Festivals, farmers markets, fish fries & concerts on southwestern Illinois calendar

Noon Thursday, Aug. 26, 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. For the week’s full list of events, visit bnd.com.

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.

Events

▪ Friends of the Library annual Book Sale — 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27, and Saturday, Aug. 28. Glen Carbon Centennial Library, 198 S. Main St., Glen Carbon. glencarbonlibrary.org

▪ Gateway Greening Free Online Class: Basics of Seed Saving — 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26. Online via Zoom. Saving seeds year after year can be a great way to save money while also picking out the strongest varieties. This class will cover the how, what, and why of seed saving. facebook.com/events/584672256271504

▪ Light Up the Great River Road Fireworks Display — Approximately 9 p.m. Thursdays through Sept. 9. Along the Mississippi River in Alton and Grafton. Fireworks will launch from Landmarks and Henry streets in Alton and from Grafton Lighthouse Park in Grafton. For more information, including additional events during the evening: riversandroutes.com/light-up-the-great-river-road

▪ Waterloo Homecoming — Friday, Aug. 27, and Saturday, Aug. 28. The Courthouse Square, 100 S. Main St., Waterloo. Featuring live music, carnival rides, games, and plenty of food and drink offered by local organizations. A parade is featured on Saturday with floats, marching bands, and other items of interest.

▪ Buck-A-Bag Sale — 9-11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 27. 1050 N. State, Freeburg. Men’s, women’s and children’s clothing $1 a bag. Toys, shoes, books and miscellaneous items also $1 per bag. Sponsored by Freeburg Food and Clothing Bank. 618-539-5744.

▪ Schweizerfest — 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, Aug. 27; 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday, Aug. 28; and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 29. Downtown Square, 948 Main St., Highland. Food, entertainment, parades on Saturday and Sunday, rides and more.

▪ Girl Scout Registration Event — 7:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 28. Old Town Farmers Market, South Charles Street at East Main Street, Downtown Belleville. Stop by the booth to participate and learn more about Girl Scout opportunities. Annual registration fee: $25; Financial assistance available. Adult volunteers also needed. For more information: Rosemary Gruber, rpgruber@hotmail.com.

▪ Caffeine and Chrome — 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 28. Gateway Classic Cars, 1237 Central Park Drive, O’Fallon. Enjoy this free community car cruise at the showroom. Includes coffee and snacks, new posters, giveaways. All makes and models are welcome. Plenty of parking. facebook.com/events/221236809594921

▪ Gateway Greening Fall Seedling Sale — 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 28. Carriage House, 3815 Bell Ave., St. Louis. Fall plant sale includes specialty seed packets, fall seedlings and more. Quantities are limited. Free parking along street. For more information: facebook.com/events/857020198564672

▪ Back to School Adoption Event — Noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28. Gateway Pet Guardians, Pet Resource Center, 725 N. 15th St., East St. Louis. Meet adoptable pets and find your forever study buddy. Donate pet supplies and receive $25 off the adoption fee. Adoption fees for our teacher’s pet picks are covered. Attendance prizes and raffle baskets. Picture day portraits with your favorite student at our photo booth. Masks covering nose and mouth required for entry. facebook.com/events/371435801174826

▪ Pints in the Park — Noon to 8 p.m. Saturdays. Tower Grove Park, Roman Pavilion, 4257 Northeast Drive, St. Louis. At this Schlafly Beer pop-up beer bar, guests can enjoy a variety of seasonal and classic Schlafly beers. Food trucks from 3-6 p.m. Live music 1-5 p.m. Free to attend. A portion of the beer proceeds will benefit Tower Grove Park. schlafly.com

▪ PCs for People Distribution Event — 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28. Camp Torqua, 4725 Girl Scout Road, Edwardsville. People qualify to get a computer if their income is at 200% of poverty level or less or they receive government assistance. Visit pcsforpeople.org/eligibility for more information. For the easiest pickup process, preorder computers at tinyurl.com/pcsforpeopleil. pcsforpeople.org/eligibility

▪ Alton Food Truck Festival — 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28. Liberty Bank Amphitheater, 1 Riverfront Drive, Alton. This festival features food trucks from around the region offering global street food cuisine. In addition, the Amphitheater’s concession team offers beverages of all types to compliment the food truck offerings. Live music performed by Groovethang will be showcased on the Amphitheater’s stage. The festival is free to the general public. Each food truck will have a different food offering with a range of prices.

