ILLINOISouth Spring/Summer Tourism Times 2020

ILLINOISouth.org

Vol. XIII, Issue I, Spring/Summer 2020

4387 N. Illinois St., Suite 200 Swansea, Illinois 62226

03/20, 60M

Spring/Summer • FREE

TOURISM

TIMES Wind Back the Clock Spring has sprung in ILLINOISouth with must-see events, like the 300th anniversary of Prairie du Rocher’s Fort de Chartres and their 50th June Rendezvous celebration!

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TOURISM

TIMES 300 Years of History at Fort de Chartres

One of the most iconic sites in the state of Illinois is celebrating not one but two anniversaries in 2020! Fort de Chartres in Prairie du Rocher turns the big 300 this year, after being built in 1720 by the French. The Fort was the government center for France in this part of what they considered ‘New France.’ France’s decision to locate Fort de Chartres where they did directly affected the location of multiple communities, including Prairie du Rocher and even St. Louis. There are several French traditions that started here 300 years ago and still continue today, La Guiannee and the 12th Nights Ball are two of these.

Over time Fort de Chartres was mostly destroyed by flood waters. The State of Illinois acquired the land in 1913 as a historic site and started the restoration process. The only remaining structure from Fort de Chartres at that time was the stone building that served as the powder magazine – it was the first piece of history to be restored and is regarded as the oldest existing building in the state of Illinois. Different phases of the restoration process continued over the next seventy-plus years, turning the Fort into what tourists visit today.

The other milestone for Fort de Chartres this year is the 50th Anniversary of their June Rendezvous. The gathering was started by a group of like-minded individuals that shared the love of the history of the area and the shooting of black powder muzzleloaders. In the early years of the event, there were only a handful of tipi-style tents and some men lined up at the shooting range. Over time, the Rendezvous has developed into a very popular tourist attraction featuring several hundred camps of reenactors portraying military, traders, trappers and more. Music is also a huge part of the event, with a wide variety of entertainment ranging from folk music to groups

playing fifes, bagpipes and drums. There are also several reenactors demonstrating 18th century lifeways such as blacksmithing, coopering, basket making, wood carving, black powder shooting and more.

Jason Duensing is the Rendezvous Planning Committee Chairperson, and he expects much larger crowds than normal for the festivities this year – thanks to celebrating two large milestones. “The response from the public and reenactors has been very positive, with a lot of anticipation for the event,” Duensing explains. “We are having a ceremony to celebrate continued on page 3

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4387 N. Illinois St., Suite 200 Swansea, Illinois 62226 618-257-1488 Toll free: 800-442-1488 www.ILLINOISouth.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS BOND COUNTY Adam Boudouris Dennis Potthast, Treasurer CLARK COUNTY Norma Calvert Bailey Maulding CLAY COUNTY Clint Green Chris Thompson CLINTON COUNTY Jim Sullivan Sandy Timmermann CRAWFORD COUNTY Tom Compton Lisa Schaefer CUMBERLAND COUNTY Billie Chambers Tania Craig EDWARDS COUNTY Debbie Fearn Dennis Turpin FAYETTE COUNTY Mayor Ricky Gottman Jessica Hampton

ILLINOISouth.org

Hello From Dan...

Spring has sprung….and that suits us just fine here in ILLINOISouth as we begin another travel season.

With so much to see and do, thank goodness for Daylight Savings Time which gives us a little extra to fit it all in! From Art on the Square in Belleville to Mad Dog 2020 in Downtown Olney…this is just the beginning of a packed summer full of fun and adventure. You’ll definitely want to check out the Calendar of Events beginning on page 16, and start planning now so you won’t miss a thing!

Be sure to learn more about Fort de Chartres as they celebrate 300 years of history in June. The Fort will also be celebrating the 50th anniversary of its ever-popular June Rendezvous.

Make plans to visit Prairie du Rocher June 6-7 and experience all the planned activities at the Fort.

Check out our Road Trippin’ page, you’ll want to pack a bag and experience the best ILLINOISouth has to offer. Made in Illinois will show off what’s being produced in our own back yard. And Membership = ROI will fill you in on all the ways the Bureau can help you build your business or community.

Enjoy the Spring weather and make sure to Find your Adventure here in ILLINOISouth!

DAN KRANKEOLA President/CEO

dkrankeola@ILLINOISouth.org

HAMILTON COUNTY Jerry Prince Monica Tucker JASPER COUNTY Jane Casey Mindy Hartke LAWRENCE COUNTY Jim Gardner Tom Robinson MADISON COUNTY Rosemarie Brown Mallord Hubbard MARION COUNTY Sonya Germann, Vice Chairman Ben Stratemeyer MONROE COUNTY Clyde Heller, Personnel Chairman Jim Hill PERRY COUNTY Judy Smid Carrie Gilliam RANDOLPH COUNTY Emily Lyons Ronnie White RICHLAND COUNTY Belinda Henton, Secretary Karen Bell ST. CLAIR COUNTY Cathleen Lindauer John West WABASH COUNTY Brenda Bobbitt Jim Pfeister WASHINGTON COUNTY Marvin Steinkamp, Chairman Doris Povolish WAYNE COUNTY Gary Sloan Royce Carter WHITE COUNTY Cindy Conley Kathy Sands

STAFF MEMBERS DAN KRANKEOLA President/CEO

dkrankeola@ILLINOISouth.org

ELAINE BYRD Executive Assistant/Office Manager ebyrd@ILLINOISouth.org

CHRISTINE ORR Sales & Marketing Manager corr@ILLINOISouth.org

NICK WATERMAN Sales & Marketing Manager nwaterman@ILLINOISouth.org

ANDY WATERMAN Communications Manager

awaterman@ILLINOISouth.org

DARLENE CHAPMAN Finance Director dchapman@ILLINOISouth.org

JACK DAWDY Graphic Designer/Social Media Specialist jdawdy@illinoisouth.org

ALEXANDRA BATEMAN Web Content Specialist

lbateman@ILLINOISouth.org

JEREMY DRAKE Distribution Representative

CREDITS

ANDY WATERMAN Project Manager & Author ALEXANDRA BATEMAN Publication Designer JACK DAWDY & TAMBER WADE Advertisements Designers KINGERY PRINTING COMPANY Printing

To submit an event for Tourism Times, visit ILLINOISouth.org/events

Welcome to ILLINOISouth!

ILLINOISouth is happy to welcome two new additions to our team: Nick Waterman and Jack Dawdy!

Nick Waterman joined the ILLINOISouth team in October of 2019 as a Sales & Marketing Manager. Nick brings with him a robust sales background, mainly from the sports industry. He worked for the St. Louis Cardinals as a Direct Sales Representative during the 2015 and 2016 seasons, helping them welcome more than 3 million fans into Busch Stadium annually. Nick graduated from Western Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and a master’s degree in Sport Management.

When he’s not at work, Nick can be found spending time with his wife and son, as they reside in O’Fallon. Some of their favorite things to do are attending community and Church events, going on walks and watching a lot of Disney movies.

Jack Dawdy is a graphic designer out of St. Louis, MO, where he lives with his partner and two cats. He got his B.S. in Digital Media with a Minor in English from Greenville University. He’s a fan of quality coffee, Nintendo games, and podcasts. When he’s not working, you can find him playing Dungeons and Dragons, longboarding with friends, or obsessively refreshing his Twitter feed.

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Photo by Kelly Adams

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the 300th anniversary immediately following the Opening Colors ceremony, Saturday, June 6th at 9:00 am,” adds Duensing. During the ceremony, there will be several speakers of note, as well as recognition of dignitaries in attendance and other special presentations.

“Also, being that we are celebrating the 300th during the 50th Annual Fort de Chartres Rendezvous, we have increased our activities during the event,” Duensing says. “We have pretty much doubled our entertainment for the event, as well as added mock battles on both Saturday and Sunday and an evening musket and cannon firing display.”

If you’re thinking of bringing along your entire family for the Fort de Chartres Rendezous, event organizers highly encourage children of all ages to attend.

There will be a kid-friendly area where everyone is welcome to try their hand at multiple 18th century children’s activities and games.

