Metro-east events: Farmers markets, fish fries, concerts and more on the calendar

Noon Thursday, Aug. 6, 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 large number of submissions, events may run only one time in print, will be edited and appear in 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.

Farmers Markets

▪ F.R.E.S.H. Farmers Market — 8:30 a.m. to noon Thursdays. East Side Health District, 638 N. 20th St., East St. Louis. Fresh local produce, spices and more. Social distancing and face mask guidelines will be in place. Customers can drive by, walk up or call in orders. Cash, credit, debit and EBT accepted. 618-271-8722, ext. 102.

▪ Swansea Farmers Market — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays. Rural King parking lot, 2801 N. Illinois St., Swansea. Behind Burger King. Fresh local produce, baked goods, jams, jellies, honey and more. Social distancing guidelines will be in place. Signs will be posted. Have monetary denominations of $10s, $5s and $1s available; no change will be given. Wear masks, keep your distance. facebook.com/SwanseaFarmersMarketInc

▪ Monroe County Farmers Market, Columbia — 3-6 p.m. Thursdays. Schnucks parking lot, 1000 Columbia Center, behind McDonald’s and Taco Bell, Columbia. Cash sales. Items available include bedding plants, bread, jams and much more. Social distancing practices will be present to keep both vendor and customer safe. Vendors will be wearing masks and sanitizing hands and surfaces frequently. Vendors will be handling their produce for customers. facebook.com/Monroe-County-IL-Farmers-Market-316315321779010

▪ Maryville Drive-Thru Farmers Market — 5-6 p.m. Thursdays. Maryville Village Hall, 2520 N. Center St., Maryville. Pre-orders and pre-pay. Customers place orders through Facebook before noon on Thursday and pay online. When arriving for pick-up, give your name, remain in your vehicle, then drive up to each farm. Your order will be placed in your trunk/vehicle. Select items available for last-minute, onsite purchase when picking up orders. facebook.com/MaryvilleILFarmersMarket or maryvilleilfarmersmarket.org

▪ Sparta Farmers Market — 2-5 p.m. Fridays. Corner of Broadway and St. Louis streets, Sparta. Social distancing guidelines will be followed. facebook.com/farmersmarketspartail

▪ Millstadt Farmers Market — 3-6 p.m. Fridays. Millstadt VFW Post 7980, 200 S. Veterans Drive, Millstadt. Featuring produce, plants, baked goods, kettle korn, jam, jewelry, honey, Avon and much more. Directed by St. Clair County Health guidelines. 618-476-3037 or facebook.com/MillstadtFarmersMarket

▪ The Ste. Genevieve Farmers Market — 7 a.m. to noon Saturdays. 600 Market St., Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. A weekly fresh selection of locally-produced vegetables, fruits, eggs, honey, canned goods, vinegar, jams, jellies and freshly baked goods. facebook.com/SteGenevieveFarmersMarket

▪ Monroe County Farmers Market, Waterloo — 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays. The Family Video parking lot, 100 Plaza Drive, Waterloo. Cash sales. Items available include bedding plants, bread, jams and much more. Social distancing practices will be present to keep both vendor and customer safe. Vendors will be wearing masks and sanitizing hands and surfaces frequently. Vendors will be handling their produce for customers. facebook.com/Monroe-County-IL-Farmers-Market-316315321779010

▪ Belleville’s Old Town Farmers Market — 7:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays. First block of South Charles Street between East Main and East Washington streets, Belleville. Food and agricultural products only at this point. Do not attend if sick. Only one family member should attend. Let vendors select and bag goods. Masks and six feet of social distancing required by all. Exact change requested; no change will be offered. Link/SNAP/EBT accepted. facebook.com/Belleville-Old-Town-Farmers-Market-930383016993451

▪ Alton Farmers & Artisans Market — 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays. Parking lot at the corner of Landmarks Blvd. and Henry St., Alton. Fresh produce, plants, meat, cheese, eggs, honey, baked goods and other edible products will be available. Social distancing measures will be in place. Pre-ordering is encouraged. Electronic payment preferred. Cash accepted; bring small bills. Vendors advised not to give change. facebook.com/AltonFarmersMarket

