Visitors Guide for Events September 2010
Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway Area
Madison, Jersey & Calhoun Counties, Illinois

  11TH ANNUAL ELSAH PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT
Elsah
July 18 - October 16, 2010

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 "
Natural Elsah."
Free
Click here for additional information
LEWIS AND CLARK
MUSIC FESTIVAL
Hartford, IL
  Saturday, September 11, 2010
10 am - 4 pm
Lewis and Clark State Historic Site
New Poag Road and IL-3
This annual music event features musicians playing fiddles, dulcimers, and flutes. This Music and Dance Festival features early American, French, Spanish and Native American music traditional music in venues both in and outdoors.
Free
For more information call 618-251-5811

GIRLS ON GRAPES,
BOYS ON BREW
Grafton, IL
  Saturday, September 11, 2010
2 pm - 6 pm
The Loading Dock, 401 E. Front Street
Enjoy a sampling of delicious wine, beer, and food from over 25 area restaurants and local wineries. The event will be held in the Historic Boatworks at the Loading Dock in Grafton. Proceeds benefit Alton Memorial Hospital's White Cross Auxiliary. Dress is casual.
Tickets required; no one under 21, please.
For more information call 618-463-7872
9-11 BOAT PARADE
Grafton, IL
  Saturday, September 11, 2010
Dedication: 5:30 pm & Parade: 6 pm
Grafton Harbor, 215 W. Water Street
Join in paying honor to our soldiers and remember our fellow Americans that died on this day. The parade begins at Grafton Harbor and proceeds down the Mississippi River.
Free
For more information call 618-786-7678
 or visit www.graftonharbor.net

ANNUAL ART FESTIVAL

Grafton, IL
  September 11 - September 12, 2010
10 am - 5 pm
Grove Park, Downtown Grafton
This annual art festival features artists displaying and selling their work, an apple bake-off, live music, a pet parade, and children's activities.
Free
For more information call 618-786-7000

ATLATL COMPETITION
Cahokia Mounds
State Historic Site
Collinsville, IL
  September 11 - September 12, 2010
10 am - 4 pm
Collinsville Road
The atlatl is the weapon that transformed early humans from scavengers to big-game hunters such as the mammoth and the mastodon and predates the bow and arrow by thousands of years. The Missouri Atlatl Association, a group of primitive weapon enthusiasts will hold its annual competition and demonstration of this ancient spear throwing device.
Free
For more information call 800-289-2388 or 618-346-5160
AMERICAN INDIAN
EDUCATION DAYS

Cahokia Mounds
State Historic Site
Collinsville, IL
  Sunday, September 12, 2010
10 am - 4 pm
Collinsville Road
Native American individuals and groups will demonstrate and sell various crafts, have informational booths and hands-on activities for children.
Free
For more information call 800-289-2388 or 618-346-5160
ANNUAL OKTOBERFEST
Godfrey, IL
  September 17 – September 18, 2010
Friday: 4 pm - 9 pm
Saturday: 12 pm - 8:30 pm

Resurrection Lutheran Church, 1211 W. Homer Adams Parkway
This annual event features German food, a large beer tent, wine tasting, live bands on both days, raffles, and games. On Saturday there will be an Arts and Crafts Show and a Business Showcase from 12 pm to 5:30.
Free
For more information call 618-4662788
FALL EQUINOX
SUNRISE OBSERVANCE

Cahokia Mounds
State Historic Site
Collinsville, IL
  Sunday, September 19, 2010
Arrive by 6:30 am
Collinsville Road
Observe the fall equinox sunrise and learn of the discovery, form and function of an ancient post circle called Woodhenge that was used as a solar calendar by the Cahokians. No ceremony or ritual is presented. Woodhenge is located 1/2 mile west of Monks Mound and the main entrance to the site.
Free
For more information call 800-289-2388 or 618-346-5160
FOOT HIGH PIE RIDE
Highland, IL
  Sunday, September 19, 2010
Registration: 7:30 am - 9 am
Highland High School, 12760 Troxler Avenue
This pleasant ride features flat to gently rolling terrain with no big hills through the countryside with a stop at Blue Springs Café to purchase great food and their famous Foot High Pies
!

Fees: $8 Trailnet Member, $12 Non-member, $3 Children under 13
For more information call 314-416-9930 x114
  or visit www.trailnet.org
NATURE/CULTURE HIKE
Cahokia Mounds
State Historic Site
Collinsville, IL
  Saturday, September 25, 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
ALTON BLOCK PARTY
Alton, IL
  Saturday, September 25, 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

ANNUAL HERITAGE DAYS
Godfrey, IL
  September 25 - September 26, 2010
9 am - 5 pm each day, rain or shine
Lewis & Clark Community College
5800 Godfrey Road (Route 67)
This annual event is a re-creation of period history, food, clothing, black powder shoot, primitive encampments, demonstrations, music, crafts and food.
Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children (5-12 years). Price includes admission to the Lewis & Clark Trading Post.
For more information call 618-377-5714
ARTIFACT
IDENTIFICATION DAY

Cahokia Mounds
State Historic Site
Collinsville, IL
  Sunday, September 26, 2010
12 pm - 4 pm
Collinsville Road
Archaeologists will identify artifacts brought in by the public, as to culture, time period, material and function. No monetary appraisals will be given.
Free
For more information call 800-289-2388 or 618-346-5160
     
Probable Events
Dates, times, and other details will change and will be listed as soon as we get updated information.