“Rendezvous at Fort de Chartres

50th Rendezvous Activities French Marine Drill Performance by The Lewis and Clark Fife and Drum Corps Dance Discovery Rifle and Smoothbore Competition Canon firing demonstrations Knife and Hawk Throwing Competition Opening and Closing Ceremonies Historic wares by local craftsmen and sutlers

is the perfect time to bring your kids out and let them have fun, all the while learning a bit of our nation’s history at the same time,” Duensing added.

If you’d like to learn more about the Anniversary events at Fort de Chartres – which are completely planned and managed by volunteers, you can visit fortdechartres.us/ or give them a call at (618) 284-7230.

Enjoy the Rendezvous!

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Paint the Town

Mad Dog Murals in Olney

There is no question that Olney is very well-known for being the Home of the White Squirrels, but in June this friendly community will play host to more than just squirrels. Dozens of people will come to Olney with one thing on their minds… painting!

Welcome to Olney!

The colors of Summer!

This group of artists call themselves the Walldogs, and they’re highly skilled sign painters and mural artists from all over the globe. Over the last 24 years, this pack of artists descend upon one lucky town a year to paint beautiful murals with images of local places, people and products that have significance to each community.

The Mad Dog 2020 International Mural Event in Olney will take place June 17th-21st. Fifteen murals are currently planned to be painted throughout town, with images ranging from Olney’s three lakes, to a mural of Richland County’s chowder influence, as well as a children’s mural showcasing the monarch butterfly. Olney’s City Clerk Kelsie Sterchi explains that they wanted to originally do this event in 2016 around Olney’s 175th anniversary – but the Walldogs operate on a waiting list. When city leaders got the call

in 2017 that the Walldogs could come for an event in 2020, they jumped on the opportunity and the town has embraced the idea ever since.

“We have been very blessed to have individuals and groups reach out asking what they can do to help,” Sterchi adds. “We have people coming together to help us feed these artists, people that will be donating their time in volunteering, people who donate their resources so we have the proper supplies and equipment, families who are opening up their homes to act as a host family, and the very generous donors. This event would not be possible without these people,” Sterchi says.

Mad Dog 2020 will no doubt be centered around the murals, but there will be much more for people to experience. continued on page 6

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Watch Artists Bring These Murals to Life at Olney’s Mad Dog 2020!

"Armed Forces Medley" "Ridgway: Natural Scientist, Author & Artist" "The Fella Was a Tripp" "Olney’s Bright Idea" "Land of Riches" "Chowder Town Chowdown" "Flutter-by" "Hollywood Glam" "The Art of the Opera" "All Aboard at B&O" "Proud Olneans in Tiger Country" "Swing for the Fences" "Life is Better at the Lakes" "Lincoln Rallies for Change" "Coca-Cola, an American Icon"

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“While they are here, we will be having other events taking place to add to the fun,” Sterchi explains. “We plan on having great music spread throughout the Walldogs’ time here, a fun festival, art auction, Arty Costume Party and more.”

The City of Olney is expecting a large turnout for the festivities, because these Walldog events usually draw folks from far and wide.

“People who have experienced a Walldogs event often travel to other Walldogs events because it is interesting and they get to visit artist friends they made in the past. It’s also something that makes for a great little trip to someplace new, enjoy art, enjoy music, food and area culture,” adds Sterchi.

There are also plans to create a brochure for the murals so that residents and visitors can conduct walking tours. “They will be able to see the murals, but also learn about the history behind the mural and the artist that designed the image.”

Whether you’re going for a few hours, or the whole five-day

event – Mad Dog 2020 promises to be one of the best events in ILLINOISouth this summer! For those looking to make a vacation of it – there are plenty of hotel options within a twenty-mile radius; which include the Best Western Plus, The Holiday, and the Super 8 in Olney, the Cobblestone Hotel and Suites in Newton, and the Best Western Lorson Inn in Flora. To find more information on Mad Dog 2020, make sure to visit olneywalldogs.com.

Olney’s famous White Squirrels get their own mural!

Artist Rudy Kristler with his mural at Olney City Hall

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NEWS BIG NEWS FOR BIKE ENTHUSIASTS For those who love to hop on their bike and hit the trail, a new trail expansion just opened up in the Metro East – which connects Madison and St. Clair Counties.

The seven-mile trail expansion took almost 20 years to come to fruition and is built on old railroad right-of-ways from the 1800s. The expansion took the existing Goshen Trail and extended it south from Troy to O’Fallon. It’s the first time the MCT (Madison County Transit) trail system has extended into St. Clair County.

To check out a map of the trail expansion – visit mcttrails.org/ map.

The Sports Academy is just one phase of the project; there will also be a restaurant and event center known as The Landing at Castle Ridge and The Grand Hall & Conference Center at Castle Ridge. Construction has started on the The Landing and Grand Hall – which will have five style options for wedding ceremonies. The third phase of the project includes cabins and eight bed lodges, while follow-up phases include a marina, a kayak run and residential housing.

To take a closer look at the Gaetti Sports Academy and Castle Ridge – find them online at castleridge.com.

NEW SPORTS FACILITY OPENS IN CENTRALIA Centralia native Gary Gaetti – a former MLB All-Star and St. Louis Cardinal — is opening a brand-new sports academy in his hometown. The Gaetti Sports Academy will provide training programs, camps and clinics for individuals, small groups and teams. The 18,000 square foot facility will feature eight batting cages, six pitching lines, and MLB regulation sized field and state-ofthe-art analytics technology.

On-site groundbreaking for Castle Ridge in Centralia

and NOTES plans to host a few special events throughout the year to commemorate the occasion. Part of their goal for this year is to host 1,300 people or more throughout the year – so if you’re looking for something to do this year, make a trip to Greenville.

For more information on times and dates for any special events, make sure to find DeMoulin Museum on Facebook!

REAL ID DEADLINE IS APPROACHING Many of you have likely heard about REAL ID and the fact that the final enforcement deadline for REAL ID is October 1st. But what exactly is REAL ID for?

A REAL ID only has to be obtained if you have plans to fly, visit a military base or a secure federal facility – if you’re not going to do any of those things, you do not need a REAL ID. If you do plan on flying or visiting a secure federal facility – you’ll need to present a REAL ID OR a current passport.

Over the years, DeMoulin Museum in Greenville has earned a reputation for being one of the most unique, quirky museums anyone has ever been to. They have a large and rare collection of lodge initiation devices, many of which visitors can experience hands-on. Folks can interact with the Electric Branding Iron, the Bucking Goat, and the Lifting and Spanking Machine among others.

You can secure a REAL ID by visiting your local driver’s license facility; and you’ll have to provide documentation showing 1) Full Legal Name; 2) Date of Birth; 3) Social security Number; 4) Two Proofs of Address of Principal Residence; and 5) Lawful Status. Different states may impose additional requirements, so check with your state’s driver’s licensing agency website before visiting them in person. There will be additional facilities handling REAL ID requests as the deadline approaches, including the Southwest Madison County Chamber of Commerce in Granite City.

DeMoulin is celebrating it’s 10th anniversary this year and

For a map of facility locations, as well as additional informa-

DEMOULIN MUSEUM CELEBRATES 10TH ANNIVERSARY

tion pertaining to REAL ID, visit realid.ilsos.gov.

MOTHER ROAD RENDEZVOUS Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 9th as World Wide Technology Raceway will host the Mother Road Rendezvous.

Just five minutes from downtown St. Louis – this event at WWT Raceway will make you feel like you’re traveling down Route 66 in its hay day. There will be three Vegas headliner Rockabilly Bands performing throughout the day, a

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vintage camper corral, and a host of nostalgia vendors on the midway. The Mother Road Rendezvous will also feature drag races, a traditional hot rod and custom car show, and a classic cruise to the Historic Old Chain of Rocks Bridge.

order to help quench the thirst of wine connoisseurs that want to get an early start on the weekend!

For more information, you can find them on Facebook or at crookedcreekwinery.com.

For more information, visit wwtraceway.com.

day with the queen pageant, agricultural shows and exhibits, and Floral Hall exhibits being some of the most popular attractions among visitors. This year’s Jasper County Fair will be held June 2127, for more information you can find them on Facebook as Jasper County Fair Newton, IL; or you can visit their website at jaspercofairnewtonillinois. org.

