What’s Happening: Local events for July 30-Aug. 5

Benefits

Barbecue Benefit — Noon-6 p.m. Saturday, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 460 Church St., Livingston. A benefit for Grover “Kenny” and Lisa (Chulka) Webb. Kenny is recovering from Guillain-Barre Syndrome and Lisa quit her job to be his full-time caretaker. Pork steak dinner (with 2 sides), $8; bratwurst dinner, $6; children’s hot dog plate with chips and drink, $4; bratwurst sandwich, $3; additional sides, $1.50; Dessert, $2. Sides: potato salad, coleslaw, baked beans. Carryouts available. Information: 618-637-2146. Contributions for the Webbs will be accepted at the event.

Concerts

Bellevue Park — 7 p.m. Thursday, Bellevue Park, Belleville. Music by the Belleville Community Band. Free. Bring a lawn chair or blanket.

Edwardsville Municipal Band Concert — 8 p.m. Thursday, City Park, 112 S. Buchanan St., Edwardsville. Free. Features the clarinet section playing Clarinets Allegro by Frank Cofield. Concession stand operated by the IM Methodist Women. Information: www.edwband.com.

Eckert’s Concert — 7-9 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Eckert’s Country Store, 951 S. Green Mount Road, Belleville. Music by The Eckert/Woodruff Quartet (Broadway Tunes) on Friday. Kevin Mitchell 4 (martini music with a twist) on Saturday. Free. Kids activities. Custard, wine and beer will be available for purchase.

Renee Smith — 7-11 p.m. Friday, Fairview Memorial VFW Post 8677, 5325 N. Illinois St., Fairview Heights. Blues tribute to BB King. Cost: $20 at the door.

Back Porch — 7-11 p.m. Friday; 4-8 p.m. Saturday; 3-7 p.m. Sunday, Sit “N” Bull Saloon, 31 S. Mill St., New Memphis. Free live music by acoustic duo Stan Denton & Bill Borders on Friday; Fallin’ Off The Wagon on Saturday, Knoisemaker & The Silent Partners on Sunday.

Southern Gospel — 7 p.m. Saturday, Bethalto Church of God, 800 E. Bethalto Drive, Bethalto. Music by Down Home Family from Brentwood, Tenn. Offering will be taken. Information: Tom and Sheron, 618-616-2815, southerngospel4u@aol.com.

Blues Fest — Saturday, Hidden Lake Winery, 10580 Wellen Road, Aviston. Band line-up: Noon-4 p.m. Dale Arning; 4-7 p.m. Soulard Bluez Band; 7-11 p.m. Top Dog Blues. Food available noon-10 p.m. Cost: $5 cover charge and receive a 10 year commemorative glass. Bring your 10-year commemorative glass with you and receive free admission.

Maryville Concerts — 7:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Bobby’s Frozen Custard, 2525 N. Center St. in Maryville. Music by Uncle Albert feturing Lisa Campbell (classic rock) Saturday; Miss Jubille (hot jazz & swing) Sunday. Free. No alcohol or outside refreshments allowed.

Dances

Daytime Dance — 10 a.m.-12 noon Friday, Collinsville Senior Center, 420 E. Main St., Collinsville. Music by the Dale Wileford trio. Lunch will be served. Reservations: Al, 618-344-7787.

Square & Round Dance — 7-9:30 p.m. Friday, Caseyville Township Building, 10001 Bunkum Road, Fairview Heights. Sponsored by the Dandy Dancers. Stan Mangogna calling, Bob Pyles cuing. Information: Sue Larsh, 630-841-4156.

Ballroom Dance — 7:30-10:30 p.m. Saturday, Swansea/Belleville Moose Lodge, 2435 N. Illinois St., Swansea. Music by The Casuals.

Events

Nerf Night — 6-8 p.m. Friday, Nichols Community Center, 515 E. D St., Belleville. Cost: $12, includes nerf play, pizza, drink. Information/sign-up: 618-277-9785.

Mascoutah Homecoming and Augustfest — Thursday-Sunday, Scheve Park, Mascoutah. Carnival rides, music, parades, truck and tractor pulls. (See story on page C1.)

Lupus Wolfride GranFondo — 8 a.m. Saturday, Bolm-Schahdraft Park, Columbia. Long-distance bicycle ride benefitting the Lupus Foundation of America. Information: 314-644-2222 or www.wolfride.com.

Confluence Crush Roller Derby — Saturday, Belle-Clair Expo Center, 200 South Belt East, Routes 13 & 159, Belleville. $10 in advanc (confluence

crush.com/tickets/); $12 at the door. Military and first responders, $8. Kids 8 and under get in free.

