JULY 26-31

Madison County Fair

8 a.m.-11 p.m. each day

Madison County Fairgrounds, 2025 Park Hill Drive, Highland

Free admission to the grounds; small parking fee

Product displays, livestock, arts and crafts, carnival, vendor food, live music, stock car race, tractor pull, demolition derby, and 4-H show. For more information, visit madcofair.com.

 

JULY 28

Grafton’s Music in the Park

Thursday, 7-9 p.m.

Grove Memorial Park, Market St., Grafton

Free

Bring your own seating and enjoy the classic rock music of The Owlz. For more information, visit enjoygrafton.com.

 

Wood River Farmers’ Market

Thursday, 4 p.m.

Parking lot at Madison Ave., Wood River

Free

For more information, call (618) 251-3130.

 

Arts in the Park

Thursday, 8 p.m.

Edwardsville City Park, 101 S. Buchanan St.

Free

Bring a picnic and a blanket to enjoy the music of the Edwardsville Municipal Band. For more information, call (618) 973-7318.

 

Alton Muny Band at Riverview Park

Thursday, 8 p.m.

Riverview Drive at Bluff St.

Free

Bring a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy the summertime band music. For more information, call (618) 465-6676.

 

JULY 29  

Kid’Cation Scavenger Hunt at the Tower

Friday, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower, 435 Confluence Tower Drive, Hartford

$1 per child; $2 per adult

Kids who tour the tower can participate in a scavenger hunt and receive a special gift. For more information, call (618) 251-9101.

 

Pietown Gospel Music Festival & Ron Dunning Memorial Car Cruise

Friday, 6-9 p.m.

Main St. United Methodist Church, 1400 Main St., Alton

Free admission

Second annual event menu includes pork steak, corn on the cob and chili. For more information, call (618) 550-9291.

 

‘Four Way Stop’ at Jacoby Arts Center

Friday, 7 p.m.

627 E. Broadway, Alton

Free

The 2015 film written, directed and shot in St. Louis by Efi da Silva, traces the life of an inner-city teenage boy who is faced with difficult decisions at every corner. Audience members will have a chance to discuss afterwards with a panel including actors in the film and local activists.  For more information, call (618) 462-5222.

 

JULY 29-30

Smithton Homecoming

Friday & Saturday, 4-midnight

Smithton Turner Park, IL-159 & Cletus St.

Free

Annual event includes Smithton fish plates and sandwiches, sausage stand, pillowcase stand, cake raffle and activities for young people. For more information, call (618) 473-3366.

 

JULY 30

10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Fort de Chartres, 1350 IL Route 155, 4 miles west of Prairie du Rocher

Free

Carol Kuntz will share her gardening expertise and will harvest summer crops from the jardin potager (kitchen garden). Guests will receive a free heirloom seed packets for fall planting. For more information, call (618) 284-7230.

 

Family Excavation Days

Saturday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Center for American Archeology, 100 Broadway St., Kempsville

$40 per person

One-day archaeological experiences for families. Minimum enrollment of 1 adult and 1 child (7+). Tuition includes instruction and supplies. Field gear provided. Meals are not included. For more information, call (618) 653-4312.

 

Dueling Pianos at Grafton Winery

Saturday, 6-9 p.m.

21028 Eckert Orchard Road., Grafton

$30 per person

Sing and dance the night away with Spanky Entertainment. Ticket price includes dinner and show. For more information, call (618) 786-3001.

 

Show Me Arts Academy Youth Choir

Saturday, 7 p.m.

Jacoby Arts Center, 627 E. Broadway, Alton

Donations accepted

Choir performs musical selections from the national Peace Train 2016 tour with a preview of the documentary “When Voices Meet.” For more information, call (618) 462-5222.

 

Tiger Day Festival

Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary, 19620 State Route B., Sainte Genevieve Co., Mo.

$10

Meet the tiger keeper and watch the cats receive special treats in their yards. Activities, games and crafts for all ages. Proceeds go to the Tiger Sanctuary. For more information, call (573) 330-7334.

 

Collinsville Memorial Library Movie Matinee

Saturday, 2 p.m.

Children’s Library, 408 W. Main St.

Free

The Lego Movie will be shown this week. For more information, call (618) 344-1112.

 

Mad Science at the Library

Saturday, 1 p.m.

Collinsville Memorial Library, 408 W. Main St.

Free

Mad Science of St. Louis delivers hands-on science experiments for youth. For more information, call (618) 344-1112.

 

Fountains of Troy Fishing Derby

Saturday, 1-3 p.m.

39 Dorothy Dr., Troy

Free

Fishing derby for youth 12 and under. Registration at 12:30. Prizes awarded at 3 p.m. Fish fry follows the derby. For more information, call (618) 476-2763.

 

JULY 30-31

Farm Heritage Days

Sat. 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun. 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

American Farm Heritage Museum, 1395 Museum Ave., Greenville

$7 ($10 for a weekend armband)

Family fun for everyone with an agricultural flavor. Train rides, working farm engine displays, car cruise on Sunday, flea market both days. For more information, visit facebook.com/americanfarmheritagemuseum.

 

JULY 31

Gateway Bridal Show

Sunday, 1-4:30 p.m.

One Gateway Drive, Collinsville

$5

Vendors showcase everything needed for a wedding. For more information, call (618) 345-8998.

 

AUG.  2

Jerseyville Farmers & Artisans Market

Tuesday, 4-7 p.m.

902 S. State Street

Free

Market features locally grown produce & artisan items including blackberries, sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, peaches, handmade soaps, jewelry, pottery, baskets, and recycled crafts. For more information, call (618) 498-8466.

 

Amtrak Train Day

Tuesday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Amtrak National Rail Service, 3400 College Ave., Alton

Meet fellow train enthusiasts and learn about train safety and the excitement of train travel. Scale models of trains will be displayed. All children will receive a free conductor’s hat and train-related coloring books. There will also be a drawing for 2-roundtrip Amtrak tickets to Chicago. Winner will be drawn at the end of the event. You must attend the event to register for the drawing. For more information, call (800) 258-6645.

AUG. 3

St. Louis History Club

Wednesday, 6 p.m.

Blum House, 414 W. Main St., Collinsville

Free

The topic for the St. Louis history club will be Life on the River. For more information, visit www.collinsvillelibrary.org.

 

Kidcation Olympics

Wednesday, 1-4 p.m.

Robert E. Glazebrook Community Park, 1401 Stamper Lane, Godfrey

Children entering kindergarten through 5th grade are invited to participate in a series of fun, physical events that will be spread throughout the park for all to enjoy. For more information, call (618) 466-1483.

 

Night Market

Wednesday, 6-9 p.m.

Elijah P’s Burgers and Brews, 401 Piasa St., Alton

Free

Growers and artisan food producers who work 9-5 jobs will sell their wares in the warehouse behind Elijah P’s. Music provided by Jay Hollinger. For more information, call (618) 433-8445.

 

 

 

— Metro East region events —