NEW ESCAPE ROOM OPEN IN HIGHLAND There is a new attraction in Highland that will help you beat those rainy days this spring and summer! Bailout Escape Rooms offer a unique experience for families, work groups, you name it. Much like many other escape rooms, you have an hour to find clues, solve puzzles and work as a team to find your way out of the room! Bailout has party rooms available, as well as the ability to host group events, team building exercises and more. They are also family friendly, and gift certificates are available to purchase.

For more information, you can visit BailoutEscapeRooms.com.

Located in Greenville, IL

Invention • Imagination • Industry

See wacky initiation devices from the early 1900s!

BIG ADDITION TO DOWNTOWN CENTRALIA Another business has opened in Centralia, but they’re a familiar face. The award-winning Crooked Creek Winery has opened a new location at 107 North Oak in addition to their current facility which is just west of Centralia.

Crooked Creek Winery Downtown will serve up the same great wines as the original location, but with some difference in days of operation. The new location in downtown Centralia is open both Thursday and Friday, as well as Saturday and Sunday – in

This is one that we’ll remember long after larger, slicker attractions are forgotten.”

-Roadside America

Call or Visit our Website for Hours 618.664.4115 • DeMoulinMuseum.org

MIDAMERICA AIRPORT OFFERS NEW ROUTE As of June 6th, MidAmerica Airport in Mascoutah will start offering a new passenger route, thanks to an expansion in service

by Allegiant Air. The new route will be a nonstop flight to Savannah, Georgia’s Hilton Head International Airport. It’s part of a large service expansion for Allegiant Air, which has recently added three cities and 44 new nonstop routes.

The flights to Savannah out of MidAmerica will run seasonally and operate twice a week. Allegiant is offering oneway fare from MidAmerica to Savannah for as low as $55.

For more information, or to book your trip visit flymidamerica.com.

150 YEARS OF TRADITION IN JASPER COUNTY The Jasper County Fair has been a mainstay in Newton, and a popular event for folks in southeastern Illinois. This year, the Fair is celebrating it’s 150th Anniversary! Back in 1870, the Jasper County Fair started off small – consisting of seven race horses, five cattle and six pigs. In the time since, the fair board bought the current land where the fairgrounds sit, and have built everything from grandstands to a Floral Hall, as well as a 4-H building and a horse arena.

At its peak, the Jasper County Fair attracts about 5,000 people a

WILL RUN FOR FOOD! One of the more popular events in ILLINOISouth last year is making its return in 2020. Marshall is hosting its 2nd Annual Fit Foodie Triathlon on Saturday, June 6th.

The triathlon portion begins at 8 AM, while the 5K portion is slated for an 8:30 AM start. The Fit Foodie Triathlon will offer triathletes a fast PR setting course!

The event will begin with a 300 meter snake swim in Marshall's new outdoor pool, then will move to a flat fast bike on low traffic country, and will end with an awesome run through Marshall's beautiful downtown past bright murals and historic buildings in their downtown area. There will be post-race meals and refreshments, followed by the race awards ceremony at 10 AM. Once the awards are wrapped up, the food truck festival will begin at 11 AM and folks can get their fill of delicious food until 8 PM. For more information on the Fit Foodie Triathlon, you can find the event on Facebook.

An evening of carnival rides, games and food awaits you at Jasper County Fair.

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MEMBERSHIP

EQUALS ROI Just Press There is no question that videos are the future of marketing. Over 1.1 billion hours of video are watched between Facebook and YouTube every day, and that number only continues to grow. In 2019 ILLINOISouth Tourism started producing videos with our community partners in order to capitalize on the vast number of viewers on social media.

The goal was to reach an average of 1,200 people per video post on Facebook. By the time it was all said and done, ILLINOISouth’s videos reached a total of 1,271,545 people. These results are all organic, not a dime was used to boost them. The results blew our expectations out of the water, as the videos reached an average of 14,287 people per post – much more than our expectation of 1,200. The videos also did well on YouTube, amassing over 61 thousand views in a year – averaging out to be 713 views per video posted.

Many of the videos focused on attractions, restaurants, etc. that each community has to offer visitors on a daily basis, while other videos were event based. The best performing video of the bunch was a feature story on a Christmas display in Woburn – which went viral. That video alone was shared more than 2 thousand times and reached over 152 thousand people!

PLAY

One of the most positive statistics about the videos would be the engagement rate. On average there were 1,100 likes/ comments/shares per video – and many of the comments were potential visitors voicing their intent to travel to a prospective attraction. “I knew nothing about this, ashamed to say,” responded Diane Duncan on one of the videos. “Would love to see it. Perfect for families taking grandkids, hope we can make this happen.”

After seeing the video on Marshall, Cheryle Pohlman commented “Love the LIONS. Want to see more.”

ILLINOISouth also produced a video showcasing the American Thresherman event in Pinckneyville. A few months a f t e r w a rd s , Pi n c k n e y v i l l e’s Economic Development Director C a r r i e Gi l l i a m s h a r e d t h e following; “ T h e Pr e s i d e n t o f t h e American Thresherman Association stopped by my office recently to share that one of their videos of their event had reached over 5 million views.

ILLINOISouth is an invaluable resource for any event looking for serious exposure. Their mix of professionalism and fun appeals to many demographics and is one of the main ingredients in the “secret sauce” for marketing this popular event.”

Most of the videos produced in 2019 were done at little to no cost to our communities – which is tremendous return on investment for those looking to

spread the word about themselves outside of traditional print, radio, and TV advertising. Stay tuned to ILLINOISouth’s Facebook and YouTube pages for more original video content in 2020. To learn more about our video services, contact Communications Manager Andy Waterman at 618-257-1488 or awaterman@illinoisouth.org.

Follow Us on Social Media! @illinoisouth

@ILLINOISouth

@ILLINOISouth

@ILLINOISouth Tourism

Tag us in photos of your next ILLINOISouth adventure for the chance to be featured on our website! Make sure we see your photos by using our hashtag, #ILSouth.

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Bites

R AiDppin’ Tr

When the weather warms up, one of the best things to do is jump in the car, roll the windows down and experience something new for the weekend. Here in ILLINOISouth, we have just the trip – and it involves some of the tastiest food and beer you’ll find.

The Southern Illinois Beer Trail is comprised of 18 local breweries, broken up into three different loops – north, middle, and south. Ten of those breweries fall within our territory – and each of them has their own unique twist on beer.

We’ll start with Excel Brewing in Breese, which offers an amazing tour if you call ahead of time.

Excel is a great mix of the latest brewing products and equipment, with an old school feel. Excel is one of the few independent family bottlers in the nation and is the only returnable bottling line remaining in Illinois. They’re famous for Ski, but their beer is just as good. With a lineup featuring everything from lagers to stouts and IPAs, it’s easy to leave Excel with more than one six-pack in tow.

A quick 28 miles west of Excel you’ll find Peel Brewing Company in O’Fallon. If you’re hungry, this is one of the best stops along the way to get food with your beer. Peel offers up 4204 Main Street Belleville’s steak dinner is a must!

everything from tacos and sandwiches for those in need of sustenance – but they’re best known for their wood fired pizza. Of course, beer is the other star of the show at Peel – and they have a lot of it.

Their Blood Orange Wheat is a great summer beer, along with the Double Take Blonde; and if you’re feeling adventurous, Peel has a handful of Beer Cocktails to try.

and tours are available if you call ahead. Some of the spirits available to drink are a honey flavored whiskey, a lemon drop whiskey, pecan pie flavored whiskey, a traditional bourbon whiskey, and a very smooth vodka. It’s not hard to leave with a bottle of each!

Just in case you weren’t hungry at Peel, the last stop on the trail for Friday has some phenomenal fare as well. 4204 Main Street Brewing in Belleville has a vast array of options on their menu including steaks, pastas, flatbreads, and a unique Espresso Burger. For those ready to have another drink – 4204 is well known for their Pecan Brown as well as the Blueberry Blonde Juele. Their taproom stays open until midnight if you’re up to it – from there a stay at the Hampton Inn in Columbia would be best to pick up the trail on Saturday.

