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Upcoming Local Events Live Music Every Weekend at The Cabin at Judy Creek, 3730 S. State Rte. 157, Glen Carbon. Upcoming Music: 8/5-The Shirts Duo, 8/6-Tom Bertolino Acoustics, 8/7-Jarrod Lutz Acoustics, 8/12-The Double Wide Duo. Follow their Facebook page for more updates! Party At The Beach Festival At Pontoon Beach, August 5th & 6th, 4pm-11:45pm, Randall D. Dalton Veteran’s Park 5111 Hwy 111, Pontoon Beach. The Village of Pontoon Beach welcomes back its annual Party at the Beach Festival with carnival rides, food and drink booths, and live music. On Friday, listen to special guest BUMP with rock and roll at 7pm, followed by a performance at 9pm by Freebird USA (music of Lynyrd Skynrd). Then on Saturday, tune in to special guest band The Outlaws at 7pm and Randy Houser at 9pm. Movie Under the Stars- “Moana”, Aug. 5th, Sykes Field at Wilson Park, Granite City. Grab your blanket and your snacks and settle in for a fun evening because Movie Under the Stars is back in season! Movies begin at dusk. Future movies: “Encanto” on Sept. 9th, “The Haunted Mansion” on Oct. 14th. Sunflower Festival 2022, Aug. 6th, 5-9pm at DeMange Farm, St. Jacob. Golden Hour at the Sunflower Patch is magical Fun photo ops, wine tasting with Crooked Creek Winery, great eats from D&M Farms, live music with Kaylene Vineyard, sweet treats and special guests! A Midsummer Night’s Dream Performance, Aug. 6th, 6:30pm at Bellevue Park, Belleville. The Belleville Parks and Recreation Department brings the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival to perform "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in Bellevue Park - 401 Bellevue Park Drive. This event is Free!
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Upcoming Local Events Kids' Concert in the Park, Aug. 7th, 3-4:30pm, Fireman’s Park, Maryville. Maryville Park and Rec Committee will sponsor a Kids’ Concert in the Park with popular DJ Big Papa G! The afternoon will include dancing, games & lots of fun with prizes from Bobby’s Frozen Custard. Prior to the concert, Gateway Bounce will also be there from 2-3pm to provide a free bounce house. Bring your lawn chairs or use the picnic tables. Additional parking is available at Mother of Perpetual Help Church parking lot just one block east of the park. Blood Drive, Aug. 12, 10:00am-1:00pm, MML Insurance, 2166 Pontoon Rd, Granite City, IL. Help save lives; blood is always needed! Schedule an appointment on the Donor Bus to donate blood. Donors get a gift card! Go to mmlins.com/blooddrive/ to select a time and use group code 10876 or call the blood center at (800) 747-5401 and use group code 10876.
Family Night in the Park (Showing Encanto), Aug. 12th, 6pm, O’Fallon Community Park, O’Fallon. We will have yard games and activities starting at 6pm. At dusk, we will be showing Disney's hit "Encanto." The O'Fallon Public Library, Cornerstone Church, and Texas Roadhouse will also be bringing fun activities for everyone! Outdoor Family Movie Night, Aug. 12th, Woodland Park, Collinsville. We'll be showing "Sonic 2" on our GIANT movie screen. Event attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Don't forget your movie snacks! The movie starts at dusk. Hops for Heroes, Aug. 13th, 12-4pm, Edwardsville Moose Lodge. Ticket for each attendee includes four hours of beer tasting from local breweries, a complimentary beer tasting glass. Food will be available for purchase as well. For tickets, go to bit.ly/3ojQLw2 www.metroeastmessenger.com
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Upcoming Local Events Rockabilly Benefit Bash for Miners Theater - Featuring Union Avenue, Aug. 13th, 7pm, 119 E. Clay St, Old Herald Brewery & Distillery, Collinsville. Come out for a night of raw and wild rockabilly featuring Union Avenue to benefit the historic Miners Theater in Downtown Collinsville. Outside under the stars, bring your lawn chairs, all ages welcome, $5 cover charge is direct donation to Miner’s Theatre.
