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Events Calendar
for the Middle Mississippi River Valley
The Middle Mississippi River Valley is home to hundreds of special events
throughout the year. Unique festivals, country fairs, historical
reenactments, nature activities, ands artists exhibitions are just some of
the events that await visitors to the region. At any given time there is
always something going on. The listings below are just a sampling of the
events that are scheduled for this month and the next. Links are provided
below the listings to the more comprehensive regional calendar pages.
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ANNUAL
JURIED
EXHIBITION
Alton, IL |
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June 20 - August 10, 2008
Tuesday - Saturday: 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday: 12 pm - 4 pm
Jacoby Arts Center, 627 E. Broadway
The Annual Juried Exhibition features 2-D and
3-D works in various mediums by over 30 Illinois and Missouri artists.
Free
For more information call 618-462-5222 |
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9TH ANNUAL ELSAH
PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT
Elsah
July 26 - October 18, 2008
Friday - Sunday, 1 pm to 4 pm
Village of Elsah Museum
Amateur and professional photographers will be
displaying photographs of the Village of Elsah and the immediate area in
every season in an exhibit entitled "Colors and Contrasts
of Elsah."
Free
Click here for
additional information |
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ARCHEOLOGY DAY
Cahokia Mounds
State Historic Site
Collinsville, IL |
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Saturday
August 2, 2008
10 am - 4 pm
Collinsville Road
This is the site's largest annual event and features specialists
demonstrating ancient crafts such as pottery making, flintknapping, gourd
carving, making tools and ornaments, bow and arrow making, and more.
Free
For more information call 800-289-2388 or 618-346-5160 |
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ANNUAL CORN FEST
Schuline, IL |
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Saturday,
August 2, 2008
Charter Oak Schoolhouse, 9272 Schuline Road
This annual festival benefits the Charter Oak
Schoolhouse. There will be large kettles of homegrown sweet corn,
delicious Indian Pudding, fried chicken and home grown vegetables.
This event also features a country market and craft sale, live
music, and tours of the schoolhouse. Sponsored by Randolph County
Historical Society.
For
more information call 618-443-2812 |
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JOUR
DE FETE
Ste. Genevieve, MO |
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August
9 - August 10, 2008
9 am - 6 pm
Held annually in the middle of August, this
French cultural heritage event features and Arts & Crafts Show
with nearly 200 booths of artists and colonial crafters, a 5000
Meter Race and 1 Mile Fun Run, and a Classic Cruisers Car Show.
The will be food, drink and entertainment both days.
Admission and parking free
Shuttle bus service, $1, leaves every 15 minutes from parking area
at the industrial park, US 61 and M Road.
For
more information call 1-800-373-7007
or 573-883-7097 |
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SALT RIVER
FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL
Florida, MO |
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August 9 -
August 10, 2008
Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site
10 am – 5 pm
Experience the crafts and skills of the early
19th century at this annual Folk Life Festival. Entertainers and
craft exhibitors dressed in historic attire will present music,
crafts, games, and storytelling throughout the day. Crafts and
skills displayed will include making blacksmithing, woodcarvers,
soap makers, wheat weaving, wooden toys, willow furniture, Native
American flutes, and quilted products. Period food and drink will be
available. A kid's corner will be featured within a one-room
schoolhouse. Free tours of the museum at Mark Twain Birthplace State
Historic Site will be offered.
Free. The Friends of Florida will accept a $2
donation for parking.
For more information call 573-565-3449 |
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FESTIVAL OF THE
LITTLE HILLS
St. Charles, MO |
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August
15 - August 17, 2008
Friday: 4 pm - 10 pm
Saturday: 9:30 am - 10 pm
Sunday: 9:30 am - 5 pm
Historic St. Charles Downtown District
St. Charles largest event of the year, drawing over 300,000
visitors annually. The event features over 300 craft booth,
demonstrations, live music at venues throughout the grounds, other
entertainment, food and refreshments.
Free
For more information call 1-800-366-2427
or visit www.festivalofthelittlehills.com |
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MIDWEST SALUTE
TO THE ARTS
Fairview Heights, IL |
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August 22 - August 24, 2008
Longacre Park
For the past 18 years, Fairview Heights, Illinois, has been host to
the Midwest Salute to the Arts, rated the 40th best fine arts show
in the nation. This prestigious event attracts people from across
the Midwest and features some of the best sculptors, painters and
creators of decorative and wearable art in the United States.
Free
For
more information call 618-257-0747
or visit midwestsalute.com |
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ANNUAL
OLDEN DAYS FESTIVAL
Jersey County, IL |
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August 23 -
August 24, 2008
Saturday:
7 am - 7 pm
Sunday: 7 am - 5 pm
Tri-County Antique Club Grounds
Illinois Route 3 between Grafton and Jerseyville
Antique Tractors and Farm Equipment. Learn how people used to live from a
variety of demonstrations. Arts & Crafts, Antique Car Show, Food and
Live Entertainment!
