2022 Holiday Tourism Times

TOURISM

Blanquart’s Rusty Gem Vintage Market @raisingwildones

4387 N. Illinois St., Suite 200 Swansea, Illinois 62226 618−257−1488 www.illinoisouth.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BOND COUNTY

Adam

Potthast, Treasurer

CLARK COUNTY Nora Swalls Bailey Maulding, Secretary

CLAY COUNTY

Amy Allen Doug Spitzner

CLINTON COUNTY Jim Sullivan Sandy Timmermann

CRAWFORD COUNTY Lisa Schaefer Sara Mehler

CUMBERLAND COUNTY Billie Chambers Tania Craig

EDWARDS COUNTY Debbie Fearn Dennis Turpin, Deputy Treasurer

FAYETTE COUNTY Mayor Ricky Gottman

HAMILTON COUNTY Jerry Prince

JASPER COUNTY Jane Casey Mindy Hartke

LAWRENCE COUNTY Paige Harvey Tom Robinson

MARION COUNTY Ben Stratemeyer

MONROE COUNTY

Heller

Hill

PERRY COUNTY Carrie Gilliam

Smid

RANDOLPH COUNTY Emily Lyons Ronnie White, Chairman

RICHLAND COUNTY Karen Bell Belinda Henton

ST. CLAIR COUNTY John West Cathleen Lindauer, Vice Chairman

WABASH COUNTY Jim Pfeister Brenda Bobbitt

WASHINGTON COUNTY

DeMoss Marvin Steinkamp

WAYNE COUNTY Gary Sloan WHITE COUNTY Cindy Conley CITY OF HIGHLAND Mallord Hubbard

STAFF MEMBERS

DARLENE CHAPMAN President/Finance Director dchapman@illinoisouth.org

CHRISTINE ORR Sales & Marketing Director corr@illinoisouth.org

ANDY WATERMAN Communications Director awaterman@illinoisouth.org

ELAINE BYRD Office Manager/ Executive Assistant ebyrd@illinoisouth.org

JORDAN JACKOVICH Sales & Marketing Specialist jjackovich@illinoisouth.org

JESSICA HAAR Graphic Designer jhaar@illinoisouth.org

EMILY TITSWORTH Content Creator etitsworth@illinoisouth.org

TYLER PLETSCH Communications Specialist

CREDITS

Andy Waterman, Author Emily Titsworth, Author

Pletsch, Author

Haar, Publication Designer

Orr, Advertising Sales Kingery, Printing

Greetings From the Crew at ILLINOISouth!

Tradition. It’s a simple word that means an awful lot around the holiday season. Many events and activities in ILLINOISouth during this time of year have become traditions in countless households. We know of one family who drives 70 miles from Ballwin, Missouri to Daniken Tree Farm in Bond County every single year to find the perfect Christmas tree. Our own Andy Waterman and his crew of five have made the 45-minute trek to Belleville the past two years for the Chamber’s Movie Nights with Santa event at Skyview Drive-In, and the Waterman kiddos are already talking about going again this year! Whether it’s driving through Christmas lights or watching a lighted parade, our region of Southern Illinois is full of time-honored traditions that folks look forward to.

As you read ahead, you will find a TON of different ideas that may just become new holiday traditions for you and your loved ones. As a note, we do cover 21 counties, so due to space restrictions we cannot mention every single event in a 60-day span. We highly recommend that you check our website for an extremely up-to-date listing of the events taking place in our area over the next couple of months. Our event calendar can be found at illinoisouth.org/Events, and we also urge you to keep a close eye on social media pages for an event, community, or attraction as they often have updates for visitors if something needs to change. We’ve also included a QR code below that you can scan and it will take you right to our events calendar!

There is no question that we’d love to see you in ILLINOISouth this Holiday season. Our communities are undoubtedly happy to host you, and if you take pictures during your visit, please use the hashtag #ilsouth. We always get excited to see and hear about everyone’s experience while they’re in our neck of the woods. Have fun out there!

We make every effort to verify the information contained in the Tourism Times; however, we suggest that you call to confirm the hours of operation, rates and reservation requirements before visiting.

Copyright 2022 ILLINOISouth Tourism

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Where To Go For Exterior

By Tyler Pletsch

Christmas lights first started in Germany as candles attached to trees as a way to show off the beautiful ornaments. Now we use LEDs and many colors, but the purpose remains – to show off the beauty of our communities. Across our entire region, you will find dozens of community light displays. We feature 10 in this issue, but there are certainly more –so be sure to go to our website to find all the light displays.

CentraL region

One of the crown jewels of holiday lights in our Central Region can be seen at the Carlyle City Park in Carlyle . This free light show includes over 100,000 stands of lights throughout the park, and kicks off just after Thanksgiving. This drive-thru display also features a contest to find Piper the Penguin. If the kiddos in your vehicle can find this illuminated penguin figure, parents can submit the child’s name and location of Piper to be entered to win a prize!

Be sure to head to Foundation Park for the Fantasy of Lights in Centralia, starting after Thanksgiving and running through December. This drive-thru display is free of charge and features some great displays from a golfing Santa to Rudolph catching some rays! The 40-foot star is also a big hit, so make sure to head to Centralia before the holiday season is over.

Jasper County Old Mill Bridge

Belleville Way of Lights @sjtazz

Lights!

Exterior Illumination

Western region

One of the most popular and iconic displays in our region can be found at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville. The Way of Lights display opens on Friday, November 18th this year and runs through December 31st. It’s one of the longest running displays in ILLINOISouth, dating back to 1970. If you try driving down Route 15 during a weekend evening in November or December, you will see firsthand the thousands of people that come to the Shrine just for the Way of Lights!