The Greatest Showman Movie, Aug. 13th at City Park, 101 S. Buchanan St, Edwardsville. Movie begins at 8:30pm. Premovies activities! Bring a blanket, chairs, snacks, and drinks. Free event. Edwardsville Rotary Criterium, Aug. 20th, 3-11pm, Downtown Edwardsville. Edwardsville Rotary Criterium is a series of high-speed bicycle races, free kids' races, live music, food trucks, and an open container perimeter, all on the streets of Downtown, Edwardsville. For more info and registration, go to edwardsvillecriterium.page. O’Fallon IL CityFest, Aug. 19th & 20th, O’Fallon Community Park, O’Fallon. Join us for live bands, parade, food, drinks, rides, games, and more. Parade will begin at 5pm on Saturday. It will start on Lincoln and State Street and turn on 7th street to go into the Park. For more info, follow our Facebook page at facebook.com/Ofallonilcityfest. Shakespeare in the Park “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, Aug. 20th, 8pm, City Park, Edwardsville. Free event. The Festival’s 20-year-old touring program returns for the second time as the free and outdoor public park tour, TOURCO, throughout Missouri and Illinois with A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Enjoy the imaginative story on a night beneath the summer stars!
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Upcoming Local Events Mimosa, Margarita & Music Walk, Aug. 20th, Ticket Price $30 - Enjoy 10 - 4 oz. samples of Mimosas and Margaritas and LIVE Music all along your stroll through Downtown Belleville. Proceeds will benefit the Belleville Oktoberfest Committee. Proceeds will be used to pay for all the Bands at the 41st Annual Belleville Oktoberfest! Click on the ticket link to purchase your tickets NOW! https://bellevilleoktoberfest.com/mimosa-margarita-music-walk/ Smoke N for the Kids, Aug. 20th and 21st, 11am-6pm, Tri-Township Park District. Troy. Family Friendly Music Festival and BBQ Competition to help Troy Edwardsville Shrine Club support Ainad Shrine and Shrine Hospital. Events for children, live music, food vendors and refreshments. 34th Midwest Salute to the Arts Festival, Aug. 26th- 28th, Moody-Longacre Park, 525 S. Ruby Lane Fairview Heights. Midwest Salute to the Arts Fair is in a beautiful park setting. Free Admission, Free Entertainment, Children's Creation Station, and FUN for the whole family! For more info, go to midwestsalute.com. 30th Anniversary D.A.R.E. Car Show, Aug. 21st, 12-4pm, Edwardsville High School. Vehicle Registration begins at 8:30am, ends at 1pm. Entry fee is $15 to have your vehicle judged and $10 to display your vehicle. Join us for food, entertainment, 50/50 and a silent auction. All proceeds benefit the local D.A.R.E program. Movie Night at the Ball Park- “Sing 2”, August 26th, Glazebrook Park Baseball Diamonds, Godfrey. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. We will be offering concessions. The movie will begin after the 6:00 pm games end, approximately 8:15 pm.
