Get ready to celebrate the solar eclipse, but that’s not all you can do

What’s Happening for Aug. 17

Noon Thursday, Aug. 10, was the deadline to appear in today’s What’s Happening. We must receive your event in writing with a contact phone number for questions. Due to the large number of submissions, non-profit events are run only one time in print, will be edited and appear in the week before the event date.

Email is preferred: lifestyle@bnd.com. Mail to: Lifestyle, Belleville News-Democrat, 120 S. Illinois St., P.O. Box 427, Belleville, IL 62222-0427. Questions, call Heidi Wiechert at 618-239-2500.

Solar Eclipse events

▪ Solar Eclipse viewing on Winstanley Hill — 11:50 a.m. to 2:44 p.m. Monday. Winstanley Baptist Church, 9471 W. State Highway 161, Fairview Heights. Public is invited to view the eclipse from Winstanley Hill. First 20 guests will receive free eclipse glasses.

▪ Eclipse Comic Con — 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. SIUC Student Center Ballrooms, 1255 Lincoln Drive, Carbondale. This convention will feature over 50 vendors, a VIP autograph area with special guests, costume competition with cash prizes and trophies, gaming zone for board and video gamers, and more. studentcenter.siu.edu/eclipsecon.

▪ SciFest: Eclipsed — Saturday-Sunday. St. Louis Science Center, 5050 Oakland Ave., St. Louis. Prepare for the eclipse on Monday, Aug. 21, with a weekend of space exploration. Local astronomers and scientists will talk about how eclipses occur and how you can safely view them.

▪ Crossroads Festival — 4 p.m. to midnight Friday; 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday and Sunday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday. SIUC Arena Parking Lot, South of the SIUC Arena, Carbondale. A carnival with food and music to celebrate the eclipse.

▪ Crossroads Astronomy, Science and Technology Expo — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday and Monday. SIUC Arena, 1400 Arena Drive, Carbondale. Free admission. The expo will highlight organizations and businesses that specialize in solar, astronomy, science and new technology. This event features the NASA village, science and technology talks and indoor planetariums.

▪ Crossroads Art and Craft Fair — 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday. Grass area, north of Saluki Stadium, 1415 Arena Drive, Carbondale. This event features more than 50 art and craft vendors from all over the country selling handmade pottery, glass, jewelry, wood, fiber arts items, eclipse-related items and more.

▪ Eclipse Day at Saluki Stadium — 10 a.m. Monday. Saluki Stadium, Southern Illinois University Carbondale campus. Programming is being developed in cooperation with the Adler Planetarium of Chicago. Eclipse glasses will be provided. Tickets cost $25 plus a $2.50 fee. Parking passes, $20 each, are required to park on SIUC campus on Aug. 21. Paved parking is only available to those who have purchased a Saluki Stadium Eclipse ticket. A limited number of grass parking spaces are available to the general public, no ticket purchase required. eclipse.siu.edu.

▪ ‘Solarbration’ — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday. Monroe County Fairgrounds, 4177 Illinois Route 3, Waterloo. Free event, a total eclipse viewing party. Live music, food, crafts and science experts. A limited quantity of solar eclipse viewing glasses will be available. The eclipse will happen at 1:17 p.m.

▪ Eclipse Festival — Monday. St. Louis Science Center, 5050 Oakland Ave., St. Louis. Demonstrations, solar observing, food and fun to celebrate the total solar eclipse. Planetarium educators will narrate the action during the eclipse.

▪ Solar Eclipse 2017 at The Wooden Nickel — 11 a.m. Monday. The Wooden Nickel Pub and Grill, 171 S. Main St., Glen Carbon. Pub will provide protective eye wear.

▪ Solar eclipse viewing party at the Amphitheater — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday. Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater, 1 Riverfront Drive, Alton. Free event featuring food, drink, solar glasses and bubble bus. Sponsored by the Hayner Library, Alton Park and Recreation and Alton Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau. 800-258-6645.

▪ Crossroads Eclipse 2017 Research Workshop — 3-5:50 p.m. Saturday. SIU Carbondale Student Center Auditorium, Carbondale. The presentations in this workshop are free and open to the public. All talks are 15 minutes long with five minutes allowed for questions and speaker changeover. For more information, visit eclipse.siu.edu/cerw2017.