A new holiday celebration started in Mascoutah last year known as WinterFest, and it features a beautiful display of lights at Scheve Park. Hundreds of folks enjoyed last year’s inaugural WinterFest, and the community will continue the celebration this year. Mascoutah leaders say the park will be all lit up again for folks to experience in late November.

The largest drive-thru lights show in our area is the WonderLight’s Christmas at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison

Composed of over one million LED lights, this synchronized show has quickly become a holiday staple and family tradition for many in our region. Running from November 11th through January 1st, shows take place nightly including holidays starting at 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are priced at $30 per car (up to 7 passengers with children under 3-years-old being free).

eastern region

Over in Carmi, the Carmi Christmas Elves will host the Christmas Lights of Hope starting Thanksgiving weekend and will run each weekend through December. The Christmas Lights of Hope is free but there is a suggested donation of $5. “All proceeds go to giving back to the community through Kicks 4 Kids,” Carmi Christmas Elves President Lance Yearby says. A great light display that is put on for a great cause - that truly is what the holidays are all about!

Be sure to head to Marshall after Thanksgiving to see the Festival of Lights put on by the Marshall Christmas Committee. This drive-thru lights display is a great way to keep the kids entertained with many unique creations including Santa piloting a helicopter! The show is open nightly at the Clark County Fairgrounds.

A fan favorite is a two-for-one in Newton. The main draw is the Newton Christmas Lights In The Park at Peterson Park. Opening night is November 25th and runs through December so be sure to go to the park to see Santa driving around! Then, don’t be a Grinch and head just a few blocks west to the Old Mill Bridge and put your walking shoes on to experience this beautifully illuminated bridge! Oh, and you may want to bring your camera for a family photo-op!

Starting the week of Thanksgiving, Olney truly begins to shine as its Christmas Lights Display in the City Park turns on nightly. It has become one of the biggest light displays in southeastern Illinois, drawing folks from counties around! The display runs from 5-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. You don’t want to miss out on seeing a couple of squirrels decorating a Christmas tree at this lights show!

Last but certainly not least, Palestine’s Leaverton Park comes to life with Christmas lights at the same time as many other area displays, from Thanksgiving weekend through New Year’s Day. Be sure to attend the lighting event on November 25th as it will begin with a bang with fireworks lighting up the sky. The Leaverton Park Lights draw in visitors far and wide for the annual display and will not disappoint!

Lights in Olney Jerry Tarpley

Carlyle Lights Midwest Nomad Family

No matter where you are planning to visit, or where you may resideour region will have you in awe with all the spectacular displays. Our communities pride themselves on spreading cheer and joy during this time of year, so mark your calendars and get out to as many as you can this winter. ‘Tis the season!

WonderLights Christmas in St Louis

HO OPLA

Events for the Whole Family

By Tyler Pletsch

The holidays for most are a time for being together with family, making memories that will last for years to come. Our communities in ILLINOISouth have many ways to make memories as a family, and we are highlighting eight amazing opportunities to do just that.

Eastern Region

The 8th annual Candy Canes on Main will be held on December 2nd and 3rd in downtown Casey. This event kicks off with a lighted parade and includes food trucks, a shop local celebration, and even a bedtime story from Santa! Candy Canes on Main runs from 6-9 p.m. on Friday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. What started in 2015 by local businesses as a way to promote shopping and tourism has turned into a family tradition for hundreds. So be sure to join the fun this year!

Whether you are a green hairy Grinch or his best bud Max, you have always known of Whoville and may have even dreamed of visiting! Luckily, Sainte Marie is turning into Whoville for one day this winter, all so that we may reminisce and create fond memories. The event will have ice skating, wagon rides through Whoville, Christmas trick or treat, caroling, town tree lighting and so much more! This town overall includes window paintings on businesses and is sponsored by the Saint Marie Community Club.

Central Region

Head out to the American Farm Heritage Museum in Greenville for a one-of-a-kind display! Folks flock from counties around to experience the animatronic displays in the cases that line the walkway here. The 13th Annual Christmas Lights Wonderland is a great way to have fun with all the family either by walking or driving! Admission is free but donations are welcome, and for a small ticket price you may even ride the North Pole Express! This event runs after Thanksgiving through December and is open nightly from 5-9 p.m.

A great two-for-one lights experience is just about ten minutes north of Greenville in Woburn. After you’re through at the American Farm Heritage Museum, the Stief family in Woburn welcomes you to their home to experience the amazing display that encompasses much of

HOLIDAY Woburn Lights

their yard, driveway, and the front sidewalk! This amazing walk-thru display started in 1992 and is totally free to the public, though there is a donation jar. Donations are certainly appreciated because the Stief’s electric bill isn’t cheap this time of year, and you’ll see why! There are a couple hundred moving displays acting out Christmas scenes of all kinds! This display in Woburn draws upwards of 10,000 visitors from all over the world each year. Starting after Thanksgiving and running through December, expect to see the lights on while heading down Woburn Road.

Pack the van and head to Flora for a plethora of holiday events. Starting Thanksgiving weekend, the lights turn on in Charley Brown Park and run through December with the Little Toot Railroad operating every weekend. Join the fun on Friday, December 9th, as Flora’s first-ever Kriskindlemarket opens. This two-day event will feature unique shopping, food, carolers, ice skating, and more! On Saturday, December 10th, don’t miss out on breakfast with Santa from 8-10 a.m. Santa’s reindeer will be present after breakfast for a meet and greet as well!

