Super Summers Have Returned to Metropolis!

Our cover this month features Ella and Kaden Steckenrider dressed to represent the characters from the hit show Smallville. Smallville follows the coming-of-age adventures of teenage Clark Kent in his fictional hometown of Smallville, Kansas before he formally becomes the Man of Steel. They are anxiously awaiting the 50th anniversary of the Metropolis Superman Celebration. Metropolis will be soaring from June 10 - 12th with their annual super event. Metropolis is celebrating 50 years as the Home of Superman with a bang! This year’s golden anniversary will be extra special.

“The celebration was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic,” said Karla Ogle, Chairman of the Superman Celebration Committee. “It returned last year on a smaller scale because of lingering health concerns and restrictions. This year we are back and the Superman Celebration will be bigger and better than ever!”

The annual event kicks off the summer in Metropolis bringing thousands of Superman fans to their favorite place. Superman fans travel from all over the country, and even around the world to spend the weekend at the Home of the Man of Steel. In past years visitors from Australia, England, and even Japan have been in attendance. This year’s celebration will be a three-day event rather than four. In prior years, the celebration began on Thursday evening. This year, the festivities will kick off on Friday, June 10.

“Travel numbers are bouncing back very well,” says Trish Steckenrider, Executive Director for the Greater Metropolis CVB. “We anticipate around 5,000 people to visit Metropolis during the three-day event. Metropolis has so much to offer - locally-owned shops, delicious restaurants, and a unique small-town feel. We invite everyone to enjoy our hometown."

The celebrity Meet & Greets are some of the top attractions of the Superman Celebration. This year stars Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum from Smallville will meet eager fans from near and far. Not only will they take part in the MSC autograph sessions, but they are also bringing their show to the event. Smallville Nights will take place on the evening of Saturday, June 11. Welling and Rosenbaum have created an intimate show in which they will reenact memorable moments from the iconic series and share some of the fun that goes on behind the scenes. Organizers will announce more details in the coming weeks.

Reverend Charles Chandler will be one of several honored guests. Also a former local pastor, Chandler was the first man to portray Superman in Metropolis. It is only fitting that he attend the special 50th Anniversary. He will be doing a Q&A session – the time and date will be posted on the website. The full schedule of events and tickets for Smallville Nights can be found at the Metropolis Superman Celebration website: supermancelebration.net.

The Superman Celebration will also bring back some traditional favorites such as the Smallville Kids Area. Children can enjoy games and shows, Superman trivia, panel discussions for the fans of the Man of Steel, and a large variety of vendors and food trucks. An adult must stay present with each child while in the Kids Area.

An amazing full-size replica of Transformer’s Optimus Prime semitruck will be present each day. The grand finale for the Superman Celebration will be the ever-popular “Heroes and Villains Costume Contest” on Sunday afternoon. Contestants will compete for various titles and cash prizes.

“This is a huge fan favorite, and it’s always interesting to see what contestants come up with,” Steckenrider said. “From the very simple to extremely creative, the costume contest is always a show-stopper. Rules and categories will be published on the website as the date approaches,”

The Metropolis Superman Celebration isn’t the only thing that brings people to Metropolis as the weather warms up. Two more annual events follow the Superman Celebration. From June 23 - 26, the Archery Shooters Association will return to Mermet Lake Fish and Wildlife area to host the Mathews Illinois Pro/Am Championships. This event brings members of the Archery Shooter’s Association (ASA) to Metropolis where members and non-members compete for cash prizes in over 20 archery categories. Winners of the Mathews Illinois Pro/ Am Championship will qualify to compete in the ASA Worlds later this summer. For more information about the tournament and how to become a member of ASA, visit: asaarchery.com.

There is no better place than Metropolis to kick off Independence Day Weekend! July 1 is the annual Hometown Celebration at Harrah’s Metropolis. This event provides a fun, festive place for the whole family while giving back to the community. General admission is $5 and 100% of admission fees go towards school supplies for local children when school starts back in August. Adults can enjoy the food and beverages while the kids put all of their energy to good use in bounce houses and playing games. A gigantic fireworks display will wrap up the 4th of July festivities. You don’t want to miss it!

If events aren’t quite your thing there are plenty of other ways to have a Super Summer in the Super City. Mermet Lake Fish and Wildlife area provides some of the best fishing and hiking trails in southern Illinois. Fort Massac State Park has premier camping facilities that attract campers from all over the country. Take your adventures underwater at Mermet Springs, the premier scuba facility in the Midwest. No matter when you visit Metropolis, don’t forget to take that #superselfie at the Superman statue. For all your travel planning needs, visit metropolistourism.com.

Greater Metropolis CVB metropolistourism.com | 1308 E. 5th Street | Metropolis, IL 62960 | 618.524.5025