▪ St. Teresa Parish Picnic — 4-11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28. St. Teresa School, 1108 Lebanon Ave., Belleville. Includes a fried chicken dinner, bingo, silent auction, live music, basket booth, kids games, beer garden and more. stteresabelleville.com

▪ 3 Little Birds 4 Life: 2nd annual Glow On Main — 8-11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28. Main Street and Old Herald Brewery, 115 E. Clay St., Collinsville. The Glow On Main, 8-9 p.m., is an annual event at the main street of Collinsville and is lined with luminaria bags. Each bag is $10 and participants purchase a bag and then we write the name of their loved one on the side. After the Glow On Main there will be the 10th Anniversary party at Old Herald Distillery. Tickets to both the Glow On Main and the after party are $20 and include a drink cup and their luminaria bag. 3littlebirds4life.org

▪ ‘I Will Survive’ Birthday and Charity Event — 6 p.m. to midnight Sunday, Aug. 29. Thaxton-Speakeasy, 1009 Olive St., St. Louis. The birthday honoree is celebrity fashion stylist and East St. Louis native LaTon Chairs, who founded R.A.P.P. Cares Foundation, created to honor her brother Rapp Chairs, who was murdered by gun violence on Aug. 13, 2012. The mission of the foundation is to empower people by letting them know we stand with them against gun violence. This year’s gun violence awareness ambassador is Joyce Brown, mother of R&B singer Chris Brown.

Games

▪ Metro Cribbage Club — 6 p.m. Thursdays. American Legion Post 365, 1022 Vandalia St., Collinsville. For more information, contact Yvonne Bright, 618-344-1521 or ybrightmail@gmail.com.

▪ Rock & Roll Bingo — 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28. Swansea Improvement Center, 301 Service St., Swansea. Bingo but not as you know it. The numbers have been replaced with names of singers and bands, and the caller has been replaced with rapid-fire song clips. Features a wide variety of music genres. Prizes awarded for each game. Cost: $25 per packet of cards = 12 games. Proceeds benefit the IL Dyehards Women’s 50 Softball Team in their quest to participate in the Senior Olympics in May 2022. 618-345-1239.

Theater/Concerts

▪ Grafton’s Music in the Park: Tanglefoot (Rock ‘n’ Roll) — 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26. The Grove Memorial Park, Just off Main Street near the banks of the Mississippi River, Grafton. Sit back in a lawn chair or relax on a blanket spread out on the grassy lawn in the park grounds and listen to some favorite local bands. Coolers and outside food are allowed. facebook.com/Graftonsmusicinthepark

▪ Blues at the Arch: Mz. ShA — 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27. Online event. Featuring new virtual performances each week, this popular end-of-summer celebration pays tribute to St. Louis’ storied blues history while showcasing the talents of hometown and national artists. Streams free of charge on Gateway Arch Park Foundation’s website (archpark.org) and Facebook page.

▪ The Trophy Mules — 6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27. De Vinos Winery, 1522 Illinois 3, Red Bud. Corey & Josh acoustic. facebook.com/devinoswineryredbud

▪ Joe Dreyer & Rosemary Watts: For Better Or Worse — 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27. Blue Strawberry Showroom & Lounge, 364 N. Boyle Ave., St. Louis. Tickets start at $20. bluestrawberrystl.com

▪ Mo Egeston All-Stars featuring Jessica Butler with Special Guest Robert Nelson: Celebrate the Groove — 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28. Blue Strawberry Showroom & Lounge, 364 N. Boyle Ave., St. Louis. Tickets start at $20. bluestrawberrystl.com

▪ An Hour of Passion. And Her Friends: Female Illusion, Impersonation and Drag — 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31. Blue Strawberry Showroom & Lounge, 364 N. Boyle Ave., St. Louis. Tickets: $5. bluestrawberrystl.com

▪ Julia Fordham: Magic — 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1, and Thursday, Sept. 2. Blue Strawberry Showroom & Lounge, 364 N. Boyle Ave., St. Louis. Tickets start at $20. Vaccination required for entry. bluestrawberrystl.com

▪ An Evening of Jazz at the Park — 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 4. Shiloh Community Park, 1 Park Drive, Shiloh. Featuring the Jay Dover Jazz Trio. Food concessions will be available. Bring a lawn chair or sit in the pavilion. This is a fundraiser for the Metro East Diaper Bank. Tickets are $12; $15 at the concert. Tickets available online: metro-east-diaper-bank.ticketleap.com

Club News

▪ Fairview Heights Woman’s Club — 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26. Caseyville Township Building Annex, 10001 Bunkum Road, Fairview Heights.

▪ Highland Garden Club annual Member Appreciation and New Member Drive — 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26. Olde Wicks Factory, 1110 Fifth St., Highland. Light refreshments served; tables and chairs provided. Treasurer will accept 2022 membership dues of $10 by check to Highland Garden Club or cash. All are welcome.

▪ 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.

▪ Stitchin’ in the Stacks — 2-4 p.m. Fridays. Glen Carbon Centennial Library, 198 S. Main St., Glen Carbon. Do you like to knit? Crochet? Embroider? Whatever your passion, gather and socialize with others who share your interest, and perhaps pick-up a few tips and tricks as you work on your own creations. Please bring your crafting supplies. This is a self-directed program; there is no instructor. Snacks allowed. glencarbonlibrary.org

▪ 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. 618-210-8156 or ofallonsunriserotary.org

▪ O’Fallon Senior Citizens Club — 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1. O’Fallon Senior Center, 801 E. State St., O’Fallon. Business: Pizza Night. 618-401-7588.