Nothing gets you into the holiday spirit quite like seeing alpacas, camels, and cows all wearing a string of Christmas lights, right?! If you have never experienced anything like that around the holidays, then this is your cue to visit our friends at Rainbow Ranch Petting Zoo in Nashville! While the regular season for the zoo ends on November 1st, families are welcome on the weekends in December to enjoy Christmas in the Barn. Visit the animals in the barn decorated with holiday cheer each Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for only $12!

Western Region

Our friends in Coulterville have made quite the name for themselves the last several years, and for good reason. The Holiday Light Display is a walking display, and part of it is now drive-thru as well. The walking portion is a half-mile worth of lights and displays in the Village Park, while the drive-thru spans another several blocks. They go all out here in Coulterville, as this display includes 2 million lights and nearly 700 figurines. The small town of 800 attracted a whopping 13,000+ visitors last year alone. With fun activities and free refreshments on the weekends, this display is a fantastic option for the whole family!

Santa will make his way to Highland this Holiday season for their annual Santa on the Square event. Santa will arrive on November 25th at 6 p.m. with a parade, and will reside in Highland until December 23rd before returning with Mrs. Claus to the North Pole. Be sure to follow the Highland, IL Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page for updates on Santa’s stay and other activities with Santa!

Sainte Marie is a small village where everyone calls each other by name and waves as you drive by. Whoville was a silly dream we had at first, and then we said, ‘why not, let’s do it!’ Sainte Marie is the perfect place and the town turned into a Hallmark movie just for one day. Seeing the children on the skating rink and walking around with mile-high cotton candy, hugging the Grinch, and just being together as a family makes it all worthwhile. These are memories we all will cherish, and we are blessed to be a part of that.

- Mandi Kuhl, Sainte Marie Community Club

Highland Holiday Parade Highland Chamber of Commerce

Casey Candy Canes on Main

Rainbow Ranch Petting Zoo

Sainte Marie Whoville Sainte Marie Community Club

By Emily Titsworth

Saturday, November 26th, 2022 is Small Business Saturday – a day that promotes supporting local businesses instead of big corporations. Just because Small Business Saturday is one day out of the year doesn’t mean you can’t always support local. Read on to learn more about some of our favorite independent businesses in our 21 counties.

Western

Our favorite places to shop are those that combine product and experience, and Stumpy’s Spirits and Distillery in Columbia is no exception. While stocking up on liquor for the holidays, be sure to participate in a tour of the distillery. The ticket price of $10 includes sampling the various bourbons, whiskeys, and vodkas that are distilled on-site along with a complimentary cocktail.

If you’re looking for an experience that is sure to bring Christmas cheer to the entire family, make sure you visit the Christkindlmarkt in Belleville This traditional German outdoor market opens on Black Friday and runs until December 23rd. Here you’ll find countless local vendors to fulfill all your holiday shopping needs. Next, get out of the cold and have some fun the entire family can enjoy at Escape618 in Belleville. This is the only escape room located in Belleville, and as soon as you walk through the front door you’re immersed in a whimsical world. Spend your wait time playing vintage video games, checkers, connect four, and more! Then, head into one of two escape rooms: detention or the haunted house and get ready for an exhilarating hour of solving puzzles and doing your best to escape.

June’s Breakfast + Patio in Shiloh is one of the places to grab brunch on the weekend. The recently refurbished house-turned-café prides itself on its sustainable practices and seasonal menu. In addition to delicious food and coffee, they sell merchandise such as mugs, tote bags, and hats. Looking for the perfect stocking stuffer for that coffee lover in your family? Snag one of their gift cards!

Belleville Christkindlmarkt

Your Locals

A Guide to Shopping Small

Our central region is full of some of our go-to eco-friendly places. The first stop is Evergreen Plant Co. in Greenville. This shop is a gold mine for people whose favorite way to decorate is by filling up their home with plants. They have dozens of plant variations from succulents and cacti to monsteras and air plants. They have countless decorative pots to purchase, and you can even pot the plant you’re taking home at their very own potting station! Once you get your fill of plants, head over to their sister store Spruce Craft + Collective for all your home décor needs.

Z’s Bees Apothecary promotes saving the bees with their hives in Highland, Trenton, and New Baden. Better yet, you can reap the benefits by purchasing their products from their website. They offer lip balm, wax melts, whipped soap, and more! On top of that, you’ll get the bonus of shopping locally and helping save the bees.

If you’re looking for coffee* look no further than Red Porch Café in New Baden. This nonprofit coffee shop partners with Community Link to provide jobs and support to people with disabilities. Along with delicious espresso-based drinks, the Red Porch Café sells handcrafted merchandise, breakfast and lunch, smoothies, and more!

*To learn more about coffee shops in our region, check out our coffee trail.

Eastern

Do you have someone in your life who lives and breathes health and wellness? Get them a gift card to New Leaf Fitness and Spa in Lawrenceville! They offer everything from gym memberships and fitness classes to spa treatments. Additionally, their restaurant COCO’s Café and Wine Bar serves up some of the tastiest dishes around.

You know what they say about old trends: they always come back around. Which is why we LOVE antique stores. Our favorite place to find unique pieces is Backyard Markets in Mt. Carmel. This one stop shop has everything you could imagine under one roof, so I hope you have room in your trunk because you will not leave this store empty-handed.