▪ What is a solar eclipse?: SIUE STEM Center Workshop — 2 p.m. Saturday. Downtown library, 2001 Delmar Ave., Granite City. The Youth Services department is hosting this workshop for children to learn about the upcoming solar eclipse. Reservations can be made by calling 618-462-6238, ext. 720.

▪ Galaxy Ride at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex — 7-10 p.m. Saturday. 1 Main Event Lane, Sparta. Chicago’s Adler Planetarium will be in Sparta to get everyone ready for the total eclipse on the 21st. Participants will get to use a telescope, touch a real piece of the moon, talk to an astronomer, learn about eclipses and more. Information: adlerplanetarium.org/galaxy-ride. The World Shooting and Recreational complex is a campsite with 1,001 locations. Reservations can be booked through reserveAmerica.com. This location will receive over 2 minutes of the totality. Because this is a state park, there is no cost for the public to set up a viewing party on the property on the day of the eclipse, Aug. 21.

▪ SIUE Solar Eclipse Viewing — 11:50 a.m. to 2:44 p.m. Monday. Korte Stadium, 3345 Stadium Drive, Edwardsville. The public is invited to view the eclipse at Ralph Korte Stadium. An enlarged, live video of the eclipse from a telescope will be displayed on large screens. A viewing tent will be set up on the north side of the stadium. Eclipse viewing glasses will be provided free of charge. Professors from the SIUE Department of Physics will discuss solar eclipse science and safety. Guests may bring their own seating. siue.edu/eclipse.

▪ Eclipse Viewing Party — Noon to 1:30 p.m. Monday. Collinsville Library, 408 West Main St., Collinsville. The library will offer solar viewing glasses, light refreshments and family activities to celebrate the eclipse. There will be a partial view of the eclipse in the Collinsville area. 618-344-1112.

Events

▪ Ballroom Dance — 7:30-10:30 p.m. Saturday. Belleville/Swansea Moose Lodge, 2425 N. Illinois St. Music by: “Renditions.”

▪ Belleville’s Old Town Farmer’s Market — 7:30 a.m. to noon Saturday. First block of South Charles, Belleville. Locally grown veggies, fruit. Senior coupons available.

▪ Belleville Flea Market — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Belle Clair Fairgrounds Park, 200 S. Belt East, Belleville. Over 600 tables and 300-400 vendors selling antiques, collectibles, merchandise both old and new. bcfairgrounds.net.

▪ Belleville Main Street Ladies’ Night Out — Thursday, Aug. 17. Register at Eckert Florist. $5. Stroll, shop and sip along Belleville Main Street. End at Righteous Pig for prize drawings.

▪ Beta Sigma Phi Fundraiser — 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17. Dairy Queen, Lebanon Ave., Belleville. 15 percent of all proceeds raised between 5-8 p.m. will be donated.

▪ Book, Bake, Flea Sale — 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. St. Mary School, 1700 W. Main, Belleville.

▪ Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church parish picnic — Following 4:30 p.m. Mass Saturday. Blessed Sacrament church, Belleville. Food, games, raffles, rides. Live music.

▪ Collinsville Community Collaboration event — 5-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23. Gateway Center, 1 Gateway Drive, Collinsville. An event showcasing all Collinsville has to offer. This event features a Kid’s Corner, live performances by local dance teams and cheerleaders, live music, a Wall of Success showcasing Collinsville Unit 10 and more. www.c3collinsville.com.

▪ ‘Come as You Are’ Tai Chi — 5 p.m. Wednesday. Ever and Anon Park, corner of East Main and Mascoutah Ave., Belleville. Free one-hour class for all ages and skill levels. Sponsored by the Belleville Heritage Society.

▪ Crista Crawford book signing event — 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Words of Wisdom, 4200 N. Illinois St., Swansea. Crawford will be signing copies of her book, “The Full Armor of God: Are You Sure You Got Dressed Today?” At the signing, people can sign up to receive a free copy of questions to study with each chapter.

▪ Granny’s Attic Rummage Sale — 8 a.m. to noon Saturday. Union United Methodist Church, 721 E. Main St., Belleville. Many miscellaneous items, books, toys. Proceeds to help with mission programs. Hosted by the United Methodist Women of Union United church. 618-530-9762.