Adults $3, Children under 12 admitted free.
For more information call 618-639-4192 |
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JERSEY COUNTY
VICTORIAN FESTIVAL
Jerseyville, IL |
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August 30 -
September 1, 2008
7 am - 5 pm daily
Located 1.5 miles north of Jerseyville on
Route 67 at the 60 acre Hazel Dell farm
Large Civil War reenactment, sutlers, arts, crafts, antiques, large
variety of festival food, steam engines, draft horses, tractors,
threshing, saw milling, and plowing. The festival is centered around the
1866 Fulkerson Mansion, which is open for tours.
Adults-$7, Children-$2, under 6 free. Free
parking.
For more information call 618-498-5590 |
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BIG MUDDY
BLUES FESTIVAL
St. Louis, MO |
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August
30 - August 31, 2008
3 pm to 11 pm
Historic Laclede's Landing
Feel the rhythm and find your groove on Labor Day
Weekend at the annual Big Muddy, one of the country's best blues
music festivals. The free festival features nearly three dozen
groups -- national, regional and local -- on five stages.
Free
For
more information call 314-241-5875
or visit the
event website. |
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JAPANESE FESTIVAL
St. Louis, MO |
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August
30 - September 1, 2008
10 am - 10 pm (30th-31st); 1000 am - 5 pm (1st)
Missouri Botanical Garden
The Missouri Botanical Garden hosts this annual
festival in honor of Japanese culture. Highlights include tours of
the Japanese garden, special art exhibitions, traditional
processions, tea ceremonies, kimono demonstrations, traditional
music and dancing, Japanese marketplace, arts and crafts, Ikebana,
Bonsai, martial arts, karaoke, Japanese theatrical performances,
cooking demonstrations, food booths and many more fun family
activities.
Admission, free for members
For
more information call 314-577-5100
or visit the Missouri Botanical Garden
website. |
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MISSISSIPPI RIVER
FIREWORKS FESTIVAL
Alton, IL |
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Friday, September 5, 2008
Alton Riverfront, Grounds open at 5 pm
Annual Fireworks Festival
presented by the Alton Exposition Commission features great food, a beer
tent, and entertainment. The fireworks
display will be at dusk.
Free
For more information call 618-463-3526 |
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BLUEGRASS
FESTIVAL
St. Charles, MO |
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Saturday,
September 6, 2008
7 pm - 10:30 pm
Frontier Park
Bluegrass is the focus of an evening under the stars in Frontier
Park on the banks of the Missouri River. Bring your own lawn
chairs or blankets.
Free
For more information call 1-800-366-2427 |
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POPEYE'S
PICNIC
Chester, IL |
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September
5 - September 8, 2008
The annual Popeye's Picnic is always held the
first weekend following Labor Day. This year's event will celebrate
the 75th anniversary of Popeye starting on Friday
afternoon and features plenty of food, music, dancing, sporting
events and other contests, a parade is held on Saturday morning and
a sizeable fireworks display is the finale on Sunday evening. The
event is centered around the downtown area of Chester, but
activities are held throughout the town.
Free, some activities charge a fee
For
more information visit www.popeyepicnic.com |
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Godfrey, IL |
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September 6
- October 26, 2008
Glazebrook Park, 1401 Stamper Lane
Fridays: 5 pm - 9 pm
Saturdays: 10 am - 9 pm
Sundays: 1 pm to dusk
Seven acre outdoor maze using tall corn as walls. Special events will be
held during the open months (September and October)
Adults: $6, Children 6 - 11: $4, Children 5 and
under: Free. Group rates and rentals available
For more information, or for group reservations, call 618-466-1483
or
visit www.greatgodfreymaze.com |
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GREENTREE FESTIVAL
Kirkwood, MO |
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September
12 - September 14, 2008
(12th) 5 pm - 10 pm; (13th) 8:30 am - 7 pm;
(14th) 10 am - 5 pm
This annual September festival began in 1961 in
response to an epidemic of Dutch elm disease. Residents were
encouraged to plant trees to replace those being lost with trees
sold at the fair for $1. Today many of those trees are mature and
grace the lawns and streets of Kirkwood. The festival features food,
games, information booths, dog show, canine frisbee competition,
parade, wine garden, book fair; folklife artisans, classic car show,
sailboat regatta, and live entertainment.
Free
or visit the
event website. |
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CHAMP CLARK
HERITAGE FESTIVAL
Bowling Green, MO |
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Saturday,
September 13, 2008
Courthouse Square and
Honey Shuck
This annual event features games, a car, truck
and tractor show, a parade, musical entertainment,
craft vendors, a 5K Fun Run/Walk, and tours of
Champ Clark's Honey Shuck. There will be plenty of food and
refreshments.
