Bike MS: Getaway Gateway Ride will be this weekend at Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey. (Photo courtesy of Lewis and Clark College)

SEPT.  6

Solarize Metro East
Thursday, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Edwardsville Public Library, 112 S. Kansas Ave.
Free

Learn how home and business owners in Madison County can take advantage of record low solar pricing through a limited-time solar group buy. For more information, call 618-692-7556.

SEPT.  7-8

Shiloh Homecoming
Fri. 5 p.m.-midnight; Sat. 4 p.m.-midnight
Shiloh Community Park, 1 Park Drive
Free

Two-day celebration with lots of amusements, rides, food, and live entertainment. The fireworks show begins at dusk on Friday night. For more information, call 618-632-1022.

SEPT.  7-9

Hometown Heroes Weekend at Godfrey Maze
Fri.-Sun. 6-10 p.m.
1401 Stamper Lane, Godfrey

Up to 500 free admissions will be given to local police officers and firefighters with ID. For more information, call 618-466-3324.

USS LST 325 Visits Chester Riverfront
Fri.-Sun. 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Chester Riverfront
$10; ages 6-17 $5

Built during WWII, the LST 325 served the US, and was eventually transferred to Greece from 1964-1999. One of two LSTs left in the U.S., it will add to the Historical Military Vehicle Display and WWII Living Camp along the banks of the Mississippi River. For more information, visit chesterill.com.

Popeye Festival Celebrates Popeye’s Bicentennial
Fri. 5-11 p.m.; Sat. 8 a.m.-11 p.m.;
Sun. 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Downtown Chester
Free

You’ll find all the things you expect from a festival at this event. For more information, visit popeyepicnic.com or call 618-826-4567.

SEPT.  8

Alton Jazz & Wine Fest
Saturday, 4-10:30 p.m.
Alton Amphitheater, 1 Riverfront Drive
General admission free

Jazz great Miles Davis will be celebrated by performances by Terrell Stafford Quintet, Miss Jubilee & the Humdingers, Jazz St. Louis All-Stars, and Jim Manley Quintet. For more information, call 800-258-6645.

Living History Hayrides
Jefferson Barracks
Sat. & Sun. 10 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m.
345 N. Rd., St. Louis, MO
$7

Re-enactor vignettes have been set up throughout the park to explain their time period. Advance registration is required by calling 314-615-8800.

Lewis & Clark Music Festival
Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Lewis & Clark State Historic Site, 1 Lewis & Clark Trail, Hartford
Free

Sounds of the past will fill the air with the music of 1700s. For more information, call 618-251-5811.

Soap Box Derby
Sat. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Wilshire Village Plaza Area, 634 Berkshire Blvd., East Alton
$3 for residents; $5 for non-residents

Participants must be at least 7 years old, 4ft- 4ft 9 in., 55-90 lbs. Soap box cars are provided for the participants. Participants must be able to pass a safety check, fit comfortably in the car, operate the brakes and handle the steering of the car. For more information, call 618-259-7411.

Woofstock
Sat., 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Triangle H Farm, 2082 S. Moreland Road, Edwardsville
Free

Metro East Humane Society is sponsoring a day filled with music and activities for the whole family, especially the 4-legged members. For more information, call 618-656-4405.

9/11 Tribute First Responders and Veterans
Saturday, 5:30-111 p.m.
VFW Post 1308, 4445 Alby St., Alton
$15

The ceremony is at 6:30 and dinner at 7 p.m. Music provided by Heartland starts at 8:00; Master of Ceremony: LTC Sarah Smith (National Guard, Judge, and Sr. Vice Cmdr. Edwardsville VFW Post 1299). For more information, call 618-466-6883.

Elsie Parker and the Poor People of Paris
Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Jacoby Arts Center, 627 N. Broadway, Alton
$12

Parker’s voice is exactly like Edith Piaf’s, and a highlight of her performance is “La vie en rose.” She is also skilled as a woodwind player who interlaces her performances with the music of clarinet, flute, and saxophone. For more information, call 618-462-5222.

SEPT.  8-9

Bike MS: Getaway Gateway Ride
Sat. & Sun., begins at 7 a.m.
Lewis and Clark Community College, 5800 Godfrey Road, Godfrey
$70

Fundraising minimum is $300; age minimum 12. The event benefits MS research as well as services to those who face the challenges of MS every day. For more information, email fundraisingsupport@nmss.org.

Homestead Harvest Days in Highland
Sat. & Sun. 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
1464 Old Trenton Road, Highland
$5; children 12 and under free

Sit in the shade and enjoy old-time music after a day of food, demonstrations, and examining old-fashioned farm equipment. Parade of Power is held at 3:30 each day. For more information, visit highlandilhistory.org.

American Indian Education Days
Sat. & Sun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, 130 Ramey St., Collinsville
Free

Come and share the day with American Indian artists, crafts persons, demonstrators, and performers. Booths will be set up in the lobby where they will demonstrate crafts such as beadwork, sell Native American-made jewelry, display clothing and dance regalia, and discuss current American Indian issues, customs, beliefs, and traditions. For more information, call 618-346-5160.

SEPT.  9

Carillon Concert
Sunday, 5-7 p.m.
Nan Eliot Rose Garden,
Gordon Moore Park, 4550 College Ave., Alton
Free

The music of the bells will be provided by Mary Kay Mosby. For more information, call 618-463-3580.

SEPT.  9-10

Muzzle Loading Black Powder Artillery Safety School
Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m.-noon
Fort de Chartres, 1350 IL-155,
Prairie du Rocher
Free for observers

Watch the yearly safety training on Saturday and a live cannon firing on Sunday. For more information, call 618-284-7230.

SEPT.  10

Make Every Breath Count
Monday, 11 a.m.-noon
Alton Memorial Hospital, 1 Memorial Drive, Alton
Free

Those with breathing problems will benefit by attending this session. For more information or to register, call 700-392-0936.

SEPT.  11

Heartland Prairie Hike
Tuesday, 5:30 p.m.
Heartland Prairie, Rte. 140, Alton
Free

The public is welcome to join in the walk that will identify native plants and birds. For more information, call 618-463-3580.

SEPT.  12

Miners Benefit BBQ
Wednesday, 5-7 p.m.
Miner’s Theatre, 204 W. Main St., Collinsville
$10 per dinner

Menu includes both pork steak or half chicken with sides of potato salad and baked beans. Meat cooked by IQUE BBQ team. For more information, call 618-972-4236.

Tunes at Blum Free Concert
Wednesday, 7-9 p.m.
Blum House, 414 W. Main St., Collinsville
Free

Bring your lawn chair or blanket to enjoy the music of The Hangout’s. Bring your picnic or buy supper from Freddy’s Mexican street food. For more information, call 618-344-1112.

SEPT. 12-16

Alton Expo
Wed.-Thur. 5-11 p.m.; Fri. 5-11 p.m.;
Sat. 1-11 p.m.; Sun. 1-6 p.m.
Alton Amphitheater, 1 Riverfront Drive
Free

Enjoy five days of fair food, games, rides, live entertainment and mud volleyball. For more information, call 800-258-6645.

–Metro East Calendar of Events Sept. 5 – Sept. 12–