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Upcoming Local Events Second Annual Vendor Fair, Aug. 27th and 28th, 10am-5pm, Rinkel Pumpkin Farm, Glen Carbon. We have room for 30 local small businesses, so let's show them our support! Randy's BBQ will have food available to purchase at the event as well. Admission for the event is a non-perishable item or monetary donation to the Glen-Ed Food Pantry! If you would like to sign up to be a vendor, fill out the form on https://www.rinkelpumpkinfarm.com/. Alton Food Truck Festival, Aug. 27th, 4pm, Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater. Over a dozen food trucks will provide everything from burgers, tacos, BBQ, and cultural dishes to ice-cream, cupcakes, cookies, and more. Live music will take the Liberty Bank Amphitheater stage throughout the afternoon. Wine for Whiskers at The Greenhouse, Sept. 2nd, 4-8pm, The Greenhouse, 1619 Papin St, Highland. The Greenhouse in Highland is hosting Wine for Whiskers Friday, Sept. 2nd to kick off Labor Day weekend! Purchase a $20 Wine Tasting, and $10 will go back to the pets at MEHS! Charcuterie Boards Available. Live music by Johnny Busby 5-8 PM. Bethalto Homecoming 2022, Sept. 2nd, 5pm, Bethalto Central Park. Event to include local vendors, carnival rides presented by Luehrs’ ideal rides, live local bands, and the Bethalto Fire Department Fish Stand. Midwest Wing Fest 2022, Sept. 2nd, 5-11:30pm, 275 St. Clair Sq, Fairview Heights. Each year we host 30k or more in attendance, have upwards of 20 or more local and national wing vendors, live music all weekend and a huge bounce area for the little ones. Midwest Wing Fest purpose is to raise money for combat wounded and fallen soldiers. There will be a $5.00 cover charge for anyone above the age of 13. For more info, go to midwestwingfest.com.
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Upcoming Local Events Run, Wizards, Run 5K & 1-Mile Walk, Sept. 3rd, 8am, Edwardsville Township Comm. Park (Airplane Park). Put on your best wizard robes and join us on the course for this magical fun run in Edwardsville Township Park. Gates of the park open at 7:00 a.m. Race begins at 8 a.m. and 1-mile walk at 9 a.m. For more information visit https://stephensonhouse.org/5kinformation. 2022 Millstadt Homecoming, Sept. 3rd-4th, Liederkranz Park, Millstadt. Parade on Sat. Sept. 3rd at 5:00 pm. There will be food stands open 4 pm both days. Rides by Tribout's $1 Ticket / $20 Armbands. Sat night - The Bobby Ford Band. Sun night – Superjam. St Louis Gateway Postcard Club Annual Show – Sept. 3rd- 4th, 10am-5pm, American Legion Hall, Collinsville. Free admission and free appraisals of your postcards. If you need more information, please call Kathy Danielsen, 618-973-4014. Alton Expo, Sept. 8th, 5pm, Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater. The Alton Expo returns for another year of carnival rides, live music, food, and fun! Bring your friends and family to enjoy an evening of amusement at this festival on the Mississippi with games, classic fair food like funnel cakes, cotton candy, and lemon shake-ups, and more! Food and shopping vendors will be available every day of the event and drinks will be available through the Alton Amphitheater. Family Night in the Park, Sept. 9th, 6pm, O’Fallon Community Park, O’Fallon. We will have yard games and activities starting at 6pm. At dusk, we will be showing Disney's hit "Spiderman: No Way Home." The O'Fallon Public Library & Cornerstone Church will also be bringing fun activities for everyone. BaconFest 2022, Sept. 10, 10am-5pm, SGT Charles A. Fricke VFW Post 805, O’Fallon. Come and help us celebrate the world's favorite food group, BACON! Join us at the 6th Annual BaconFest and enjoy an amazing variety of food vendors with tons of creative "bacon themed" offerings, kid's games, live music, cold drinks, street vendors and LOTS of FUN! This is the don't miss food event of the year. Right here in O'Fallon's Downtown District hosted by the VFW Post 805 Auxiliary in support of our local vets! City Wide Garage Sale at Village of Marine, Sept. 15-17th, 7am -2pm, Marine. Be sure to mark your calendar for all our city-wide community garage sales. https://www.troymaryvillecoc.com/city-wide-garage-sale. 41st Annual Belleville Oktoberfest, Sept. 16th & 17th, 11am-11pm, Belleville. Enjoy 3 stages of live entertainment allweekend long, + authentic German cuisine, a children’s area for the youngsters to enjoy, complete with rides, shaved ice, cotton candy, wiener dog race, a car show, and so much more! For more info and details, go to bellevilleoktoberfest.com. Italian Fest, Sept. 16th and 17th, Main Street, Collinsville. The Italian Fest is a terrific street fair that celebrates everything Italian. Since 1983, Collinsville has been celebrating the Italian culture and heritage that the city was built on. Parade, live music, grape stomp, bocce ball tournament, 5k, vendors, Italian food and more. For updates and full event list, go to italianfest.net.. 2022 Edwardsville Book Festival, Sept. 17th, 9am-2pm, Edwardsville City Park. Join us outside the library in City Park for a day of book-ish fun, including local authors, new and used book sales, live entertainment, fun activities for kids, crafts for sale, and food & drink. All ages are welcome!
