Calendar of Events

May 20 Red Cedar Trail 1/2 Marathon

The course will consist of mostly single track, but will have some gravel road connectors, horse trails, fields, and less than a mile of paved road connectors. The trail varies from very technical to runnable in sections, and boasts over 2000 feet of elevation gain. Also, expect the possibility of getting your feet wet in several creek crossings, rain dependent!

LOCATION-DOT 460 Giant City Lodge, Makanda IL

May 21 Blessing of the Bikes and Bless Fest

Thousands of motorcyclists travel to Bald Knob Mountain, Southern Illinois’ highest point and the site of the Bald

Knob Cross of Peace. Roadkill stew & chili served. In the village of Alto Pass, more food, live music, local beer & wine, and raffles and shirt and T-shirt sales.

LOCATION-DOT Bald Knob Cross, Alto Pass IL

May 21-29 HerrinFesta

Italiana

This event features great Italian food, family fun, an array of contests for every family member and a fine arts and crafts. The City of Herrin rolls out the red carpet for the major yearly event for a week long run in May. Adult beverages, live music, great food, carnival, and a variety of vendor booths.

LOCATION-DOT 3 South Park Avenue, Herrin IL

May 25-Jun 11 Southern Illinois

Music Festival

The Southern Illinois Music Festival features performances in venues from Carbondale to Cairo and at many points in between. Musicians from North and South America perform orchestral and chamber music, opera and jazz in an informal setting.

LOCATION-DOT 1415 W Grand Ave, Carterville IL

May 29 Memorial Day at Woodlawn Cemetery

On April 29, 1866, Woodland Cemetery was the site of the first Memorial Day service in Illinois and the first in the nation to honor those who had died in the Civil War.

LOCATION-DOT 405 E Main St, Carbondale IL

May

31-Aug 5 Thrillville Thrillbillies at Mtn Dew Park

Come out to the inaugural season of the Thrillville Thrillbillies! Mtn Dew Park is one of the most exciting stadiums in Illinois, and we want you to come to enjoy the fun!

LOCATION-DOT 1000 Champions Dr, Marion IL

June 1-3

Old Settlers Days

This family fun event offers free rides and entertainment each evening. Lions Club food tent is open each day with their famous BBQ. There is a small flea market, including popcorn, henna painting and flea market vendors.

Saturday morning Kiddie Games include Frog Jumping, Bubble Gum blowing and more. At 1:00pm is a Giant Auction. A parade begins at 5pm.

LOCATION-DOT 109 N Maincross, Galatia IL

June

2-3 Blues Brews and BBQ

Enjoy live music with a beer tent and various vendors. On Friday, June 2, we will have food, music playing, Biergarten and vendors set up at 5 PM. Till about 8 PM. On Saturday, June 3, we will have vendors set up, concessioners, Biergarten and live music. The music begins at 12 noon with The Sullivan 3 band. At 3:30 we will have the Lew Jetton and the 61 South band. Ending the day with Cat Daddy’O band starting at 7 PM

LOCATION-DOT Downtown, Golconda, IL

June 3 Blessing of the Jeeps at Bald Knob Cross

The first blessing will be at 9:30am with the second being at 12 noon. This will be a friendly ride threw the Shawnee with great views of the cross in all its glory.

LOCATION-DOT 3630 Bald Knob Road, Alto Pass IL

June 3 Mt. Vernon Brewers Festival

Bringing together some of the best in brew! The Mt. Vernon Brewers festival showcases the art of homebrewed and commercially brewed beer, produced by all brewers! The festival will also feature good local food available for purchase and great local music.

LOCATION-DOT 301 North 9th St., Mount Vernon IL

June 9-11 Superman Celebration

It’s More than a Convention, Better than a Festival, It’s a Celebration! Metropolis will celebrate all things super at the annual Metropolis Superman Celebration. This family friendly event is packed with activities that will satisfy the Superman novice to the Superman expert. Panel discussions, games, entertainment, carnival, costume contest, car show, and more!