Z’s Bees Apothecary

Olive Tree Marketplace in Casey has everything you need to turn your home into the comforting haven you deserve. Along with their highquality products, OTM offers classes year-round that focus on home design and improvement. If you have a family member that loves interior decorating, this is the place for them.

Our wine connoisseurs out there are sure to love Fox Creek Vineyards located just outside of Olney. This small, family-owned winery offers a wide variety of wines ranging from dry white to different fruit and red wines. Keep an eye on their calendar, because they often host fun events on the weekends including 5ks and live music.

Stumpy’s Spirits Distillery

Evergreen Plant Co.

Central

June’s Breakfast + Patio

Belleville

for the holidays

For information about upcoming events, please visit Belleville.net, our Facebook page @welcometobellevilleil, or call Belleville Tourism at 800-677-9255.

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YOUR HOLIDAY GUIDE TO FOODIE FAVORITES

By Emily Titsworth

When it comes to the holiday season, there is a ton to worry about. You stress about finding the perfect gift, making sure Santa gets the kiddos Christmas letters; the last thing you want to worry about is finding the perfect recipe. Let us handle the food.

Holiday Beverages

1When the holiday chill hits the air, our favorite place to enjoy a hot drink is a local coffee shop. RAIL Coffee Room in Centralia is just the place for those looking for the next best thing after pumpkin spice season has ended. RAIL offers a diverse drink menu that changes with the seasons, but our favorite time of year at RAIL is around the holidays. Their Grinch frappe is enough to put anyone in the holiday spirit.

If you’re like me and love a snowy night, then you’ll have to try a bottle of Cameo Vineyard’s “Let it Snow.” Give the bottle a shake to witness a blizzard in a bottle. This semisweet white wine is made in Greenup and flies off the shelves, so make sure to grab a bottle while you still can.

For those who prefer beer to wine, White Rooster Farmhouse Brewery in Sparta is the place to check out. This small-batch brewery experiments with different flavors and usually offers a holiday-inspired beer around Christmastime. Be sure to keep up to date with all that they are brewing on their Facebook page.

Boarding House Bistro

Treats

If you’re in Nashville, you have to visit the Bakery Nook & Bistro. While you’re there browsing the baked goods they offer, and trust me the options are limitless, grab a bite to eat. You won’t be disappointed.

Start your morning of Christmas shopping out right by stopping by Farmhouse Bakery in Salem to grab a donut (or two) and some coffee. While you’re there, check out their display of locally-sourced items for the perfect stocking stuffer.

What do Thanksgiving and the Fillin’ Station in Toledo have in common? If you said delicious pies, you’re right! Each day they offer a variety of baked goods, but their pies are what they’re famous for. Their pies are both sold by the slice and whole.

Charcuterie Boards

7 8Marcoot Jersey Creamery in Greenville is a seventhgeneration Jersey dairy farm that offers artisan cheeses, prime cuts of beef, and more! They will do the hard work for you with their “Marcooterie Board Cheese Gift Box” which consists of two of their artisan cheeses, one of their fresh cheese curds, one box of crackers, and an 8 oz roll of Volpi salami.

Covered in Chocolate in Breese is your one stop shop for all things grazing. Their catering menu is out of this world. Not only do they offer your go-to meats and cheeses, they have a variety of fruits and veggies and any dessert you could possibly imagine. Even better, they offer a full range of breakfast items.

Holiday Party Apps

Foxy in McLeansboro has you covered when it comes to hot wings. They offer a party pack of 80 boneless wings, 10 sides, and whatever sauce you want out of their wide variety. While you’re at it, take a look at their different appetizers and grab two for $12 or 3 for $15.

Lotawata Creek in Fairview Heights is known for their gigantic portions, but their appetizers are my favorite part of the dining experience. They offer your standard items like onion rings, fried pickles, and mozzarella sticks, but my personal favorite is the fried macaroni and cheese balls. They are out of this world!

If you’re looking to level up your appetizer game, head over to The Fainting Goat in Pocahontas and order the Wonton Nachos. This app is unlike any other that we’ve ever had. Don’t believe me? Try them out for yourselves. Pro tip: Ask for the teriyaki chicken on top.

9Not only does Boarding House Bistro in O’Fallon have delicious custom-made cocktails, but they also offer personalized charcuterie boards. Better yet, you can order a board for any event. They offer seven different options based on party size. Each board gives you the chance to customize meat and cheese options to suit your preferences.

The Bakery Nook

Covered in Chocolate

Cameo Vineyards

With the Midwest Wanderer

When it comes to traveling, we’re all storytellers. There are parts of any adventure that we love to recount and pass along to our family and friends. To celebrate those tales, we have started a new campaign in 2022 called ‘What’s Your Story?’ It’s an opportunity for those who have visited our region to share their memories, and hopefully entice readers to experience southern Illinois as well! The following story out of Perry County comes to us from Connie S. Reed, also known as The Midwest Wanderer.

Catching the Festive Spirit with the Du Quoin Holiday Lights Fair

By Connie S. Reed - Midwest Wanderer

Nothing puts me into the holiday spirit better than festive, twinkling lights. Add a holiday fair to the lights, complete with carolers, Christmas trees, and gingerbread houses, and my Christmas spirit rivals that of little ones eager for a visit from Santa. That’s exactly what happened when we visited the Du Quoin Holiday Lights Fair

Every December my husband and I set aside a weekend to “see the lights.” We often make it an overnight getaway and add an additional holiday-related event to our itinerary. When we learned about the Du Quoin Holiday Lights Fair, we saw that the drive-through lights event runs from Thanksgiving through late December. In addition, an indoor festival takes place the first three full December weekends. We were thrilled that we were able to schedule our visit on one of those three weekends.

