ALT/EDW - Summer Fun - May 2023

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page 9

Alton Little Theater to Launch Summer Acting Classes

Page 10

Eight Tips to Make for a Fun Day at the Water Park

Page

Page 5 Farmer’s Markets

Page 8 Fairs & Festivals

Make the most of the SUMMER CAMP experience

Summer camp season will soon be here, and throngs of children will board buses each morning or pack their parents’ cars full of essentials to survive a few weeks away from home.

Looking back, many adults who experienced summer camp have fond memories of their adventures — whether they all went according to plan or there were some hiccups along the way. Parents want their children to make their own summer camp memories. Even if the canoe capsizes or the cabin leaks during a summer thunderstorm, such experiences can build character and strengthen friendships.

According to RegPack, an online registration software company, more than six million American children participate in some form of camp each year, including sleepaway camp or day camp. The American Camp Association says that number is closer to 14 million, with the most popular camp session length around one week or less. Families getting prepared for camp can follow these guidelines to ensure the experience is one kids won’t soon forget.

Search for an accredited camp

Accredited camps must meet more than 300 standards related to program quality, safety and health, according to the ACA. An accredited camp will likely give parents the most peace of mind.

Consider children’s readiness

There’s no magic age when a child may be ready to go to camp, but generally kids who are ages seven or eight may be fine to start a resident sleep-away camp. Day

camp kids can begin as early as age three, the same age kids often begin preschool programs. Gauge whether the child has spent time away from home at friends’ or family members’ homes to decide if a resident camp will be the right fit or if a day camp is more appropriate.

Connect with fellow campers

If possible, attend a meet-andgreet prior to the start of the season. Neighborhood day camps tend to draw kids from local communities, so there’s already a chance kids will know a few fellow campers.

Get to know camp counselors

early on

Campers can introduce themselves to camp counselors and other program directors and are urged to ask questions about specific programs. Counselors can direct campers toward activities they may enjoy.

Make the most of all situations

Much of summer camp will likely be smooth-sailing, but it’s reasonable to expect some bumps along the way. Campers shouldn’t expect perfection, but use the situations that may go awry as learning experiences on how to handle adversity — trying to find the fun in them anyway. Even a medical situation can be overcome, particularly because camps staff qualified medical personnel to ensure campers are safe and well.

Summer camp can be a great experience, especially when families take some pre-camp measures aimed at ensuring kids have a fun season.

FARMER’S MARKETS

❀ Alton Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market

Saturdays 8 to noon

Corner of Landmarks Blvd. & Henry Street

❀ Alton Night Market

Thursdays 7 to 10 pm

627 E Broadway

❀ Brighton Farmers’ Market

Thursdays 4 to 7 pm

Schneider Park

❀ The Land of Goshen Community Market

Saturdays 8 to noon

Downtown Edwardsville

❀ Vine Street Market

Saturdays 8 to noon

O’Fallon Station downtown O’Fallon

❀ Maryville Farmer’s Market

1st, 3rd and 5th Thursday each month 8 to 11 am

Fireman’s Park

❀ The East Alton Farmers Market

Tuesdays 3 to 7 pm

Eastgate Plaza parking lot

❀ Bethalto Market

Sundays 9 am to 1 pm

Central Park

❀ The Herald Square Market

2nd and 4th Thursday of month 5 to 7 pm 115 E. Clay Street, Collinsville

❀ Wood River Farmer’s Market

Thursdays 4 to 9 pm IL 143 and 1st Street

❀ Swansea Farmers Market

Thursdays 10 am to 2 pm

Rural King Parking Lot, Swansea

❀ Monroe County Farmers Market

Saturdays 7:30 am to noon

901 Illinois Ave. Waterloo

❀ Monroe County Farmers Market

Thursdays 4 pm to 7 pm

Columbia Turner Hall, Columbia

Spend Yo Summer on the Trails our on the T

FAIRS & FESTIVALS

TWO RIVERS FAMILY FISHING FAIR

June 10th

13112 Visitor Center Lane, Grafton, IL Family Fun, fishing fair, food and drink, dog show, over 30 outdoor activities

ALL WHEELS DRIVE –IN CAR SHOW

June 11th

GREENE COUNTY FAIR

May 30th – June 3rd

123 N Route 108, Carrollton, IL

Livestock competitions, carnival rides, rodeo, demolition derby, tractor and truck pulls and fair pageant.

