The Metro East Messenger 10/8/21 Issue

Inside You’ll Find Everything You Need To Enjoy Fall In The Metro East Local Apple & Pumpkin Farms

Halloween Parades

Fun Fall Festivities

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin Recipe

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Local Events

NOTE: Events are subject to change, cancel or be rescheduled due to Covid 19 restrictions.

“Halloween on the Compound" on Barbarotto Lane in Maryville. This Halloween light show runs nightly from 6:30-10pm through Halloween night. Free to the public.

Magic And Mayhem In Downtown Granite City, Downtown Granite City becomes spooky every Saturday in October!

Catch Ghouls and creepy characters roaming the downtown streets amidst the dance party at the Monster Mash. Test your nerve at the annual haunted house! For more info and full list of events, go to https://www.facebook.com/gcmagicandmayhem/events.

St Mary's Oktoberfest Alton, Oct. 8th-10th at 519 E 4th St Alton. Lots of games, live music, inflatables, mass in the grass, food, drinks and more. stmarysoktoberfest.com Blood Drive, October 8, 10:00am-1:00pm, MML Insurance, 2166 Pontoon Rd, Granite City, IL. Help save lives; blood supply is critically low! Schedule an appointment on the Donor Bus to donate blood. Donors get their choice of a retro t-shirt or a gift card. Go to mmlins.com/blood-drive/ to select a time and use group code 10876.

Belleville Chili Cook-Off, Oct. 8-9th, Downtown Belleville Main Street. Hosted by the Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce, the annual Chili Cook-off has featured the culinary creations of individuals, local organizations, and area businesses for 37 years! What started with just a few vendors on one block of East Main Street in downtown Belleville has now grown to more than 60 vendors and is one of the largest festivals in Belleville! For more information, please visit http://bit.ly/bvillechili.

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Local Events Art in the Park, Oct. 8th-10th at Lindendale Park, Park Hill Dr, Highland, IL. The 17th Annual Art in the Park offers indoor and outdoor spaces filled with world class art in the hometown atmosphere of Lindendale Park. This two-day juried indoor and outdoor exhibit, sponsored by Highland Arts Council, shows the works of nearly 60 artists in eleven mediums: painting, clay, glass, drawing/pastels, fabric/fiber, wood, sculpture, photography, jewelry, graphics/printmaking and mixed media. Approximately 9,000 attendees' shop on Saturday, October 9, 2021, from 10 am to 5 pm and on Sunday, October 10, 2021, from 11 am to 4 pm.

Fall Festival, Oct. 9th, 10am-9pm at the American Legion Post 368, 1022 Vandalia St, Collinsville. Chili Cook Off, Crafts, Cars, Food, Music, Face and Pumpkin painting for the kids, Games, Raffles. Something for everyone!

Edwardsville Book Festival, Oct. 9th, 9am-3pm at Edwardsville City Park, 112 S. Kansas St, Edwardsville. Join in for a day of book-ish fun, including local authors, booksellers, music & storytelling, fun activities for kids, crafts for sale, and food & drink. For more details, go to bit.ly/3DXYhDs.

October Skyview Craft Fair, Oct. 9th, 10am-3pm at Skyview Drive-In Movie Theater, 5700 N Belt W, Belleville. Free event.

They will have crafters, vendors, and food trucks. Masks required.

Glen Fest 2021, Oct. 9th, 5-10pm, Miner Park, Glen Carbon. Food, drinks and entertainment. Bubble Bus 5-7, Johnny Rockett Band 7-10pm, and fireworks at dusk.

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Local Events Maryville Concert in the Park, Oct. 10th, 3-5pm, Fireman’s Park, 300 N. Donk Ave, Maryville, IL. Music by the George Portz & Friends. Bring your lawn chairs. Additional parking available at Mother Of Perpetual Help Church east of the park.

