Got plans? Here are 40+ upcoming events in the metro-east starting this weekend

Jennifer Green
·13 min read

Noon Friday, July 21, is the deadline to appear in next week’s What’s Happening. We must receive your event in writing with a contact phone number for questions.

Due to the number of submissions received, events may run only one time in print. Submitted event info will be edited and run the week before the event date.

Email: lifestyle@bnd.com. Mail to: Lifestyle, Belleville News-Democrat, P.O. Box 427, Belleville, IL 62222-0427. Questions, call Jennifer Green at 618-239-2643.

Events

▪ Peanut Butter & Jam Festival — 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, July 21. Downtown Square, Highland. Spend time with family and friends on Fridays during the summer. There will be free PB&J sandwiches, popcorn, family entertainment, food vendors. This week featuring music by Kevin Heim. For more info, visit the Highland Parks & Recreation Facebook page.

▪ Central Illinois Numismatic Association’s 33rd annual Summer Coin Show — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 22. Northfield Center I, 3210 Northfield Drive, Springfield. Early bird admission 7-9 a.m. U.S. and foreign coins, ancient and modern coins, gold and silver bullion, American eagles, paper money. Admission: $1. Members and children under 16 get in free. Early bird admission is $20. Future show dates: Nov. 12, 2023 & March 24, 2024. Open to the public. michael.ripka13@comcast.net

▪ Second annual Fry’er Fest — 3-7 p.m. Saturday, July 22. Chicken Out Kirkwood, 10463 Manchester Road, Suite A., Kirkwood, Missouri. Chicken tender lovers have a chance to chow down and party in the parking lot for one night only. Part-block party, part-competition, “Fry’er Fest” will challenge some of St. Louis’ top chefs and foodies (confirmed competitors below) to face off over the course of the evening with chicken tender challenges focused on spice and quantity. Complimentary flappetizers provided from Hi-Pointe Drive-In, Chicken Out, and Sugarfire Smokehouse. Smoothies and Popsicles provided from Hello Juice. Spirits provided by 4 Hands Brewing, 1220 Spirits, and the Wine and Cheese Shop. Fun stuff for the kids and live, local music. facebook.com/events/656367246395008

▪ St. Louis Metro Polka Club Dance with The Rendition Band — 2-5 p.m. Sunday, July 23. Caseyville VFW Hall, 415 Long St., Caseyville. Admission: $10 per person. Open to the public.

▪ Summer’s Last Blast Yarn Crawl — Noon to 7 p.m. Friday, July 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 29, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 30. Weave & Wobble, 1537 Donna Drive, Belleville. Other locations include The Bead Place, 8 Plaza Drive, Fairview Heights; 7 Sisters Yarn & Fiber, 11600 Concord Village Ave., lower level, St. Louis; YarnCom, 12772 Olive Blvd., Creve Coeur, Missouri. Free project patterns while supplies last. Enter to win prizes if you visit all four shops and turn in your passport at the last location. Free to participate. For info: 618-670-9625 or 1artdream@gmail.com. facebook.com/SLBYarnCrawl

Weave & Wobble is one of four stops in the Summer’s Last Blast Yarn Crawl taking place Friday-Sunday, July 28-30. Weave & Wobble is located at 1537 Donna Drive in Belleville.
Weave & Wobble is one of four stops in the Summer’s Last Blast Yarn Crawl taking place Friday-Sunday, July 28-30. Weave & Wobble is located at 1537 Donna Drive in Belleville.

Games

▪ Euchre — 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 21. Smithton Senior Center, 711 S. Main St., Smithton. Doors open at 6 p.m. Partner night. Snacks welcome. Water, soda and coffee will be available for purchase. Masks not required. 618-791-8769 or 618-698-3785.

▪ Bourbon & Basket Bingo - Fight for Sherree Lynn — 2 p.m. Sunday, July 23. Quail Club, 8303 Concordia Church Road, Belleville. Doors open at 1 p.m. Cost: $35 in advance or $40 at the door. Admission includes six bingo cards, 10 games and dauber. Additional six cards for $5 more. Special bourbon raffle with tickets $20 or six for $100. Chance to win one of five special bourbons; don’t need to be present to win. Cash bar. BYO snacks. Basket raffles. Contact Roy-el Catering for tickets and bourbon raffle. 618-476-7722 or 618-719-6611.

