July 2009
Calendar of Events
in the
Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway Area

ART EXHIBIT Alton, IL		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 The 3rd bi-annual ceramics invitational show is being held at the Jacoby Arts Center. This exhibit, curated by Susan Bostwick, Charity Davis-Woodard, and Melody Ellis, continues to showcase outstanding clay artists who live and work in our 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
FREE CONCERTS Edwardsville, IL		June 4 - August 20, 2009 Every Thursday at 8 pm As part of the Arts in the Park program the city of Edwardsville and the Madison County Arts Council sponsor concerts at the bandstand in Edwardsville City Park by the Edwardsville Municipal Band. Free For more information call 618-692-7538
GEOCACHING WORKSHOPS West Alton, MO		June 6 - August 29, 2009 Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Environmental Learning Facility Every Saturday from at 9 am - 11 am Park Rangers from the National Great Rivers Museum will provide GPS units and demonstrate how to find hidden caches. These free workshops last approximately 2 hours. Workshops are outside, and visitors should dress for the weather. Limit 10 people per workshop. Free To pre-register or for more information call 618-462-6979
FREE FISHING CLINICS Alton, IL		Weekdays, June 8 – August 7, 2009 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
FREE CONCERTS Edwardsville, IL		June 13 - July 31, 2009 Every Friday at 8 pm As part of the Arts in the Park program the city of Edwardsville and the Madison County Arts Council sponsors concerts at the bandstand in Edwardsville City Park featuring a different band every weekend. Free For more information call 618-692-7538
GUIDED PRAIRIE WALKS Alton, IL		Wednesdays, June 17 - August 26, 2009 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
FESTIVAL AND FIREWORKS Granite City, IL		June 30 - July 5, 2009 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		Friday, July 3, 2009 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
NATIVE AMERICAN POTTERY DEMONSTRATION Pere Marquette State Park Grafton, IL		Saturday, July 4, 2009 8:30 am Meet at the log cabin near the Visitor Center Learn how Native Americans created pots, dishes, and ceremonial items at this pottery demonstration. After a lecture on this ancient craft, participants will will get hands on experience in making a bowl or a piece of primitive art that they can take home with them. Free For more information call 618-786-3323
BOBCAT PROGRAM Pere Marquette State Park Grafton, IL		Saturday, July 4, 2009 2 pm Meet at the Visitors Center Come discover the mysteries of the bobcat . Placed on the Illinois' first list of threatened species in 1977, these animals are indigenous to Illinois and prefer large forested or wooded areas like Pere Marquette State Park. Free For more information call 618-786-3323
FIREWORKS ON THE WATERFRONT Grafton, IL		Saturday, July 4, 2009 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
ANNUAL JURIED EXHIBITION Alton, IL		July 10 - August 23, 2009 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
NATURAL HISTORY HIKE Pere Marquette State Park Grafton, IL		Saturday, July 11, 2009 8:30 am Meet at the Visitors Center Learn about the park's natural history and experience the beauty of nature by hiking along on one of the Park’s most interesting trails. Learn how the park originated and see rocks that were formed before the age of the dinosaurs. Wear good hiking shoes and bring a snack, a camera, and binoculars for this adventure that will last about 2 hours. Free For more information call 618-786-3323
CONTEMPORARY INDIAN ART SHOW Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site Collinsville, IL		Saturday, July 11, 2009 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 or 800-289-2388
JERSEY COUNTY FAIR Jerseyville, IL		July 11 - July 19, 2009 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 Parking Fee: $1 For more information call 618-498-3422
FAMILY FUN DAY Godfrey, IL		Saturday, July 11, 2009 2 pm - 8 pm Glazebrook Park, 1401 Stamper Lane Come join in the fun at an old fashioned family day in the park. There will also be activities like be rock wall climbing, three-legged races, a water balloon toss, sack races, Godfrey Idol Contest, and more. Free For more information call 618-466-1483
BIG BOTTLE RIDE Collinsville, IL		Sunday, July 12, 2009 Registration: 7:30 am - 9 am VFW Post 5691, 1234 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 information call 314-416-9930 x114
CATSUP BOTTLE SUMMERFEST Collinsville, IL		Sunday, July 12, 2009 Sunday: 10 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
JERSEY COUNTY FAIR PARADE Jerseyville, IL		Tuesday, July 14, 2009 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
BLESSING OF THE FLEET Portage des Sioux, MO Grafton, IL		Saturday July 18, 2009 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
MADISON COUNTY FAIR Edwardsville, IL		July 19 - July 24, 2009 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 For more information call 618-654-6656   or visit www.madcofair.com
ALTON BLOCK PARTY Alton, IL		Saturday, July 25, 2009 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 25 - July 26, 2009 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
		10TH ANNUAL ELSAH PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT Elsah July 25 - October 17, 2009 Friday - Sunday, 1 pm to 4 pm Village of Elsah Museum Amateur and professional photographers will be displaying photographs of the Village of Elsah and the immediate area in every season in an exhibit entitled "Colors and Contrasts of Elsah." Free Click here for additional information
HUMMINGBIRD FESTIVAL Pere Marquette State Park Grafton, IL		Sunday, July 26, 2009 1 pm - 4 pm 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 ext. 338
Probable Events Dates, times, and other details will change and will be listed as soon as we get updated information.
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI SUMMER DINNER Kampsville, IL		Sunday, July 20, 2008 St. Anselm's Church, Route 100 11 am - 3 pm An old fashioned country style dinner served family style featuring fried chicken, dumplings, dressing, green beans, dessert, and refreshments in an air conditioned setting. Also featured are a country store with produce, baked goods, and craft items.  For more information call 618-576-2628

 This Calendar of Events provides listings free of charge for events that are of interest to visitors to the area. To have your event listed here contact the webmaster. We reserve the right to limit content. We also will provide a web page free of charge for the event to cover more details for Non-Profit Community Organizations.