▪ Land of Goshen Community Market — 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays. Downtown Edwardsville, St. Louis Street, Edwardsville. Open rain or shine. Social distancing measures will be in place. The Market will only include sales of food and hygiene items to limit the number of vendors and allow for at least 10 feet of space between all stalls. The Market asks customers to send only one shopper per family/household. Customers are asked to wear masks. facebook.com/goshenmarket

▪ Vine Street Market — 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays. O’Fallon Station 212 E. First St., O’Fallon. Online pre-orders and pre-pay still available. Orders can be placed with individual vendors online. Vendor availability and order deadlines vary. Market guidelines for onsite shopping include masks, social distancing, not touching products at vendor stands. For details and information: ofallonstation.com/vine-street-market or facebook.com/vinestreetmarketofallon

▪ Drive-Thru Vine Street Market — 5:30-6 p.m. Tuesdays. O’Fallon Station 212 E. First St., O’Fallon. Online pre-orders and pre-pay only, no walk-ups. Orders can be placed with individual vendors on Facebook. Vendor availability and order deadlines vary. For details and information: facebook.com/vinestreetmarketofallon

▪ Land of Goshen Online Market — 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12 (for pick-up). 222 Artisan Bakery, 222 Main St., Edwardsville. Online orders accepted Friday, Aug. 7 through Monday, Aug. 10. Order at goshenmarket.org/shop. Call 618-659-1122 for curbside pick-up. goshenmarket.org/shop

Events

▪ St. Clair County Health Department COVID-19 Testing — 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Aug. 6. Fayetteville Village Hall, 2212 Main Ave., Fayetteville. Free testing for adults and children over 3 years old. No appointment necessary. Masks are required. Photo ID required. Bring health insurance card if you have one. Tests will be done by throat swab. Results within two to five days. 618-825-4420.

▪ St. Clair County Health Department COVID-19 Testing — 1-3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6. Freeburg Village Hall, 14 Southgate Center, Freeburg. Free testing for adults and children over 3 years old. No appointment necessary. Masks are required. Photo ID required. Bring health insurance card if you have one. Tests will be done by throat swab. Results within two to five days. 618-825-4420.

▪ STL History Live — 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6. Online via Zoom. The Missouri Historical Society is offering a series of free online programs featuring fascinating stories about St. Louis. These programs will include a 20- to 30-minute presentation followed by a brief Q&A. For a schedule and Zoom links: facebook.com/events/901438333699717.

▪ St. Louis Area Food Bank Mobile Market — 10 a.m. to noon Friday, Aug. 7. Abraham Lincoln Elementary School, 820 Royal Heights Road, Belleville. Mobile Markets available to anyone who needs a helping hand. Unlike a typical food pantry, no ID is needed for the Mobile Market service. In an effort to maintain social distancing and no-contact service to keep you, the volunteers, and workers safe we ask that people who arrive by vehicle open their trunk and then stay in their vehicle. The food will then be placed in the trunk/cab. If you do not have a vehicle, please check with the organization hosting the mobile market to find out if they are accepting walk-ups. stlfoodbank.org/events

▪ Belleville City-Wide Food Drive — 5-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7. Drop-off locations are Bennie’s Pizza Pub, 124 E. Main St., Belleville, and Big Daddy’s 618, 313 E. Main St., Belleville. Both establishments are collecting non-perishable food items, unused personal care items or toiletries, and will accept cash donations on behalf of the Community Interfaith Food Pantry. Attendees are urged to wear masks and maintain proper social distancing. facebook.com/events/291390385302126

▪ Community Shred Day — 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 8. Granite City High School, 3148 Fehling Road, Granite City. Bring documents that contain your personally identifiable information to be safely shredded: bank statements, outdated medical records, old tax returns, old bills, receipts, credit card applications. Sponsored by Sen. Rachelle Crowe with Rep. Monica Bristow and State Rep. Katie Stuart. For information: 618-251-9840 or info@SenatorCrowe.com

▪ Back to School Backpack Giveaway — 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8. Redeemers House of Worship, 7410 Westchester Drive, Belleville. The event will be a drive-thru for pick-up in the parking lot. Sponsored by Redeemers House of Worship Outreach Ministry. For information: 618-304-1289.