Just a short six-mile drive northeast will take you to Millpond Brewing and Incubator in Millstadt. Millpond is the newest brewery on the Southern Illinois Beer Trail, having j u s t opened in the summer of 2019. Millpond usually has around a dozen bre ws on tap, everything from stouts and ales, to a saison and pilsners; are all professionally brewed by owner Bryan Schubert.

The unique thing about Millpond though, is that they allow homebrewers to brew their recipes there and offer it for sale to the public.

Before heading to Stumpy’s Sprits for the first stop of the day – we recommend a quick trip to Café on the Abbey in Columbia for a latte and a plethora of breakfast food to get your day started off right. The tasting room at Stumpy’s opens at noon,

A mere thirteen miles south from Millstadt lies Stubborn German Brewing Company in Waterloo. Here, it’s Oktoberfest all year long – as they always have their signature Oktoberfest brew “Stubbornfest” on tap no matter the month. There’s also a fantastic selection of light, dark, hoppy, wheat and fruit beers to sample.

Flights are available, and if you’re really into Stubborn German’s

brews – you can try all 16 for just $29. While there is no food available for purchase here, you can bring in whatever food you’d like!

Speaking of food – the next stop on the trail has some phenomenal eats, and it’s only a block away from Stubborn German.

Hopskeller Brewing Company has 17 different wood fired pizzas to choose from, or you can build your own. Not feeling pizza? You can also choose a unique hot dog or brat; some of which are garnished with offerings such as pineapple or chardonnay mustard. Obviously, a beverage is needed to pair with said food – and Hopskeller has something for just about anyone, from beer to cocktails and even sangria. The flagship beer at Hopskeller is the Raspberry Ale – which is a crowd favorite that isn’t too sweet. If you’d like to try more than one, there are flights available to purchase as well.

Try the pulled pork at St. Nicholas Brewing Company

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Your New Hometown

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JULY 24 -26 - FAR M HE RI TAG E DA Y S Fourteen miles southeast of Waterloo on Route 3, you’ll come upon Red Bud which is home to Lieferbrau Brewery. This is one of the more impressive venues on the route, as the building was built in 1888 and has since been beautifully restored and renovated.

The outdoor beer garden at Lieferbrau is the perfect place to spend an hour sipping one of their 12 varieties of beer, including their Double Crop Cream Ale – a fan favorite. If you did not get food in Waterloo, there are several great eateries within walking distance of Lieferbrau – including The Burnt End, Mi Casa Sub Shop, and Opera House Bistro.

The next to last stop on our Saturday adventure leads us to the White Rooster Farmhouse Brewery in Sparta. If you’re a fan of live music, then you’ll love White Rooster – as they almost always have a live band performing on Saturday nights. While you’re enjoying the tunes, enjoy one of

several unique brews – some of which are collaborations with other breweries. One of their more unique offerings is a Belgian dark ale brewed with cinnamon and raisin bread!

Last but certainly not least, is a stop at St. Nicholas Brewing Company in Du Quoin.

The building is a staple of the community, having been a hotel in town for 125 years. After being abandoned in 2005, it sat vacant for a few years before renovations began towards what is now St. Nicholas Brewing Company. If you’re feeling a little hungry, this is one of the better stops on the trail for in-house food, with some of the best BBQ pork you’ll have. In terms of beer, St. Nicholas offers four flagship brews as well as nine other seasonal beers throughout the year. Small-batch beers are also an option, depending on availability.

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SE PT 1 1 -13 - HIL L 'S FO RT R EN D E ZV OUS

Ame ri can Fa rm Heri tage M useum

j y t n u o C r e p s Ja The Place to Be

Great Outdoor Activities Excellent Accommodations Fine Selection of Restaurants Several Specialty Shops

By now you’re likely ready to call it a day – and there are a couple of great options to get some rest. Francie’s Inn is a bed & breakfast with very positive reviews, and Fairgrounds Inn is conveniently located on Highway 51 just south of the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds.

Happy travels, and cheers!

JASPER COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 618-783-3399 EMBARRAS RIVER TOURISM COUNCIL 618-783-7188

FOLLOW US ON

M

Fly nonstop from

Belleville

WATCH FOR OUR NEW WEBSITE LAUNCHING IN APRIL!

TRIP PLANNER + MAPS FEATURES

ILLINOIS’ OLDEST EXISTING CAPITAL

Vandalia

INTUITIVE EVENTS + LISTINGS SEARCHING

SLEEK NEW DESIGN

See Centralia

WHERE HISTORY THRIVES

Upcoming Events Vandalia is the cultural crossroads of early Illinois government, Abraham Lincoln influence, famous roads, interpretive centers, early nineteenth century historic sites, outdoor recreation for the adventurous... and even its own Fire Breathing Dragon!

Historic Locust Street Fair May 2 • 10 am – 2 pm Downtown Centralia

Juneteenth

June 20 • 11 am – 2 pm Laura Leake Park

July 1-4 • Starts at 10 am Downtown Centralia

More Reasons to Visit Centralia Carillon

Centralia-Carillon.org

65 bell instrument plays throughout the day and during the summer concert series

Grand Levee June 19th - 20th

Vandalia State House Historic Site FREE

4th of July Parade and Carnival

Photo Complements of Trisha Mifflin

Centralia Cultural Society CentraliaArts.org

Live performances, concerts and photography

Lakes & Parks Fishing, kayaking, boating, disc golf, hiking, nature trails, and much more

Experience life back when Abraham Lincoln was a statesman at the third Illinois State House. Observe and talk to the tradespeople as they demonstrate their skills from a bygone era. Blacksmithing, weaving, spinning, rugmaking, lacemaking, fiberarts, basketry, food and games and so much more!

For a Schedule of Events or a FREE Brochure VandaliaIllinois.com | 618.283.2728

SeeCentralia.com • 618.533.7623 Facebook.com/SeeCentralia

14 • Vol. XIII, Issue I, Spring/Summer 2020

ILLINOISouth.org

POKORNEY’S OLD TIME KETTLE KORN

If you are going to a farmer’s market or community festival in southern Illinois over the next few months, odds are you’ll probably run into Stan and Rita Pokorney – owners of Pokorney’s Kettle Korn, Gifts and Crafts.

The Pokorneys have been popping up their kettle corn at area festivals, fairs and farmers markets since 1998. They’re known for singing jingles to the crowd and passing out samples, to attract folks to their booth.

The Wayne County couple uses popcorn kernels from Earth Farms in Marion, Illinois. Pokorney’s Kettle Korn has been around long enough now that it has a very strong following of loyal customers, enough that Stan

and Rita have supplied their kettle corn to folks for weddings and other family events, and will sell from their home if the need presents itself.

Kettle Korn, Gifts and Crafts – you can find them on Facebook or give them a call at (618) 8952824.

Aside from kettle corn, the Pokorneys also sell their handmade wood crafts, yard decorations and signs at their booth during each event. For more information on Pokorney’s Old Time

Owner of Pokorney’s Kettle Korn, Stanley Pokorney.

Photo by Ronald Ahrens.

800-442-1488

Vol. XIII, Issue I, Spring/Summer 2020 • 15

Home of the World’s Largest Wooden Shoes

We Have it All!

• Jigsaw puzzles • Bulk nuts • Gourmet Sauces

JEDI BREWCO

There is an up and coming craft beer company out of Clinton County that you probably haven’t heard of yet – but they are definitely worth following. JEDI BrewCo started off as a homebrew hobby amongst four partners that entered their beers into the Breese Optimist Fall Festival Homebrew Competition from 2014-2017.

After years of continued success at the competition earning first place in blind judging and people’s choice – the group started to re s e a r c h ways to commercially enter the craft beer market.

L u c k i l y, they had developed a great relationship with the folks at Excel Bottling and Brewery in Breese – which allowed JEDI to contract brew at Excel’s facilities.

In the last 16 months, partners Justin Eilermann, Dave Imming, Steve Hutson, and Brock Roberts have worked hard to sell JEDI

into local bars and restaurants.

