What’s Happening: Local events for Aug. 13-19

Concerts

Edwardsville Municipal Band — 8 p.m. Thursday, City Park, 112 S. Buchanan St., Edwardsville. Free. Featuring the music of American composer Aaron Copeland. Concession operated by First Christian Church Youth Group. Information: www.edwband.com

Eckert’s Concerts — 7-9 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Eckert’s Country Store, 951 S. Green Mount Road, Belleville. Music by Avenue Zero (classic rock/rock) on Friday. Big Mike Aguirre & the Blu City All Stars (jazz) on Saturday. Free. Kids activities. Custard, wine and beer will be available for purchase.

Back Porch — 4-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Sit “N” Bull Saloon, 31 S. Mill St., New Memphis. Free live music by Stan Denton & The Wanted, Saturday; Jim Miller Band, Sunday.

Gospel Choir — 6 p.m. Sunday, St. Matthew United Methodist Church, 1200 Moreland Drive. Belleville. Southern Illinois’ Homecoming Gospel Choir will perform. Free. Information: 618-397-5994 or John or Judy Roberts, 618-245-9133.

Alton Hayner Library — 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Alton Square Mall, Library, Alton. Sponsored by Hayner Library. Free. Featuring National Open Fiddle Champion George Portz & His Friends of Bluegrass.

Dances

Luau Dance — 7-11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, American Legion Post 137, 109 N. Penn St. (off East State St.), O’Fallon. Cost: $7 members, $9 non-members. Sponsored by the Metro East Social Singles. No one younger than 21 admitted. Information: Tom, 618-277-4540.

Country Dance — 8 p.m.-midnight Friday, Swansea Improvement Association, 216 Service St., Swansea. Sponsored by Swansea Improvement Association. Music by Cactus Moon Band.

Events

Pinta & Nina — 9 a.m.-6 p.m. through Sunday, The Loading Dock Restaurant, 401 Front St., Grafton. Visit the Pinta and the Nina, replicas of Columbus’ ships for a walk-aboard, self-guided tour. Admission: $8 adults, $7 seniors, $6 students (5-16), free children (4 & younger). No reservations necessary. They will depart early Monday.

Steam, Gas & Threshing Show — Thursday through Sunday, Pinckneyville. American Threshermen Association show featuring the Internation J.I. Case Heritage Foundation. Blacksmithing, steam engine, wheat threshing, baling, sawmill, veneer mill and grist mill. Horse, steam and tractor plowing daily. Horse/mule steam engines, tractors and gas engines in action every day. Antique tractor pulls, ITPA tractor pulls, antique car show. Gas engines and vintage lawn/garden tractors. Large flea market. Miniature steam train rides. www.AmericanThresherman.com

Bike Night — 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Fairview Memorial VFW Post 8677, 5325 N. Illinois St., Fairview Heights.

Party at the Beach — opens at 4 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. Saturday, Randall D. Dalton Veterans Park (Behind Bank of Edwardsville), 5111 Illinois 111, Pontoon Beach. Free entry. Food and beverage vendors. Carnival with family family night wrist band special from 6-10 p.m. Thursday, 6-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Pro wrestling at noon Saturday. Friday music by Pony Up, 6 p.m.; Well Hungarians, 8 p.m. On Saturday, Vote for Pedro, 5 p.m.; Drake White and The Big Fire, 6:30 p.m.; The Charlie Daniels Band 9 p.m. Information: 618-931-6100 or www.pontoon-beach.org

Demolition Derby — 7 p.m. Friday, Belle-Clair Fairgrounds, 200 South Belt East, Illinois 13 & 159, Belleville. Battle at Belle-Vegas. Racing begins at 7 p.m.; gates open at 6 p.m.; pit gates open at 3 p.m. Admission: $12, free children (under 12). Tech and rule information: Brian, 618-791-0725. Information: Lewis, 618-823-7170.

Columbia Daze — 4 p.m.-midnight Friday and Saturday, Metter Park, 206 E. Legion, Columbia. Rides, games, food, music. Free. Parade, 5 p.m. Saturday. Music by Father Jack, 8-mindight Friday; Freefall, 8-midnight Saturday.

Germantown Spassfest — 4 p.m. Saturday to 1 a.m.; 9 a.m.-noon Sunday, Schoendienst Field, Germantown. Food including fried chicken, bratwurst, knackwurst and homemade German potato salad begins at 4. Games, beverages, rides and tother attractions open at 6 p.m. Friday; bags tournament, 7 p.m. and music by Vote for Pedro, 8 p.m. Kindercorner, with games, face painting and prizes open from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and 1 to 10 p.m. Saturday. On Saturday, Clinton County Humane Society meet and greet, 10 a.m.-noon; stands open at 11 a.m.; custom and antique bike show; wine and beer home brewoff, 3 p.m.; ride wristbands, 1-5 p.m.; DJ, 5-8 p.m.; Well Hungarians, 8 p.m.-midnight. German food, concessions, amusement rides, bags and washers tournaments, brew off, parade, bands all day, crafts, bike show. Polka Mass, 5 p.m. Saturday at St. Boniface Church. The parade is at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Breakfast begins at 8 a.m. Sunday.

