October 2008
Calendar of Events
in the
Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway Area

		9TH ANNUAL ELSAH PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT Elsah July 26 - October 18, 2008 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
ARTIST EXHIBITION Alton, IL		August 10 - October 5, 2008 Tuesday - Saturday: 10 am - 5 pm Sunday: 12 pm - 4 pm Jacoby Arts Center, 627 E. Broadway Jacoby Arts Center presents Brigham Dimick: Mortal Bodies, featuring the work of Edwardsville artist Brigham Dimick, Assistant Professor in Art & Design at SIUE. He is a recipient of a 2008 research fellowship at SIUE, and has recently exhibited his work at the University of the South, Sewanee, TN. Dimick's work is deeply personal, often using his own likeness to explore his sense of mortality and his meditations on the calamities of others. These concepts are explored in this current exhibition through a series of waxworks, meditation drawings, and paintings that begin with a photograph of his body. Free For more information call 618-462-5222
Godfrey, IL		September 6 - October 26, 2008 Glazebrook Park, 1401 Stamper Lane Fridays: 5 pm - 9 pm Saturdays: 10 am - 9 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) Adults: $6, Children 6 - 11: $4, Children 5 and under: Free. Group rates and rentals available For more information, or for group reservations, call 618-466-1483   or visit www.greatgodfreymaze.com
HARVEST WINEFEST Edwardsville, IL		Thursday, October 2, 2008 6 pm - 9 pm Lewis & Clark N. O. Nelson Campus The Alliance of Edwardsville & Glen Carbon hosts its annual premier social event with over 200 wines, both domestic and foreign, are available for tasting with special pricing on all wine orders during the evening. The Harvest WineFest also features great hors d'oeuvres by local restaurants and caterers, live music, and a silent auction. Tickets required For more information call 618-656-7601
NATURAL HISTORY HIKE Pere Marquette State Park Grafton, IL		Saturday, October 4, 2008 8:30 am Meet at the Visitors Center Learn about the park's natural history and experience the beauty of nature by hiking along one of the many hiking trails. Wear good hiking shoes and bring binoculars for this adventure that will last about 2 hours. Free For more information call 618-786-3323
VINTAGE VOICES Alton, IL		Every Saturday in October October 4, 11, 18, & 25, 2008 1 pm - 3 pm Alton Cemetery, 5th & Vine The public is invited to this beautiful cemetery as ten actors, standing by the graves of the residents they will portray, will greet passers-by in a living history tour being staged by the Alton YWCA in cooperation with the Alton Cemetery Board and the Alton Little Theater. The grounds are accessible to those with disabilities. Tickets: $12 for adults, $6 for children 6 through 12, Prices subject to change. Group rates available. For more information or to purchase tickets call 618-465-7774   or visit www.altonywca.com
CHALLENGE OF THE BLUFFS RUN Alton, IL		Saturday, October 4, 2008 8 am registration; run begins at 9 am;   walk begins at 9:15 am Broadway & Alby Streets This annual event features a 5-mile run up and down the hilly and scenic Streets of Alton’s historic Christian Hill district and a 2-mile competitive walk to Riverview Park and back. Participants receive a T-shirt and a goody bag provided by area vendors. Prizes and awards to various classes. Entry Fee For more information call 618-463-1016   or visit www.altonmarketplace.com
5K TRAIL RUN/WALK & KIDS FUN RUN Edwardsville, IL		Saturday, October 4, 2008 Kids un Run starts at 9 am, 5K at 9:30 am Watershed Nature Center, 1591 Tower Avenue Mark your calendar and get ready to lace up your shoes for the Watershed Nature Center 5K Trail Run/Walk and Kids Fun Run! Awardes for top finishers in each age division.  Proceeds benefit the Watershed Nature Center. Entry Fee For more information call 618-692-7578
FALL CORN FESTIVAL Godfrey, IL		Saturday, October 4, 2008 10 am - 10 pm Glazebrook Park, 1401 Stamper Lane This annual fall corn festival includes cornhusk doll making, corn shucking contests, a corn cookoff, craft show, antique tractor displays, vintage food and craft vendors, the Great Godfrey Corn Maze and helicopter rides over the maze. Free to festival, some activities require a fee For more information call 618-466-1483
CROATIAN & ITALIAN FEST Wood River, IL		Sunday, October 5, 2008 1 pm - 8 pm The first descendents of Wood River were Croatian and Italian. Join us as we celebrate the heritage of this 100 year old community. Activities will include: Little Mr. & Mrs. Centennial Pageant, car show, Italian music, heritage dancers, kids' games, bounce houses, bear zoo, lots of food and drink. Dr. Zhivegas will take the stage for a live performance from 4 pm - 8 pm. Free For more information call 618-251-3100
