July 2008
Calendar of Events
for the
French Colonial Country
of the Central Mississippi River Valley
including Ste. Genevieve & Jefferson Counties in Missouri
& Randolph, Monroe, and St. Clair Counties in Illinois

We regularly update this calendar to provide you with up to date information on a variety of events that take place in French Colonial Country.  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.

LIBERTY BELL OF THE WEST CELEBRATION Kaskaskia, IL		Friday, July 4, 2008 11 am - 3 pm Kaskaskia Bell State Historic Site This annual celebration takes place at the site of the Liberty Bell of the West, which was rung when Rogers Clark and his Long Knives captured Kaskaskia on July 4, 1778. A ceremony starts at 12:30 with speakers and the French Colonial Marines from nearby Fort de Chartres. The celebration also features live music, food and other refreshments, and the Church of the Immaculate Conception will be open for tours. Free For more information call 618-826-2667
4TH OF JULY FESTIVITIES Ste. Genevieve, MO		Friday, July 4, 2008 Fireworks and a free musical concert sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce of Ste. Genevieve in the city park overlooking the Mississippi River. Free For more information call 1-800-373-7007
STE. GENEVIEVE COUNTY FAIR Ste. Genevieve, MO		July 11 - July 13, 2008 9 am - 9 pm County Fairgrounds The Ste. Genevieve County Fair includes a parade, livestock shows, demolition derby, horse show, truck pulls, tractor pulls, queen contest, 4H and FFA exhibits and a band on Friday night. There is a lot to see and do for adults and children all weekend with plenty of good food and entertainment. Free For more information call 573-883-3548 or 1-800-373-7007
MONROE COUNTY FAIR Waterloo, IL		July 20 - July 27, 2008 Monroe County Fairgrounds, IL-156  This annual fair features agricultural exhibits and many horse related events. Other exhibits include arts and crafts, 4-H projects, floral arrangements, art and photography, and quilts. Carnival rides are a favorite and local organizations offer food and refreshments. The Fair Grandstand events range from tractor pulls to the FFA competition and the annual Fair Queen Pageant and the Little Miss contest. See website for admission details For more information call 618-939-7796   or visit www.monroecounty-fair.org
OLD TIME MUSIC FETE Cahokia, IL		Sunday, July 27, 2008 12 pm - 5 pm Cahokia Courthouse, 107 Elm Street An outdoor "musical rendezvous" where acoustic musicians get together to jam with each other and play for the public. Traditional bluegrass, old-time country, folk, blues, old time river, and "ho-down" music. Jam sessions under every tree, kids arts and crafts, and a professional sound system for the main stage ( the porch of the 1740 Cahokia Courthouse) for the enjoyment of all.  Food and drink are available for purchase, and there's plenty of shade. Free For more information call 618-332-1782
Probable Events Dates, times, and other details will change and will be listed as soon as we get updated information.
SUMMER THEATRE  Ste. Genevieve, MO		June 28 - July 15, 2007 Ste. Genevieve Auditorium, 211 N. Fifth Street ColeBean Bay Theatre is a professional Equity summer stock theatre company new to Ste. Genevieve, MO area. ColeBeanBay presents Andrew Lloyd Webber's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, the retelling of the Biblical story where Joseph, a handsome young man who is his father's favorite child, is able to interpret dreams and is the bearer of an amazing coat. For ticket prices, show dates and times call 314-534-1111 or visit www.metrotix.com after May 1st. For more information call 314-435-7760
INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION Columbia, IL		Wednesday, July 4, 2007 Grounds open at 11 am Columbia American Legion Hall, 375 E. Locust This celebration features food, beer and other refreshments, bingo, a washer tournament, and other entertainment. Fireworks begin at dusk. Free For more information call 618-281-5556
TOUR DE BELLEVILLE Belleville, IL		Friday, July 13, 2007 9 pm Union United Methodist Church The first Tour de Belleville is being organized by Neighborhood Associations as a fundraiser to purchase a speed monitor for safer neighborhoods. The course is 7 miles and if a registered rider is able to start the 2nd lap by 10 pm they're welcome to ride the course twice. $15 which includes a commemorative t-shirt. For more information call 314-416-9930

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.