112 W 3rd Street, Alton, IL Over 150 – 200 classic cars, hot rods, and motorcycles.

GLEN CARBON HOMECOMING

June 16th

South Main Street and Collinsville Street - Glen Carbon, IL Carnival rides, artisans, entertainment, food and drink, live music, 5k run, parade and fireworks

INTERNATIONAL HORSERADISH FESTIVAL

June 2nd and 3rd

101 W Main Street, Collinsville, IL

Live music, family fun area, crafts, food, drinks and games

MACOUPIN COUNTY FAIR

June 6th – June 11th

21368 State Rte 4, Carlinville, IL

Live Music, agriculture and livestock contests, harness racing, food festival, exhibition halls, fair pageants, I.T.P.A Tractor and Truck pulls, demolition derby and carnival rides.

EDWARDSVILLE ROUTE 66 FESTIVAL

June 10th

101 S Buchanan St., Edwardsville, IL Vendors, Car Cruise, Car Show, Live Musi, Food, 10k run/walk and children’s play area

ALTON FIREWORKS

July 3rd

Liberty Bank Alton Ampitheater

HUMMINGBIRD FESTIVAL

#1 Lewis and Clark Trail, Hartford, IL Watch experts catch and band hummingbirds and give out advice on attracting these tiny wonders.

WORLD’S LARGEST CATSUP BOTTLE FESTIVAL

July 8th

115 E. Clay Street, Collinsville, IL

Live music, tater tot and hot dog eating contest, taste testing, mascot madness cance off, hula hooping contest and party games.

GREAT ILLINOIS RIVER RAFT RACE

July 8th

S Water Street, Hardin, IL

Community vendors, fireworks, food, drinks, crafts, beer tent, bounce houses, bags tournament, live music and raft races.

JERSEY COUNTY FAIR

July 9th – July 16th

Livestock contest, talent show, carnival rides, games, rodeo, live music, NTPA tractyor and truck pulls, monster truck challenge, demolition derby, and fair pageant.

SMOKIN’ ON MAIN

July 29th

302 E Main Street, Collinsville, IL BBQ competition and festival.

ALTON FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL

Aug. 26th

Liberty Bank Alton Ampitheater

Live music, Food Trucks

SEPTEMBER

CALHOUN COUNTY FAIR

Sept. 7th – 10TH

Calhoun County Fairgrounds

Poor Hollow Arm Road, Hardin, IL

Animal contest, Illinois Farm Pullers truck pull, demolition derbvy, food, live entertainment, parade, carnival rides, and horse show.

ITALIAN FEST

Sept. 16th

Uptown Collisnville

Music entertainment, food, vendors, drinks, bocce ball tournament, 5k run, pageant, grape stomping contest and parade.

MISSISSIPPI EARTHTONES FESTIVAL

Sept. 16th

Liberty Bank Alton Ampitheater Alton, IL

Celebrate the Great Mississippi River. Art, music, vendors, and educational activities.

EDWARDSVILLE ROTARY CRITERIUM

Aug. 19th

Downtown Edwardsville, IL

High speed bike races, entertainment zone, food trucks, drinks and live music.

ALTON LITTLE THEATER to launch summer acting classes

Alton Little Theater (ALT) is launching summer acting classes for youthful performers, with a dozen 90-minute classes from June 20 through the end of July.

There will be an open, free-to-attend showcase Monday, July 31, for family members of students.

Classes are from 1-4 p.m. will be held at the ALT Showplace on Henry Street, in Alton, under the direction of ALT Artistic Director Kevin Frakes and Executive Director Lee Cox.

Up to 30 students will be accepted for ALT’s first theater-immersion classes offered for students age 8-17.

“ALT’s goal is to begin building a

broader base of youth involvement in the coming three years, since plans are afoot to produce the full version of ‘Frozen,’ a revised Disney tribute, and so many more shows that may require casting opportunities for under age 18,” Cox said.

ALT tries hard not to compete with concurrent school theater programs, she noted.

