Mark Your Calendars for Western Region Events!

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 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.

Popeye Picnic in Chester, IL

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 requiring artists to set up a tent.” If you’re interested in attending Art in the Park in Highland this year, it will be held October 8th - 10th . For more information head to highlandartscouncil.org.

World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, IL

One of the largest events in our region usually happens each May, but due to the pandemic, Art on the Square in Belleville is scheduled for October 22nd – 24th this year. If you have never been to Art on the Square, it really is a sight to behold. There are approximately 105 artists that are chosen to participate out of nearly 1,000 applicants each year. These artists specialize in an array of different art mediums from sculptures to painting, and anything in between. This show has been ranked the number one fine arts show in the country six times by the Art Fair Source Book! More than $1,000,000 worth of art is purchased annually at Art on the Square. Admission is free, and there are usually activities for the kiddos as well as live entertainment and great food options! Another great event in Belleville is taking place just a couple of weeks after that, as the city will play host to Belleville Main Street’s Art and Wine Walk on November 6th. “This will be our third event for 2021,” says Kathy Kaiser, PR & Media Relations Rep for the City of Belleville. “We are hoping to continue to raise funds for Belleville Main Street, so that we can continue our marketing and promotion of our Downtown area.” The event is as exactly how it sounds, folks can enjoy numerous works of art, all while sipping on some amazing wine. For more information on the event, visit bellevillemainstreet.net.

A similar event, but with different drinks and no art is slated for September 11th. Belleville Main Street’s Craft Beer Walk has done nothing but grow since its inception a few years ago, and folks in the community hope that will continue this year. “We are super excited to host everyone throughout our downtown, as they enjoy numerous craft beverages from 3 – 8pm on September 11th,” Kaiser adds. Another event that is always huge for Belleville is their Oktoberfest. This year’s event is planned for September 17th – 18th, and will be their 40th annual celebration! “This festival is the start of the Fall happenings in Belleville, as we celebrate our German heritage, and raise funds for The Belleville Ainad Shriners, Belleville Sister Cities and the Exchange Club,” says Kaiser. Belleville’s Oktoberfest gives folks the opportunity to enjoy three stages of live music, enjoy authentic German cuisine with American food as well; and participate in wiener dog races, a cornhole tournament, and enjoy carnival rides. “We can’t wait to get “our German On”, along with everyone in attendance at this 2 day event on the Public Square in Downtown Belleville,” Kaiser adds. Keep an eye out for all of the details on this year’s event at bellevilleoktoberfest.com.

We have already mentioned some great art shows, and there is yet another long-running art show in our region can be found in Fairview Heights! This will be the 33rd year for Midwest Salute to the Arts, a three-day outdoor Arts Festival held annually the weekend before Labor Day in Moody Park. Midwest Salute to the Arts Director Sharon Kassing ensures that the event will be following all State and CDC guidelines, and will take other precautions as well. “We will have additional spacing between each Artist’s tent,” Kassing explains. “There will also be additional spacing for all food and drink vendors, as well as sanitizing and hand-washing stations.” Kassing adds that it’s important for the community to get the event back up and running this year. “Excitement in Fairview Heights grows as the signature white tents create an art gallery in beautiful Moody Park. This inspiring and tranquil setting is graciously provided by the City of Fairview Heights,” says Kassing. Over the last three decades “Salute”has become an annual family event for many folks in the area. “We have watched as the young artists – whose love of art began in our Children’s Gallery and Creation Station – have grown into loyal patrons who now bring their own children and introduce them to art and its appreciation,” Kassing adds. There is something for everyone at Midwest Salute to the Arts – such as live artist demonstrations, live entertainment, and more. Admission is ALWAYS free, and more information can be found at midwestsalute.com.