▪ Healing Service — 7:30 p.m. Friday. Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, Belleville. All seeking healing regardless of religious persuasion are welcome. 618-277-0416.

▪ Maeystown fire department barbecue and car show — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday. Maeystown. BBQ and cars, trucks, motorcycles and tractors.

▪ R. Buckminster Fuller Geodesic Dome Residence tours — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 407 S. Forest Ave., Carbondale. Tours of Buckminster Fuller’s residence. He patented the geodesic dome, Dymaxion car and house and other innovations. www.fullerdomehome.com.

▪ Square and Round Dance — 7-9:30 p.m. Friday. Caseyville Township Building, 10001 Bunkum Road, Fairview Heights. Sponsored by the Dandy Dancers. Theme: Hawaiian Night. Kevin Bersing calling. The Tevlins cueing. Information: Eunice Peterson, 618-660-6030.

▪ Swansea Farmer’s Market — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17. Rural King parking lot, 2801 N. Illinois St., Swansea. Senior coupons are in. Locally grown crops, fruits, vegetables and crafts can be found here.

Festivals

▪ 50th Annual Germantown Spassfest — 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 1a.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon Sunday. Schoendienst Park, Germantown. Concessions, beverages, rides, games and live music. “Kinder Korner” kid’s games. Beer Run at 7 p.m. Friday. Historical Volksmarch registration at 8-11 a.m. Saturday, registration fee for the march is $3. Washers Tournament at noon Saturday. Custom and Antique Bike Show at noon Saturday with a $25 entry fee. Polka Mass at 4 p.m. at St. Boniface Church. Parade at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Breakfast from 8 a.m.-noon on Sunday.

▪ Freeburg Homecoming — 4 p.m. to midnight Friday, 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday. Freeburg Park, 200 E. Hill St. George Portz and the Friends of Bluegrass perform 1-4 p.m. Saturday.

▪ Centralia ‘Balloon Fest’ — 3-10 p.m. Friday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 6 p.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Foundation Park, Centralia. Balloon races, fireworks, live music, food. www.balloon-fest.com.

▪ St. Louis ‘World’s Fare Heritage’ festival — 5-10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Forest Park, World’s Fair Pavilion, St. Louis. Local food, live music, kid’s island activity area, art display, exhibit, games, ferris wheel, mixology challenge, bike and skate ramp. www.stlworldsfare.com.

▪ Annual ‘Kirchenfest’ — 3-8 p.m. Saturday. Hecker Community Center Building and grounds, 230 E. Washington St., Hecker. Old-fashioned chicken and pork sausage dinners, Mass at 4 p.m., quilt bingo, live music, half miles fun walk/run at 7:15 p.m., 11th annual Tiki Trot at 8 p.m.

Food

▪ Aviston Legion Fish & Chicken Fry — 4:30-7 p.m. Friday. American Legion Post 1239, 601 S. Clinton, Aviston. Cod, catfish, shrimp, chicken strips, sides. Eat in or carryout. 618-228-7311 or www.avistonlegion.com.

▪ BBQ Thursday — 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17. Turkey Hill Grange, 1375 E. State Route 15, Belleville. Takeout or eat in pork steak or pulled pork sandwich dinner with sides. Brats and homemade desserts.

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

▪ Collinsville Fish Fry — 3-8 p.m. Friday, Collinsville VFW Post 5691, 1234 Vandalia, Collinsville. Eat-in or carryout. 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, sides, desserts. 618-345-2508.

▪ Collinsville Fish Fry — 4-7:30 p.m. Friday. Knights of Columbus Hall, 1 Columbus Plaza, Collinsville. Eat in or carryout. Fried/baked cod, catfish, sides. 618-345-1492.

▪ Columbia American Legion Fish Fry — 4-7 p.m. Friday. American Legion, Columbia. Catfish, shrimp, hot dogs. Hushpuppies and choice of 2 sides. Desserts and full bar. Eat in or carry out.

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

▪ Marissa Lodge 881 Fundraising Barbecue — 10 a.m. Saturday. Marissa. Serving pork steak, bratwurst plates and sandwiches until sold out.

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

▪ Millstadt Fish Fry and Jam Session — 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 4-8 p.m. Friday, Millstadt VFW Post, 200 Veterans Drive, Millstadt. 618-476-1180.