Annual Fall Craft Fair at Anderson Hospital, Sept. 17th 10am-4pm, Anderson Hospital, Maryville. Shop over 40 unique crafters while enjoying lunch from one of our food vendors! We will also have a raffle to benefit the Anderson Hospital Auxiliary! If you have any questions, please contact us thru email: craftersconspiracy@yahoo.com.
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Upcoming Local Events MEHS Woofstock, Sept. 17th, 11am-3pm, Triangle H Farm, 2082 S. Moreland Rd, Edwardsville. We'll have a groovy time supporting MEHS with live music, entertainment, adoptable animals, food & drink and more. Mississippi Earthtones Festival 2022, Sept. 17th, 12-10pm, Alton Amphitheater. The Mississippi Earthtones Festival is a celebration of our river through art, music, and conservation which is held every 3rd Saturday in September, brought to you by Alton Main Street and the Sierra Club. At this free & family-friendly event, we will feature 50+ educational booths, interactive art experiences and performances with Jacoby Arts Center, as well as great local food & beverages. Familyfriendly activities take place from Noon until 6:00pm, and festival goers will enjoy artist booths and live music which continue until 10:00pm. For more info, go to downtownalton.com/events/mississippi-earthtones-festival. Foodstock 2022, Sept 17th, Noon-12am, Cottage Hills VFW. Join us for a day of CommUNITY. Live music, food, activities for the kids and vendors. The heart of the event is our Stack Off challenge which welcomes local business, groups, teams, organizations or simply a group of friends to compete against each other to collect the most nonperishable food donations for local food pantries. $5 entry fee for all ages (children under 3 are free). No outside food or drink is allowed. 2022 Italian Fest Parade, Sept. 17th, 4pm, Downtown Collinsville. This year's parade theme is "Festeggiamo” aka (let’s celebrate) 150 years of Collinsville. The parade steps off at 4pm on Main Street at Hesperia. The parade goes East on Main Street, turns North on Seminary, then goes West on Clay Street and concludes at Hesperia. Finding Nemo @ City Park, Sept. 17th, 101 S. Buchanan St, Edwardsville. Movie begins at 7:30pm. Pre-movies activities! Bring a blanket, chairs, snacks, and drinks. Free event.
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“August” Word Search Words can be found in any direction: forwards, backwards, upside down, horizontally, vertically or diagonally. AUGUST BARBECUE BEACH BIKING BONFIRES BOOKS CAMPING CANOEING COTTAGE FAMILY FRIENDS GAMES
HOLIDAYS ICE CREAM JULY LAKE LEMONADE MEMORIES PICNICS POOL POPSICLES PUZZLES READING RELAX
STRAWBERRIES SUMMER CAMP SWIMMING TRAVELING VACATION WATERMELON ROAD TRIPS SPORTS SPRINKLER HAMMOCK HIKING
Upcoming Local Events Hot Air Balloons Over Marine, Sept. 23rd 4pm- 24th 11pm, Marine. Family event with bounce houses, face painting, barrel rides, car show and balloon glow. For more info, go to facebook.com/hotairballoonsovermarine, Edwardsville Art Fair, Sept. 23rd- 25th, City Park, Edwardsville. Edwardsville Art Fair is a juried fine art show located at City Park in beautiful downtown Edwardsville, Illinois. Featuring the original works of approximately 100 accomplished artists and scrumptious local food and drink, Edwardsville Art Fair is a three-day opportunity for the family see art, make art, and buy art! There’s something for