Be sure to mark your calendars for Metro East Pride Fest, which will be held on Saturday, October 2nd this year. Normally the event is held earlier in the year, but the group took precautions and scheduled it for October. The 2021 Metro East Pride Fest will be a large outdoor festival located in downtown Belleville, celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community. The event will focus on diversity, equality, and inclusion. It’s outside, it’s free, it’s family-friendly and it’s FUN! Pride Fest offers musical entertainment, vendors and food trucks, community organizations and healthcare services, and much more. There will also be a Kid Zone, for youngsters ages 5 to 12. Pride Fest also features a High Heel Drag Race sponsored by local restaurants and bars, and wraps up with the Pride Drag Show, featuring the King and Queen of Pride and other drag performances. All are welcome and encouraged to attend! For more information and details about this year's event, be sure to check out their website at metroeastpride.org.

Eckert's Pumpkin Festival in Belleville, IL

Craft enthusiasts should visit Shiloh in late October for their Treasures in the Park Craft Fair. With the event being later in the year, there should be little to no restrictions in terms of safety precautions for the event. “Hopefully by October the mandate will be completely lifted,” says Sue Quitmeyer, Events Coordinator for Shiloh. “If needed, we will request masks to be worn. We will also have hand sanitizing stations available.” Treasures in the Park is unique because it is a handmade only event. “Our crafters will bring their one-of-a-kind items to be purchased,” Quitmeyer explains. “We had over 30 crafters in the past and hope to have even more this year. It is an indoor and outdoor event, with food served by our school organizations, so the proceeds of the food go back in our community to help our students.” The plan is to also have live music at the event from 12 – 3pm. “We look forward to having this event because our crafters get to showcase their handy work, and we get to give back to our community,” Quitmeyer adds. “This creates UNITY IN OUR COMMUNITY! What a better way to get people to come together and enjoy life.” Treasures in the Park Craft Fair is scheduled for Saturday, October 23rd from 9am – 3pm at Klucker Hall, 14 Park Drive in Shiloh.

In Mascoutah, their annual Homecoming Und Augustfest is a decades old tradition that is beloved by many in the area. “We have the largest and most successful Homecoming in southwestern Illinois,” says Pat McMahan, Treasurer of the Mascoutah Improvement Association. Mascoutah’s Homecoming was yet another event that was canceled due to the pandemic, but they are excited to host it again. At this point, there are no big changes to the event brought about by the pandemic, but McMahan says the Homecoming will follow whatever guidance the State or the St. Clair County Health Department gives them. “We will be as safe as possible for our people,”McMahan adds. “We want everyone to have a fun, safe experience.” Homecoming will certainly give you that small town, Americana sort of vibe if that’s what you’re looking for. There are always rides, food, entertainment and of course a parade. The Homecoming Und Augustfest is planned for August 6th – 8th and you can always follow along with their Facebook page for more information.

The fall season is also prime time for agritourism-based events that are centered around apples and pumpkins. Eckert’s will host their Pumpkin Festival at their Belleville and Millstadt locations, which will feature everything from apple and pumpkin picking to all kinds of family-fun entertainment and activities. Other farms worth a visit for pumpkins and more are Brauetigam Orchards in Belleville, Pumpkin Blossom Hill in Red Bud, and Schoenbeck Ranch near Ellis Grove. Make sure to follow social media pages for each venue for more details on hours of operation and more!

If a good concert is more your speed, look no further than Songs4Soldiers – a HUGE event that has been hosted in Columbia the last several years. Dustin Row founded Songs4Soldiers, and admits his group is beyond pumped to host this year’s event after cancelling the gathering in 2020. “We are unbelievably excited,” Row explains. “It took a year off for us to truly realize what not only the event means to the hundreds of combat vets we help, but also what the event means to the community. We are anticipating our biggest year yet as far as attendance goes.” Folks are already anticipating the talent for this year’s Songs4Soldiers concert, which will be country music star Josh Turner, and legendary rockers Night Ranger. Because it is an outdoor event, there is space for social distancing from a safety perspective. “Our event even during a normal year is very spread out. Folks can bring their own lawn chairs and blankets,” Row adds. “Of course folks that still feel the need to mask up can!” For those who have never attended, or perhaps never heard of Songs4Soldiers – the event goes towards an AMAZING cause. “One-hundred percent of the event’s proceeds goes towards our mission of helping combat veterans,” explains Row. ”Since 2013, S4S has served over 600 combat veterans and their families, spending over $700,000 on direct needs and assistance such as mortgage relief, rental relief, rent deposits, service animals, health care and so much more! But we offer a very affordable event for the whole family to attend. Five dollar beers, cheap kid activities, amazing local foods, and a laid back SAFE concert experience!” Songs4Soldiers is slated for September 17th and 18th in Columbia this year, and folks can visit songs4soldiersstl.org for more information.