Application forms and more information is available by calling Cox at 618462-3205. There is a nominal cost for the classes, but no one ever has to pay to be in an ALT show or furnish their own costumes, shoes, etc.

“The goal is one of inclusion and a summer outlet for families with children, that can co-exist with standard athletic,

dance, gymnastics et cetera” Cox said.

Most Student enrolled may not reach the minimum age of 16 to audition for and be cast in this summer’s big musical, Monty Python’s “Spamalot.” But students will get first-hand experience in creating all the elements that go into building a show.

“Our hope does exist that youth of age will audition for ‘Spamalot,’” Cox said.

Auditions for Monty Python’s “Spamalot” are at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 22, and 1 p.m. Sunday, April 23.

Cox said that Alton Little Theater is so pleased to be granted royalty rights for “Spamalot,” which will run July 21-30, at ALT Showcase. Frakes will direct.

ALT’s goal is to begin building a broader base of youth involvement in the coming three years, since plans are afoot to produce the full version of ‘Frozen,’ a revised Disney tribute, and so many more shows that may require casting opportunities for under age 18.

Executive Director Lee Cox

Jill Moon, Sta Writer April 9, 2023

to make for a fun day at the water park TIPS8

When summertime temperatures are hot and climbing, people look for ways to cool off. Trips to the beach or a pool often top the list of ideas, but water parks also make for great places to spend a hot summer day.

Water parks may be stand-alone facilities in town or components of larger amusement parks. They often feature a combination of wading pools, slides, lazy rivers, and splash zones to cater to visitors of all ages. Water parks can be great family fun for those who do their homework and prepare for visits accordingly. Certain tips can make the experience that much more enjoyable.

1. Pack light. Belongings can be tricky when it comes to water parks because most items cannot get wet. Leaving them beside rides also leaves you vulnerable to theft. Bring only the essentials and plan to stash car keys, mobile phones and minimal cash in lockers. Lockers in many modern facilities are paid for with your credit card and work by entering a self-generated code. This way there are no keys or locks to worry about.

2. Bring three bags. Bring a backpack or a tote bag that is filled with a change of clothes. Unless you dry off for the last hour by walking around the park, you likely will not want to get in your vehicle in your

swimsuit. Leave the clothes in the aforementioned locker. Stash a plastic shopping bag or garbage bag inside the backpack, as it can hold wet swimsuits and other damp items after you’ve changed. Bring a mesh or breathable shoulder bag that can hold a few essentials, like towels and water bottles. The mesh will enable air flow so that you don’t end up with a sopping, mildew-riddled towel by the end of the day.

3. Wear comfortable swim gear. It’s hard to get out of the sun at a water park, so covering up is key. A rash guard or swim shirt can be paired with swim trunks or one- or two-piece swimsuits. Avoid any swimsuits that have flimsy straps, as they’re more likely to come undone while crashing through waves or during high speed water slide excursions.

4. Plan locker trips strategically. Aim to visit your locker at least two or three times if you’re spending a full day at the water park. This gives you chances to reapply sunscreen (which you should always wear at the park) and grab a few dollars for snacks and beverages. Remember to stay hydrated while out in the sun, even if you are in the water most of the time.

5. Utilize water shoes. Water park pavement can get hot and slippery. Water shoes are ideal so that you do not injure your feet. Many rides prohibit flip flops, but secured water shoes are allowed.

6. Arrive early. Try to get to the water park shortly after it opens. Crowds will be sizable on hot days. You don’t want to waste all of your time waiting in line for rides. Plus, the earlier in the day you arrive, the less steamy and the greater chance you will find parking near the entrance.

7. If budget allows, rent a cabana. Some parks rent cabanas. A cabana can be a family’s home base and a place to cool off and relax. For an extra cost, some cabanas come with food service.

8. Have extra adults on hand. When the kids outnumber the adults, it can be tricky keeping eyes on everyone, especially in larger attractions like wave pools. Plus, there’s bound to be some kids who are more adventurous than others. An extra adult or two can wait with children who do not want to go on particular slides or other rides.

Water parks are entertaining ways to cool off on hot days. Following certain tips can make visits even more fun.

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME

May

Mississippi