FALL FESTIVAL Grafton, IL		October 4 - October 5, 2008 Saturday 11 am - 11 pm Sunday 11 - 6 pm St. Patrick’s Church on Route 100 Enjoy fall festival fun all weekend long near the riverfront in Grafton. They’ll be serving up fish, brats, delicious homemade pies, and other goodies. In addition, there will be crafts, theme baskets, thousands of pumpkins & colorful gourds, & Indian corn, a country store, basket raffle, kids' games, bingo, charitable games, washers and much more. The "Night Owls" will be performing on Saturday with Dan Sproat entertaining throughout the day Sunday. Pancakes and sausage will be served Sunday morning from 8 am to 11 am. Free For more information call 618-786-3512
OWL PROGRAMS Pere Marquette State Park Grafton, IL		Friday, October 10, 2008 Friday, October 17, 2008 Friday, October 24, 2008 Friday, October 31, 2008 8 pm Meet at the Visitors Center A variety of owls inhabit Pere Marquette State Park and the surrounding area. A lecture by the Park staff will tell you what these bird sound like and the individual habits of each species. After the lecture there will be a short 1 1/2 mile hike (part of the hike is uphill) to listen for these fascinating birds. After the hike there will be a marshmallow roast. Please bring one flashlight per family. Marshmallows and drinks will be provided. Free For more information call 618-786-3323 Click here for more on Owls
GUIDED NATURE HIKE Pere Marquette State Park Grafton, IL		Saturday, October 11, 2008 8:30 am Meet at the Visitors Center Take this guided two-mile two-hour hike and learn about the Park's natural history and experience the beauty along on one of the Park’s most interesting trails. Wear good hiking shoes and bring a snack, a camera, and binoculars. Free For more information call 618-786-3323
OLD SETTLERS DAYS Kampsville		October 11 - October 12, 2008 10 am - 5 pm daily Riverside Park This event on the banks of the Illinois River depicts the life and times of the early Calhoun settlers. Civil War re-enactment, carriage rides, fiddle contest, mountain-man activities, apple-butter making and other period demonstrations, food, crafts, and live entertainment. Free For more information call 618-465-2114
"FLAGS OVER THE MISSISSIPPI" Hartford, IL		October 11 – October 12, 2008 10 am - 4 pm each day Lewis and Clark State Historic Site New Poag Road and IL-3 The “Flags Over the Mississippi: Struggle for the Empire” program covers the 18 th century struggle for control for the Mississippi River Valley. This region, rich in natural resources, was fought for as European nations struggled to build their New World empires. Come and enjoy an interpretation of Spanish, French, British and American military life. Free For more information call 618-251-5811
AALA HISTORIC HOUSE TOUR Alton, IL		Sunday, October 12, 2008 12 pm - 6 pm This annual self-guided tour features some of Alton’s most the beautiful homes, interesting buildings, and churches of Alton, some of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Sponsored by the Alton Area Landmarks Association. Tickets: $12 For more information call 618-463-5761
MOONLIGHT HIKE Godfrey, IL		Tuesday, October 14, 2008 7:30 pm The Mississippi Sanctuary, 2213 S. Levis Lane Join a trained Sierra Club volunteer and take a leisurely moonlit hike through the Mississippi Sanctuary, a 37-acre area of grand vistas and spectacular scenery, including waterfalls and wildlife. After the hour long hike there will be free snacks and beverages on the porch at Talahi Lodge. Free For more information call 618-462-6802   or visit illinois.sierraclub.org/piasapalisades
"LET'S TALK STONE" Elsah, IL		Friday, October 17, 2008 7:30 pm Farley's Music Hall, 37 Mill Street The Historic Elsah Foundation invites the public to a demonstration and talk with images of Elsah's stone walls and buildings by stone mason Mike Rhaesa. Free For more information or call 618-374-5238
GUIDED NATURE HIKE Pere Marquette State Park Grafton, IL		Saturday, October 18, 2008 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
BOBCAT PROGRAM Pere Marquette State Park Grafton, IL		Saturday, October 18, 2008 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
GRAFTON RENDEZVOUS Grafton, IL		October 18 - 19, 2008 10 am - 4:30 pm daily Grafton Riverfront This event celebrates the pre-1840's fur trade era with reenactors camping along the the Illinois River in teepees and period tents. Activities includes tomahawk and knife throwing competitions, black powder and archery contests, and other period demonstrations, food, crafts, and live entertainment. Free For more information call 314-251-4916
ARTEAST Madison County, IL		October 18 - October 19, 2008 11 am - 5 pm each day Various locations throughout Alton, Edwardsville, and other Madison County communities. ArtEast, the Edwardsville-Alton Studio Tour is an annual event showcasing more than 100 artists living and working in Madison County and includes studio tours, multiple exhibitions, and the chance to meet the artists themselves. Free For more information call 618-462-5222