Belleville Witches Brew Walk, Oct. 14th, 6-10pm, downtown Belleville. Come and join the Witches of Downtown while we host the 1st Annual Downtown Belleville Witches Brew Walk. Let us serve you up some spooky cocktails, listen to fun music and special haunting surprises.

3rd Annual Haunted Hayride, Oct. 15th, 16th, 22nd, and 23rd. 7-10:30pm, $10 per person. Hosted by the Collinsville Recreation Club.

Movie Under the Stars- Showing: Casper, Oct. 15th, 6:45pm, at Wilson Park Bandstand, 2900 Benton St, Granite City.

FREE to the public. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and snacks!

Enchanted Forest at The Nature Institute, Oct. 15TH, 6-9pm, 2213 S. Levis Lane in Godfrey. This family-friendly event will include a self-guided hike, face painting, timed star shows in our pop-up dome, yard games, a cozy fire, and educational activities. Every child will receive a bag of goodies in exchange for their completed stamped passport! $5/person, children 2 years and under are free. thenatureinstitute.org Drive-Thru Trunk-Or-Treat, Oct. 15th, 5:30-7pm, Cedarhurst of Edwardsville, 7108 Marine Rd, Edwardsville. It’s time to get all your ghosts, goblins, witches, ninjas and pretty princesses dressed up to join us for some HALLOWEEN FUN! Drive thru, we will be wearing masks, and you don’t even have to get out of your car! www.metroeastmessenger.com

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Ground Beef 81% Lean 10 LB. Bulk Bag 804 S. Main St. Troy, IL (618) 667-6268

302 E. Main St, Collinsville, IL (618) 855-8855

$3.49 per lb Must present coupon.

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10% Off Any Merchandise In Our Store! www.Code3BBQSupply.com

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2330 South Center St. Maryville, IL

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Local Events Laugh Now, Laugh Later: A Comedy Showcase, Oct. 15th, 7pm at Miner’s Theatre, Collinsville. A night of standup comedy featuring Coy Ivy, Laura Greco, Alex Blodgett, Lauren Howard, Eli Mosby, and Tank Staten. This is an Adult themed show so 18 yrs. or older. For tickets, go to https://bit.ly/3ApqakW. 1st Ever Annual Trunk or Treat! Oct. 15th, 5-7pm at Gateway Little Smiles, 90 Crestmoor St, Collinsville. Come have a Spooky Good Time as we partner with Amazing Smiles Orthodontics to have our 1st Ever Annual Trunk or Treat!

Annual Touch-A-Truck, Oct. 16th 10am-2pm, Edwardsville Township Comm. Park, 6368 Center Grove Rd, Edwardsville, IL. Over the past six years, this FREE community event has given area families and children the opportunity to explore and learn about various vehicles they see every day, as well as some that are rarely accessible.

Witches Night Out 2021, October 16th, 4-9pm, Miner Park, Glen Carbon, IL. The date is set, the magic is brewing, and we can’t wait to show you what’s in store for our 2nd annual in person fundraising event. LIVE music by Johnny Rock-Itt & the Double Wide Symphony. Tickets go on sale at the stroke of midnight August 1st! Early bird special of $20 until 8/31. For tickets, go to https://bit.ly/3lwbNHV. Breast Cancer Run, Walk, Stroll, Oct. 16th, 9am-12pm, The Gardens at SIUE. Bring your friends and family during SIUE’s Family Weekend, $5 to participate, $10 to participate with a t shirt and $15 just for a t shirt. The race will start in Parking Lot A and go through The Gardens at SIUE. Sponsored by Cougar Village Area Council. To register, go to https://bit.ly/3Ajgbxp.

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Local Events Flugel Fest 2021, Oct. 16th, 11am-6pm, on the Highland Square. Live music by Heartbreak Line.

Wing eating contest, best wings contest, bags tournament, kids’ corner, silent auction and food & beer vendors. For more info, bit.ly/3lbfuAW. Adventure Night, Oct. 16th, 5-8pm, TriTownship Park District, 410 Wickliffe St, Troy.