LOCATION-DOT 607 Market St, Metropolis IL

June 10 Annabelle Festival

The Annabelle Festival will take place on Davie Street and Lafayette Street, along with special events at Anna Arts Center, a walking tour of Anna, a bus tour of Jonesboro, and free swimming at the Anna Pool. Enjoy Main Street in Downtown Anna!

LOCATION-DOT 300 S. Main St, Anna IL

June 10 Wichmann Vineyard

Grape Stomp

Come out to Wichmann Vineyard for live music, delicious food, and and plenty of grapes to be stomped!

LOCATION-DOT 2655 Water Valley Rd, Cobden IL

June 11 PawFest 2023

Browse a variety of vendor booths with special pet products, crafts, food, games, and more. Rescue pet contest, pet parade, supply drive, breeder demonstration, blessing of the pets, meet the adoptables, grooming contest and more!

LOCATION-DOT 800 S. 27th St., Mount Vernon IL

June 15-17 Highbanks Hustle

After years of hosting arguably the most successful outdoor micro sprint event of its time, Southern Illinois Raceway’s High Banks Hustle will become even bigger when the annual running takes to Marion, Illinois in June.

LOCATION-DOT 9000 Foyt Rd, Marion IL

June 15-18 2023 Scholastic 3D

Archery Championship

There will be shoot-downs, on-site raffles with lots of archery equipment, and other special activities available to students and parents for a nominal fee. Vendors will be on-site to sell their products and equipment and of course some of the best food vendors will be there!

LOCATION-DOT 11231 Marcum Branch Rd, Benton IL

June 17 PBR Bulls in the Ballpark

The bulls are in the ballpark on June 17, 2023. Enjoy the PBR at Mountain Dew Park for Bull Riding, Barrel Racing, and tons of excitement!

LOCATION-DOT 1000 Miners Drive, Marion IL

June 23-25 Weekend at the Cave Music Festival

A live performance venue like no other. Limited show tickets, primitive camping & RV spots, glamping & hotel packages. Single night tickets or weekend passes, with camping spots available.

LOCATION-DOT 3747 IL-127, Murphysboro IL

June 28 Rendleman Orchards

Puzzle Answers

Opening Weekend

Try a fresh fruit smoothie, local peaches, and pony rides for the kids. SI mealtballs and Cold Blooded Coffee will be serving. The farm market offers a wide selection of other fruits and vegetables, as well as jams, jellies, pickled items, baking and soup mixes, ciders, salsas, snack mixes, candles, linens, apple cider donuts.

LOCATION-DOT 9680 State Hwy 127 N, Alto Pass IL

Jun 29-Jul 2 ASA Pro/Am Archery Tournament

Archery Shooters Association's Illinois Championship 3-D Archery Tournament for men, women and Children. Archers from all over North America visit Metropolis for one week each summer to compete for cash and prizes and the title of Illinois Champion, and National Champion.

LOCATION-DOT 5729 US Highway 45, Metropolis IL

July 1 2nd Annual Red, White & Cruise Show

Fun for the family with food trucks, Antique and Classic Cars, Motorcycles, and much more. Spend the day talking all things motorhead with car enthusiasts from all around the tri-state area.

LOCATION-DOT 1000 Miners Drive, Marion IL

July 4 Freedom Fest

4th of July Celebration events includes: Freedom Run a 5K Run/Walk and Kids Fun Run; a gospel show; a parade; free concert at the City Park and much more. Capping off the Freedom Fest is one of the largest fireworks display in Southern Illinois.

LOCATION-DOT 100 Main St, Goreville IL

July 6-9 Pinto 8U International Baseball Classic

Now in its seventh year, PONY's Pinto International Baseball Classic is the premiere event for 8U baseball teams in the Midwestern United States. The 2023 Classic will be held in Marion, IL.

LOCATION-DOT 1000 Miners Drive, Marion IL

July 22-Aug 1 Colt World Series

Marion will host the Colt World Series. Multiple games will be played between July 27th and August 1st, including a Champions League game.

LOCATION-DOT 1000 Miners Drive, Marion IL