everyone to love at Edwardsville Art Fair. Highland Firefighters' Picnic, Sept. 24th, 5-11pm, Highland Square. Rusty Rodz Car Club will present a car show. Randy’s Barbecue and The Fainting Goat will be on site with their food trucks - come hungry! Grab your friends and hit the dance floor with live music by Heartbreak Line. Games, raffles, bounce house, firearm raffles, draft beer, touch-a-fire-truck & more. Fall Farm Day At Willoughby Farm, Oct. 1st, 10am-2pm, Willoughby Heritage Farm, Collinsville. Welcome the autumn season with Willoughby Heritage Farm Fall Farm Day! This event will include local vendors, produce, petting zoo fun, fall activities, and more. Admission: $2 per person (children 2 and under are free). Relleke Farm Vendor Fair + Opening Weekend Pumpkin Festival! Oct. 1st, 10am-6pm, Relleke Pumpkin Patch, 473 Sand Prairie Lane, Granite City. Join us for the 1st annual vendor fair during the opening weekend of the pumpkin festival! Relleke Farms is so excited to host local vendors and artisans adding to an already fun filled day at the farm. Follow their Facebook page for updates: www.facebook.com/RellekePumpkinPatch. www.metroeastmessenger.com
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Upcoming Local Events Freeburg Fall Festival & Chili Cook Off, Oct. 1st, 11am-7pm, Freeburg Village Park, 249 W. White St, Freeburg. The Freeburg Fall Festival & Chili Cook Off is a great family friendly event that supports local not for profit groups. We have a public chili cook off and a special guns & hoses competition for local police and fire departments. There will be live music, old fashioned beer buckets, and a large free kids play area. Glenfest at Miner Park, Oct. 1st, 5-10pm, Miner Park, Glen Carbon. Music, food, and fun for all. The Big Rigs from St. Louis hits the stage at 7 pm! Local food and drink vendors, The Bubble Bus, Riverbend Ax Throwing and more. National Night Out, Oct. 4th, 5:30-8pm, City Park, Edwardsville. The Edwardsville Police Department will be hosting a fun family night with free food, music, and bounce houses. We'll be joined by neighboring departments and have police and fire vehicles to check out. 38th Annual Chili Cook-Off, Oct. 7th-8th, Belleville. Hosted by the Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce, the Annual Chili Cook-off has featured the culinary creations of individuals, local organizations, and area businesses for more than 39 years! What started with just a few vendors on one block of East Main Street in downtown Belleville has now grown to more than 60 vendors and is one of the largest festivals in Belleville. For more info, go to www.bellevillechili.com. Sign up for the Chili Chase 5k at bellevillechili.com/chili-chase-5k-kids-pepper-dash. Family Movie Night in the Park, Oct. 7th, 6pm, O’Fallon Community Park, O’Fallon. We will have yard games and activities starting at 6pm. At dusk, we will be showing the hit movie "Sing 2." The O'Fallon Public Library & Cornerstone Church will also be bringing fun activities for everyone.
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Nothing says “Summer” like picking a fresh ripened peach off the tree! The Metro East is lucky to have several options for peach picking activities. Whether you are looking for a small country farm or whole day peach picking experience, these local farms are sure to suit your peach cravings and create fun family memories!
