcend simple snapshots and evoke the spirit of the North American Indian: people, character, events, objects, symbols, environment, past or present culture, and soul.
Free
For more information call 618-346-5160
CHRISTMAS
WONDERLAND

Alton, IL
  November 26 - December 26, 2010
Monday - Friday: 6 pm - 9 pm
Saturday - Sunday: 5 pm - 9 pm
Rock Springs Park on College Avenue
Drive through Rock Springs Park to see more 2.5 million lights adorning trees and lighting displays throughout the park. Visitors are sure to be captivated by the holiday spirit.
Admission is $7 for cars and small vans or $1 per person for vehicles holding 10 or more persons.
For more information call 1-800-ALTON-IL or 618-465-6676

SNOWFLAKE FESTIVAL

Godfrey, IL
  Friday, December 3, 2010
6 pm - 8 pm
Glazebrook Park, 1401 Stamper Lane
Visit beautiful Glazebrook Park as it is lit up with lights to celebrate the season. Everyone is invited to attend this free old-fashioned festival with carolers, hot cocoa, carriage rides, and pictures with Santa.
Free
For more information call 618-466-1483

TASTE OF CHOCOLATE

Grafton, IL
  Saturday, December 4, 2010
12 pm - 5 pm
Grafton Winery & Brewhaus, 300 W. Main Street
Taste the chocolates of Grafton! Enjoy a plate of homemade chocolate desserts donated by different businesses and restaurants in Grafton. There will be many different goodies from which to choose from. Recipe booklets are available for $2.50 each.  This is a great time to shop for all on your Christmas list!
Tickets are $6
For more information call 618-786-7000
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Elsah
  Saturday, December 4, 2010
3 pm - 6:30 pm
Activities throughout the afternoon
Christmas carols, horse drawn carriage rides, a tree lighting at dusk, Santa Claus, bake sale, and museum open house.
House Tour from 3 pm - 5:45 pm, tickets required.
For more information call 618-374-2821
WINTER CRAFT SHOW
Pere Marquette State Park
Grafton, IL
  Sunday, December 5, 2010
11 am - 3 pm

Pere Marquette Lodge & Conference Center
Turn your Christmas shopping into something extraordinary at Pere Marquette’s Winter Craft Show.  Enjoy live entertainment and explore our vendor booths filled with quality handcrafted items unique to Pere Marquette Lodge
.
Free

For more information call 618-786-2331 ext. 338
OLDE ALTON
ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR

Alton, IL
  December 4 - December 5, 2010
Saturday: 9 am to 5 pm
Sunday: 10 am to 4 pm

Alton High School, 4200 Humbert Road
Over 200 crafters display their wares at this event that benefits the instrumental music program in the Alton School District.
Admission on Saturday $2; Admission on Sunday $1; Children under 12 are free
For more information call 618-259-5660
PRIDE, INC.
CHRISTMAS HOME TOUR
Alton, IL
  Sunday, December 5, 2010
3 pm to 7 pm
Beautiful local homes and gardens in Beautifully homes are aglow in the Alton and Godfrey area and the public is invited to view various decorating styles and Christmas collections. Optional trolley transportation offers an opportunity to enjoy the decorations without driving!
Tickets are $12 and are available after November 7 at the Alton Visitors Center, 200 Piasa Street. Trolley transportation is an additional $12.
For more information call 618-467-2375
ARRIVAL AT
CAMP RIVER DUBOIS

Hartford, IL
  December 11 - December 12, 2010
10 am - 4 pm both days
Lewis and Clark State Historic Site
New Poag Road and IL-3
Witness the arrival of the Lewis and Clark Expedition as reenactors arrive at the mouth of the River Dubois to establish their 1803-04 Winter Encampment. Join the members of the Corps in a military demonstration of 1803 U.S. Army Expedition. Visitors can experience camp life in early Frontier Illinois, and watch demonstrations of period crafts and skills.
Free
For more information call 618-251-5811
WINTER EQUINOX
SUNRISE OBSERVANCE

Cahokia Mounds
State Historic Site
Collinsville, IL
  Sunday, December 19, 2010
Arrive by 7 am
Collinsville Road
Observe the winter equinox sunrise and learn of the discovery, form and function of an ancient post circle called Woodhenge that was used as a solar calendar by the Cahokians. No ceremony or ritual is presented. Woodhenge is located 1/2 mile west of Monks Mound and the main entrance to the site.
Free
For more information call 618-346-5160
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS
HYMN SING

Elsah, IL
  Sunday, December 19, 2010
3 pm - 5 pm
Everyone is warmly invited to Elsah's annual Christmas Hymn Sing. This event starts in the Methodist Church, moves across Selma Square to the Christian Science Church, and is followed by cookies, punch, and coffee in Farley's Music Hall.
Free
For more information call 618-374-2821
     
Probable Events
Dates, times, and other details will change and will be listed as soon as we get updated information.

ART EXHIBIT
Alton, IL
  November 20, 2009 - January 10, 2010
Tuesday - Saturday: 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday: 12 pm - 4 pm
Jacoby Arts Center, 627 E. Broadway
The Jacoby Arts Center presents "Eye Witness", a one person show that features the work of local artist James K. Schmidt, former Chair of the Department of Studio Art at Principia College in the JAC Gallery. Schmidt sees patterns in nature through the lens of a classic Modernist, distilling organic forms into a dynamic whole. This exhibition includes paintings in oil and acrylic, pastel drawings, plaster castings, textile designs and video art, many of which have not been seen. Schmidt currently paints full-time in his Elsah, Illinois studio.
Free
For more information call 618-462-5222
"CAROLS WITH
THE BELLS"

Bethalto, IL
  Saturday, December 5, 2009
7:30 pm
Cornerstone Church, 196 Moreland Road
Take time from the holiday bustle to enjoy the beautiful voices of the Great Rivers Choral Society and the delightful sounds of the Hand Bell Choir of Upper Alton Christian Ringers as together they raise the spirit of this heavenly season with bells and song.
Admission
For more information call 618-465-2315
  or visit www.grcs-sing.org
ANNUAL GREEN GIFT BAZAAR
Alton, IL
  Saturday, December 12, 2009
10 am - 8 pm
Riverbender.com Community Center, 200 W. Third Street
The Annual Green Gift Bazaar is a unique and Earth friendly event that offers local, environmentally friendly gifts and products for holiday wish-lists or for home use. Kids can make a free take-home Holiday Nature Craft. Live holiday music and organic snacks and drinks provided.
Free
For more information call 618-462-6802
BETHALTO SPIRIT
VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS WALK

Bethalto, IL
  Sunday, December 13, 2009
4 pm - 7 pm
Prairie Street & Central Street
Step back into an era of horse and carriages, gas street lights, sipping wassail and enjoying festive treats. Take in the sights and sounds of this little Christmas Village decorated in the holiday spirit with the sounds of hand bells and carolers floating in the evening air.
Free
For more information call 618-377-0767

BALD EAGLE
VIEWING PROGRAMS

Pere Marquette
State Park
Grafton, IL
  Selected days during December, 2009
8:30 am
Visitor Center
A video presentation is followed by an observational drive. Dress warm and have a full tank of gas. Binoculars are recommended.
Free, reservations required
For more information call 618-786-3323
     
   

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.

 
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