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Visitors Guide for Events May
2011
Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway Area
Madison, Jersey & Calhoun Counties, Illinois
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Probable
Events
Dates, times, and other
details will change and will be listed as soon as we get updated
information. |
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GUIDED PRAIRIE WALKS
Alton, IL |
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Tuesdays, April 13 - October 26, 2010
6 pm
Gordon Moore Park, 4550 College Avenue
Enjoy an evening walk as a guide from the Nature Institute leads you through
the Heartland Prairie at Gordon Moore Park. The park hosts nine species of
native prairie grasses and 150 prairie wildflowers that are native to
Madison County and surrounding Illinois counties. If you want to see
wildflowers this is a great place and time to visit.
Free
For more information call
618-466-9930 |
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RUG RETREAT
Elsah |
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April 29 - May 2, 2010
Professional rug hooker Kathy Meentemeyer is a certified McGown rug
hooking teacher from St. Louis, Missouri. She teaches at workshops
throughout the country, as well as her studio at home. Kathy is an
accomplished dye artist and specializes in color planning. Her desire is to
help students express their own creativity. The camp includes overnight
accommodations at one of Elsah's bed and breakfast inns, catered
meals by My Just Desserts, a house tour and a walking tour of the
village.
Registration Fee.
For
reservations or more information call My Just Desserts at 618-462-5881 |
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CINCO DE MAYO
Alton, IL |
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Saturday,
May 1, 2010
4 pm to 10:30 pm
Third Street between Piasa and State
Downtown block party featuring great Mexican
food and drink specials, authentic Mexican music, dancers and more. Kids
activities begin at 4 and adult activities begin when the sun goes down and
the bands begin playing at 6:30.
For more information call 618-465-6676 |
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ANNUAL
SPRING
GAS-UP & SWAP MEET
Jersey County, IL |
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May 1 - May 2, 2010
7 am - dusk both days
Tri-County Antique Club Grounds,
IL-3 between Grafton and Jerseyville
Come
buy, swap and sell anything and everything, except illegal or obscene
materials, and poultry and livestock. There is something for everyone at
the annual gas up and swap meet.
Free
For more information call 618-7639-4192 |
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WOOD
RIVER
RENDEZVOUS
Wood River, IL |
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May 1 - May 2, 2010
9 am - 5 pm both days
Camp
Dubois
Route 143 and Route 3
Celebrate the historical period between 1700 and 1840. See demonstrators
in period clothing, a black powder shoot, a "hawk" throw, fire
starting with flint and steel contests, children's and women's activities, period food
sales, crafts, Fife and Drum music, vendor sales of period items, contests, flag
raising, a battle each day at 2 pm, and much more. Period costumes encouraged for campers, crafters, and
other participants. Illustrations
of Lewis & Clark's epic journey are located on the trail around the
lake.
Free - donations encouraged
For
more information call 618-971-7763 |
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WINGS
OF SPRING
BIRDING FESTIVAL
Alton, IL Area |
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Saturday, May 8, 2010
9 am - 3 pm
Riverlands
Environmental Demonstration Area
This annual Confluence Birding Festival features
off-site birding trips, arts and entertainment, birding exhibits and
vendors, family centered educational activities, live bird meet and greets,
and much more.
Free with some fees for off-site birding trips
For
more information call 1-800-258-6645
or visit wingsofspring.org |
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MIGRATORY BIRD WALKS
Godfrey, IL |
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Sunday, May 9, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
8 am
Talahi Lodge at the Olin Nature Preserve
Every spring thousands of birds migrate north along the Mississippi River
Flyway back to their summer homes and representatives from The Nature
Institute and naturalist and avid birder, Edna Alexander, will lead guided hikes to identify the
many species that stop off at the Olin Preserve. Dress for the weather,
wear good hiking shoes, and bring binoculars and drinking water.
Admission fee
For more information call 618-466-9930 |
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LEWIS & CLARK
“DEPARTURE DAYS”
BICYCLE RIDE
Hartford, IL |
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Saturday, May 15, 2010
Registration: 8:30 am - 10 am at the
Alton Marina, #1 Henry St, Alton, IL
Lewis and Clark State
Historic Site
Become a modern day explorer and pedal a portion
of the path taken by Lewis & Clark on routes of various distances over
flat to rolling terrain. The short route recommended for
families and beginning cyclists will use the MCT Confluence Trail. The
longer routes are on roads. All routes stop at the Lewis and Clark State
Historic Site in Hartford “Departure Days” celebration where you will
find food, drinks and displays.
Fees: $8 Trailnet Member,
$12
Non-member, $3 Children under 13
For more information call 314-416-9930 x114
or visit www.trailnet.org |
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LEWIS & CLARK DEPARTURE DAYS
Hartford, IL |
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May 15 - May 16, 2010
10 am - 4 pm both days
Lewis & Clark State Historic
Site
Come and commemorate the departure of the Lewis
& Clark Expedition from Camp River Dubois as reenactors portray life as
members of the Corps of Discovery preparing for their epic trip west.
