Events in 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.





ANNUAL JURIED EXHIBITION Alton, IL		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

		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

ARCHEOLOGY DAY Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site Collinsville, IL		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

ANNUAL CORN FEST Schuline, IL		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

JOUR DE FETE Ste. Genevieve, MO		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

SALT RIVER FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL Florida, MO		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

FESTIVAL OF THE LITTLE HILLS St. Charles, MO		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

MIDWEST SALUTE TO THE ARTS Fairview Heights, IL		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

ANNUAL OLDEN DAYS FESTIVAL Jersey County, IL		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

JERSEY COUNTY VICTORIAN FESTIVAL Jerseyville, IL		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

BIG MUDDY BLUES FESTIVAL St. Louis, MO		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.

JAPANESE FESTIVAL St. Louis, MO		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.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER FIREWORKS FESTIVAL Alton, IL		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

BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL St. Charles, MO		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

POPEYE'S PICNIC Chester, IL		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

Godfrey, IL		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

GREENTREE FESTIVAL Kirkwood, MO		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.

CHAMP CLARK HERITAGE FESTIVAL Bowling Green, MO		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

GIRLS ON GRAPES, BOYS ON BREW Grafton, IL		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

OLD THRESHERS REUNION Elsberry, MO		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

GREAT FOREST PARK BALLOON GLOW AND BALLOON RACE St. Louis, MO		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.

ITALIAN FEST Collinsville, IL		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

MOSAICS MO FESTIVAL FOR THE ARTS St. Charles, MO		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

PIONEER DAYS Defiance, MO		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

HAMILTON PRIMARY SCHOOL FESTIVAL Otterville, IL		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

APPLES TO ART ART FESTIVAL Grafton, IL		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

MISSOURI RIVER IRISH FEST St. Charles, MO		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

FALL EQUINOX SUNRISE OBSERVANCE Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site Collinsville, IL		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

FRENCH COLONIAL CRAFTS & TRADES Prairie du Rocher, IL		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

HISTORICAL SOCIETY OPEN HOUSE Prairie du Rocher, IL		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

APPLE BUTTER FESTIVAL Maeystown, IL		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

OKTOBERFEST Belleville, IL		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

OKTOBERFEST St. Charles, MO		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

JERSEY COUNTY APPLE FESTIVAL Jerseyville, IL		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

29TH ANNUAL HERITAGE DAYS Godfrey, IL		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

ANNUAL TRADITIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL Ellis Grove, IL		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

French Colonial Country - Regional calendar pages for the Illinois Counties of Madison, Jersey, and Calhoun and the Missouri Counties of Ste. Genevieve and Jefferson.

Missouri's Lincoln Hills - Regional calendar pages for the Missouri Counties of Lincoln, Pike, Ralls and Marion.