They’re currently on draught at 7-West Bar & Grill in Trenton as well as Trenton House, Cobblestone Eatery & Drinkery in Lebanon, The Depot Bar & Grill in O’Fallon, and the newly opened Signature Tap House in Fairview Heights. Gold Fusion Ale is a fan favorite, and their flagship brew – but they’re looking to introduce Red Eye Raspberry Wheat and a Chocolate Milk Stout to their lineup in 2020.

• • • •

Dips Jellies Dressings and More!

Don’t forget your candy!

Behind World’s Largest Mailbox, Downtown Casey, IL

217-932-4460 • caseyscandydepot.com

Like Us on

If you’d like bottles of JEDI BrewCo’s beer to keep at home, retail packages can be found at Excel Bottling in Breese as well as several CC Food Mart convenience stores. The group is working on increasing their distribution for 2020 with hopes of being in more retail locations by this fall. For more information on JEDI BrewCo, you can check them out on Facebook!

www.marshall-il.com

THRU THE YEARS WITH PRIDE

Enjoy JEDI BrewCo’s delicious beers on tap!

WORLD’S LARGEST GAVEL

HISTORIC LANDMARKS

HISTORIC MURALS

GOLFING

FESTIVALS

LION STATUES

BOWLING

BOATING/CAMPING/FISHING/HUNTING

16 • Vol. XIII, Issue I, Spring/Summer 2020

ILLINOISouth.org

Calendar of Events To submit an event: An event form must be completed and submitted for each event.

Visit ILLINOISouth.org/events-upload

Central

Event submission deadlines for our printed publications are: Spring/Summer: January 15th, Fall: May 1st, Holiday: August 1st. Event information received after this date may be listed on the website, but is subject to exclusion from the printed publications.

Please keep in mind your events should be “Visitor Friendly” and bring people in from outside your area.

Priority is given to events that produce overnight stays.

Western

Because of space limitations, we cannot include local fund-raisers, weekly/monthly activities (Bingo, Bunko, etc.), church picnics or fish frys/weekly dinners. We reserve the right to edit submissions.

Eastern

EVENT COLOR KEY WESTERN REGION

CENTRAL REGION

EASTERN REGION

Background photo by Joseph Totten (Olney, IL)

April Watch on the Rhine

April 17

Rotten Egg Hunt

Bolm-Schuhkraft City Park, Columbia 618-281-7144 April 17-18

April 18

Home Brew & Music Walk

Variety Show

Belleville Main Street 618-233-2015

Flora Depot 618-662-5646

Great Pianists of the World Steinway Recital: Jonathan Bass

April 17-19

Dearly Departed

Belleville Philharmonic Society 618-235-5600

Avon Theater, Breese 618-526-2866

Midwest SuperStar Bracket Series World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, Madison 618-215-8888

Capitol Theatre, Waterloo 618-939-7469

Spring Style Show

Bellecourt Manor, Belleville 618-233-8490

April 18-19

Belleville Flea Market

Belle-Clair Fairgrounds, Belleville 618-233-0052

Illinois High School Rodeo Du Quoin State Fairgrounds 618-542-1515 April 24

Carlyle Police Department Drug Prevention 4-Person Golf Scramble Governor’s Run, Carlyle 618-594-2488 April 24-25

Smok’n in the Park BBQ

Turner Park, Smithton 618-277-9690

Maryville Village Yard Sale Village of Maryville 618-345-7028 April 24-26

Dearly Departed

Avon Theater, Breese 618-526-2866

2019 Council Choice Award: Earth in Motion by GonzJove

AUGUST 28-30 MOODY PARK - FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, IL

100 ARTISTS, LIVE MUSIC FREE & FAMILY FRIENDLY Learn more at

MIDWESTSALUTE.COM

Party on the Pipes Organ Festival Lincoln Theatre, Belleville 618-233-0018

Spring Trapshooting Classic

World Shooting & Recreation Complex, Sparta 618-295-2700

Watch on the Rhine

Meet Me in St. Louis: World’s Fair

Monroe County History Museum, Waterloo 618-939-5008

RPM Promotions Motorcycle Race on Mile Track Du Quoin State Fairgrounds 618-542-1515

Saints & Sinners Tour

Venue 720, Flora 618-662-0802

Season Opener Broadway Goes to the Movies Theater Production Salem Community Theatre & Cultural Center 618-740-0789

Taste of Columbia with Arts and Artisans on Main Historic Main Street, Columbia 618-281-4672 April 25-26

Big Tent Event

Warehouse 300, Trenton 618-806-7118

Salem Comic & Toy Expo

Salem Community Activities Center 618-548-1251

St. Louis Antique Show

Belle-Clair Fairgrounds & Expo Center, Belleville 618-233-0052 April 26

Metro East Chorale Concert

Capitol Theatre, Waterloo 618-939-7469

St. Luke’s Church, Belleville 618-594-2468

April 25

Midwest Bird & Animal Breeders Swap & Sale

Arbor Day Festival

Fairview Park, Centralia 618-533-7623

New Baden City-Wide Garage Sale Village of New Baden 618-588-3813

CommUNITY Information Fair Emerald Grange Mound, Lebanon 618-541-0490

East Fork Bassmasters Memorial Open Bass Tournament East Fork Lake, Olney 618-392-6951

Law Day 5K Run/Walk

Downtown Belleville 618-233-1416

Monroe County Fairgrounds, Waterloo 618-939-7796

Clint Simpson State Farm 4th Annual Vandalia Kite Festival Kaskaskia College, Vandalia 618-283-0951 April 26-28

Illinois Ranch Horse Show

Du Quoin State Fairgrounds 618-542-1515 April 30-May 3

Spring of 64

Pyramid State Park, Pinckneyville 314-422-4435

800-442-1488

Vol. XIII, Issue I, Spring/Summer 2020 • 17

Enjoy a day of sun-filled family fun at Eckert's Farm, where you can pick seasonal fruit like peaches and berries from their orchard!

Eckert's Barn photo by Megan Casperson

ALL SUMMER LONG Check out these reoccurring events

April - May (Weekends)

Baby Bonanza

Rainbow Ranch Petting Zoo, Nashville 618-424-7979 April - October (First Friday each month)

New Baden Car Cruise-In New Baden Community Park 618-799-9699

May 16 - September 26 (Saturdays)

Farmer’s Market Library Park, Flora 618-662-8313

May - September (Second Saturday each month)

May 29, June 5, 19, 26, July 3, 10, 17, 31

Peanut Butter & Jam Festivals Downtown Square, Highland 618-654-3721

May 31, June 14, 28, July 12, 26

Music at Metter Park Metter Park, Columbia 618-281-7144

June - July (Mondays & Thursdays)

Concerts in the Parks

The Public Square & Bellevue Park, Belleville 618-233-1416

Vandalia Farmer's Market

June 3 - July 3 (Wednesdays)

May - October (Saturdays)

Olney City Park 618-395-7302

Steeleville City Hall 618-965-3134

June 3, 10, 17, 24, July 8, 15, 22, 29

May - October

Civic Park, Granite City 618-877-3059

City of Vandalia 618-283-2728

Steeleville Farmer’s Market

Vine Street Market O’Fallon Station 618-624-0139

May - Decmeber (Third Thursday of each month)

Divas' Night Out Downtown Belleville 618-233-2015

May 2 - November 7

Old Town Farmer's Market South St. Charles Street at East Main Street, Belleville 618-233-2015

May 6, 20, June 10, 24, July 8, 22

Music in the Park Concert Series Klucker Hall, Shiloh 618-632-1022

May 9-10, 16-17, 23-25, 30-31

Strawberry Festival

Cummins Municipal Band Concerts

Music in the Park

June 3, 10, 17, 24, July 8, 15, 22, 29

Wednesday Night Workout Series Metter Park, Columbia 618-281-7144

June 4, 11, 18, 25, July 2, 16, 23, 30

Sounds of Summer Concert Series Bower Park, Olney 618-392-2241

June 5, 19, July 3, 17

Music in the Park Downtown McLeansboro 618-643-2723

June 6, 13, 20, 27, July 11, 18, 25

Centralia Carillon Summer Series

Eckert’s Belleville Country Store & Farms, Centralia Carillon Belleville 618-533-4381 618-233-0513 June 14, 21, 28, July 5, 12, 19, May 26, June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 26 July 7, 14, 21, 28 Muny Band Concerts Summer Band Concert Downtown Square, Highland Series 618-654-3721 Monroe County Bandstand, Waterloo 618-939-8600