Free
For more information call 618-251-5811 |
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KID'S DAY
Cahokia Mounds
State Historic Site
Collinsville, IL |
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Sunday, May 16, 2010
11 am - 4 pm
Collinsville Road
This special event features hands-on crafts and activities, such as
arrowhead making, pottery making, face painting, spear throwing, corn
grinding, Indian games; dance performances and more. For kids of all
ages.
Free
For more information call 618-346-5160 |
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HUMMINGBIRD FESTIVAL
Pere Marquette
State Park
Grafton, IL |
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Sunday, May 16, 2010
1 pm - 4 pm
Pere Marquette Lodge & Conference Center
Hummingbirds prosper in the wonderful environment of The Lodge, seeking it
out on their annual migration. Join The Lodge’s staff at this annual
Hummingbird Festival and be able to see these "always on the go" magnificent
little birds up close. The Illinois Audubon Society will on hand banding the
birds. Visitors will be able to adopt one for a small fee and receive
updates on how your bird is doing and where it is.
Free
For more information call
618-786-2331 |
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NATURE/CULTURE
HIKE
Cahokia Mounds
State Historic Site
Collinsville, IL |
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Saturday, May 22, 2010
9:30 am - 1 pm
Collinsville Road
Take a three mile hike with an archaeologist and a naturalist through
various habitats. Learn about the cultural and natural resources,
excavation results, and native uses of plants of Cahokia Mounds.
Canceled in case of rain.
Free
For more information call 800-289-2388 or 618-346-5160 |
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GREAT RIVER RENDEZVOUS
Grafton, IL & West Alton, MO |
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Saturday, May
22, 2010
12 pm - 3:30 pm
Begins in Grafton and ends at the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary in
West Alton, IL
Be a part of this canoe and kayak race on the Mississippi River.
Rendezvous in Grafton where the race will begin at 12 pm. Then,
race your way 18 miles down river to the end of the race at
the
Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary in
West Alton, MO. Clubs, shops and spectators are invited to attend. In
addition to the race, there will social paddles, skills clinics, family
paddles, food and music.
There is a registration fee with all proceeds going to the Treehouse Wildlife Center of Madison County. To pre-register, go to
www.greatriverwatertrail.org or call 314- 518-0950.
For
more information call
618-462-6979
or visit
http://www.greatriverwatertrail.org |
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FREE
CONCERTS
Alton, IL |
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May 27 - August
1, 2010
Every Thursday and Sunday at 8 pm
The
locals in Alton seldom miss a beat at these weekly summer concerts
held every Thursday evening in Riverview Park and every Sunday in
Haskell Park. Bring a blanket or lawn chair.
Free
For
more information call 618-465-6676 |
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PRINCIPIA TRIATHLON
Elsah, IL |
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Saturday, May 29, 2010
8 am
The Principia Triathlon is a stunningly beautiful and fun challenge for
all ages and skill levels in historic surroundings! Come on your own to
accept the challenge or bring a team of family or friends. You must
register in advance at Active.com. There will be no registration on race
day.
For
more information
go to
www.EscapetotheBluffs.com |
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ALTON BLOCK
PARTY
Alton, IL |
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Saturday, May 29, 2010
4 pm - 10:30 pm
Third Street between Piasa and State
Alton holds a downtown block party on the last Saturday of every month from May
through September. This event features
a wide variety of food and drink at reasonable prices. Kids
activities begin at 4 and adult activities begin when the sun goes down and
the bands begin playing at 6:30.
Free
For more information call 618-465-6676 |
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ALTON MEMORIAL
DAY PARADE
Alton, IL |
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Monday, May 31, 2010
10 am
Washington and College
Avenues
This annual Memorial Day Parade in Upper Alton,
running continuously since 1868, honors the contributions of local veterans.
Free
For
more information call 618-462-7527 |
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Probable
Events
Dates, times, and other
details will change and will be listed as soon as we get updated
information. |
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ART EXHIBIT
Alton, IL |
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May 15 - July 5, 2009
Tues. - Sat hours are 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday hours: 12 pm - 4 pm
Jacoby Arts Center, 627 E. Broadway
This bi-annual ceramics invitational show
is held at the Jacoby Arts
Center. This year's exhibit is curated by Susan Bostwick, Charity Davis-Woodard, and
Melody Ellis and showcase outstanding clay artists who live and
work in the region. This year, twenty-four artists present work that ranges
from functional to figurative. It is an exciting show accompanied by
workshops and classes in clay.
Free
For more information call 618-462-5222 |
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This Calendar of Events provides listings free of
charge for events that are of interest to visitors to the area and that are
organized or sponsored by Non-Profit or community based organizations. To have
your event listed here contact the webmaster. We
reserve the right to limit content. We also willing to provide a web page free
of charge for these types of events to provide more details for our readers.
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