St. Anthony Church Picnic — Saturday, church grounds, Illinois 153, 4 miles south of Illinois 15, Lively Grove. Chicken dinner, 4-8 p.m. Quilt/cash bingo, 6:30 p.m. Music by Polka Connection. Polka Masses, 4 and 6 p.m. with music by Mike Wisneski and Laura Ryterski.

Cornfest — 4 p.m. Saturday, Creole House Historic Site, Schuline. Tours of 8-sided, one-room schoolhouse, food, country store, music, craft sale. Large kettles of homegrown sweet corn, Indian pudding, fried chicken and home grown vegetables. Sponsored by Randolph County Historical Society.

St. James Parish Picnic — Saturday, St. James Parish, 419 W. Madison St., Millstadt. Chicken dinner, 3-7 p.m. in air-conditioned dining room, carryouts available. Cash bingo 5:30-6 p.m. Quilt/cash bingo, 6 p.m. Music, raffles, country store, attendance prizes, kids conrer, inflatables, games for all ages. Polka Mass at 4 p.m. at St. James Church. Hamburgers, brats, hotdogs.

Archaeology Day — 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, Collinsville. Free. Learn ancient skills such as making stone tools and throwing spears, then see how archaeologists dig up the facts about ancient cultures. Craft demonstrations, archaeology techniques and artifact processing, tours of excavations and hands-on activities. Experts will demonstrate making a bow and arrow, turning flint into arrowheads and tools, weaving and spinning fibers. Visitors can play the Native American chunkey game and throw spears with an atlatl spear thrower. Food (including kettle maize) and refreshment stands will be available.

Brick Street Classic Car Show — 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Historic Downtown Lebanon. View a vast collection of over 100 classic cars and trucks. 50/50 drawing, attendance prizes, ’50s, ’60s and ’70d music, dining. Presented by Lakers Car Club.

Zoar Church Picnic — 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Zoar United Church of Christ, 9103 D Road, Columbia. (Directions: Take Illinois 3 to Valmeyer Road, take second left onto D Road. Church is on the right.) Featuring National “Open” Fiddle Champion George Portz & Friends of Bluegrass with Brenda Cook. Barbecue dinners and desserts served all day. Bring lawn chair or blankets. Free admission. Information: 618-632-1384.

Night at the Races — races start at 6:45 p.m., Saturday, Highland Speedway, 1800 Lindenthal Ave., Highland. Gates open 3 p.m.; grandstands open 5:30 p.m.; pill draw ends 5:30 p.m. General admission $12. Proceeds to benefit Leaps of Love. Information: Traci, 618-410-7212, traci@leapsoflove.org.

St. Francis Church Picnic— 3:30 p.m.-midnight, Saturday, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Second and Clinton streets, Aviston. Fried chicken dinner with homemade dressing and all the trimmings is from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. in air-conditioned hall. Quilt bingo at 6:30 p.m. Raffles, basket booths, margaritas, country store, I Dood It Game, games of chance. Games and rides for kids. Information: 618-228-7219, www.stfrancisav.org.

Free Movies in the Park — 8 p.m. Saturday, Edwardsville City Park Bandstand, Edwardsville. Movie: “Alexander & the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.” Sponsored by Red Hill Church and Tot Spot Resale.

Auction & Chicken Dinner — Sunday, St. Patrick’s Church, 5675 LL Road, Tipton. Mass, 10 a.m.; oral auction, noon; quilt auction, 2 p.m. Silent auction and country store. Chicken plate dinner, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. eat in or carry out. 618-458-6875.

Corvette & Mustang Nights — 4 p.m. Monday, Dandy Inn, 1030 Lincoln Highway, Fairview Heights. Corvettes and Mustangs only.

Car Cruise — 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dandy Inn, 1030 Lincoln Highway, Fairview Heights.

Exhibits

Elsah Photography Exhibit — 1-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Aug. 2, Elsah Village Hall, 26 LaSalle, Elsah. Theme: “Elsah — A Hidden Surprise.” Viewing at other times is by appointment.

Gateway to Art — through Aug. 21, National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, Belleville. Fine art exhibit and sale presented by Gateway East Artists’ Guild.

Food

Barbecue — 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Turkey Hill Grange Hall, corner of Green Mount Road and Illinois 15 (near Eckert’s), Belleville. Pork steak, brats, potato salad, baked beans, slaw, chunky applesauce, 4-bean salad, brownies, cobbler, pie, cake, canned drinks. Carryouts available.

Aviston Fish & Chicken Fry — 4:30-7 p.m. Friday, American Legion Post 1239, 601 S. Clinton St., Aviston. Eat in or carry out. 618-228-7311.

