December 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.

CHRISTMAS IN KIMMSWICK Kimmswick, MO		December 5 - December 7, 2008 Friday: 10 am - 9 pm Saturday: 10 am - 9 pm Sunday: 10 am - 6 pm Downtown Kimmswick Enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas in Kimmswick. The shops will be decked out in their holiday splendor, carolers will be strolling the streets, and horse drawn carriage rides will carry you back to a time gone by. With over 25 unique shops, Kimmswick will make your holiday shopping easy and stress free. Free For more information call 636-464-6464
CHRISTMAS ART SHOW & SALE Ste. Genevieve, MO		December 6 - December 7, 2008 Saturday: 10 am - 5 pm Sunday 10 am - 4 pm Patke Room, 255 Market Street The Ste. Genevieve Art Guild sponsors this art show featuring area artists showing and selling their work. Cookies and Spiced Apple Cider are served throughout the weekend. A painting is raffled each year and there is a silent auction with the proceeds used to fund an art scholarship for a graduating senior. A Meet the Artists Reception will be held on Saturday evening, December 1st from 6 pm to 8 pm. Free For more information call 1-800-373-7007
OLD-FASHIONED GERMAN CHRISTMAS Maeystown, IL		Sunday, December 7, 2008 11 am - 5 pm Maeystown Historic District Celebrate Weihnachts Fest with carol singing in both German and English, concerts, St. Nickolaus, B&B tours, tree lighting, traditional German food and shopping. Free For more information call 618-458-6660
WEIHNACHTS FESTIVAL Millstadt, IL		Sunday, December 7, 2008 11 am - 5 pm St. James Parish Hall, 405 W. Madison Street Celebrate a German Christmas with an arts & crafts fair, favorite German foods, a holiday Cookie Walk, and German folk music. St. Nicholas arrives in the parade at noon. Free For more information call 618-476-1812
FRENCH CHRISTMAS Ste. Genevieve, MO		Sunday, December 14, 2008 1 pm - 5 pm Felix Vallé House State Historic Site This annual celebration highlights the music, customs, and decorations of an early French Colonial Christmas celebration known as "Le Reveillon." Costumed guides will explain the early 1800's customs and the dining room will be filled with traditional foods. Refreshments and period music will be provided. Free For more information call 573-883-7102
LA GUIANNEE Prairie du Rocher, IL		Wednesday, December 31, 2008 7:30 pm Fort De Chartres 4 miles west of Prairie du Rocher on IL-155 Prairie du Rocher is the only community in the world to keep the tradition of singing La Guiannee continuously since the 18th century. Visitors are invited to a rendition and refreshments at the Fort and the Creole House in town. Free For more information call 618-284-7230
Probable Events Dates, times, and other details will change and will be listed as soon as we get updated information.
ANNUAL COUNTRY CHRISTMAS WALK Ste. Genevieve, MO		December 1 - December 2, 2007 Saturday: 9 am - dusk Sunday 10 am - 5 pm Kick-off the Christmas season by welcoming Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus, listening to Christmas carolers, lighting the city's Christmas tree, late shopping, and enjoying a live nativity scene. The parade on Saturday starts at 11 am. Free For more information call 1-800-373-7007
CHRISTMAS ON THE RIVER Chester, IL		December 7 - December 9, 2007 The theme in 2007 for Chester's annual Christmas celebration is The Traditions of Christmas. Activities include a house tour, open houses at historical sites, a arts and craft fair at the Courthouse, a quilt show, a parade, and other activities throughout the community. Plenty of food and refreshments will be available. Free For more information call 618-826-4187 or 618- 846- 4311 or visit www.chesterill.com for a complete schedule.

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.