▪ Athens, Texas, Wolf Rescue Donation Drive — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8. PetSmart parking lot, 1570 W. U.S. 50, O’Fallon. Needed supplies include 6-8-foot fencing, 6-8-foot T-posts, baling wire-fasteners for fence, heavy-duty trash bags, tools, rakes, hammers, shovels, water buckets, hoses, wagon, wheelbarrow, gloves, rags. Google “Athens Texas abandoned wolf rescue” for more information or PM Merry Christine Miller on Facebook.

▪ CommUNITY Under the Lights: A Yoga Event Illuminating Black Lives — 8:30-10:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9. W. Third Street (under the strings of lights), downtown Alton. A fundraiser event dedicated to joining the community of Alton in unity. Throughout the evening, you can experience poetry, music, and beginner-friendly yoga. A voter registration table will be set up for Illinois and Missouri residents. Poets will include Courteney Wilson Jr., Minister Joyce Elliott, Kisha Steele and Deta Robinson. All donations will benefit two local non-profit organizations committed to antiracist work: the Alton YWCA and the Alton Chapter of National Council of Negro Women. facebook.com/events/2747279952167924

▪ St. Louis Area Food Bank Mobile Market — 10 a.m. to noon Monday, Aug. 10. Collinsville Middle School, 9649 Collinsville Road, Collinsville. Mobile Markets available to anyone who needs a helping hand. Unlike a typical food pantry, no ID is needed for the Mobile Market service. In an effort to maintain social distancing and no-contact service to keep you, the volunteers, and workers safe we ask that people who arrive by vehicle open their trunk and then stay in their vehicle. The food will then be placed in the trunk/cab. If you do not have a vehicle, please check with the organization hosting the mobile market to find out if they are accepting walk-ups. stlfoodbank.org/events

▪ Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit — 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11. Mandy McGuire Group, 705 N. Main St., Columbia. The Mandy McGuire Group will be hosting the Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit as a kick-off to this year’s fundraising effort to lay wreaths throughout Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery on Wreaths Across America day, which will be Dec. 19. The visit will be a special chance to get a free exhibit tour. The exhibit is open from 9-11 a.m. for veterans and open to the public from noon to 6 p.m. This event will have social distancing, sanitation and COVID-19 safety procedures in place to protect the health of all visitors in accordance with the CDC’s recommendation for large gatherings stemming from concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. wreathsacrossamerica.org

▪ Fair Tax Presentation and Overview of Voting Procedures — 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11. Online via Zoom. Free online presentation by East St. Louis Board of Elections representative to cover the importance of Fair Tax to Illinois. Zoom meeting ID: 994 4036 5362, passcode: Fair Tax. Call in: 312-626-6799.

Club News

▪ Belleville Chapter of PFLAG — 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6. Online via Zoom. Topic of discussion will be LGTBQ and race. To attend this meeting, email Amy at bellevilleilpflag@outlook.com. 618-977-5078 or pflagbelleville.org

▪ National Alliance on Mental Illness Southwestern Illinois (NAMI SWI) — 7-8:30 p.m. Thursdays. Online via Zoom. Virtual support meetings for family members and other caregivers of individuals with mental illness. Meetings are peer-led and rely on the knowledge and experiences of the group to help one another. Registration is required in order to receive the link to these meetings. For more information or to register, contact Pat Rudloff at silverlining6@charter.net.

▪ St. Clair Women’s Summer Club Meeting — 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11. Tim & Joe’s, 6500 W. Main St., Belleville. Masks are required.

