Visitors Guide for Events July 2012 Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway Area Madison, Jersey & Calhoun Counties, Illinois
		We regularly update this calendar to provide you with up to date information on a variety of events that take place in the Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway Area. Changes are made when we gather more information or when we learn of an event. If you know of an event that you would like to see posted contact the webmaster. We hope you enjoy the events you choose to attend.

FAMILY FUN DAY & FIREWORKS Godfrey, IL		Wednesday, July 4, 2012 5 pm - 9:30 pm Glazebrook Park, 1401 Stamper Lane Come join in the fun at an old fashioned family evening in the park. There will be activities like rock wall climbing, zip lines, inflatables, vendors, and more. The Great Godfrey Maze's theme will be unveiled and there will be fireworks at 9:15. Free For more information call 618-466-1483
CATSUP BOTTLE SUMMERFEST Collinsville, IL		Sunday, July 8, 2012 Sunday: 9 am - 5 pm American Legion Post 365, 1022 Vandalia Street Don't miss this annual Collinsville World's Largest Catsup Bottle Summerfest Birthday Party features old-fashioned birthday party games, craft booths, food & drinks, live music, classic car show and cruise, ketchup tasting contest, Princess Tomato & Sir Catsup Contest, and much more! Free For more information call 618-344-8775 or visit www.catsupbottlesummerfest.com
CONTEMPORARY INDIAN ART SHOW Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site Collinsville, IL		July 14 - July 14, 2012 9 am - 5 pm Collinsville Road A juried show of fine arts by 25 Native American artists from across the nation, displaying and selling paintings, sculpture, silverwork, ceramics, paper art, pen and ink drawings, prints and more. Free For more information call 618-346-5160
MADISON COUNTY FAIR Highland, IL		July 24 - July 29, 2012 Madison County Fairgrounds, Park Hill Drive Product displays, livestock, arts and crafts, carnival rides, food, live music and arena events of stock car race, tractor pull, 4-H show and a demolition derby. Free admission to fairgrounds, small fee for parking For more information call 618-654-6656   or visit www.madcofair.com
HUMMINGBIRD FESTIVAL Hartford, IL		Saturday, July 28 , 2012 9 am - 1 pm Lewis & Clark State Historic Site In conjunction with the Illinois Audubon Society, hummingbirds will be captured and banded. Participants can adopt and release a hummingbird. Free For more information call 618-251-5811
Probable Events Dates, times, and other details will change and will be listed as soon as we get updated information.
GUIDED PRAIRIE WALKS Alton, IL		May - September, 2011 Second and third Thursdays at 6:30 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
ART EXHIBIT Alton, IL		May 17 - July 2, 2011 Tues. - Sat hours are 10 am - 5 pm Sunday hours: 12 pm  - 4 pm Jacoby Arts Center, 627 E. Broadway The Jacoby Arts Center is presenting a one-man show featuring Dennis Ringering: Rituals. Ringering has always been interested in the symbols, images, and objects that man makes. His current work evolved from his research of Native American petroglyphs and pictographs in the Southwest. Free For more information call 618-462-5222
MUSIC IN THE PARK Grafton, IL		June 2 - August 4, 2011 Every Thursday at 8 pm Grafton's Music in the Park is a free concert brought to you by Grafton's Chamber of Commerce and participating Grafton businesses every Thursday evening throughout the summer. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy great music while experiencing the majestic views of the Mississippi River. Concerts will last 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Rain or inclement weather will cancel this event. Free For more information call 618-786-2722
FREE FISHING CLINICS Alton, IL		Weekdays, June 6 – August 5, 2011 9 am to 11:30 am & 1 pm to 3:30 pm Gordon Moore Park Instructors present information about fish and other aquatic life, fishing rules and regulations, basics including how to bait a hook, tie the hook to the line, cast, catch and handle fish and how to return them to the water.  Participants are provided with rods and reels, bait and tackle and go fishing in lakes stocked with catchable channel catfish and hybrid bluegill. Free For more information call or to register for a clinic, call IDNR Region IV at 618-462-1181
FAMILY NIGHTS AT SPLASH CITY Collinsville, IL		June 7 - August 2, 2011 10 Gateway Drive Every Tuesday from 5 pm - 9 pm Splash City Family Waterpark, operated by the Collinsville Area Recreation District, is open late so the whole family can enjoy Splash City. Half off admission For more information call 618-346-4571   or visit www.splashcity.org
DASH 'N SPLASH Collinsville, IL		Saturday, July 9, 2011 6 pm - 10 pm Splash City Family Waterpark, 10 Gateway Drive Take a dash and cool down with a splash. Start this fun filled evening with a 5K run/walk then cool off and relax with a private party, dinner and music at Splash City Family Waterpark. The party is open to friends and family members of those participating in the 5K run/walk. Proceeds go to help fund programs by the Collinsville Area Recreation District. Registration fees For more information call 618-346-4571   or visit www.splashcity.org