When we arrived at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds, we joined the parade of vehicles traveling slowly through the three-mile long drive-through lights experience. Millions of twinkling lights illuminate holiday-themed shapes: a Christmas train, Santa on a fire engine, and a horse-drawn wagon, among them. A dragon wearing a Santa hat reflected in the lake as we drove around the water, doubling the glowing image. I oohed and aahed all the way through the route.

When we finished traveling through the drive-through lights experience, we parked our car and headed into the Expo Center, which was also decked out in twinkling lights. Honestly, we thought we’d go in for some light refreshments and see Santa, and we’d be done. Were we ever in for a surprise!

The Expo Hall’s 20,000 square feet of space was filled with dazzling Christmas trees, lights strung from the ceiling, and a model train layout. Kids boarded a mini train for a ride around an oval track. How I wished I could fit in those train cars!

Photos by Midwest Wanderer

Story?

Over 45 artisans and crafters displayed items for sale, some of them prewrapped for gift giving. Shimmering handmade jewelry tempted me, and beautiful hand-sewn doll clothes transported me back to my childhood. And then I saw the balloon artist! I hadn’t seen a balloon artist in years, but there he was, twisting and shaping balloons into animal and flower sculptures. So fun to watch!

We had skipped dinner and were getting hungry, so we made our way over to where they were serving food. I saw chicken and dumplings on the menu, one of my favorite dishes. However, we were a tad too late. Not surprisingly, they had sold out of the chicken and dumplings. Instead, we both chose a pork chop sandwich. Moist and with just the right amount of spice, the sandwich was an excellent alternative.

Although we had pretty much covered the entire fair, we couldn’t leave yet. You see, vendors donate prizes, and they hold a drawing every hour. We didn’t want to possibly lose out, so we stayed until the last drawing at 9 p.m.

While waiting, we decided to indulge in dessert and chose a big slice of blueberry pie to share. We found a place to sit and savor our pie while taking in the evening’s entertainment, a gal strumming her guitar and singing Christmas tunes, putting us further into the holiday spirit.

We didn’t win a prize that night from the drawing, but we still came away winners. We had a fabulous time—way beyond only the drive-through lights that we had originally planned on.

To read about more rural adventures from Connie, visit her website at midwestwanderer.com. If you have a story from our region you would like to share with us, we’d love to hear it! Please email us at info@illinoisouth.org.

Season’s Greetings Vandalia from

Festival of Trees Thursday, November 3

Vandalia Moose Lodge

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $30.00

Free Christmas Movie Day Friday, November 11

Starmax Cinemas • 10am White Christmas Sponsored by Genesis Property Improvement, Inc.

Olde Tyme Christmas Friday Nov. 11, 5pm-9pm Saturday Nov. 12, 10am-2pm

Santa’s Corner Friday, November 11 6:30pm-8:45pm Saturday, November 12 11am-1pm

Across from City Hall Festival of Lights Every Weekend in December starting December 2 through 30 5pm-9pm Rogier Park

Statehouse Gala Friday, December 2 6pm-8:30pm

Vandalia Statehouse

Statehouse

Candlelight Tours Saturday, December 10 5pm-7pm Vandalia Statehouse

Soroptimist Club Breakfast with Santa Saturday, December 3 8am-10am Unity Baptist Church

Junkyard Art by Tam-I-Am Barnhill, IL

By Andy Waterman

One fateful day in 2017, Wayne County resident Tammy Lee injured her back. The freelance court reporter was unable to work, and while she was awaiting spinal surgery and not working, it became very evident she needed a hobby. “I was looking through Pinterest and saw some scrap metal art that I thought was really cool, and I mentioned it to my husband,” Lee explains. “The next thing I know, he took me to a farm supply store and bought me a little welder. He brought me out to the shop and gave me my first lesson, it just literally took off from there.”

Her specialty is welding pieces of art together out of scrap metal and other general ‘junk.’ In a few short years, she has honed her craft. While Lee would eventually return to her freelance gig, she admits she would often think to herself during the day that she would much rather be in her shop. In 2020, Lee retired from her career a few years early – trading in her suits and dresses for a pair of overalls and work boots. Thus, Junkyard Art by Tam-I-Am was officially started. “Life is too short to not enjoy what you do,” Lee says.

Business has boomed in the short time since she made the switch. She made a simple TikTok video of her ‘junkyard art’, and it went viral, amassing over TWO MILLION views. At this point, it’s pretty difficult for Lee to keep up with demand, but she’s always busy because of it! One thing is for sure, Lee has no shortage of materials to work with, one look at her shop makes it apparent. She says that thanks to many local southern Illinoisans hearing her story, she has been gifted piles of scrap items. “I use a lot of scrap metal, old tools that have been cast away. I also use a lot of nuts and bolts, sprockets, pulleys. I like everyone’s castaways that they have no use for, and then I bring new life to it,” Lee adds.

So, exactly what kind of art does she make? The short answer is a little bit of everything. There are pieces with names on them, figures of tennis players, hearts, you name it. Lee also accepts custom orders, and she normally has a vision for how a piece will turn out. “I pick up a piece and I see a shape in my head, and I build around that. But sometimes when I start on something I have absolutely no clue how I’m going to accomplish it, and it always comes together somehow,” Lee admits.