The City of Waterloo is VERY excited to announce the return of their PumpkinFest, which is set for Saturday, October 9th this year from 9am – 4pm. In terms of alterations to this year’s event, Community Relations Coordinator Sarah Deutch says the PumpkinFest committee is going to keep the health and safety of the public as a priority while planning this year’s event. “Some of the contests and activities of PumpkinFest that have a higher risk of COVID exposure may be altered or cancelled for this year,” Deutch says. “We will keep up to date on the current situation of the pandemic as we plan. If activities must be altered/ cancelled, we plan on replacing it with another fun activity!” PumpkinFest has become a family tradition that is cherished by many Monroe County natives. If you haven’t experienced it before, Deutch says the trip to Waterloo is well worth it. “Please come visit Waterloo during PumpkinFest and see what ‘Small Town Charm’ is really all about,” Deutch says. “PumpkinFest is located in the heart of downtown Waterloo, which is a historic walkable area with microbreweries, eateries, and unique shops and boutiques. Add the craft vendors, live music, games, and activities of PumpkinFest – and it makes for the perfect family fun fall day! To stay up to date on PumpkinFest, be sure to check out their website at www.waterloo.il.us/pumpkinfest.

If a scenic drive is really what you are looking for, the Kaskaskia Cahokia Trail Road Rally is just the event for you! Slated for September 25th , the Road Rally will begin at the Holy Family Church in Cahokia, with registration taking place there between 9 – 11am. From there, participants will travel south on the Kaskaskia Cahokia Trail and have the chance to experience a dozen historical stops along the way. The Road Rally ends in Historic Prairie du Rocher where folks can check in for the after party between 4 – 6pm. The after party will feature family fun, including live music at 7pm, games for the kiddos, several food specials from local restaurants, and more. If you’re reading this and would like to register for the event, it is $25 to participate – and more information can be found online at kctrailillinois.org.

World SHooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta, IL

One of the most historically unique events in ILLINOISouth can be found tucked away in Randolph County. Fort de Chartres lies a few miles south of Prairie du Rocher, and this Frech Fortification is worth the drive – no matter where you’re coming from. Aside from being open to visitors who would just like to experience the attraction, the Fort also plays host to the Annual Fort de Chartres Rendezvous. “The event brings in tens of thousands of visitors to the area, which generates a lot of revenue in the short duration the event happens,” explains Jason Duensing, Vice President of Events for Les Amis du Fort de Chartres, and Chairman of the Rendezvous Planning Committee. “Our participants buy a lot of their groceries for their stay at the event at our local stores, participants and visitors visit other local attractions and eat at our great selection of restaurants in the area. One of the most important aspects of the event is what it does to highlight the history of our community, which in my opinion is important for sustainability and growth.” This year’s celebration is actually the first one they have been able to have in a while. “To say that we are excited would be an understatement, we are ecstatic! It has been over 3 years since we had this event last, June of 2018,” Duensing adds. In 2019, we had to cancel due to the river being above flood stage and obviously last year due to Covid-19.” According to Duensing, the event will have their usual safety protocols with paramedics on site both days – and they will follow the latest CDC and State guidelines at the time of the event. The biggest change to this year’s event is the extra celebratory activities for the Fort’s 300th Anniversary, and for the 50th Anniversary of the Rendezvous itself. “We would like to note that the event will be starting an hour early on Saturday, 9:00am instead of 10:00am, to accommodate an acknowledgment ceremony to commensurate the 300th Anniversary of Fort de Chartres directly after Opening Colors,” says Duensing. “We are lining up some notable speakers for this ceremony, which will be something very special.” For those who have never attended the Rendezvous before, this is definitely something to mark your calendars for. “We are very excited to share the history of Fort de Chartres through this amazing event,” adds Duensing. “Our event is one-of-a-kind in this area and is one of the only places to see live Bagpipes, Fife and Drum bands, flintlock muzzleloader shooting, 18th century lifeways demonstrations, and much, much more at a partially reconstructed stone fort in the beautiful river bottoms of the Illinois Country. There is plenty to do and see for children and adults alike, you may want to plan to come to the event both days so you don’t miss out on anything.” The Rendezvous at Fort de Chartres is scheduled for September 11th & 12th , and more information can be found at fortdechartres.us.