ART EXHIBIT
Alton, IL
  August 28 - October 4, 2009
Tuesday - Saturday: 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday: 12 pm - 4 pm
Jacoby Arts Center, 627 E. Broadway
"Songs of Presence" is a solo exhibition by fiber artist Laura Strand, director of Textile Arts at SIU-Edwardsville. Strand has exhibited throughout the U.S. and was a 2006 Artist Fellowship recipient from the Illinois Arts Council. Strand has been profiled in FIBERARTS and Surface Design Journal. Songs of Presence is part of Innovations in Textiles 8, a biennial collaborative event in the St. Louis Metropolitan Region that investigates the state of contemporary textile arts.
Free
For more information call 618-462-5222

Godfrey, IL
  September 4 - October 31, 2009
Glazebrook Park, 1401 Stamper Lane
Fridays: 6 pm - 9 pm
Saturdays: 11 am - 10 pm
Sundays: 1 pm to dusk
Seven acre outdoor maze using tall corn as walls. Special events will be held during the open months (September and October)
Admission Fees. Group rates and rentals available
For more information, or for group reservations, call 618-466-1483
  or visit www.greatgodfreymaze.com

JERSEY COUNTY
VICTORIAN FESTIVAL

Jerseyville, IL
  September 5 - September 7, 2009
7 am - 5 pm daily
Located 1.5 miles north of Jerseyville on Route 67 at the 60 acre Hazel Dell farm
Large Civil War reenactment, sutlers, arts, crafts, antiques, large variety of festival food, steam engines, draft horses, tractors, threshing, saw milling, and plowing. The festival is centered around the 1866 Fulkerson Mansion, which is open for tours.
Adults-$8, Children-$2, under 6 free. Free parking.
For more information call 618-498-5590
CALHOUN COUNTY FAIR
Hardin, IL
  September 10 - September 13, 2009
Calhoun County Fair Grounds
Special events, variety of foods, parade, 4H, livestock, and agricultural exhibits.
For more information call 618-576-2312
AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST
Alton, IL
  Deadline is September 14, 2009
The theme of the contest is: “The Watershed and Me!” The watershed is the natural area between the bluffs and the river, including all streams that go into the river, including animals and people. The Contest is for anyone, excluding professional photographers. Entries must be unmounted photographs, 8 1/2” by 11.” There is a black and white category and a color category. Limit of 3 photos per person. Image should be appropriate for family viewing. Winners will be announced at the Mississippi Earthtones Festival in Alton on September 19, 2009.
Free and chance to win cash prizes!
For more information call 618-462-6802
  or visit the contest website

ITALIAN FEST
Collinsville, IL
  September 18 - September 19, 2009
Main Street, downtown Collinsville
11 am - 10 pm
This annual festival, which began in 1984, features the Paisan Pedal Push, 5K Run-Walk, continuous entertainment on three stages, Fest Olympics, Italian Cooking Contest, Bocce Ball, Grape Stomp, Wine Garden, Craft Fair, Wine Making Contest, a Children’s area and But, the real calling card for the Italian Fest continues to be the authentic Italian fare.
Free
For visit www.italianfest.net
FRONTIER DAYS
Hamburg, IL
  Saturday, September 19, 2009
10 am - 4 pm
Village Park

Attractions at this annual festival include Craft & Flea Market tables, Cake Walk, 50/50 Raffle, plus a Prize Raffle with lots of prizes! For food and refreshments enjoy the fish fry & fried chicken as well as pies, cakes, and cookies. Live music will on hand for entertainment, so bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the fun in this quaint village on the banks of the Mississippi River!
Free
For more details or if you would like to make a donation for our raffles, please contact Koni Proctor at 618-232-0054
MISSISSIPPI EARTHTONES FESTIVAL
Alton, IL
  Saturday, September 19, 2009
11 am - 6 pm
Riverfront Park
Join the celebration of Illinois Watersheds through Education, Recreation, and Conservation. This festival is "sustainable" and FUN! Come and learn about native plants and animals, address threats to the health of our ecosystem, and protect the history & culture of life on the river. Live music, over 30 free hands-on activity booths, and refreshments.
Free
For more information call 618-462-6802
HAMILTON PRIMARY
SCHOOL FESTIVAL