Eckert's Country Store and Farms- Belleville Started as a simple
Braeutigam Orchards This 6th generation
roadside stand in 1910, Eckert’s is now the largest family-owned orchard in the U.S. Although a $5.50 field access pass is required for everyone 2 and older, it’s well worth it for a tractor ride and other activities. Besides picking peaches, Eckert’s also offers the Country Restaurant, a country store and gift shop, donut and custard shop, cider shed, live music (check their schedule) and plenty of photo ops for you and your family. This can be a whole day experience if you intend to eat and shop at their stores. Address: 951 South Green Mount Road, Belleville, Phone: (800)745-0513
family owned and operated farm is a hidden gem in the Metro East. It’s a smaller country farm ran by the friendliest family you’ll ever meet. Great for a quick afternoon trip and there’s no additional fees to enter the orchard. Address: 2795 Turkey Hill Lane, Belleville, Phone: (618) 233-4059
Eckert's Country Store and Farms- Grafton Looking for a quick getaway? Take a day trip up the scenic Great River Road and visit the Eckert’s location in Grafton. This farm is a mixture of the two above. It’s smaller than Eckert's in Belleville but still has the country farm feels of Braeutigam’s. There is a $5.50 field access fee, but scenic drive to this quaint riverside town with great shops and restaurants justifies it. Address: 20995 Eckert Orchard Rd, Grafton. Phone: (800)745-0513 *Note: Be sure to call the farm before planning your trip to be sure the U-pick peaches are still available.
Upcoming Local Events VFW Post 976 1st Annual Oktoberfest, Oct. 8th, 12-10:30pm, Tri-Township Park, Troy. The event will be held at the west end of Tri-Township Park near the football field. There will be live polka music, free games and bounce houses, stein hoisting, a keg toss challenge, Dachshund Derby, DJ, beer from local breweries, food vendors, bags tournament, and more. 30th Annual Leclaire Parkfest, Oct. 16th, 12-5pm, Leclaire Park, Edwardsville. A charming community festival with entertainment for all ages! Live music all day, food, vendors, kids' activities, used book sale, pet adoptions and more. Proceeds help fund planning, promotion and execution of the festival and the preservation and beautification of public spaces in Leclaire, including the park grounds and the Edwardsville Children’s Museum. Dog Halloween Costume Contest, Cars, and Craft Fair, Oct. 16th, 11am, American Legion Post 365, Collinsville. Join us for a great day of cars, crafts, concessions, and costumed dogs! For more info about the contest or to reserve a booth, call (618)345-2508. Annual Chili CookOff, Oct. 16th, 11am-3pm, Madison County Fairgrounds. Join us for our Annual Chili CookOff! Minimum 3 gallons Chili Made. Set Up Begins at 8am. Judging at 1pm. $10 Donation/Entry. Rusty Rodz Car Cruise, Free Bounce House and also our Side X Side Raffle Giveaway. For more information contact: Sarah (618)882-8478. Edwardsville Que & Brew Festival, Oct. 22-23rd, Edwardsville City Park. The festival will feature a Pro-Series & Backyard BBQ competition sanctioned by the St. Louis BBQ Society as well as a craft beer festival! Proceeds from the event will benefit the Que & Brew Festival Fund at the Edwardsville Community Foundation, a local 501 (c)3 organization. Additional information at www.edwqueandbrew.com. www.metroeastmessenger.com
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Grilled Chicken and Peach Salad If you’re looking for a way to use up those delicious peaches, this salad is for you! This is no ordinary salad. The chicken turns out juicy and the grilled peaches and dressing gives it a great flavorful punch! Ingredients: Yields 4 servings ¾ cup olive oil ¼ cup balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoon chopped shallot 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard ½ teaspoon salt, or more to taste ¼ teaspoon black pepper 4 peaches, halved and pitted 1lb skinless, boneless chicken breasts 8 cups Spring salad mix 1 cup glazed pecans or walnuts Directions: Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate. Whisk olive oil, balsamic vinegar, shallot, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper together in a bowl until dressing is well mixed. Divide the dressing. (Half will be used as the marinade, other half will be the dressing.)
Brush the marinade onto the cut-side of peaches and both sides of the chicken. Place peaches, cut-side down, onto grill and cook until heated through, about 4 minutes. Transfer peaches to a plate. Cook chicken on grill until no longer pink in the center, about 4 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Slice chicken into thin pieces and cut peaches into 1/2-inch-thick pieces. Toss Spring salad mix and dressing together in a bowl. Divide dressed salad among plates; top with peaches, chicken, and glazed pecans or walnuts. Did you try this recipe? Share your pics on our Facebook or Instagram page!
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