For detailed information on events, please visit our website at ILLINOISouth.org/events

18 • Vol. XIII, Issue I, Spring/Summer 2020

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Pack a picnic and spend the afternoon exploring the picturesque Mary's River and Covered Bridge in Chester, IL Photo by Cliff Pass

Meet new furry friends at Rainbow Ranch's Baby Bonanza

MAY May 1

Chamber Golf Outing

West Berwick Golf Course, Mt. Carmel 618-262-5116 May 1-2

Carlyle City-Wide Yard Sales City of Carlyle 618-594-2468

Flora City-Wide Yard Sale

City of Flora 618-662-8313

Spring Fling Festival & Collectibles Flea Market/ Swap Meet American Farm Heritage Museum, Greenville 618-664-9733

Steeleville CommunityWide Yard Sale Village of Steeleville 618-965-3134

Vintage Market in the Ville

Pinckneyville Fairgrounds 618-571-1309

May 1-3

American Black & Tan Coon Hunt Charley Brown Park, Flora 618-662-5646 May 2

Classic Car Cruise-In

Bond County Courthouse Square, Greenville 618-664-1644

Crappie Fishing Tournament

Lake McLeansboro, McLeansboro 618-927-2076

Explore Waterloo Day

Downtown Waterloo 618-939-5300

Fishing Derby

May 2-3

Flea Market

St. Clair County Events Center, Belleville 618-830-7552

Illinois Cutting Horse Show

Du Quoin State Fairgrounds 618-542-1515

WHS Band Parents Flea Market

Monroe County Fairgrounds, Waterloo 618-939-7796 May 3

Frühlingsfest/Springfest Antique & Garden Show Village of Maeystown 618-580-5875

Hometown Harmony Concert

Bellevue Park, Belleville 618-233-1416

Grayville City-Wide Yard Sale Downtown Grayville 618-375-3671

Kids Day

Fort de Chartres, Prairie du Rocher 618-284-7230

Historical Society’s VillageWide Yard Sale Village of Millstadt 618-476-1514

Locust Street Historical Fair Downtown Centralia 618-533-7623

Hope Christian Church, Columbia 618-939-9089

John Crouch Flea Market

Du Quoin State Fairgrounds 618-542-1515

Model T Swap Meet

World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, Madison 618-215-8888

Spring Concert & Senior Art Show Gibault High School, Waterloo 618-233-3303

Yearning to Breathe Free Concert St. Paul UCC, Belleville 618-233-3303

Mascoutah Community Yard Sale City of Mascoutah 618-566-2964

48th Annual Free Fishing Derby Nashville Memorial Park 618-967-1510

May Market

May 4-9

Downtown Lebanon 618-537-8420

Small Business Week

Melting Pot Market

Civic Park, Granite City 618-560-4157

Smok’n on the Farm

American Farm Heritage Museum, Greenville 618-664-9733

City of Columbia 618-281-7144 May 5

Spring Instrumental Concert

Jane Knight Auditorium, Kaskaskia College 618-545-3324

Neoga City-Wide Rummage Sale Village of Neoga 217-895-3237 May 8

Optimist Club Beer Pairing Dinner Courthouse Square, Waterloo 618-939-4681 May 8-9

May Market

Marion County Fairgrounds, Salem 618-548-3010

Mother Road Rendezvous

World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, Madison 618-215-8888

May 15-16

IHSA State Bass Fishing Finals Carlyle Lake, Carlyle 618-594-2484 May 15-17

Art on the Square

Downtown Belleville 618-233-2015 May 16

Casey Saddle Club Speed Show

May 9

Fairview Park, Casey 217-932-2700

Downtown Waterloo 618-939-8600

East Fork Bassmasters Spring Derby

Beer-B-Que

Hare & Hounds Cruising Race Series Carlyle Sailing Association 618-806-7118

Hoyleton Hike & Bike

Village of Hoyleton 618-971-8904

Ladies Roller Derby

Belle-Clair Fairgrounds & Expo Center, Belleville 618-233-0052

Lakers Classic Car Cruise

Brick Street, Lebanon 618-537-8420

Mother’s Day Tea

Washington Painter House, Albion 618-445-1142

Optimist Club Taste of Millstadt The Quail Club, Millstadt 618-476-1514

"Together as One" Fishing Derby Drost Park, Maryville 618-345-7028 May 13

East Fork Lake, Olney 618-395-7302

Kids to Parks Day

Carlyle Lake, Carlyle 618-594-2484

Movie in the Park - Jumanji: The Next Level Drost Park, Maryville 618-345-7028

Noble Village-Wide Garage Sale Village of Noble 618-723-2212

Red Berries & Bluegrass Festival Trinity Farmstead, Mascoutah 618-566-4200

Spring Crash Demolition Derby Olney City Park 618-392-0766

Tour de Tilden Bicycle Fun Ride Tilden City Park 618-443-8789 May 16-17

Belleville Flea Market

Bagels & Badges Series: Identity Theft

Belle-Clair Fairgrounds, Belleville 618-233-0052

May 14-16

Du Quoin State Fairgrounds 618-542-1515

Shiloh Senior Center 618-632-1022

NMRA Ford Gateway Rumble

World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, Madison 618-215-8888

Spring Festival

Courthouse Square, Toledo 618-849-2000 May 15

FNL Series Horse Show

Fairview Park, Casey 217-932-2700

Cowboy Mounted Shooting

May 17

Racing Clinic

Carlyle Sailing Association 314-325-9283

St. Patrick’s Strawberry Festival Village of Ruma 618-282-3176

Strawberry Festival

St. Jacob Township Park, St. Jacob 618-644-5666

For detailed information on events, please visit our website at ILLINOISouth.org/events

800-442-1488

33rd Annual Parks’ Biathlon & 5K Race Liederkranz Park, Millstadt 618-476-1514 May 18

Vol. XIII, Issue I, Spring/Summer 2020 • 19

May 24

May 30

Village of Millstadt 618-476-1514

Carlyle Lake, Carlyle 618-594-2488

Tin Man Half Marathon/5K Race

John Mohl Memorial Golf Classic

May 25

Acorn Golf Links, Waterloo 618-939-8600

Courthouse Square, Waterloo 618-939-8600

May 22

Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony

Concert in the Park RiverBend Dueling Pianos Fireman’s Park, Maryville 618-345-7028

Schlosskirche Gospel Choir from Wittenberg, Germany St. Paul UCC, Belleville 618-233-3303 May 22-24

Maifest

Nashville Memorial Park 618-327-3700 May 23

Earl Steiner Memorial Biathlon Lindendale Park, Highland highlandbiathlon.org

Memorial Day Service

Memorial Day Ceremony

Downtown Belleville 618-233-6769

Memorial Day 5K Run/Walk

Laderman Park, Belleville 618-233-2015 May 27-31

Amateur Trapshooting Association US Open Trapshooting Competition

World Shooting & Recreation Complex, Sparta 618-295-2700 May 28-30

Adult Learn to Sail Seminar

Carlyle Sailing Association 314-325-9283 May 29

Elmwood Cemetery, Centralia 618-533-7623

Ainad Shriner Circus Parade & 5K Run/Walk

Palestine Lions Club Fish Fry, Car Club Cruise-In & Flea Market

May 29-30

Leaverton Park, Palestine 618-562-3881 May 23-25

Memorial Day Flag Display

Edwards County Courthouse, Albion 618-445-2303

Downtown Belleville 618-874-1870

Gardens in Bloom Tour

City of Belleville 618-939-3434 May 29-31

NMCA Power Festival

World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, Madison 618-215-8888

Carlyle Police Department K-9 5K Run

Crappie USA Tournament

Carlyle Lake, Carlyle 618-594-2488

Mactown in May BBQ Competition Deep South, McLeansboro 618-643-4294

Millpond Maifest

Illinois Paint Horse Association Show Du Quoin State Fairgrounds 618-542-1515

Scott Air Force Base Air Show & Open House Scott Air Force Base 618-256-1110 May 31

Midwest Bird & Animal Breeders Swap & Sale

Monroe County Fairgrounds, Waterloo 618-939-7796

Millpond Brewing & Incubator, Millstadt 618-476-9933 May 30-31

Great Train Expo

Belle-Clair Fairgrounds & Expo Center, Belleville 618-233-0052

Look to spot one of Olney's famous white squirrels when you visit for Mad Dog 2020 in June!