Caseyville Fish Fry — 4-7 p.m. Friday, Caseyville VFW Post 1117, 415 N. Long, Caseyville. Fish plates, desserts, sandwiches, burgers and more.

Collinsville Fish Fry — 3-8 p.m. Friday, Collinsville VFW Post 5691, 1234 Vandalia, Collinsville. Eat in or carry out. Cod, catfish fillets, Tilapia, sides.

Collinsville Fish Fry — 3-8 p.m. Friday, Collinsville American Legion, 1022 Vandalia St., Collinsville. North Atlantic cod, whole catfish, Cajun cut-ups, crab cakes, sides, desserts. Information: 618-345-2508.

Collinsville Fish Fry — 4-7:30 p.m. Friday, Knights of Columbus Hall, Illinois 157, Collinsville. Eat in or carry out. Fried/baked cod, catfish, sides. Senior plate starting at $4.99. 618-345-1492.

Fairview Heights Fish Fry — 3-8 p.m. Friday, Knights of Columbus Hall, 5420 Old Collinsville Road. Walton’s Fish Fry. Serving jack salmon and wild-caught grilled salmon. Homemade desserts. Carryouts: 618-632-5222.

Granite City Fish Fry — 4:30-8 p.m. Friday, VFW Post 1300, 3401 Century Drive, Granite City. Cod, jack salmon, catfish, shrimp, chicken strips. Eat in or carry out. 618-877-8764.

Highland Fish Fry — 4-7:30 p.m. Friday, VFW Post 5694, 1900 VFW Road, Highland. Eat in or carry out. 618-654-6367.

Mascoutah Fish Fry — 5-8 p.m. Friday, Mascoutah VFW Post 7682, 620 Donaphan St., Mascoutah. Dine in or carry out. 618-566-2288.

Millstadt VFW Fish Fry — 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-8 p.m. Friday, Millstadt VFW Post 7980, 200 Veterans Drive, Millstadt. Open jam session from 6 p.m. Sponsored by Millstadt VFW Post 7980.

O’Fallon Fish Fry — 4-8 p.m. Friday, Knights of Columbus Hall, 402 E. U.S. 50, O’Fallon. Sponsored by KC and Ladies Auxiliary. Cod and bluegill, burgers, hotdogs, sides. Eat in or carry out. 618-632-6229.

O’Fallon Fish Fry — 4-8 p.m. Friday, VFW Post 805, 221 W. First St., O’Fallon. Sponsored by Sgt. Charles A. Fricke VFW Post 805 and Ladies Auxiliary. Fried and grilled fish and chicken, homemade sides and desserts. Children’s menu. To-go orders delivered to car. 618-624-2651.

O’Fallon Fish & Chicken Fry — 5-8 p.m. every Friday, O’Fallon American Legion, 109 N. Penn, O’Fallon. Carryouts available. 618-632-8879.

Okawville Fish Fry — 5-8 p.m. Friday, American Legion Post 233, 205 N. Hanover St., Okawville. Eat in or carry out. 618-243-6545.

Scott VFW Fish Fry — 5-8 p.m. Friday, Scott VFW Post 4183, Belleville. DJ, 8-1 p.m.

Shiloh Fish Fry — 5-8 p.m. Friday, 100 Eagle Drive, Shiloh. Sponsored by Eagles No. 545. Cod, Walleye, shrimp, chicken strip plates. Eat in or carry out. 618-624-5412.

Summerfield Fish Fry — 5:30-8 p.m. Friday, Summerfield Lions Club, 100 E. Park St., Summerfield. Carryouts 618-934-3841.

Swansea Fish Fry — 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Swansea Fish Stand, 216 Service St., Swansea. Cod, walleye, shrimp. 618-222-7171. Fried chicken on Saturdays.

Troy VFW Fish Fry — 4-7 p.m. Friday, Troy VFW Post 976 and Ladies Auxiliary, 123-A W. Market St., Troy. Choice of cod, catfish, jack salmon, baked fish, chicken strips, shrimp. Dinners include bread and choice of two sides. Dine in or carry out. 618-667-8387.

Granite City Taco Sale — 1-6 p.m. Saturday, VW Post 1300, 3401 Century Drive, Granite City. Tacos, taco salad, burrito, nachoes and fried ice cream. Eat in or carry out. 618-877-8764.

Walton’s Chicken Dinner — 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Knights of Columbus Hall, 5420 Old Collinsville Road, Fairview Heights. Homemade desserts. For carryouts call 618-632-5222.

Fried Chicken — 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, Millstadt VFW Post, 200 Veterans Drive, Millstadt. All you can eat. Adults $10; $8 seniors; $5 children (12 and younger). Sponsored by Millstadt VFW Post.