Lee also has a policy that if you order something from her and you don’t love it – she will keep it and sell it see about selling it to another customer. “I want all of my customers to be crazy in love with what they have bought from me,” she says. “As long as I’m enjoying it myself and have customers that are enjoying it, I see myself doing it until I’m no longer able,” she says.

If you are interested in checking out Lee’s works of art, look up Junkyard Art by Tam-I-Am on social media. You can now also a order a premade piece off of her website, and she will ship it to you. That website is junk-yard-art.com. If you’d like to watch our feature video on Tammy Lee and Junkyard Art by Tam-I-Am, just check out our YouTube channel!

Daniken Farm @sjtazz

Squirrels! Squirrels! Check Check for for

Top Spots For Christmas Trees

By Tyler Pletsch

One of the longest standing traditions for most families is trekking into the woods to find the perfect Christmas tree. Since President Harrison first put one in the White House in 1889, this tradition has withstood time, creating countless memories year after year. For those who don’t want to forget the saw and bring a tree home that won’t fit in the yard, (we hope you get the reference) we are highlighting some amazing tree farms for you to visit this season.

A great venue for those who want the option to make a day of family fun is Eckert’s Christmas Tree Farm in Belleville. Opening on Saturday, November 19th this year, Eckert’s cut-your-own farm offers Balsam, Douglas, and Fraser Firs as well as Eastern White Pines and (Colorado) Blue Spruce trees for $65. Once you have found the perfect tree, be sure to warm up inside their country store with some apple cider and head over to their restaurant for some tasty treats!

Started by Cecil and Rudy Alfeldt in 1964, Alfeldt’s Christmas Tree Farm has been at the heart of cherished memories providing Scotch Pine, White Pine, Canaan Fir, Norway Spruce, Fraser Fir, Balsam Fir, and Douglas Fir trees. This 40-acre tree farm opens November 19th and is nestled just Northwest of Oakdale in Washington County and offers precut as well as cut your own. While there, be on the lookout for Santa who may make an appearance between noon and 3 p.m. most days! “Our family strives to do our best in helping other families celebrate the Christmas season by providing them a real tree and hopefully a family tradition that is passed down the generations,” Karen Alfeldt says.

From Christmas trees to ornaments and fresh garland, Daniken Tree Farm in Pocahontas has you covered. Opening the weekend before Thanksgiving, Daniken is the place to go with 70 plus acres of trees to choose from! Be sure to bring those Christmas lists the first three weekends after Thanksgiving to give to Santa from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. too!

Near Daniken is another local gem around the holidays, Randy’s Country Barn in Greenville. No matter if you want a 10 ft. tree or a swag for the front door, you can find it all here! Randy’s will open the weekend before Thanksgiving and run through mid-December. This farm runs Thursday through Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Before heading out, stop at the barn turned Christmas shop for ornaments, lights, or candles!

Once you have found your tree and want to see how to decorate it, visit Mt. Carmel for their 4th Annual Festival of Trees. The event takes place in Merchants Park through December. All trees were decorated and donated for the month by various businesses, families, or groups. Sponsored by the Retail Merchants Committee, this is one unique way to find decorating inspiration and a great activity for the whole family!

Eckert’s Farm

Holiday

Happenings!

By Andy Waterman

There are several communities in ILLINOISouth that really pride themselves on their Christmas cheer. Some towns go all out on decorations, while others focus on hosting some really BIG holiday events. One thing is for sure, once November hits – Southern Illinois is teeming with Christmas spirit. Read ahead to get some great ideas on everything from lighted parades to shopping events and everything in between.

The first Saturday in December is always a special time in downtown Columbia, because folks line Historic Main Street for the Bright Night Christmas Parade. The festivities start at 5 p.m. this year, and you can vote for your favorite float until 7. Stick around for more holiday cheer at Turner Hall’s Christmas Social, which usually involves food, beverages, and games for the children.

Mascoutah is another community in the Metro East that loves to celebrate the holiday season. The Chamber of Commerce in Mascoutah will host their 12th Annual Lighted Christmas Parade this year, which is usually held on the first Friday in December. It’s a very well attended parade as all businesses, civic groups, organizations, and individuals are invited to participate.

There’s a small community in southeastern Illinois that goes BIG on its holiday festivities. On December 10th at 8 a.m. the community of Albion will have the jolly man himself in attendance for Breakfast with Santa at the Albion Fire Station. Later that night, the fun really kicks in with the Lighted Christmas Parade, which is movie themed this year. After the parade, there will be a pajama party and Christmas movies shown at the Country Financial Hall at the Edwards County Fairgrounds.

Just ten minutes south of Albion lies Grayville, which plays host to its Annual Lighted Christmas Parade each year on the last Saturday of November. The parade usually starts at 6 p.m. but there are other activities such as open houses at local merchants, prize giveaways, and Santa himself doing a meet and greet with little ones.

Fort de Chartres

Curt Simshauser Photo Cinema

Vandalia at Christmas

Happenings!

Warehouse 300 in Trenton is a fantastic place where several talented vendors can sell different crafts and creations under the same roof. Their Mistletoe Market Days event is slated for November 16-20 and features five days of extended hours along with multiple giveaways. Want to find the perfect gifts and support local makers? This is the place to do it!

One of the longest running Holiday-themed shopping events in ILLINOISouth can be found in Flora at The Country Lamb. This year’s ‘Christmas in the Country’ event runs from December 10th-24th. The Country Lamb is located in a big, red two-story farmhouse, and this event has been a staple since 1994. Enjoy complimentary coffee while you shop a wide array of everything from Christmas décor like locally made art featuring snowmen and Santa, to garland, and Christmas floral arrangements. The Country Lamb also has some clothing, jewelry, and gourmet foods to shop from, making this a great opportunity to make a dent in that Christmas list of yours.