FREE CONCERTS Alton, IL		June 9 - July 31, 2011 Every Thursday evening 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
FESTIVAL AND FIREWORKS Granite City, IL		June 30 - July 4, 2011 Wilson Park, 2900 Benton Street The Granite City Park District's celebration includes carnival rides, concerts, carriage rides, food, and entertainment. Fireworks at 9:15 pm on the 4th at the Coolidge Middle School Grounds, 3231 Nameoki Road. Free For more information call 618-877-3059
MISSISSIPPI RIVER FIREWORKS FESTIVAL Alton, IL		Saturday, July 2, 2011 Alton Riverfront, Grounds open at 5 pm Annual Fireworks Festival presented by the Alton Exposition Commission features great food, a beer tent, and entertainment. The fireworks display will be at 9 pm. Free For more information call 618-465-6676
FIREWORKS ON THE WATERFRONT Grafton, IL		Sunday, July 3, 2011 Grafton Riverfront Fireworks at dusk Grafton business owners will be offering food and drink specials, live entertainment and games for children. Then watch the fireworks over the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers from the decks of one of the many businesses or from a spot on the riverbank. For more information call 618-786-7000
JERSEY COUNTY FAIR Jerseyville, IL		July 9 - July 17, 2011 Jersey County Fair Grounds IL-67, north edge of Jerseyville  Annual County fair sponsored by the Jersey County Chamber of Commerce gives its visitors a chance to experience "Home Town Fun til the Cows Come Home." Promoting the agricultural heritage of Jersey County the fair features a variety of exhibits, a nightly carnival and featured Grandstand events. Admission is $2, children under 12 are free Additional fees for grandstand events Small fee for parking on the grounds For more information call 618-498-3422
BIG BOTTLE RIDE Collinsville, IL		Sunday, July 10, 2011 Registration: 7:30 am - 9 am Dorris Intermediate School, 1841 Vandalia Street A relishing ride on country roads, through horseradish country, including a stop near the world’s largest catsup bottle, the Brooks Catsup Bottle Water Tower. After the ride join the Summerfest Celebration where you will find food and drinks. Fees: $8 Member, $12 Non-member, $3 Child For more visit www.trailnet.org
JERSEY COUNTY FAIR PARADE Jerseyville, IL		Tuesday, July 12, 2011 Parade starts at 6 pm The annual Jersey County Fair Parade features floats and over 350 entries in this spectacular 2-hour parade. The parade will travel down north down State Street and ends at the Fairgrounds. Enjoy carnival rides, beauty pageant, demolition derby, tractor and truck pulls and Kid's Day at the fair. Free
ANNUAL JURIED EXHIBITION Alton, IL		July 12 - August 21 , 2011 Tuesday - Saturday: 10 am - 5 pm Sunday: 12 pm - 4 pm Jacoby Arts Center, 627 E. Broadway The Annual Juried Exhibition features 2-D and 3-D works in various mediums by over 30 Illinois and Missouri artists. Free For more information call 618-462-5222
BLESSING OF THE FLEET Portage des Sioux, MO Grafton, IL		Saturday, July 16, 2011 Participating boats will launch at 1 pm from the Yacht Club of St. Louis proceeding downstream or at Harbor Point  proceeding upstream in the main channel of the Mississippi River. About 2:15 p.m. the parade will arrive at Our Lady of the Rivers Shrine in Portage des Sioux, and end in Grafton.  The parade will be visible from the Great River Road. Free For more information call 618-786-7678  or visit www.blessingofthefleetstl.com
THE BIG GIG LOCAL MUSIC SHOW Alton, IL		Saturday, July 23, 2011 3 pm - 10 pm Riverfront Amphitheater, Riverfront Drive, downtown Alton Bringing local sound...downtown! Enjoy a showcase of the area's finest bands performing their original music at Alton’s beautiful 4,000 capacity Riverfront Amphitheater. Low back lawn chairs and blankets are welcome, no coolers please. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Advance tickets: $10 online by visit www.RiverfrontAmphitheater.com/BIGGIG or at the Jacoby Arts Center, 627 E. Broadway in Alton. Tickets will be available at the gate for $12. All ages concert, free entry for kids 12 and under with supervision of an adult. For more information call 618-463-1016
ALTON BLOCK PARTY Alton, IL		Saturday, July 30, 2011 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
ST. BARBARA'S CHURCH PICNIC Batchtown, IL		July 30 - July 31, 2011 Saturday: 5 pm - 12 pm Sunday: 11 am - 12 pm Saturday: Turtle soup & sandwiches, games and crafts. Sunday: Family style chicken & beef dinner starts at 11 am, games, crafts, raffle and bingo.  For more information call 618-883-2400

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.

FEATURED ATTRACTIONS ALONG THE GREAT RIVER ROAD
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site	Pere Marquette State Park	McCully Heritage Project	Lewis and Clark State Historic Site