20 • Vol. XIII, Issue I, Spring/Summer 2020

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Soak up the sun with a glass of wine at The Weingarten in Belleville

Kids Fishing Derby

Charley Brown Park, Flora 618-662-5646

Optimist Club Car Show

Courthouse Square, Waterloo 618-410-2431 June 7-12

Junior Sailing Camp

Carlyle Sailing Association 314-324-9283 June 10

Hot Rod Power Tour

World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, Madison 618-215-8888

Splash the Summer away at Carlyle Lake!

JUNE Family Day in the Park

June 1

Ainad Shriners Circus

Belle-Clair Fairgrounds & Expo Center, Belleville 618-233-0052

Bryan Memorial Park, Salem 618-548-2222

Fit Foodie Tri/5K

June 2

Downtown Marshall 217-826-2034

Monroe County Fairgrounds, Waterloo 618-939-7796

GLOW Community Yard Sale

Ainad Shriners Circus

June 3

City of Waterloo 618-939-8600

Madison County Fairgrounds, Highland 618-939-7796

Jaycees Fishing Tournament

Ainad Shriners Circus

June 4-6

Neoga Days

Du Quoin State Fairgrounds 618-542-1515

Lakers Classic Car Cruise

Downtown Neoga 217-821-3456

Brick Street, Lebanon 618-537-8420

June 5

Lebanon City-Wide Yard Sale

Ainad Shriners Circus

Olney City Park 618-395-7302

Downtown Lebanon 618-537-8420

Mascoutah Springfest

Downtown Mascoutah 618-566-7355

Maeystown Trash & Treasures Yard Sale Village of Maeystown 618-580-5875

June 6

CHEESEFEST 2020

Marcoot Jersey Creamery, Greenville 618-664-1110

Melting Pot Market

Civic Park, Granite City 618-560-4157

Metro East Pride Fest

Belleville Main Street 618-233-6769

II

Movie in the Park - Frozen

Drost Park, Maryville 618-345-7028

Museum Open House Day

June 11

Picnic in the Park

MTC City Park, Mt. Carmel 618-262-5116 June 12

Carlyle Street Fair

St. Clair County Historical Society, Belleville 618-234-0600

Downtown Carlyle 618-594-2484

Treasures on the Trail Spring Vintage Market

Historical Architecture Tour

Pocahontas Antiques 618-669-2969 June 6-7

Flea Market

St. Clair County Events Center, Belleville 618-830-7552

Hook’n In the Park Tractor Pull & Show BCDC Park, Beckemeyer 618-227-8331

Ainad Shriners Circus

Du Quoin State Fairgrounds 618-542-1515

Summer Vibes

Downtown Waterloo 618-939-8600

Shine Your Light Gala

The Falls Reception & Conference Center, Waterloo 618-939-4444 June 12-13

Dairy Days

Downtown Greenville 618-664-1644 June 12-14

Footlight Frenzy

Capitol Theatre, Waterloo 618-939-7469

Schweizerfest

Warehouse 300, Trenton 618-806-7118

Downtown Square, Highland 618-654-3721

50th Annual June Rendezvous

June 13

Fort de Chartres, Prairie du Rocher 618-533-4381 June 7

Doll, Bear, Collectible & Miniature Show

Belle-Clair Fairgrounds & Expo Center, Belleville 618-233-0940

John Crouch Flea Market

Du Quoin State Fairgrounds 618-542-1515

AHRR Train Show

American Farm Heritage Museum, Greenville 618-664-9733

Hare & Hounds Cruising Race Series Carlyle Sailing Association 314-325-9283

King Kat Fishing Tournament Carlyle Lake, Carlyle 618-594-2484

Plein Air Paint Out

Village of Maeystown 618-580-5875

For detailed information onon events, ourwebsite website ILLINOISouth.org/events For detailed information events,please please visit visit our at at ILLINOISouth.org/events

Heritage Days

Schlosser Complex Historic Site, Okawville 618-243-5694 June 15

Porta Westfalica German Festival Downtown Waterloo 618-939-8600 June 15-20

Perry County Fair

Pinckneyville Fairgrounds 618-357-9222 June 17-21

Mad Dog 2020

Downtown Olney 618-395-7302 June 19

FNL Series Horse Show

Fairview Park, Casey 217-932-2700

Gibault Summer Classic Golf Tournament Annbriar Golf Course, Waterloo 618-939-3883 June 19-20

Casey Crazy Days

Downtown Casey 217-932-2700

Grande Levee

Vandalia Statehouse State Historic Site 618-283-1161

June Jamboree

New Baden Park 618-588-3813

Maeystown Homecoming

Village of Maeystown 618-580-5875

Mid-West Pro Mod Series

World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, Madison 618-215-8888

Roots -n- Que

Uptown, Mt. Carmel 618-626-5116 June 19-21

Footlight Frenzy

Capitol Theatre, Waterloo 618-939-7469 June 20

Casey Saddle Club Speed Show Fairview Park, Casey 217-932-2700

Craft Beer Walk

Belleville Main Street 618-233-2015

Cruise Night & Poker Run

Downtown McLeansboro 618-925-0472

Lieferbräu Brewery Anniversary Lieferbräu Brewery, Red Bud 618-967-0804 June 20-21

Belleville Flea Market

Belle-Clair Fairgrounds, Belleville 618-233-0052

Southern Equine Horse Show Du Quoin State Fairgrounds 618-542-1515 June 25

Sew Happy Hearts Quilt Show Village of Neoga 217-895-2200 June 25-28

Mary Poppins Jr.

Northside Park, Breese 618-526-2866 June 26-27

Marine Homecoming

Village Park, Marine 618-887-4531

Mary & Martha Rummage Sale

Sts. Peter & Paul, Waterloo 618-939-6482 June 26-28

Street Machines

June 27

Blacklight Run 5K

World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, Madison 618-215-8888

Blues & BBQ Festival

Downtown Granite City 618-604-6739

Fireworks Spectacular

Carlyle Lake, Carlyle 618-594-2484

Hummingbird Festival

Stoecklin's Orchards, Donnellson 217-537-3801

Independence Day Sail & Party Carlyle Sailing Assocation 314-325-9283

Toledo Development Freedom Days Downtown Toledo 217-849-2000

Tractor Drive

American Farm Heritage Museum, Greenville 618-664-9733

Tribute to Elvis

Graffiti Car Show

Juneteenth

Small Business Vendor Fair

Laura Leake Park, Centralia 618-533-7623

Kayaking on Drost Lake

Drost Park, Maryville 618-345-7028

St. Dominic Picnic

St. Dominic Catholic Church, Breese 618-526-7746

Mascoutah Springfest

Downtown Mascoutah 618-566-7355

Jam Session

Chester Square Gazebo Park 618-826-1430

Casey, IL I-70 Exit 129

Du Quoin State Fairgrounds 618-542-1515

Belle-Clair Fairgrounds & Expo Center, Belleville 618-233-0052

Downtown Greenville 618-664-9272

SMALL TOWN

June 13-14

Vol. XIII, Issue I, Spring/Summer 2020 • 21

BIG THINGS

800-442-1488

Emerald Grange Mound, Lebanon 618-541-0490

West Salem Freedom Celebration 5K

Downtown West Salem raceentry.com/west-salem-freedom-celebration-5k June 28

Midwest Bird & Animal Breeders Swap & Sale

Monroe County Fairgrounds, Waterloo 618-939-7796

Casey, Illinois is home to twelve World’s Largest items.Visitors come for the attractions, but they stay for the atmosphere.

Small town hospitality is everywhere you look from unique eateries to specialty shops. Located along I-70, Big Things Small Town is the perfect way to experience rural America.

