summer time fun

Escape to southwest Illinois and enjoy some of the best festivals, events and markets in the Midwest. Pick up a great antique or collectible. Watch the skies light up with fireworks. Celebrate the Mother Road of Route 66. Attend an old fashioned county fair. There’s no end to the summer fun available in the six-county region of Great Rivers & Routes.

HERE ARE SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF EVENTS TO PUT ON YOUR LIST OF THINGS TO DO!

APRIL

The Great Mushroom Hunt takes place at Raging Rivers Water Park, Saturday, April 15.

Earth Day Celebration returns to Old Bakery Beer Company in Alton. Honor Mother Nature and raise a pint of organic beer on Saturday, April 15.

Welcome Spring at the Spring Beer Fest in Edwardsville's City Park on Saturday, April 22. Mushrooms take the stage at Pere Marquette Lodge during the Annual Mushroom Festival Sunday, April 23.

The Grafton Riverside Flea Market returns to The Loading Dock in Grafton the fourth weekend of each month from April through October.

MAY

Every second Sunday of each month, starting in May, Litchfield hosts its Annual Pickers Market from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Collinsville Memorial Day Celebration takes place on Sunday, May 28. Fireworks, food, drinks and more on tap.

Enjoy live regional music in the relaxed setting of Granite City’s Civic Park during the Civic Park Concert Series every Wednesday through September. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy the fun from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Grafton’s popular Music in the Park Concert Series kicks off in The Grove Memorial Park on May 25. Enjoy concerts every Thursday through Aug. 10.

JUNE

Start your NASCAR season at World Wide Technology Raceway

June 2-4 when the Enjoy Illinois 300 returns to the region.

Celebrate the spicy root that flavors sauces, drinks and more at the International Horseradish Festival in Uptown Collinsville June 2 & 3.

It’s a classic – the annual Route 66 Festival returns to Edwardsville’s City Park on Saturday, June 10. Classic cars, food, drinks and live music.

Nearly 200 classic cars, hot rods and motorcycles gather in the streets of downtown Alton during the AllWheels Car Drive-In Show Sunday, June 11.

July

Fireworks take center stage in local communities the first four days of July. From Alton’s Fireworks Spectacular along the Mississippi River on July 3 to light shows in Edwardsville, Jerseyville, Grafton and more, make it a fireworks getaway! Visit RiversandRoutes.com for complete fireworks details in June and July.

Enjoy a good old fashioned county fair when the Jersey County Fair returns July 9 – 16. Rodeo, tractor pulls, and a carnival midway are all part of the fun.

The rich aroma of awardwinning barbeque fills the streets of Uptown Collinsville during the annual Smokin’ on Main BBQ Fest the last weekend of July.

August

Rock the Hops returns to downtown Alton on Saturday, Aug. 12. Enjoy this celebration of music, art and craft beer. Channel your need for speed at the annual Edwardsville Rotary Criterium which takes place Saturday, Aug. 19 on the streets of downtown Edwardsville. Food, drinks, live music and fun for all ages.

It’s a foodie celebration at the Alton Amphitheater on Saturday, Aug. 26 when the annual Alton Food Truck Festival returns to the riverfront. More than 20 different food trucks line up for your dining pleasure.