Visitors Guide for Events December 2009
Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway Area
Madison, Jersey & Calhoun Counties, Illinois

PHOTOGRAPHY
EXHIBIT

Cahokia Mounds
State Historic Site
Collinsville, IL
  October 17 - December 13, 2009
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 800-289-2388 or 618-346-5160
CHRISTMAS
WONDERLAND

Alton, IL
  November 27 - December 27, 2009
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 4, 2009
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
"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
OLDE ALTON
ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR

Alton, IL
  December 5 - December 6, 2009
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

TASTE OF CHOCOLATE

Grafton, IL
  Saturday, December 6, 2008
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 a $6
For more information call 618-786-7000
PRIDE, INC.
CHRISTMAS HOME TOUR
  Sunday, December 6, 2009
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
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
ARRIVAL AT
CAMP RIVER DUBOIS

Hartford
, IL
  December 12 - December 13, 2009
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
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
WINTER EQUINOX
SUNRISE OBSERVANCE

Cahokia Mounds
State Historic Site
Collinsville, IL
  Sunday, December 20, 2009
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 800-289-2388 or 618-346-5160
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS
HYMN SING

Elsah, IL
  Sunday, December 20, 2009
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

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
     
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 21, 2008 - January 11, 2009
Tuesday - Saturday: 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday: 12 pm - 4 pm
Jacoby Arts Center, 627 E. Broadway
Jacoby Arts Center presents the National Invitational Sculpture Exhibition, curated by Thomas Gipe, Professor Emeritus, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.
Free
For more information call 618-462-5222
     
   

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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State Historic Site
     
 
 
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