The annual Adventure Night is back: hayrides, face painting, food, games, costume contest and more. Free for the whole family!

Movies on Main Double Feature, Oct. 16th 6pm and 7:45pm. “Scoob!” and “Raya and the Last Dragon” will be shown on the corner of Main and Seminary. Bring blankets, chairs, food, and drinks. Free event!

Leclaire Parkfest 2021, Oct. 17th, 12-5pm, 900 Hale Ave, Edwardsville, IL. Join us for the 29th Annual Leclaire Parkfest at Leclaire Lake Park! The event will feature live music, arts and craft booths, games, trolley tours, and more! Food booths and a wine and beer garden will also be available. For more info: https://bit.ly/2Vu0WDw. Taste of St. Jacob & Trunk or Treat, Oct. 22nd, 6pm at N Douglas St, St. Jacob. Hosted and sponsored by the Village of St. Jacob. Some proceeds will be donated to our very own PTO at SJES! Would you like to be a Food Vendor or Craft/Goods vendor? Contact Jamie Runion via text or call to 618-420-6870. Would you like to have a trunk in the Trunk or Treat, or volunteer to help make this event a huge success? Contact Katrina Hunerkoch at 618-201-6147.

E-Cycle Event, Oct. 23rd, 9am-12pm at First Baptist Church, 7110 State Rt. 162, Maryville, IL. Slight charge on TVs. For more info, go to troymaryvillecoc.com or call (618)667-8769.

Big Trucks, Food Trucks and Trunks with Treats, Oct. 23rd, 4pm, at South Roxana Dad’s Club 417 Roxana Ave, South Roxana. An event for everyone! We will have Big Trucks for kids to explore, food trucks, vendors, hayrides, bounce houses and end with a trunk or treat!

Halloween Howl 5K & 1 Mile Run, Oct. 23rd at 9am, Collinsville, Maryville, Troy YMCA. Bring your pet and come for a fun, non-timed race. There will be prizes for best human and dog costumes. The fee includes a t-shirt. Cost: $15 registration. All ages welcome. Ages 5 and under are free. Open to members and non-members.

Trunk or Treat, Oct. 23rd, 5pm at Makers Market, 2929 N. Center St, Maryville. We will have a safe environment for your kiddos to trick or treat with a few games along the way.

Witches Night Out 2021 Lebanon, IL, Oct. 24th, 6-9pm, W. St. Louis St, Lebanon. Join us for a wickedly good time at the area's largest and BEST free Witches Night Out event. Grab your ghoul friends for an evening packed with shopping, dining, drinking, and cackling along Lebanon's beautiful brick street business district. We have contests, music, vendors, and more surprises up our sleeves this year! www.metroeastmessenger.com

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Local Apple & Pumpkin Farms Boonies Farm

Relleke Pumpkin Patch

8863 Dustman Rd, Worden, IL www.booniesfarm.com

519 Sand Prairie Lane, Pontoon Beach, IL www.rellekepumpkinpatch.com

Rinkel Pumpkin Farm

Mills Apple Farm

2762 Old Troy Rd, Glen Carbon, IL jblumberg16.wixsite.com/rinkelpumpkinfarm

11477 Pocahontas Road, Marine, IL www.millsapplefarm.com

Demange Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch

Liberty Apple Orchard

1205 Cypress Rd, St. Jacob, IL www.demangepumpkinpatch.com

8308 Kuhn Station Rd, Edwardsville, IL www.libertyappleorchard.com

Heritage Farm and Fruit Trees

Braeutigam Orchards

1821 Winter Ln Godfrey, IL heritagefruittree.com

2795 Turkey Hill Lane, Belleville, IL www.braeutigamorchards.com

Local Events Trunk-or Treat, Oct. 24th, 5-7pm, First Presbyterian Church, 3601 Ridge View Rd, Edwardsville. Join us for our annual Trunk-orTreat event with this year's Star Wars twist! We'll have plenty of candy and games as well as special Jedi Training at 5:30, 6:00, and 6:30. Jedi Training is limited to 15 participants at a time and kiddos are encouraged to bring their own lightsaber if they have them.