▪ Belleville/Swansea Moose Lodge Sunday Night Bingo — 6:30 p.m. Sundays. Belleville/Swansea Moose Lodge, 2425 N. Illinois St., Swansea. Games start at 6:30 p.m. Early Bird at 6:15 p.m. Cards sold at 5 p.m. Open to the public. Bring a canned good for one free card.

▪ Metro Cribbage Club — 12:30 p.m. Mondays. American Legion Post 365, 1022 Vandalia St., Collinsville. For more information, contact Yvonne Bright, 618-344-1521 or ybrightmail@gmail.com.

▪ Troy Senior Center Bingo — 12:30 p.m. Mondays. St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 112 N. Border, Troy. Includes light snack, cash prizes. No cost to play, no RSVP required. 618-667-2022.

Queen of Hearts — 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Copper Fire, 200 E. Main St., Belleville. Tickets sold at Copper Fire Wednesday-Sunday starting at 7 a.m. Benefits Notre Dame Academy (formerly Cathedral Grade School) in downtown Belleville. facebook.com/events/765257498543973

▪ Pitch for Cancer Research Corn Hole Tournament Fundraiser — 1-5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19. Trenton City Park, Trenton. Proceeds from the event benefit cancer research, through Pedal the Cause. Prizes will be awarded to the top four team finishers (but possibly more). Food, beer, and drinks available for purchase. One-hundred percent of donations fund innovative cancer research at Siteman Cancer Center & Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. For more info: Mark Skaer, 618-623-2769, skaer.mark@gmail.com or https://fundly.com/pitch-for-cancer-research-corn-hole-tournament-fundraiser.

Theater/Concerts

▪ Gail Long on the Buzard Organ — 3 p.m. Sunday, July 23. Union United Methodist Church, 721 E. Main St., Belleville. Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the organ installation. The program will include works by J.S. Bach, Buxtehude, Charles Ives and others. Free admission with reception following the concert.

▪ Music in the Park: Waterloo German Band — 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 26. Shiloh Community Park, 1 Park Drive, Shiloh. Bring a cooler, snacks and a lawn chair. Free parking. Sponsored by Village of Shiloh. 618-632-1022, ext. 119.

Community & Farmers Markets

▪ Nashville Farmers Market — 7-11 a.m. Thursdays. In front of the Washington County Courthouse at 101 E. St. Louis St., Nashville. This year’s kickoff includes a plant swap, sponsored by the Washington County Master Gardeners. 618-327-3700 or facebook.com/NashvilleChamberofCommerce.

▪ Swansea Farmers Market — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays. Rural King parking lot, 2801 N. Illinois St., Swansea. Fresh local produce, baked goods, unique handmade crafts and more. Rain or shine. 618-520-5107 or facebook.com/SwanseaFarmersMarketInc. This week includes free children’s day activities from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

▪ Monroe County Farmers Market - Columbia — 4-7 p.m. Thursdays. Turner Hall, 211 E. Cherry St., Columbia. Local vendors offering plants and produce, baked treats and more. facebook.com/monroecountyfarmersmarket

▪ Maryville Farmers Market — 5-7 p.m. Thursdays. Firemen’s Park, 300 N. Donk St., Maryville. Featuring goods from local farms, handmade goods and special guests. Produce, meat, dairy, honey, plants and baked goods. Healthy foods, healthy families. SNAP/EBT accepted. 618-304-8335 or facebook.com/MaryvilleILFarmersMarket

▪ Night Market on Broadway — 7-10 p.m. Thursday, July 20. Jacoby Arts Center, 627 E. Broadway, Alton. An awesome summer series where you can enjoy live music in an outdoor setting, plus artwork and other handmade/homegrown products, as well as vintage and hip thrift items. Live music this week by Jazz Troubadours.