▪ O’Fallon Fish Fry — 4-8 p.m. Friday, Knights of Columbus Hall, 402 E. U.S. 50, O’Fallon. Cod and bluegill, burgers, hot dogs, sides. Eat in or carryout. 618-632-6229.

▪ O’Fallon Fish Fry — 4-8 p.m. Friday, VFW Post 805, 221 W. First St., O’Fallon. Fried and grilled fish, chicken, sides and desserts. Carryouts. 618-624-2651.

▪ Okawville Fish & Chicken Fry — 5-8 p.m. Friday, 205 N. Hanover St., Okawville. American Legion Post No. 233. Eat in or carryout. 618-243-6545.

▪ Scottish Rite Fish Fry — 4:30-7:30 p.m. Friday. 1549 Frank Scott Parkway West, Belleville. Fish by the pound, plate, sandwich. Sponsored by Scottish Rite Masonic bodies. Open to the public.

▪ Shiloh Fish Fry — 5-8 p.m. Friday, 100 Eagle Drive, Shiloh. Cod, walleye, shrimp, chicken wings. Eat in or carryout. Auxiliary bake sale for charity. 618-624-5412.

▪ Spaghetti Dinner — 4-7 p.m. Friday. St. Johns UCC, 21 N. Walnut, Trenton. Eat in, carry out or drive thru. Adults $8, kids $4, under 3 free and all carry outs over $8.

▪ Swansea Fish Stand — 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 216 Service St., Swansea. Cod, walleye, catfish, shrimp and more. Saturday: fried chicken. 618-222-7171.

▪ Troy VFW Fish Fry — 4-7 p.m. Friday, Troy VFW Post 976 and Auxiliary, 123-A W. Market St., Troy. Cod, catfish, jack salmon, baked fish, chicken strips, shrimp. Dine in or carry out. 618-667-8387.

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

▪ Walton’s Fish Fry — 3-8 p.m. Friday, Knights of Columbus, Hall, 5420 Old Collinsville Road, Fairview Heights. Homemade desserts. Carryout, 618-632-5222.

Games

▪ Bridge — 11:45 a.m. Thursday. Collinsville Senior Center, 420 E. Main St., Collinsville. To participate, must have played bridge before. 618-310-1289.

▪ Bridge — 11:45 a.m. Tuesday. Senior Center, 10025 Bunkum Road, Fairview Heights. Sponsored by Caseyville Township. 618-310-1289.

▪ Cribbage Club — 6:30 p.m. Thursday. 1 Columbus Plaza, KC Club, Collinsville. Nine games played against nine different opponents. Yvonne Bright 618-344-1521 or John Bilski 618-398-1029.

▪ Euchre Tournament — 7 p.m. Friday. Partner night. Smithton Senior Center, 711 S. Main, Smithton. 618-233-3370.

Theater/Concerts

▪ Music in the Park — 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23. Shiloh Park, 1 Park Drive. Free concert with music by “Jim Chadderton and the Special Edition.”

▪ Cactus Moon Band — 8 p.m. to midnight, Friday. 216 Service St., Swansea. Free admission. Country music dance. Sponsored by the Swansea Improvement Association.

▪ Carondelet Concerts in the Park — 5:30-8 p.m. Sunday. Carondelet Park, 3900 Holly Hills, St. Louis. “Cornet Chop Suey” will perform. www.carondeletliving.com.

▪ Edwardsville Municipal Band — 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17. City Park, 112 S. Buchanan St., Edwardsville. Free concert. www.edwband.com.

Worth the Drive

▪ ‘Rock the Hops’ — 2-8 p.m. Saturday. Downtown Alton. Live music from more than 25 bands. Over 30 local artists, makers and vendors. More than 25 styles of beer will be available. Admission: $25. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Northside Park revitalization effort.

▪ Summer Music Series — 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17. Library Park, 400 N. State St., Litchfield. Featuring: “Hunter Sharp.” www.visitlitchfield.com.

▪ Free LLC Clinic —4:30-7 p.m. Friday. Jacoby Arts Center, 627 E. Broadway, Alton. Learn about the LLC business structure. Attendees will have the opportunity for a 20-minute session with a volunteer lawyer/accountant team. Register: www.downtownalton.com.

This story was originally published August 16, 2017 at 8:00 AM with the headline "Get ready to celebrate the solar eclipse, but that’s not all you can do."