Treats on the Streets, Oct. 29th, 1-5pm, Highland. Businesses and Organizations will be handing out candy to kids. Some businesses will be on the square and some will be at their business.

2nd Annual Halloween Party at the Plaza, Oct. 29th, 5-9pm, Eastgate Shopping Ctr, East Alton. Something for everyone: hayride, food truck, beer tent, live music, inflatable playground, and face painting.

Trunk or Treat, Oct. 29th, 5-8:30pm, Cassens and Sons, 3333 S. St. Route 159, Glen Carbon. Join us for a night of trunk-ortreating fun! Decorate, show off your rig, and give out candy and other goodies at Midwest Jeepthing's Platinum Plus sponsor Cassens & Sons! Win prizes for: Best Decorated Jeep and Best Costume.

Trunk or Treat, Oct. 29th, 3-6pm at Newbold Toyota, 1282 Central Park Dr, O’Fallon. Join us for our 2nd annual family-friendly Trunk or Treat event where children can safely trick-or-treat from the decorated tailgates of cars and trucks at Newbold Toyota BMW. There will be plenty of fun, candy, music and other enjoyable activities.

Trunk or Treat, Oct. 30th, 3-5pm, Faith Lutheran Church, 520 E US Highway 50, O’Fallon. Join us for some spooky fun at Faith's Trunk or Treat! This event will take place outside in the parking lot. Dress up in your favorite costume and go trick or treating with the kids www.metroeastmessenger.com

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Local Events Collinsville Fall Festival, Oct. 30th, 10am-3pm, Main Street, Collinsville. Trick or Treating Main St, Chili competition, games and Family friendly activities for everyone. Navigation Church is proud to provide the community with all the fun! Miners theatre will be hosting the Costume contest this year!

Halloween Party and Costume Contest in City Park, Oct. 30th, 10am-1pm. Edwardsville Parks and Recreation is ready to have a Halloween Party in City Park! We will have festive decorations. Fun Music. Local businesses and organizations "trunk or treating" around the park starting at 10 AM. Then at Noon we start the costume contest! 10 AM - Trail of Treats - Trick or Treat around City Park. 12 PM - Costume Contest (All age groups, Pets and Groups). 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM - Downtown Trickor-Treating to the businesses along Main Street.

Alton Halloween Parade 2021, Oct. 30th, 7:30-10pm. Ghost and goblins beware, the "Most Haunted Small Town in America" will be out in full force at the annual Halloween Parade. See Alton's scariest costumes and comical characters with over 40 participants including floats, bands and parade flair! The parade will begin at the corner of Washington Ave. and Broadway and continue on Broadway to Piasa St. The parade will then turn right onto Piasa to 9th Street. For more information, call (618) 614-3632 Wood River Halloween Parade, Oct. 30th, 10:30am. Get in the Halloween spirit with the Wood River Halloween Parade!

Collinsville Library Halloween Walk, Oct. 30th 10am-2pm, 408 W Main St, Collinsville. Come Trick or Treat at the library.

Decorated candy trail outside the library. Costumes encouraged.

Pictured are Lindsey Keller-Janssen representing Keller Farms and Nancy Berry, Executive Dir. of St. John’s Community Care.

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Local Halloween Parades South Roxana Halloween Parade Oct. 26th at 5:30pm, begins at the Dad's Club, 417 Roxana Ave. S, Roxana.

Bethalto Halloween Parade Oct. 26th at 6:30pm, begins Route 140 and Prairie Street.

Alton Halloween Parade Oct. 30th at 7pm, begins at Washington and Broadway and turns up Piasa Street.