LINCOLN-DOUGLAS SESQUICENTENNIAL Alton, IL		October 18 - October 19, 2008 Saturday: 10 am - 5 pm Sunday: 12 pm - 4 pm Come see Lincoln and Douglas face off in their final debate prior to the Illinois Senatorial election of 1858. The streets of downtown Alton will be closed for festival activities, which will include period vendors, a living history tour with re-enactors, and docents at 9 different Lincoln and Civil War historic site. Other events include the debut of the new Lincoln and Civil War interpretive panels and a presentation of Reunion Tour 08. Hayner Public Library is planning Lincoln programming with "Songs of Abraham Lincoln" and a special appearance by Mary Todd's seamstress. Both the library and Alton Museum of History and Art plan to have special exhibits to interpret Lincoln's many visits to Alton. Free For more information call 1-800-258-6645
PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site Collinsville, IL		October 20 - December 14, 2008 Wednesday. - Sunday, 9 am - 5 pm Interpretive Center, Collinsville Road The photographs entered for the North American Indian Photography Contest will be displayed. The contest, sponsored by the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site and Cahokia Mounds Museum Society, is open to both amateurs and professionals and seeks photographs that transcend simple snapshots and evoke the spirit of the North American Indian: people, character, events, objects, symbols, environment, past or present culture, and soul. Free For more information call 800-289-2388 or 618-346-5160
AUTUMN COLORS DRIVE Pere Marquette State Park Grafton, IL		Friday, October 24, 2008 Friday, October 31, 2008 2 pm Meet at the Visitors Center Come join the staff on a scenic drive to view the natural beauty that is unique to Pere Marquette State Park. A lottery will be held to decide who will be able to ride with the Park Interpreter with the rest following in their own vehicles. The drive will stop at a local restaurant and will return to the Park at approximately 7 pm. Free For more information call 618-786-3323
QUILT & CHURCH TOUR Calhoun County, IL		October 24 - October 25, 2008 10 am - 4 pm Residents of Calhoun County will be displaying their beautiful quilts at three historic churches along with "A County for All Seasons" photo gallery, and a Tri-County Antique Club display. There will be quilt appraisals, quilter’s demonstrations, and quilt supplies & sales. Tickets: $10 in advance, $12 day of tour For more information call 618-232-1268
ESCAPE TO THE WOODS WEEKEND Pere Marquette State Park Grafton, IL		October 24 - October 26, 2007 The event begins Friday at 4 pm and ends Sunday at noon. The Sierra Club invites its members, prospective members, families, friends and guests to an escape weekend in the woods. The Sierra Club has reserved Camp Ouatoga for the weekend, a Depression era Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) project because it is remote and isolated from the rest of the park, high on the hills overlooking the stunning, scenic Illinois and Mississippi River valleys. Interested parties are invited to stay one night or two at the Camp, which features a kitchen/dining hall, staff house, cooks cabin, first aid building, and a swimming pool. Free For more information call 618-462-6802   or visit illinois.sierraclub.org/piasapalisades
GUIDED NATURE HIKE Pere Marquette State Park Grafton, IL		Saturday, October 25, 2008 8:30 am Meet at the Visitors Center Feeling adventurous? Try this extended hike with the staff and explore some of the Park’s most interesting trails. The focus will be on exercise and stamina as the hike takes participants past creeks, 100-year old trees, and stops at two scenic overlooks. Wear good hiking shoes and bring a snack, a camera, and binoculars for this six mile hiking adventure that will last about 4 hours. Free For more information call 618-786-3323
FALL COLORS WALK Pere Marquette State Park Grafton, IL		Saturday, October 25, 2008 1:30 pm Meet at the Visitors Center Pere Marquette comes alive with color in the fall. Join the Park's staff for a walk to experience the brilliant colors and the many other wonders of nature first hand. The hikes are approximately 2 miles and last about 2 hours. Don't forget comfortable shoes and a camera. Free For more information call 618-786-3323
HALLOWEEN PARADE Hartford, IL		Saturday, October 25, 2008 Line up at 12:30 pm at 7th Street Park Starting time for the parade is 1 pm This community-wide parade features local fire trucks, bands, floats and lots of kids on foot and bicycles. Lots of candy for viewers with costume and float judging and prizes. Free For more information call 618-251-2680
HALLOWEEN PARADE Alton, IL		Friday, October 31, 2008 7 pm Parade begins at Washington Avenue and Broadway "Most Haunted Small Town in America" hosts its annual Halloween Parade with Alton's scariest costumes and comical characters featuring over 80 participants including floats, bands and parade flair. Free For more information call 618-462-7527
SEPTEMBER 2008		NOVEMBER 2008

 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.