Although the season for Vine Street Market at O’Fallon Station comes to an end in October, they will host a Winter Market on December 10th from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. There will be about 50 local vendors offering up everything from breads and winter produce to artisan items and baked treats. On top of that, visitors can enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides which start at 4:30 p.m. We highly recommend being in O’Fallon for this one!

If you’re in southeastern Illinois this season, the Sainte Marie Christmas Farmers Market is slated for Saturday, November 26th from 10-6 at the Foundation House & Museum in Sainte Marie. Take home everything from handmade soaps and crafts to kettle corn and pork rinds! The community is hosting their Whoville event the same day, which features Whoville characters, wagon rides, and ice skating. Why not make the trip to Jasper County?

O’Fallon Station

Red Bud Santa’s Village

Mistletoe Market Days Warehouse 300

Holiday

Our friends in Vandalia are traditionally the first to kick off the holiday season, and they do it in a big way with Olde Tyme Christmas. This year’s gathering is set for November 11th-12th with the theme ‘All Hearts Come Home for Christmas.’ This is one of their largest events every year, and if you make the trip – you’ll see why. Olde Tyme Christmas starts with the Rotary Lighted Christmas Parade on the 11th at 5:30 p.m., with Santa and Mrs. Claus reading a Christmas story to the crowd at the State House following the parade. After that, there really is a ton going on at once. There will be food trucks, a craft fair, a train show, and Fashionista Avenue all open for shoppers. There will also be a USO show on the State House lawn at 6:30 p.m. The always popular Soroptimist Cookie Walk and the Art Connection will both be open at City Hall following the parade. Kids are certainly welcome, as visiting time with Santa runs from 6:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., there is a magic show at 6:30 p.m., and the FNB Community Bank Kids Corner is open all night following the parade as well. It all picks back up again on Saturday the 12th at 10 a.m. with a few things carried over from the night before – but some new activities for Saturday include Elf School, ice skating, and Do You Want to Build a Snowman from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at City Hall. Later in November, Vandalia also plays host to their Ladies Night Out and Festival of Trees celebrations, so it’s safe to say that Vandalia is full of cheer this time of year!

In Crawford County, Robinson’s Christmas Magic Festival always draws folks from nearby communities and counties. It is slated for November 18th-19th this year with a lighted parade that welcomes Santa himself to town. Throw in ice skating, bonfires, a bounce house, and shopping –making this a holiday tradition that families do not want to miss.

Christmas in the Heart of Charleston is a decades-long tradition that usually makes its way to the city’s courthouse square on the first Saturday of December. It’s always free, even activities like roasting chestnuts and sipping on hot cocoa. Other highlights include live reindeer, Santa visits, and crafting stations for the kids. Shops around the square will also be open, offering special discounts and other deals. Live music is part of the celebration as well, usually put on by the Charleston High School.

Many of our communities look like they’re straight out of a Hallmark movie this time of year, but one in particular is especially breathtaking. Historic downtown Waterloo is always decorated well, and when you’re there it just gives you that feeling of ‘being home.’ Their Christmas on the Square event is a time-honored tradition that happens the Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving. Several merchants downtown participate in the event with stamp cards, there are carriage rides, visits with Santa, and much more!

One of the most unique holiday celebrations in our region can be found in Maeystown. Aptly named Old-Fashioned German Christmas, this is a one-day event on Sunday, December 4th this year. When you think

Christmas in the Heart of Charleston

Maeystown Old Fashioned German Christmas Band Room Brass

Waterloo Christmas on the Square

Lebanon Victorian Holiday

German, this is it. Enjoy hammered dulcimer and strolling brass brand music alongside German and traditional carols. This event also features complimentary carriage rides throughout the village, photo ops in a Victorian horse sleigh, and traditional foods like weihnacht stew. Children can enjoy stories by Frau Kringle or make their own German crafts, while adults learn to fold German paper stars. Admission to Old-Fashioned Christmas is free, and you can experience it from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Another community in southwestern Illinois with German ties is Millstadt, which plays host to Weihnachtsfest (Christmas Festival) on Sunday, December 4th from 10 a.m. to 5 in the evening. Have fun at their cookie walk, and enjoy traditional German fare like sauerbraten, schnitzel, red cabbage, potato pancakes, and strudel! The Waterloo German Band will provide musical entertainment as well.

On the third Thursday of November each year, the community of Pinckneyville comes together for Cracklin’ Christmas. It’s primarily an event for local businesses to decorate their shops and invite folks in for special deals. It kicks off at 4 p.m. and usually ends at 7:30 p.m. with the lighting of the community tree just north of the town square.

In Randolph County there are three communities that REALLY embrace the holidays. Both Chester and Prairie du Rocher were voted as River Travel Magazine’s ‘Best Holiday River Town’ in 2021 for their respective population brackets, while Red Bud placed second in their population group. Chester is celebrating their 34th Annual Christmas on the River Celebration in 2022, which is always a blast. We’re talking everything from a lighted Christmas parade to a Reindeer Games tournament, and even a family scavenger hunt. This year’s festivities are planned for December 2nd-4th. During this time of year, Red Bud turns into Santa’s Village with many different activities spread throughout the season. On November 20th there is a Christmas Walk from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., five days later Red Bud hosts a lighted parade at 6 o’clock followed by a tree lighting ceremony. Make plans to visit Red Bud on December 11th for Sunday Funday as well! Meanwhile in Prairie du Rocher, the Winter Rendezvous at Fort de Chartres will attract hundreds of visitors to the area on November 5th and 6th. There will be re-enactments, a flintlock shooting contest, hand-made crafts, period music and more. Make plans to return to Prairie du Rocher on December 4th for La Fete de Noel, a day full of shopping, carriage rides, raffles, and home tours for adults as well as holiday craft creations and writing letters to Santa for the kiddos!