Wood River Halloween Parade Oct. 30th at 10:30am, begins at Emerick Park, 1001 N. 6th Street.

Marine Halloween Parade Oct. 30th at 2pm. Same route as Homecoming Parade.

Hartford Halloween Parade Oct. 30th at 1pm, begins at the Hartford Community Gym, 715 N Delmar Ave.

Edwardsville Halloween Parade Oct. 31st at 6:30pm, begins at Lincoln Middle School, 145 West St, and travels up St. Louis Street.

Local Events Edwardsville Halloween Parade, Oct. 31st. The parade will leave Lincoln Middle School parking lot at Schwarz & West Streets, then travel east on St. Louis Street to Vandalia Street, then north on North Main Street and will disband at High Street.

Trunk or Treat! Oct. 31st, 4pm at Troy United Methodist Church, 407 Edwardsville Rd, Troy. Your family's invited to stop by the Troy UMC parking lots to enjoy some Halloween treats and displays!

Trunk or Treat, Oct. 31st, 4-6pm, Abundant Life Community Church Wood River, 781 N 9th St, Wood River. Bring the kids out for an afternoon of costumes and candy. Kids of all ages will enjoy the decorated cars, photo ops, and free candy! It's all free including the onsite parking in the back lot.

Trunk or Treat, Oct. 31st, 4-6pm at First Christian Church of Edwardsville, 310 S. Main St. Edwardsville. Come join us before the Edwardsville Halloween Parade for s'mores, fun food, lots of trunk or treating & games! Costumes are welcome!

VFW Trunk or Treat, Oct. 31st 5-8pm at Collinsville VFW, 1234 Vandalia St, Collinsville. Put on your costume and head to the Collinsville VFW for a fun night of music and candy!

O'Fallon Band Boosters 40th Annual Art and Craft Fair, Nov. 6th-7th, 9am-5pm, O’Fallon Township High School, 600 S Smiley St, O'Fallon. You will be sure to find unique holiday gifts from over 200 vendors, filling over 300 booths at our fair. Stop by our Bistro or Bake Sale while you are shopping to support the band and guard's big trip to the Tournament of Roses Parade in January 2022! All proceeds support the amazing OTHS Band and Color Guard Programs. www.metroeastmessenger.com

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Local Events Annual Tiger Band Art & Craft Fair, Nov. 13-14th, 6161 Center Grove Rd, Edwardsville. The Tiger Band Art & Craft Fair is an annual arts and craft fair with handcrafted items from over 200 vendors sponsored by the Edwardsville Band Boosters. All proceeds from this show benefit the Edwardsville High School band program. Concessions will serve breakfast and lunch.

Shoppers can also pick up sweet treats at the bake sale. There will be an ATM on site. Strollers are not permitted. The hours of operation are Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm.

Ultimate Hot Wheels Day, Nov. 13th, 10am-2pm, at Glidden Park, Collinsville. Multiple stations with a family-friendly activity, including Big Wheel Races! Tracks and Hot Wheels will be provided, but feel free to bring your own to build the best course down Glidden Park’s sledding hill! Residents $10, nonresidents $15. To register, go to https://bit.ly/3Dj2vob.

Fall Craft Fair, Nov. 20th, 8am-2pm, Tri-Township Activity Center, 284 Riggin Rd, Troy, IL. Entrance fee: $1 or nonperishable food donation. 12 & under: free to enter. Vendors: tritownshippark.org/craftfair to apply. Call 618-667-6887 or email jessica@tritownshippark.org for more info.

The 12th Annual Edwardsville Turkey Trot 5k and Kids Fun Run, Nov. 25th, hosted by Edwardsville Neighbors is back!

Thanksgiving morning on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville join us for what has become a family tradition for many. Sign up now at https://runsignup.com/Race/IL/Edwardsville/TurkeyTrot2020.