▪ Millstadt Township Farmers Market — 3-6 p.m. Fridays. Millstadt VFW, 200 Veterans Drive, Millstadt. Fresh produce, baked goods, unique crafts, plants, honey, jams, jellies, flowers, jewelry, handmade soaps, eggs and vintage antiques. VFW also open for food, drinks and restrooms. Help support the veterans. 618-476-3037. Call, text or facebook.com/MillstadtFarmersMarket.

▪ Monroe County Farmers Market - Waterloo — 7:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays. Monroe County Annex, 901 Illinois Ave., Waterloo. Produce, plants, baked goods, coffee vendors and so much more. Live entertainment and activities for the kids too. facebook.com/monroecountyfarmersmarket

▪ Belleville Old Town Farmers Market — 7:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays. Northwest corner of East Washington and South Charles streets, Belleville. Fresh produce, grass fed beef and other meats, plants, honeys, jams and jellies, crafters, and more.

▪ Alton Farmers & Artisans Market — 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays. Corner of Landmarks Boulevard and Henry Street, Alton. An abundance of fresh produce, crafts, baked goods, plants and flowers, locally-raised, hormone-free meat, handmade soaps, jewelry, artwork, and much more. 618-463-1016 or facebook.com/AltonFarmersMarket.

▪ Land of Goshen Community Market — 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays. 100 St. Louis St., Edwardsville. Open rain or shine. Fresh, locally grown produce, baked goods, crafts, live music and so much more. 618-307-6045 or facebook.com/goshenmarket.

▪ Vine Street Market at O’Fallon Station — 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays. O’Fallon Station, 212 E. 1st St., O’Fallon. Locally grown vegetables, flowers, fruits, eggs, cheese and meats. A selection of bakers and sweet treats along with coffee, craft brew beverages and artisans. Live music, patio seating, food truck on site. Bicycle and pet friendly. 618-624-0139 or ofallonvinestreetmarket.com.

The Vine Street Market in O’Fallon runs 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.
The Vine Street Market in O’Fallon runs 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.

▪ Tower Grove Farmers Markets — 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays and 4 p.m. to sunset Tuesdays. Just west of Center Cross Drive in Tower Grove Park at 4256 Magnolia Ave., St. Louis. Fresh, local produce, eggs, meats, a variety of vendors and goods. tgfarmersmarket.com

▪ Riverside Flea Market — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, July 22-23. The Boatworks at The Loading Dock, 401 E. Front St., Grafton. Featuring more than 60 vendors and a variety of goods including antiques, collectibles, crafts, clothing, plants, décor and more. graftonloadingdock.com

▪ Highland Farmers’ Market — 4-8 p.m. Tuesdays. Highland Square, 914 Main St., Highland. Local farmers, cottage food makers, and crafters will be present to sell a variety of produce, meats, desserts and more. Each Tuesday morning a map will be posted on the Highland Parks and Recreation Facebook page showing what vendors will be present.

Clubs & Support Groups

▪ Cahokia Archaeological Society — 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, July 20. Collinsville Memorial Public Library, 408 W. Main St., Collinsville. Don Booth, Senior Archaeologist for SCI Engineering, Inc., to present “Investigations at the Renner Village Site, Riverside, Missouri” (near Kansas City). The Renner Site is the type site for the Kansas City Hopewell. Both will describe the long history of investigations at the site, SCI’s work there, and the site’s apparent connections and parallels to the Illinois Valley Hopewell. The program will be from 6:30-7:30 p.m., followed by a short business meeting 7:30-8:00 p.m. Enter the library from the parking lot side and proceed to the basement meeting room for the program and the CAS meeting. No reservations are required, and both the program and the CAS meeting are free and open to the public.

▪ National Alliance on Mental Illness: Family Support Group — 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 20. Online via Zoom. The Family Support Meetings are for family members, significant others, and/or friends of persons with a mental health condition. Third Thursday of every month. Facilitators: Diane Borawski and Pat Rudloff. For information: kelly.nami.swi@gmail.com or 618-798-9788.