Free
For more information call
573-324-2981 |
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GIRLS ON GRAPES,
BOYS ON BREW
Grafton, IL |
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Saturday, September 13, 2008
2 pm - 6 pm
The
Loading Dock, 401 E. Front Street
Enjoy a sampling of delicious wine, beer, and food from over 25 area
restaurants and local wineries. The event will be held in the Historic
Boatworks at the Loading Dock in Grafton. Proceeds benefit Alton Memorial
Hospital's White Cross Auxiliary. Dress is casual.
Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door, and $15 for designated drivers; no one under 21, please.
For
more information call
618-786-3494 |
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OLD THRESHERS REUNION
Elsberry,
MO |
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September 19 - September 21,
2008
7
am - 11 pm
Junction of Highway B and Highway N
The focus of this event is threshing- the beating
of the seeds from grain. Features include threshing and sawing
demonstrations, antique tractors, tractors and horse pulls, crafts,
a flea market, children's games, live entertainment, and
refreshments. A favorite of the event is the 1908 steam powered all wooden Merry Go Round with
original ticket booth!
$5 for all 3 days
For more information call 573-898-5588 |
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GREAT FOREST PARK
BALLOON GLOW AND
BALLOON RACE
St. Louis, MO |
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September
19 - September 20, 2008
10 am to 4 pm
Forest Park
Glow (19th) 7 pm - 8:30 pm; Race (20th) 12 - 6:30
pm
Festivities begin with a balloon glow on September 19 beneath the
World's Fair Pavilion in Forest Park. Race day activities include a
parachute team exhibition, children's entertainment area, an all
British car show and a photo contest prior to the launch of the hare
and hound balloons at 4:30 pm, September 20. Rain date is September
21
Free
For
more information call 314-993-2901
or visit the
event website. |
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ITALIAN FEST
Collinsville, IL |
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September 19
- September 20, 2008
Main Street, downtown Collinsville
11 am - 10 pm
This annual festival, which began in 1984, features the Paisan Pedal Push,
5K Run-Walk, continuous entertainment on three stages, Fest Olympics,
Italian Cooking Contest, Bocce Ball, Grape Stomp, Wine Garden, Craft Fair,
Wine Making Contest, a Children’s area and But, the real calling card
for the Italian Fest continues to be the authentic Italian fare.
Free
For visit www.italianfest.net |
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MOSAICS
MO FESTIVAL
FOR THE ARTS
St. Charles, MO |
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September
19 - September 21, 2008
Friday: 4 pm - 9 pm
Saturday: 11 am - 9 pm
Sunday: 11 am - 5 pm
Historic St. Charles Downtown District
Approximately 125 artists from across the country are selected to
come to St. Charles to exhibit and sell their works. Mediums
represented include painting, sculpture, jewelry, and many other
fine arts. Other activities include A Mentor Me program, an Art
for Youth gallery, and a Kids Creation Station. Food and other
refreshments are available throughout the festival grounds.
Free
For more information call 636-940-5178
or visit www.stcharlesmosaics.org |
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PIONEER DAYS
Defiance, MO |
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September
20 - September 21, 2008
9 am - 5 pm
Daniel Boone Home,
1868 Highway F
A pre-1840s Folkways Festival and Encampment.
Daniel Boone Home and Boonesfield Village come to life for a fall
festival. Artisans, music, historic encampment, a black powder
shoot and good food make this a glorious day in the beautiful
Femme Osage Valley. Step into the past to experience life on the
early Missouri frontier and learn about the Boone legacy.
Admission
For more information call 636-798-2005 |
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HAMILTON
PRIMARY
SCHOOL FESTIVAL
Otterville, IL |
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September 20 - September 21, 2008
Saturday: 11 am - 7 pm
Sunday: 12 pm - 5:30 pm
Annual fund raising event held on the third Saturday of September on the Hamilton
Primary School grounds. Crafts, children's games, and
entertainment. Lots of food and homemade pies.
Memorial ceremony honoring Dr. Silas Hamilton
& George Washington: master and slave at the first free, integrated
school in the nation will be held on Sunday at 3 pm. Proceeds from the festival
will be used to renovate the
school.
Free
- donations appreciated
For more information call 618-786-7302 |
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APPLES TO ART
ART FESTIVAL
Grafton, IL |
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September 20 - September
21, 2008
10 am - 5 pm
Grove Park, Downtown Grafton
This annual art festival features artists
displaying and selling their work, an apple bake-off, live music, a pet
parade, and children's activities.