Art and Craft Fall Fair, Nov 26th -28th, At Belle Clair Fairgrounds & Expo Center, 200 South Belt East, Belleville. Kay Weber Presents 40th Annual Belleville Art and Craft Fall Fair! Over 400 exhibitors. $4.00 admission on Friday, and $3.00 admission on Saturday and Sunday.

Fall Word Search

CANNING

FROST

SCHOOL

FEAST

CHILLY

HALLOWEEN

SEASON

RAKE

COLD

HARVEST

SEPTEMBER

FARMING

HAYSTACK

SQUASH

PUMPKIN

CROPS EQUINOX FALL www.metroeastmessenger.com

NOVEMBER THANKSGIVING OCTOBER

WINDY

TURKEY 12

Local Events Collinsville Light-Up Parade, Dec. 4th, 5:30pm. Enjoy the annual Light- Up Parade in Collinsville! The parade will begin at 5:30 PM on Main St. Activities will be available at the Collins house following the parade!

Festival of Trees, Dec. 8th, 6-8pm, Gateway Convention Center. Join us at the 28th Anniversary of the Festival of Trees. The entire event space will transform into a holiday winter wonderland with beautifully decorated live trees, gorgeous wreaths, and unique home décor! Benefiting KAHOKstrong, whose sole purpose is helping people in the Collinsville Unit 10 School District during times of tragedy and need. For tickets, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/festival-of-trees-tickets163419260407.

Winter Market, Dec. 18th-19th, 11am-4pm at Gateway Convention Center. Winter Market is a holiday shopping experience for you and your family! Offering fashions and foods, glitter and gifts, music, and a little bit of magic! Admission and parking are free! Interested in participating as a vendor? Booths and small business tables are available. Contact Jeff Foster at jfoster@gatewaycenter.com or 618-345-8998.

Looking For A Venue To Host A Private Event? EXO Lounge & Nail Bar is available for private events. We offer a fully licensed bar and seating for 100. Contact our social and events manager to learn more. For more info, go to https://visitexo.com/ or email events@visitexo.com.

Place Your Upcoming Events Here! (It’s Free!)

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Buy One Entrée, Get One Half Off Must Present Coupon Expires 10/24/21

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Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins These Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins are stuffed with sweetened cream cheese and garnished with pumpkin seeds. Just like Starbucks, but better!

Recipe by Dana De Volk, food blogger at This Silly Girls Kitchen.

Ingredients •1½ Cup all purpose flour •¾ Cup granulated sugar •1 teaspoon baking powder •1 teaspoon baking soda •¼ teaspoon salt •1 teaspoon pumpkin spice •1½ Cup pure pumpkin puree •¼ Cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled •1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract •1 egg lightly beaten •2 teaspoons toasted pumpkin seeds for garnish, optional Cream Cheese Filling •4 ounces cream cheese, softened •1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract •1 teaspoon all-purpose flour •2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons granulated sugar •1 teaspoon milk

Instructions Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin spice. Stir to combine, set aside.

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, melted butter, vanilla, and egg. Make a well in the middle of the dry mixture and pour the wet mixture into the bowl. Stir with a large spoon until just combined and there are no dry pockets. Fill 12 prepared muffin tins evenly with the muffin mixture. Next, make the cream cheese filling.

Cream Cheese Filling Place all the ingredients in a medium-sized bowl. Using a hand mixer, mix on medium speed until smooth.

Place mix into a piping bag or a Ziplock bag and cut off a small amount off one corner. Place the piping bag into the muffins one at a time and fill insides with the cream cheese. Evenly distribute cream cheese mixture along with all the muffins, leaving a little dollop on top of each.

Take the pumpkin seeds and evenly distribute them around the outsides of the batter if desired.

Bake for 17-19 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the bread part of the muffins comes out mostly clean. Let cool in the tin for 10 minutes, take them out and place on a wire rack to cool completely.