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JULY July 1-4

FourthFest

Annual Carnival & 4th of July Celebration

Downtown Greenville 618-664-1644

July 1-5

Scheve Park, Mascoutah 618-566-2964

Fairview Park, Centralia 618-532-5910

Fantastic 4th Weekend

Uptown Mt. Carmel 618-262-5116 July 2

RMC Duck Races

City Pool, Mt. Carmel 618-262-5116

4th of July Events

American Legion Park, Steeleville 618-965-3134 July 3

Fireworks & Cummins Municipal Band Special Olney City Park 618-395-7302 July 3-5

Mid-Summer Classic & Celebration City of Valmeyer 618-939-8600 July 4

Antique Tractor Show

Hamilton County Fairgrounds, McLeansboro 618-231-0079

Firecracker 5K

East Hull Street, McLeansboro 618-643-7200

Beers, Brats & Baseball

John Crouch Flea Market

July 4th Celebration

Du Quoin State Fairgrounds 618-542-1515

Monroe County History Museum, Waterloo 618-939-5008

July 7

July 11-12

Keyes Park, Du Quoin 618-542-8338

Hoyleton Community Club 618-493-7300

July 10

July 14

Fairview Park, Casey 217-932-2700

Keyes Park, Du Quoin 618-542-8338

Tour de Belleville Night Bike Ride

July 15-17

Hofbraufest

Summer Night Concerts

July 4th Fireworks

Glik Park, Highland 618-651-1386

Lakers Classic Car Cruise

Brick Street, Lebanon 618-537-8420

Nashville Memorial Park 618-327-4161

Summer Night Concerts

FNL Series Horse Show

Belleville Main Street 618-233-1416

Community Picnic & Fireworks Display

Belleville Knife Show

4th of July Bike Parade & 4th of July Celebration

Metter Park and American Legion Park, Columbia 314-795-6064

4th of July in the Park

Fairview Park, Casey 217-932-2700

July 16-18

Belle-Clair Fairgrounds & Expo Center, Belleville 618-233-0052

St. Jacob Homecoming

Downtown St. Jacob 618-644-5666

Bluegrass Reunion & Jam Session

July 17-18

Charley Brown Park, Flora 618-662-5646

Robinson City-Wide Sidewalk Sale City of Robinson 618-546-1557

Fireman’s Picnic & Parade

Downtown Lebanon 618-537-8420

4th of July Veteran’s Parade

July 18

Friends of the Fort Summer Ball

July 11

Downtown Centralia 618-533-7623

Casey Saddle Club Speed Show

Fort de Chartres, Prairie du Rocher 618-284-7230

Fairview Park, Casey 217-932-2700

July 4-5

St. Clair County Events Center, Belleville 618-830-7552

AJGA Junior All-Star Golf Event Quail Creek County Club & Resort, Robinson 618-544-8674

July 10-11

Robinson City Park 618-544-7616

Flea Market

Carlyle Sailing Association 314-325-9283

July 5

Nashville Fireworks

July 2-4

Hare & Hounds Cruising Race Series

Illinois Jr. Rodeo

Du Quoin State Fairgrounds 618-542-1515

Jam Session

Chester Square Gazebo Park 618-826-1430

Cork & Pork Festival

Picquet Park, Sainte Marie Facebook.com/saintemarieil

15 MURALS • 4 DAYS • DOWNTOWN OLNEY

olney mad dog 2020

June 17-21, 2020 A Big thanks to our Sponsors!

RAY W. VAUGHN ATTORNEY AT LAW

City of Olney Tourism Fund

Vaughn Law Office Ray & Marcia Vaughn

Richland Heritage Museum Foundation

First National Bank in Olney

Sharon & John Amdall

Rotary Clubs of Olney and Richland County

Thrasher Family Funeral Home

Celebrating

Sharon & John Amdall Washington, IL, Bicentennial

Celebrating Washington, IL, Bicentennial

TrustBank

Carrie Winter Charitable Trust Friends of Olney • Bartley C. Zuber, Attorney at Law B.P.O.E. #926 • Midtown Package Liquors Freedom 92.9 • Murray & Julie Propes • PrintForce Illini Builders

olneywalldogs.com For more information: Call (618) 395-7302

800-442-1488

Vol. XIII, Issue I, Spring/Summer 2020 • 23

July 18-19

July 28-August 5

Belle-Clair Fairgrounds, Belleville 618-233-0052

National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, Belleville 618-397-6700

Belleville Flea Market

July 21

Summer Night Concerts

Keyes Park, Du Quoin 618-542-8338

Annual Healing Novena

July 29-August 1

Chamber Ag Days

Market Street, Mt. Carmel 618-262-5116

July 24-25

Sizzling Summer Sidwalk Sale Belleville Main Street 618-233-2015

Central City Lion’s Festival

Lion’s Park, Centralia 618-532-7767

July 31-August 2

Gateway Dulcimer Music Festival Four Points by Sheraton, Fairview Heights 618-651-8271

Hutsonville River Fest

Downtown Hutsonville 618-563-4092

July 24-26

Heritage Days

American Farm Heritage Museum, Greenville 618-664-9733

Kinder Sailing Camp

Carlyle Sailing Association 314-325-9283 July 25

Clay County Car Cruiser Car Show

Mascoutah Homecoming und Augfest Scheve Park, Mascoutah 618-566-2964 July 31-August 15

2020 Grand American

World Shooting & Recreational Complex, Sparta 618-295-2700

Charley Brown Park, Flora 618-676-4005

Movie in the Park - Aladdin

Drost Park, Maryville 618-345-7028

Uncorked Festival

Red Hills State Park, Sumner 618-943-3516

RPM Motorcycle Pro Grandstand Mile Track Race Du Quoin State Fairgrounds 618-542-1515 July 28

Summer Night Concerts

Keyes Park, Du Quoin 618-542-8338

COUNTY FAIRS June 15 - 20

July 18 - 25

Pinckneyville Fairgrounds, Pinckneyville 618-357-9222

Wabash County Fairgrounds, Mt. Carmel 618-262-4822

Perry County Fair

June 21 - 27

Jasper County Fair

Jasper County Fairgrounds, Newton 618-594-4169 July 4 - 11

Richland County Fair Olney City Park 618-392-0766 July 7 - 11

Washington County Fair

Washington County Fairgrounds, Nashville 618-327-8881 July 9-12

Randolph County Fair

Randolph County Fairgrounds, Sparta 618-443-2916 July 10 - 20

Hamilton County Fair

Hamilton County Fairgrounds, McLeansboro 618-926-1813 July 11 - 17

Fayette County Fair

Fayette County Fairgrounds, Brownstown 618-427-5285 July 12 - 18

Clinton County Fair

Clinton County Fairgrounds, Carlyle 618-664-1412 July 17 - 23

Wabash County Fair

July 19 - 25

Wayne County Agricultural Fair Wayne County Fairgrounds, Fairfield 618-599-2718 July 19 - 26

Monroe County Fair

Monroe County Fairgrounds, Waterloo 618-939-8600 July 21 - 26

Madison County Fair

Madison County Fairgrounds, Highland 618-654-6656 July 22 - August 1

Edwards County Fair

Edwards County Fairgrounds, Albion 618-445-3615 July 24 - 31

Clay County Fair

Clay County Fairgrounds, Flora 618-662-5646 July 24 - August 1

Lawrence County Fair

Lawrence County Fairgrounds, Sumner 618-843-7138 July 30 - August 4

Bond County Fair

Bond County Fairgrounds, Greenville 618-664-1412

Crawford County Fair

Crawford County Fairgrounds, Oblong 618-592-4121

For detailed information on events, please visit our website at ILLINOISouth.org/events

ILLINOISouth.org

Vol. XIII, Issue I, Spring/Summer 2020

4387 N. Illinois St., Suite 200 Swansea, Illinois 62226

03/20, 60M

Spring/Summer • FREE

TOURISM

TIMES Wind Back the Clock Spring has sprung in ILLINOISouth with must-see events, like the 300th anniversary of Prairie du Rocher’s Fort de Chartres and their 50th June Rendezvous celebration!

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