Otterville, IL
  September 19 - September 20, 2009
Saturday: 11 am - 7 pm
Sunday: 12 pm - 5:30 pm
Annual fund raising event held on the third Saturday of September on the Hamilton Primary School grounds. Crafts, children's games, and entertainment. Lots of food and homemade pies. Memorial ceremony honoring Dr. Silas Hamilton & George Washington: master and slave at the first free, integrated school in the nation will be held on Sunday at 3 pm. Proceeds from the festival will be used to renovate the school.
Free - donations appreciated 
For more information call 618-786-7302
HARVEST FEST
Jerseyville, IL
  September 19 - 20, 2009
Saturday hours are 11 am - 11 pm
Sunday hours are 10:30 am - 10 pm
St. Francis Xavier Holy Ghost School
Picnic, country store, games, live entertainment, food, and a Grand Raffle with $20,000 worth of prizes on Sunday evening.
Free
For more information call 618-498-4823

ANNUAL ELSAH FALL
QUILT RETREAT
Elsah
  September 23 - September 25, 2009
Learn the art of paper piecing at the annual Elsah Fall Quilt Retreat. Some quilts can look quite difficult, but they can be made easy through the technique of paper piecing. With Barb Marfell as your instructor, you will receive professional instruction, a supply list, two lunches, two suppers, snacks, a walking tour through the Village of Elsah, road trip to Crocker & Springer Pottery and a presentation by guest speaker, Hallye Bone.
The cost of the retreat is $130 per person. Housing is additional, but we will make the reservation for you. The cost for a two night stay is $188 per person for a single room and $169 per person for a double room

For more information call 618-462-5881
QUILT PROGRAM
Elsah
  Friday, September 25, 2009
10 am
Elsah Civic Center, 51 Mill Street
As part of the annual Fall Quilt Retreat, My Just Desserts presents Hallye Bone, author of "Caring for Your Quilts." Hallye will be presenting a delightful program on "Redwork Embroidery - 150 Years of Beauty - Reviving Yesterday's Tradition Today." Hallye has 35 years of experience cleaning, repairing and collecting quilts.
The program includes lunch for $25 per person. Tickets must be purchased in advance through My Just Desserts, 31 E. Broadway, Alton or call 618-462-5881.

For more information call 618-374-1607 or 618-642-5881
ALTON ARTS & CRAFTS
EXPERIENCE
Alton, IL
  September 25 - September 27, 2009
Friday & Saturday: 10 am. - 9:30 pm
Sunday:. Noon - 6 pm

Alton Square Mall, Homer Adams Parkway at Alton Square Mall Drive
A wonderful variety of craft and artworks will be on display by the craftspeople and artists who created the work. "Craft/Art in Action" will include exhibitors working and demonstrating at various times during the show.
Free

For more information call 1-847- 991-4748

ANNUAL FLY-IN
Bethalto, IL
  Saturday, September 26, 2009
9 am - 2 pm
St. Louis Regional Airport, 8 Terminal Drive
The public is invited to this “wings and wheels" event to view display aircraft, watch flybys and formation flying, and vintage automobiles. Children ages 8-17 can experience the thrill of flight in a single engine airplane provided by The Experimental Aircraft Association and the Young Eagles for FREE! So come sign up your kids so they can enjoy the ride. The event will take place weather permitting
.
Free
For more information call 618-259-2531 or visit www.stlouisregional.com
NATURE/CULTURE HIKE
Cahokia Mounds
State Historic Site
Collinsville, IL
  Saturday, September 26, 2009
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
LEWIS AND CLARK
TRADING POST

Godfrey, IL
  September 26 - September 27, 2009
9 am - 5 pm each day, rain or shine
Lewis & Clark Community College
5800 Godfrey Road (Route 67)
"Buy, Sell and Swap" at the Lewis and Clark Trading Post. The Trading Post is in conjunction with Heritage Days. Shop vendors' wares and have a chance to buy, swap or sell antiques, trinkets, crafts, food and automobiles.
Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children (5-12 years). Price includes admission to Heritage Days.
For more information call 618-468-2900
BECOMING AN
OUTDOORS WOMAN

Pere Marquette State Park
Grafton, IL
  September 25 - September 27, 2009
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources invites women to attend a weekend of adventurous outdoor activities.  You can try charting a course, calling a bird, shooting a bow, firing a shot, tying a fly, catching a fish, building a campfire and more.  Attendees enjoy the natural beauty of Illinois, companionship, exercise and skill building.  Program instructors provide a supportive, safe, nonthreatening and noncompetitive learning environment.  The program is open to all women age 18 or older.
A fee of $135 per person includes instruction, program materials, use of demonstration equipment, seven meals and lodging. Applications and payment must be received no later than August 29, 2008.
For more information
contact Mitch Ingold at mingold@dnrmail.state.il.us

MEMORY WALK

Edwardsville, IL
  Saturday, September 26, 2009
Registration 8 am, Walk 9 am
SIUE Campus

Memory Walk is the Alzheimer’s Association’s signature event to help those battling Alzheimer’s disease. Memory Walk proceeds support programs, services and research.
For more information call 314-801-0440
ARTIFACT
IDENTIFICATION DAY

Cahokia Mounds
State Historic Site
Collinsville, IL
  Sunday, September 27, 2009
12 pm - 4 pm
Collinsville Road
Archaeologists will identify artifacts brought in by the public, as to culture, time period, material and function. No monetary appraisals will be given.
Free
For more information call 800-289-2388 or 618-346-5160
     
   

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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