▪ Belleville ‘Sounds of Harmony’ Barbershop Chorus — 7-9:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Union United Methodist Church, 721 E. Main St., Belleville. Men of all ages who like to sing are encouraged to attend. For info: Bob at 618-566-8574 or email RLCearnal@gmail.com.

▪ Parents of Addicted Loved Ones — 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Online via Zoom. The PAL group provides education, support and hope to family members and loved ones of someone who has an addiction of substance use disorder. Free and open to all. For info or to join the Zoom meeting, contact Craig at 618-567-6095. palgroup.org

▪ National Alliance on Mental Illness: NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group — 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesdays. Online via Zoom. Free peer-to-peer support group for adults with a mental health condition working towards recovery. Every Wednesday. Open the Zoom app and enter 3914844542. For information: kelly.nami.swi@gmail.com or 618-798-9788.

Food

▪ Waterloo VFW Post #6504 Fish Fry — 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays. Waterloo VFW Post #6504, 406 Veterans Drive, Waterloo. Traditional Menu of cod, walleye, catfish, shrimp, chicken, chicken strips, hamburgers, fries, slaw, hush puppies, onion rings, fried green beans and fried mushrooms. Cash bar available. Dine-in or carryout. Credit/debit cards accepted. Orders can be called in at 618-939-7999.

▪ O’Fallon Knights of Columbus & Ladies Auxiliary Fish Fry — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. Fridays. Knights of Columbus Hall, 402 E. U.S. 50, O’Fallon. Traditional menu of cod, tilapia, catfish, hamburgers, hot dogs, pork steaks and several side dishes. Dine-in and carryout. Credit cards accepted. Orders can be called in at 618-632-6229. facebook.com/KnightsOfColumbus4239

▪ Swansea Fish Stand - New Location – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays. KC Club & Event Center, 5420 Old Collinsville Road, O’Fallon. Cod, walleye, catfish, shrimp and more. facebook.com/KCClubEastStLouis

▪ Aviston Legion Fish Fry — 4:30-7 p.m. Fridays. American Legion Post 1239, 601 S. Clinton, Aviston. Cod (baked or fried), catfish, shrimp, hush puppies, chicken strips, fries, baked potato, slaw, applesauce. Dine-in and carryout. 618-228-7311. avistonlegion.com

▪ Okawville American Legion Fish Fry — 5-8 p.m. Fridays. American Legion Post 233, 205 N. Hanover St., Okawville. Dine in or carryout. Also serving lunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday with a salad bar. Pizza made fresh and served every day. facebook.com/OkawvilleLegion

Reservations Required

▪ Another Disney VBS — 6-8:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, July 24-28. O’Fallon Assembly of God, 1400 N. Green Mount Road, O’Fallon. A free vacation bible school for ages 4-12 that includes games, crafts, lessons, snacks, music and more. To register: ofallonassembly.com.

▪ ‘History on the Hoof: The National Stock Yards’ — 11 a.m. Thursday, July 28. Belleville Public Library, 121 E. Washington St., Belleville. July presentation from Forward Into the Past: A Local History Series. Presentations are free to attend, but registration is required. Register at the circulation desk or call 618-234-0441.

▪ Little Patriots Embraced Hitting 4 Heroes with the Grizzlies — 5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 29. Grizzlies Ballpark, 2301 Grizzlie Bear Blvd., Sauget. Pre-game concert at 5:30 p.m. Game at 6:45 p.m. Affordable family fun that supports military children and families. Tickets: $20 general admission/lawn; $25 field box seats. Each ticket includes a hot dog, chips and soda. For tickets and info: littlepatriotsembraced.org.

▪ Kids Chorus Camp 2023 — 9 a.m. to noon Monday-Friday, July 31-Aug. 4. First Baptist Church, 2709 Poplar St., Highland. The camp is sponsored and led by Heartland Community Chorus. Registration fee: $45. Additional registrations from the same family are $30 each. Need-based scholarships available. Registration deadline: July 21. To register: heartlandcommunitychorus.org.