▪ Knitting and Crochet Night Hosted by Millstadt Library — 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Online via Zoom. Catch up on your yarns and your yarns with this online event. If you need more yarn, contact the library for curbside delivery. Join Zoom meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84698279230. For information: facebook.com/events/599781237462932

▪ 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. If you would like to join the teleconference, please call/text 618-567-6095 or email craigloddeke@yahoo.com. palgroup.org

▪ O’Fallon Sunrise Rotary Meeting — 6:45 a.m. Wednesdays. O’Fallon Township Building, 801 E. State St., O’Fallon. ofallonsunriserotary.org

▪ National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) Chapter 1019 — 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12. Online via Zoom. If interested in attending the meeting, please email jbhaley927@gmail.com to be sent an invite. 618-526-7932 or narfe.org/chapter1019

Games

▪ Family Trivia and Game Night — 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13. Online via Zoom. Hosted by Six Mile Regional Library District. All ages welcome. Follow SMRLD on Facebook for information and links to join. facebook.com/events/2632440083642632

Theater/Concerts

▪ Grafton Downtown Gazebo Concert Series: Jake Weber & The Lonesome Drifters — 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6. The Grove Memorial Park, corner of Market and Main streets, Grafton. Bring lawn chairs and enjoy a free concert. 618-535-9922.

▪ Blues at the Arch: Uvee Hayes — 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7. Online event. This popular end-of-summer celebration pays tribute to St. Louis’ storied blues history and showcases the talents of our hometown artists. The free concert will stream online at archpark.org and @gatewayarchpark Facebook page. RSVP at archpark.org/bluesatthearch.

▪ Something Spoken: Tennessee Williams On the Air – ‘A Perfect Analysis Given By a Parrot’ — 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8. On the air on Classic 107.3 FM. Enjoy a fully produced Williams’ one-act play along with interviews with scholars, directors and actors. Broadway legend and St. Louisan Ken Page will narrate and noted Williams scholar Tom Mitchell will offer commentary. Broadcast will stream online at classic1073.org through Friday, Aug. 21. twstl.org/something-spoken

▪ Gateway Drive-In Movie Night: ‘Grease’ — 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8. Gateway Convention Center parking lot, 1 Gateway Drive, Collinsville. Lot opens at 7 p.m. Movie starts at dusk. Families can bring their own food and drinks. Snacks and beverages will be available for purchase and are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Cars can enter the Gateway Convention Center lot at 7pm and the movie will start at dusk. Registration is $20 per car in advance and $30 day of movie. Credit Cards only. Due to COVID-19, cash is not accepted. gatewaycenter.com

▪ Blues at the Arch: Little Dylan — 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14. Online event. This popular end-of-summer celebration pays tribute to St. Louis’ storied blues history and showcases the talents of our hometown artists. The free concert will stream online at archpark.org and @gatewayarchpark Facebook page. RSVP at archpark.org/bluesatthearch.

Food

▪ Belleville/Swansea Moose Lodge Wings & Things — 4:30-7:30 p.m. Thursdays. Belleville/Swansea Moose Lodge, 2425 N. Illinois St., Swansea. Carry-out only. Must call to order. 618-233-2600 or 618-233-1450. facebook.com/BellevilleSwanseaMooseLodge1221

▪ O’Fallon 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. Eat in or carry-out/call-in. Credit cards accepted. 618-632-6229.

▪ Swansea Fish Stand – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. 216 Service St., Swansea. Cod, walleye, catfish, shrimp and more. Saturday: fried chicken. Open for carry-out and call-in orders. Swansea Improvement Hall and Bar are open. 618-222-7171. facebook.com/swanseafishstand

▪ Millstadt Fish Fry and Jam Session — 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays. Millstadt VFW Post, 200 Veterans Drive, Millstadt. Eat-in or carry-out. 618-476-1180.

▪ Collinsville American Legion Fish Fry — 3-7:30 p.m. Fridays. Collinsville American Legion, 1022 Vandalia St., Collinsville. Drive-thru/Curbside service only. Cash or check only. Place an order by calling 618-345-2508 or 618-345-5557. Last orders taken at 7:15 p.m.

