It’s party time in Highland, Edwardsville and Okawville

If you can’t find something fun for the family to do this weekend, you just aren’t trying. Festivals will be in high gear in Highland, Edwardsville and Okawville with rides, festival food, bands, games, children’s activities and much more.

Pack a the kids, a few lawn chairs, water and some sunscreen in the SUV and head to whichever event fits your weekend fancy.

Highland Schweizerfest

The Highland Jaycees are planning non-stop entertainment at their annual Schweizerfest Friday through Sunday on the the town square.

Clear off your weekend calendar for live bands, carnival rides, a 5K Glo Run, two parades, a Highland Idol talent competition and a performance by Comedy Central’s David Graham, “America’s Clean Comedian.” Competitive by nature? Try your hand at washers and bags tournaments.

Vendors will be selling a variety of food and drinks, and there will be games and rides for children and adults all three days.

Hours are 7 to midnight Friday; noon to midnight Saturday; noon to 11 p.m. Sunday

Friday

7 p.m. Carnival rides open

7-11 p.m. Music by Buffalo Road

8-midnight Music by The Hair Syndicate

8:30 p.m. Highland Jaycees 2015 Glo Run (registration begins at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday

Noon Rides open

Noon-4 p.m. Washers Tournament (call 618-972-5922 for a spot)

Noon-4 p.m. Highland Idol karaoke competition

1-3 p.m. Meet and greet the “Frozen’s” Snow Sisters, Elsa and Anna

1-4 p.m. Music by Cluster Puck

5 p.m. Parade

5:30-7 p.m. Comedy Central comedian David Graham

7-11 p.m. Music by Modern Rodeo

8-midnight Music by Scooters

Sunday

Noon Rides open

Noon-2 p.m. Family Feud

Noon-4 p.m. Bags tournament (call 618-972-5922 for a spot)

1-3 p.m. Moments with your favorite magical characters

1-4 p.m. Music by Party Rock

5 p.m. Parade with drum and bugle corps

6-10 p.m. Music by Beaucoup Bottom Band

7-10 p.m. The Fabulous Motown Revue

For more information, go to highlandjaycees.com/schweizerfest

Route 66 Festival

Classic Cars and cardboard cars will get their moments in the spotlight this weekend at Edwardsville’s Route 66 Festival.

You can get all your kick with two days of live music, a children’s activity area and parade, a variety of food and art vendors and the classic car show and car cruise through Edwardsville.

Festival grounds are 5 p.m. to midnight Friday and 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday at Edwardsville City Park.

The Edwardsville Art Center will offer a cardboard car workshop for children ages 3-14 at 10 a.m. Saturday. The little artists can drive their wearable car creations in the Route 66 Cardboard Car Parade at 1 p.m. Participants must bring their own cardboard. Register by calling 618-655-0337.

The main events are the Classic Car Show from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday at Cassens Transport and MCT Park and Ride lots across the street from the park, and the Classic Car Cruise on Route 66 at 6:30 p.m.

Friday

5-8 p.m. Children’s area and art vendors open

6:30 p.m. Music by Gone Country

9 p.m. Music by Well Hungarians

Saturday

8 a.m. Metro Milers 10k Run

10 a.m. Food, beverage and art vendors open; children’s area and history tent open

12:30 p.m. Music by Babaloo

1 p.m. Historic trolley touts begin; tours every 1/2 hour

2:30 p.m. Music by Happenstance

4 p.m. Music by Hurricane Ruth

4-6 p.m. Classic Car show begins at Cassens and MCT lots

6:30 p.m. Music by Exit 12; Classic Car Cruise begins

9:30 p.m. Music by Dr. Zhivegas

For more information, go to www.EdwardsvilleRoute66.com

Okawville Heritage Days

The 33rd annual Heritage Days will take you back to a simpler time Saturday and Sunday at the Schlosser Museum grounds in Okawville.

The whole family can enjoy time-honored activities including churning butter, kneading bread and hand-cranking ice cream just like great-grandma and great-grandpa used to do. Best of all, you can sample what you make. Also, try your hand at vintage games, including Backyard Bowling and turtle races.

Admission to the festival is free. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

There will be a book fair, flea market, vendors and craft shows. Some participants in the townwide rummage sales will start at 5 p.m. Friday. Food will be available at the Schlosser Museum Friday afternoon and evening, and breakfast will be served Saturday morning. A smoked pork chop dinner will be served on Sunday.

Entertainment begins at 11:45 a.m. Saturday with Thursday Night Thunder, a local dulcimer group; Sonya’s Gotta Dance Studio dancers from Nashville take the stage at 1 p.m.; and the Venedy Band performs at 2. On Sunday, the Soul Shake Band will peform rock, soul, oldies, classic rock and country at 11:30 a.m.

The Heritage House Action Auction will take place Sunday afternoon. Tours of historic Okawville buildings will be given both days.

For more information, call 618-243-5694 or email tourokaw@606front.net

This story was originally published June 10, 2015 at 3:56 AM with the headline "It’s party time in Highland, Edwardsville and Okawville."