“A Day Of Hope” —10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday, O’Fallon Community Park, 308 E. 5th St., O’Fallon. Sponsored by Convoy of Hope Metro East. Free. Free meal, roceries, kids zone, haircuts, health services, prayer, job and career services, lunch, family portraits, DJ entertainment, community services, clothing, breast health services, nutrition education. Information: www.convoyofhope.org/outreach/metroeast

St. Augustine Kirchenfest — Saturday, Hecker Community Center Building and grounds. Ninth annual Tiki Trot (5K run, walk) 8-8:30 pm.; fried chicken and pork sausage dinner, 3 p.m.; Mass, 4 p.m.; quilt bingo, 6:30 p.m.; music by Riverside, 7-11 p.m.

Venedy Picnic and Homecoming — Saturday, Brockschmidt Park, Venedy. Music by Venedy Band, 4-6 p.m.; One Night Stand, 7-11 p.m.; fried chicken supper, 4 p.m.; bingo; children’s games.

Edwardsville Rotary Criterium — 3-11 p.m. Saturday, downtown Edwardsville. High-speed bike races, live music and free kids races. Free kids races, 6:45 p.m. (registration, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Main and Vandalia streets). Pedal and Paint Art Tent — kids can make and take bicycle related art, 3-8 p.m. Music by Exit 12, 3-5:30 p.m.; How at the Moon Dueling Pianos, 5:30-8:30 p.m.; Jake Gehret and the Brokedown Sound, 8-10:30 p.m. Information: 618-558-3062 or stm11@hotmail.com

Quail Club Summer Picnic — 3 p.m. Saturday, Quail Club, 8301 Concordia Road, Belleville.

Maeystown Fire Department BBQ & Show Us Your Ride — 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Civic Association Park, Maeystown. Car, truck, motorcycle and tractor show. Free. Food, beer and soda available for purchase. Village-wide yard sale.

Blessing of Grapes — 12:30-3:30 p.m. Sunday, St. Gregory Armenian Church of Granite City, Community Center, 3501 Century Drive, Granite City. Lamb and chicken shish kabob dinners. Armenian specialty foods, pastries and breads. Games, dancing. Free admission. Information: 618-451-7884 or www.stgregorychurchgc.org

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

Exhibits

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.

“Wetlands and Waterways: the Key to Cahokia” — permanent exhibit opens Sunday, Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, Collinsville. Focuses on life along the rivers and wetlands of the Mississippi Valley that gave rise to Cahokia Mounds. A 700-yeear old restored canoe is the centerpiece. Reception from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday includes a preview of the exhibit, including desserts, refreshments and entertainment; authors Lori Belknap and Molly Wawrzyniak will sign copies of the exhibit’s companion book. Admission for the reception is $20; free for members. Tickets may be purchased in the Museum Gift Shop or call 618-344-7316. The site is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Grounds are open every day. Information: 618-346-5160 or www.cahokiamounds.org

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.

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.

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.

Euchre Tournament — 7 p.m. Friday, Smithton Senior Center.

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. Locally grown crops (corn, tomatoes, watermelon) baked goods, brats, dogs and crafts. Information: Norm Geloat, 618-978-8753 or swanseafarmersmarket@yahoo.com.

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.

Ladies Day Out Vendor/Craft Fair — 12-4 p.m. Saturday, Scott VFW Post 4183, 1516 Old Route 158, Belleville. Free admittance. Prizes for the first ones who make a purchase and get their flyer initialed by every vendor.

Belleville Antique Flea Market — 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Belle-Clair Fairgrounds, 200 South Belt East, Illinois 13 & 159, Belleville. More than 400 vendors, both inside and out. Free admission. $2 parking per car. Information: 618-233-0052 or www.bcfairgrounds.net

New Baden Farmer’s Market — 4-7 p.m. Wednesdays, New Baden Community Park. Local honey, homemade jams/jellies, fresh produce and plants.

On Stage

“Jesus Christ Superstar” — 7:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Alfresco Art Center, 2041 Delmar Ave. in Granite City Admission: $12. Tickets available at Garden Gate Tea Room in Granite City or from any cast member. Reservations: www.alfrescoproductions.org; information: 844-248-9780

This story was originally published August 11, 2015 at 3:40 PM with the headline "What’s Happening: Local events for Aug. 13-19."