▪ Highland Fish Fry — 4-7 p.m. VFW Post 5694, 1900 VFW Road, Highland. Fish, chicken, shrimp, sides. Carry-out and limited dine-in available. Masks required for customers going through the serving line. No call-in orders. facebook.com/vfwpost5694

▪ Collinsville Fish Fry — 4-7:30 p.m. Fridays. Knights of Columbus Hall, 1 Columbus Plaza, Collinsville. Limited menu. Drive-thru and limited dine-in. No call-in orders. Cash only. facebook.com/KC1712

▪ Troy VFW Fish Fry — 4-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7. Troy VFW Post 976 and Auxiliary, 123-A W. Market St., Troy. Cod, catfish, jack salmon, baked fish, chicken strips, shrimp. Call-in and carry-out only. 618-667-8387.

▪ Mascoutah Fish Fry — 5-8 p.m. Fridays. Mascoutah VFW Post 7682, 620 Donaphan St., Mascoutah. Call 618-566-2288 to order.

▪ Belleville/Swansea Moose Lodge Fish Fry — 4:30-7:30 p.m. Fridays. Belleville/Swansea Moose Lodge, 2425 N. Illinois St., Swansea. Dine-in or carry-out. 618-233-1450. facebook.com/BellevilleSwanseaMooseLodge1221

▪ Glen Carbon American Legion Post 435 Fish Fry — 4:30-7:30 p.m. Fridays. American Legion Post 435, 190 S. Main St., Glen Carbon. Limited menu of dinners and sandwiches, catfish, cod, Alaskan white fish and chicken strips, slaw and fries. Dinners: $11, sandwiches: $8, sides: $2.50 each. Curbside/Carry-out service. 618-288-7119.

▪ Taco Tuesday at the Millstadt VFW — 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays. Millstadt VFW Post 7980, 200 Veterans Drive, Millstadt. Serving up tacos, burritos and taco salads all day. Clubroom opens at 11 a.m. There is a chairlist located at the back entrance and goes down into the dining room with access to the clubroom. facebook.com/events/630200131044018

Reservations Required

▪ 2020 IDNR Free Fishing Clinic — 9-11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 10, through Thursday, Aug. 13. Glazebrook Park, 1401 Stamper Lane, Godfrey. Class will be held from 9-9:30 a.m. with catch-and-release fishing from 9:30-11 a.m. You don’t have to attend every day and can choose when to attend. Fishing poles and bait supplied, but personal poles are allowed as well. Space is limited and must be reserved by registering at teamsideline.com/godfrey.

▪ Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center Blood Drive — 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11. St. Elizabeth’s Hospital parking lot, 1 St. Elizabeth’s Blvd., O’Fallon. Appointments are required. 866-448-3253 or bloodcenterimpact.org.

▪ Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center Blood Drive — 3-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12. Edwardsville Knights of Columbus, 7132 Marine Road, Edwardsville. Appointments are required. 866-448-3253 or bloodcenterimpact.org.

▪ University of Illinois Extension’s Everyday Environment Webinar Series: Solar Energy for the Home — 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13. Online event. As renewable energy production has grown in popularity, solar panels are now more accessible and affordable for homeowners. Energy & Environmental Stewardship Educator Erin Garrett will cover the basics of solar energy including what makes a home suitable for solar panels and options for homeowners. For information, registration and other events in this series, visit https://extension.illinois.edu/global/everyday-environment-webinar-series

▪ 2020 Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Belleville — Saturday, Oct. 3. Virtual event. The Belleville Walk to End Alzheimer’s continues, but instead of hosting a large gathering, the Alzheimer’s Association is encouraging participants to walk as individuals or in small groups on sidewalks, tracks and trails across the community. On Walk day, an Opening Ceremony will feature local speakers and a presentation of Promise Flowers to honor the personal reasons participants join together to fight Alzheimer’s and all other dementia, all delivered to participants’ smartphones, tablets and computers. For more information or to register: alz.org/walk

Worth the Drive

▪ August Market Days — 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8. Veteran’s Park, 800 S. 27th St., Mt. Vernon. A flea market and vendor fair with a variety of vendors sell diverse items such as antiques, collectibles, handmade items, plants, jewelry, blacksmith, flea market finds, produce, baked goods and more! Admission is free and kids’ inflatables are provided. The first 200 visitors to the market each month receive a free reusable tote bag. facebook.com/events/751126792065663

This story was originally published August 5, 2020 at 5:00 AM.