WESTERN REGION FORT DE CHARTRES IN PRAIRIE DU ROCHER
Mark Your Calendars!
Visit Events Of All Kinds In ILLINOISouth’s Western Region Earlier this year we reached out to as many of our community partners as possible and invited them to share all of the details they have for events that are happening this fall. We’ll start with the gatherings in our Western Region, which consists of three counties – Monroe, Randolph, and St. Clair. First up is World Wide Technology Raceway. WWT Raceway was one of the few venues that was fortunate enough to continue with events in 2020 – albeit with much smaller crowds than normal. This season, World Wide Technology Raceway is hosting a full slate of races including three major events between August and September. On August 20th, WWT Raceway will play host to the Camping World Truck Series Playoffs, followed by the Bommarito Auto Group 500 INDYCAR race on the 21st. A month later, the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Midwest Nationals will be held at WWT Raceway’s drag strip the weekend of the 24th through the 26th! Make sure to visit World Wide Technology’s website to buy your tickets before they’re gone. Another gathering at WWT Raceway has nothing to do with racing, and everything to do with honoring our local heroes who have done so much for our local communities since the pandemic began! On Saturday, September 4th the Southwest Madison County Chamber of Commerce is encouraging everyone to visit the Rockin’ Blues, Brew & Barbecue event at WWT Raceway. This celebration is dedicated to those who were deemed essential, who continued their responsibility to their positions, while realizing the potential danger to themselves and to their families. This event goes out to the nurses, doctors, teachers, pharmacists, our hospitality workers, bus drivers, police, firemen, grocery clerks, sanitation workers, bus drivers, truck drivers and so many others. There will be plenty to do at the gathering, which is also a Kansas City Sanctioned BBQ Competition, Master Series Cook-Off event. Folks can enjoy a hot air balloon festival, go carts, craft beer, food trucks, craft booths, a 5K run/walk 6
Fall 2021
to benefit the United Way of Greater St. Louis, music of all genres, and much more! “Please plan to spend the day with us,” says Rosemarie Brown, Executive Director for the Southwest Madison County Chamber of Commerce. Whether as one of the honorees, as a worker bee, as a volunteer, or as a resident wishing to thank those hundreds of people who work through the pandemic, facing odds that no one should have to face, and earning them the title of OUR HERO," adds Brown. For more information on the event, feel free to call 618-876-6400. There are several art-themed events planned for this fall as well, including Art in the Park in Highland. This event has become a beloved tradition that normally attracts thousands of folks each weekend every year. “Art in the Park is a family-friendly event,” explains Lynette Schuepbach, President of the Highland Arts
Council. “Kids have an opportunity to make their own art and to purchase donations from the artists – just for kids. Live music keeps us dancing and good food fills our stomachs. Come enjoy the fall foliage as you stroll through 60-65 booths and discover art that speaks to you!” Due to the pandemic, Art in the Park did not happen in 2020 – but Scheupbach says they are beyond excited to pick it up again this year. “We are ‘over the moon’ to offer a venue that can help artists share their work, and where attendees can buy and appreciate the 11 mediums represented there,” Shuepbach adds. There will be a few differences about this year’s event that folks will notice. “We have redesigned the layout so that the booths are five feet apart. We will also provide hand sanitizer for artists to keep in their booths,” says Schuepbach. “We are also offering indoor spaces as well as outdoor spaces to protect more fragile work and provide space without
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