Games

Cribbage — 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Knights of Columbus Hall, 1 Columbus Drive, Collinsville. Nine games against nine different opponents. Information: Phil at 618-288-7910 or Yvonne at 618-344-1521.

Luncheon & Card Party — noon, Tuesday, St. Luke’s Hall, 226 N. Church St., Belleville. Sponsored by St. Luke Perpetual Help Sodality. Cost: $6. Cards, bingo and prizes.

Cribbage — 7 p.m. Tuesday, Camelot Bowl, 801 Beltline Road, Collinsville. New players wanted. Information: Yvonne, 618-344-1521 or Phillip, 618-288-7910.

Markets

Swansea Farmer’s Market — 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday, Rural King parking lot, 2801 N. Illinois St., Swansea. Senior coupons are in. Locally grown crops (corn, tomatoes, watermelon) baked goods, brats, dogs and crafts. Information: Norm Geloat, 618-978-8753 or swanseafarmersmarket@yahoo.com.

Buck-A-Bag Sale — 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Friday, Freeburg Food & Clothign Bank, 8 N. Belleville St., Freebufg (across from St. Pauls UCC). Men’s, women’s, children’s clothing, shoes, $1 per bag. Also toys, books, stuffed animals and household items. Information: 618-539-5070.

Rummage Sale — 7:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Immanuel Lutheran Church, 522 S. Church St., Waterloo. Information: 618-939-6480.

O’Fallon Farmers Market — 7:30 a.m.-noon Saturday, downtown O’Fallon (next to caboose). Locally grown produce.

Alton Farmer’s & Artisans’ Market — 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays; 4-7 p.m. Wednesdays through Oct. 17, parking lot, corner of Landmarks Boulevard and Henry Street. Locally grown seasonal fruits and vegetables, organic crops, produce, grass-fed beef, pasture-raised poultry, fresh eggs, honey, bread, baked goods, flowers, potted plants, artwork.

Old Town Market — 7:30 a.m.-noon Saturday, corner of North First and West Main streets, on the parking lot of the St. Clair County Public Health Department, Belleville. Vendors include produce, flowers, plants, summer sausage, crafts. “Cycle of Giving” bicycle repair is present on the first and third Saturdays of each month.

Iris Sale — 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, Caseyville Township Senior Center Building, 1000 Bunkum Road, Fairview Heights. Sponsored by Mid-Illinois Iris Society. Plants from members’ gardens and from two commercial growers. Good selection, low prices.

Village-wide Yard Sale— 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, Historic Maeystown. Trash and Treasures village-wide yard sale. New, old and unique items. Villagers will hold their sales at their homes and businesses. A map available at Maeystown General Store and Georgia Mae’s Antiques, day of sale.

On Stage

“The Wizard of Oz” — 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Belleville East High School Performing Arts Center. Take A Bow Showcase presents musical as a tribute to the 75th anniversary of “The Wizard of Oz.” Special effects. Sing-along at Thursday performance. Costume contest at intermission each performance. Tickets are $5-$10; children under 5, free. Purchase general admission at the door; reserve tickets near the stage at 618-409-0015 or ordertickets@charter.net

Three Children’s Tales — 7 p.m. Friday, Capitol Theater, Waterloo. Sponsored by Monroe Actors State Company’s Middle/Junior High Theater Camp. Camp participants present three children’s tales in drama choir style. Free. Performance is appropriate for all age groups and will appeal especially to young children, aged four and above.

“Shrek” the Musical — 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday, Highland Elementary Auditorium, 1800 Lindenthal Ave., Highland. Tickets: $12.50 adults, children 3 years and younger free. Tickets can be purchased online at www.hardroad.org. Sponsored by Hard Road Theatre and the Highland Arts Council. Children 4-12 will receive a coupon for a free small drink and popcorn.

“Mr. Popper’s Penguins” — 7 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Turkey Hill Grange, Greenmount Road and Illinois 15 Intersection, Belleville. Tickets at door: adults and teens $10; kids 12 and under $5. Based on the children’s book, a Newberry Award Winner from 1938.

“Murder at Cafe Noir” — 6 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 12:30 p.m. Sunday, The Schmidt Art Center, Belleville Campus, 2500 Carlyle Ave., Belleville. Presented by Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre College Activities. Tickets: $25, includes choice of beef, chicken or vegetarian three-course meal. Information: 618-235-2700 ext. 5561.

“Broadway Revue” — 7:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Troy United Methodist Church, 407 Edwardsville Road, Troy. The cast of last summer’s “Godspell” will return to performa concert of Broadway hits. Tickets: $8 each. Information: 618-667-6241.

This story was originally published July 30, 2015 at 4:14 AM with the headline "What’s Happening: Local events for July 30-Aug. 5."