Free
For more information call 618-786-7000 |
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MISSOURI RIVER
IRISH FEST
St. Charles, MO |
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September
20 - September 21, 2008
Saturday 10 am - 10 pm
Sunday: 10 am - 5 pm
Frontier Park
St. Charles celebrates it's Irish heritage with
music, storytelling, athletics, food, traditional crafts and live
Irish music in the evening.
Free
For more information call 1-800-366-2427
or visit www.failtestcharles.com |
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FALL EQUINOX
SUNRISE OBSERVANCE
Cahokia Mounds
State Historic Site
Collinsville, IL |
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Sunday,
September 21, 2008
Arrive by 6:30 am
Collinsville Road
Observe the fall 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 |
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FRENCH
COLONIAL
CRAFTS & TRADES
Prairie du Rocher, IL |
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Sunday,
September 21, 2008
9 am - 5 pm
Fort
De Chartres
4 miles west of Prairie du Rocher on IL-155
Visitors to this event will learn how to construct 18th century
items using period tools. This is a hands on opportunity for the
public.
Free, Donations appreciated
For
more information call 618-284-7230 |
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HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
OPEN HOUSE
Prairie du Rocher, IL |
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Sunday,
September 21, 2008
10 am - 4 pm
Creole House
The Randolph County Historical Society will conduct guided tours of
the Creole House, a 19th century home with French American
transitional architecture that is listed on the National Register of
Historic Places. The Creole House is only a two block detour for
visitors attending the Rendezvous at Fort de Chartres.
Free
For
more information call 618-284-3319 |
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APPLE BUTTER
FESTIVAL
Maeystown, IL |
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September
26 - September 27, 2008
Old Rock Mill,
Maeystown Historic District
Friday: peeling of the apples at the Mill from 8
am – 1 pm. Saturday: apple stirring at the Mill from 6 am – 3
pm.
Free
For
more information call 618-458-6660 |
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OKTOBERFEST
Belleville, IL |
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September 26 - September 27, 2008
11 am - 11 pm
Downtown Belleville
Belleville celebrates it German heritage by hosting its annual
Oktoberfest which includes tapping of the "Golden Keg"
on Friday, carnival rides, a Kid’s Korner, a Poker Run on
Saturday, a raffle, live music in the evenings, and plenty of
food, beer, and other refreshments.
Free
For
more information call
618-398-8560
or visit www.bellevilleoktoberfest.com |
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OKTOBERFEST
St. Charles, MO |
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September
26 - September 28, 2008
Frontier Park
St. Charles celebrates it's German heritage with German bands,
food, beer gardens, a children's area, arts and crafts booths. A
parade is held on Saturday and an antique car show is held on
Sunday.
Free
For more information call 1-800-366-2427
or visit visit www.stcharlesoktoberfest.com |
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JERSEY
COUNTY
APPLE FESTIVAL
Jerseyville, IL |
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Saturday, September 27, 2008
9 am - 5 pm
Cheney Mansion,
601 N. State Street
Historical tours, entertainment, crafts, games, pet parade, food and drink. Variety of freshly picked
apples and foods made with apples. Quilt raffle.
Historic tours are $5 for adults, children 10 and
under are free
Other activities are free
For more information call 618-498-2876 |
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29TH ANNUAL
HERITAGE DAYS
Godfrey, IL |
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September 27
- September 28, 2008
9 am - 5 pm each day, rain or shine
Lewis & Clark Community College
5800 Godfrey Road (Route 67)
This annual event is a re-creation of period history, food, clothing,
black powder shoot, primitive encampments, demonstrations, music, crafts
and food.
Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children (5-12
years); Two-day passes are $8 for adults and $3 for children.
For more information call 618-806-3095 |
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ANNUAL TRADITIONAL
MUSIC FESTIVAL
Ellis Grove, IL |
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September
27 - September 28, 2008
Saturday: 11 am - 6 pm
Sunday: 12 pm - 6 pm
Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site
4372 Park Road
A weekend featuring the sounds of Bluegrass, Cajun, Country, and
Irish music. There will also be craft shows and food vendors. Sponsored by the
Illinois Historic Preservation Society.
Parking is $5 per car
For
more information call 618-859-3031 |
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The Meeting of the Great Rivers
Scenic Byway - Regional calendar pages for the Illinois
Counties of Madison, Jersey, and Calhoun.
French Colonial Country -
Regional calendar pages for the Illinois Counties of Madison, Jersey, and
Calhoun and the Missouri Counties of Ste. Genevieve and Jefferson.
Gateway to the West
- Regional calendar pages for St. Louis and St. Louis County.
Meeting the Missouri
River - Calendar pages for St. Charles County, Missouri.
Missouri's Lincoln Hills
- Regional calendar pages for the Missouri Counties of Lincoln, Pike, Ralls
and Marion.
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