*Disclaimer: Unfortunately, the Popeye Picnic has been canceled this year. The decision was made after our print deadline. Let's hope that the Picnic will be back in 2022!*

This next event centers around a cartoon character known pretty much all around the world! Chester is the hometown of E.C. Segar, the creator of Popeye the Sailor Man. The community has embraced Popeye to the fullest, and they celebrate the Sailor Man each and every year with an event called the Popeye Picnic. Due to the pandemic, last year’s 41 st Annual Popeye Picnic was cancelled. The Popeye Picnic is always held the weekend after Labor Day, and if the event happens this year – they will be following all guidelines provided by the CDC and the State. Ken Wagner, Trustee for the Popeye Picnic Committee says this event will help Chester return to a sense of normal. “Our small community and the surrounding businesses rely on the Popeye Picnic for a boost in tourism,” Wagner explains. “Getting people back together to celebrate with family and friends is also important to our mental health.” The Popeye Picnic usually features an unveiling of a new Popeye Character statue somewhere within the community, as well as rides, food, a parade, entertainment and more. “Popeye and his friends are international favorites,” Wagner adds. “Most baby boomers grew up watching Popeye cartoons and they are still shown the world over every day. We’ve had visitors from all fifty states as well as many foreign countries and they all love Popeye. The Popeye Picnic also brings families and friends together to enjoy good food, great entertainment and celebrate their favorite hero for three days. Many plan their vacations around the Popeye Picnic.” At the time this publication was written, there were plans to move forward with this year’s event. In the possible case that things have changed, please check the Popeye Picnic page on Facebook as well as their webpage at popeyepicnic.com.

The Historic Kaskaskia Church Annual Picnic & Tractor/Truck Pull is a great experience, based solely on its geography alone! Kaskaskia is an exclave of Illinois, lying WEST of the Mississippi River and accessible ONLY through Missouri. Event organizers say that enthusiasm is high for this year’s gathering after cancelling last year. In terms of safety, many of the event’s workers will be vaccinated, food will be served in covered containers, and booths will be spaced to avoid crowding. “This event is crucial to maintain the church complex and to continue offering services,” says Emily Lyons, Secretary of the Kaskaskia Church Committee. “This event has become a Homecoming to the many that have lived or visited family over the centuries,” Lyons adds. The Kaskaskia Church Annual Picnic & Tractor/Truck Pull is slated for September 5th , for more information please call 618-826-2667.

Many events in our region attract folks from different counties and states, but there is one event in particular that draws people from other countries. The Grand American World Trap Shooting Championships hosted at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta brings in THOUSANDS of folks for a ten day span. This year is the 122nd year for the Grand which is the largest shooting event of its kind, with more than 20 events that shooters from all over the globe gather to compete in. Even if you’re not vying for the title of “Clay Target Champion,” it is still worth a visit to Sparta just to experience it! This year’s event kicks off with the AIM Grand Championships from July 30th – August 3rd , followed by the Grand American World Trap Shooting Championships which are slated for August 4th – 14th .