Blast back into time and picture yourself on a brick street watching a lamplighter stroll around town at dusk. Surprise…that scene actually exists in present day Lebanon! Their Victorian Holiday weekend is set for November 18-19, and kicks off with the Ole Lamplighter lighting up all of the storefronts on St. Louis Street. Add a visit from Father Christmas to the mix, as well as carolers, madrigals, and carriage rides – and you have quite the holiday celebration.

One of the more iconic holiday scenes in ILLINOISouth is the suspended Christmas tree that sits above Market Street in Mt. Carmel – once that is in place, you know Christmas is upon us. Their Christmas Uptown festival is truly a sight to behold, as visitors can partake in carriage rides, train rides, Rudolph (pony) rides, a gingerbread house competition, a game zone, caroling, stories with Mrs. Claus and a TON more. Admission is free, but there is a donation drive for toys and money that will go straight to their Operation Share program. Friday, December 2nd from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. is the best time to make it to Mt. Carmel.

In Washington County, Okawville has become known for its Christmas Stroll – which features a craft fair, a festival of trees, horse-drawn surrey rides, and museum tours among other activities on the first weekend of December.

WinterFest Lights in Scheve Park Mascoutah Evening Lions

Columbia Bright Night Christmas Parade

Robinson Christmas Magic Event Ice Rink Gina Mills Country Financial

Did you know that the second oldest continuously operating philharmonic orchestra can be found in Belleville? It’s true, and the Philharmonic Society of Belleville is always good for a few GREAT holiday-themed shows. This year they are putting together the Nutcracker Ballet on November 19th and 20th at Love Church. They are also performing ‘Christmas Wonders,’ a program of sacred and secular Holiday favorites on December 11th at St. Luke Catholic Church, and on December 18th the Philharmonic Society of Belleville presents the Holiday Pops Christmas Spectacular at the iconic Lincoln Theater downtown.

The Hettenhausen Center for the Arts on the campus of McKendree University in Lebanon is a beautiful venue for a show, and they always put on a great production during the holidays. This year’s show is Christmas Presence, featuring Terry Barber – a classically-trained countertenor with an extremely broad range and versatile voice. Barber breathes new life into beloved Christmas songs and world-favorites. Put this one on your calendar for Wednesday, December 14th at 7 p.m.

Another great place to catch a show is the historic Avon Theater in Breese, home of the Clinton County Showcase. If you’re a fan of comedy, this year’s production of Inspecting Carol is right up your alley. It’s a mix of ‘A Christmas Carol’ meets ‘The Government Inspector’ meets ‘Noises Off’ – and it’s absolutely hilarious. Shows are slated for December 2nd-4th as well as the 9th-11th.

Sainte Marie Whoville Sainte Marie Community Club

Albion Lighted Parade Citizens National Bank of Albion

Cracklin’ Christmas Foundation for Pinckneyville

Mt. Carmel Uptown Christmas

The Nutcracker at the Hett Dance Station

Join us for a Jasper County Christmas! Christmas!

Sainte Marie Christmas Farmers Market

November 26th

10am to 5pm • Sainte Marie Foundation House & Museum • Sainte Marie, IL

& Specialty Shopping

EVENTS

Lighted Christmas Parade

December 2

Main Street

Wonderland Dec.

of Mascoutah

Chamber

Commerce

Find us on M Sainte Marie Farmers Market

Welcome to Whoville

November 26th Village of Sainte Marie

Find us on M Sainte Marie Community Club

Christmas Lights in the Park Nov. 25th - Dec. 25th 5pm to 9pm • Newton, IL Friday, Saturday, Sunday Only

Find us on M Christmas Lights in Peterson Park -Newton, IL

Culp Family Christmas Lights Nov. 25th - Dec. 31st Willow Hill, IL

Find us on M Culp Family Christmas Lights

Downtown Shopping & Activities

Friday Nights in Newton, IL December 2nd, 9th, 16th, & 23rd

Call June at 217-246-3878 for details and updates.

Self Guided Light Tour

December 10th

Find us on M Embarras River Tourism Council

For more events visit

County Christmas on Facebook

River Tourism Council

618-783-9405

Take a Stroll Through Okawville

Christmas Stroll Events

Okawville Business Stroll Craft Fair Sat. Dec 3, 9:00am-4:30pm at Community Club

Breakfast with Santa Sat. Dec 3, 9:00am at Original Springs Hotel

Beautiful hand crafted items! Plus soup, sandwiches, drinks, & desserts. Other activities include gingerbread and sugar cookie decorating!

Flea Market & Vendor Show

Sat. Dec 3, 9:00am-4:30pm at Immanuel Lutheran School

Soup Buffet with 20+ varieties, sandwiches, drinks, & desserts.

Porch & Wreath Decorating Contest

All Weekend

Residents’ homes in the Okawville area will be participating in a porch and wreath decorating contest all weekend! Drive by and check them out!

Live Nativity Scene

Sun. Dec 4, 4:00pm-6:00pm at Community Club Park

Live Holiday music, Live Nativity scene, plus food drinks, & sweets!

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