▪ St. Clair County Genealogical Society — 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 2. Online via Zoom. Husband and wife team Ellen and George Thorson talk about FamilySearch International goals in “FamilySearch and ... St. Clair County.” Open to the public, but space is limited. Reservation information is at stclair-ilgs.org/events or facebook.com/SCCGS.

Farmers Markets

▪ Swansea Farmers Market — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays. Rural King parking lot, 2801 N. Illinois St., Swansea. Fresh local produce, baked goods, unique handmade crafts and more. facebook.com/SwanseaFarmersMarketInc

▪ Monroe County Farmers Market - Columbia — 3-6 p.m. Thursdays. Schnucks parking lot, 100 Columbia Center Drive, Columbia. facebook.com/monroecountyfarmersmarket

▪ Maryville Farmers Market — 5-7 p.m. Thursdays. Fireman’s Park, 300 N. Donk Ave., Maryville. Local farms, handmade goods, special guests. 618-304-8335 or facebook.com/MaryvilleILFarmersMarket.

▪ Sparta Farmers Market — 2-5 p.m. Fridays. Broadway and St. Louis streets, Sparta. facebook.com/farmersmarketspartail

▪ Millstadt Farmers Market — 3-6 p.m. Fridays. Millstadt VFW, 200 Veterans Drive, Millstadt. Plants, produce, baked goods, kettle corn, honey, eggs, crafts, bling and a little bit of everything. 618-476-3037 or facebook.com/MillstadtFarmersMarket.

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

▪ Belleville’s Old Town Farmers Market — 7:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays. South Charles Street at East Main Street, Downtown Belleville. Fresh produce, grass fed beef and other meats, plants, honeys, jams and jellies, crafters, and more. facebook.com/Belleville-Old-Town-Farmers-Market-930383016993451

▪ Monroe County Farmers Market - Waterloo — 7:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays. Monroe County Annex parking lot, 901 Illinois Ave., Waterloo. facebook.com/monroecountyfarmersmarket

▪ Alton Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market — 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays. Corner of Landmarks Boulevard and Henry Street, Alton. An abundance of fresh produce, crafts, baked goods, plants and flowers, locally-raised, hormone-free meat, handmade soaps, jewelry, artwork, and more. downtownalton.com or facebook.com/AltonFarmersMarket

▪ Land of Goshen Community Market — 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays. 100 St. Louis St., Edwardsville. Open rain or shine. Fresh, locally grown produce, live music and so much more. goshenmarket.org or facebook.com/goshenmarket

▪ Vine Street Market — 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays. O’Fallon Station, 212 E. First St., O’Fallon. Locally grown vegetables, flowers, fruits, eggs, cheese and meats. A selection of bakers and sweet treats along with coffee, craft brew beverages and artisans. Live music, patio seating, food truck on site. Bicycle and pet friendly. 618-307-6045, facebook.com/events/2248932058571485 or ofallonstation.com/vine-street-market.

▪ Bethalto Market in the Park — 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays. Central Park, 213 N. Prairie St., Bethalto. bethaltomarketinthepark.org

Food

▪ Main Street Community Center Labor Celebration Luncheon for Seniors — Friday, Sept. 3. Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main St., Edwardsville. Up to 100 seniors will receive a free lunch. Meals prepared by Mother’s Catering, includes BBQ riblet sandwich, potato salad, coleslaw, baked beans and cherry dessert. Two options: curbside pick-up by appointment and delivery to seniors who reside in Edwardsville and Glen Carbon. Reservations taken on a first-come basis: 618-656-0300 or info@mainstcc.org. As a requirement of the CARES grant, a copy of the recipients’ driver’s license or state ID showing birthdate must be on file or provided when meal is delivered or picked up.

▪ 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. Traditional menu of cod available along with hamburgers, hot dogs, pork steaks and additional side dishes. Dine-in and carryout. Credit cards accepted. Orders can be called in at 618-632-6229.

▪ Mascoutah Fish Fry — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays. Mascoutah VFW Post 7682, 620 Donaphan St., Mascoutah. Call 618-566-2288 to order.

▪ 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 carryout, call-in and dine-in orders. 618-222-7171. facebook.com/swanseafishstand

▪ Collinsville American Legion Fish Fry — 3-7:45 p.m. Fridays. Collinsville American Legion, 1022 Vandalia St., Collinsville. Curbside delivery and dine-in. Cash or check only. Place a curbside order by calling 618-345-2508. facebook.com/legionpst365

▪ Collinsville Fish Fry — 4-7 p.m. Fridays. Knights of Columbus Hall, 1 Columbus Plaza, Collinsville. Limited menu. Dine in and drive-thru. No call-in orders. facebook.com/KC1712

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

▪ Millstadt Fish Fry — 4-8 p.m. Fridays. Millstadt VFW Post, 200 Veterans Drive, Millstadt. Eat in or carryout. Call ahead for carryout. 618-476-1180.

▪ Aviston Legion Fish Fry — 4:30-7 p.m. Fridays. American Legion Post 1239, 601 S. Clinton, Aviston. Cod, catfish, shrimp, chicken strips, fries, baked potato, slaw, applesauce. Dine-in and carryout. 618-228-7311. avistonlegion.com

▪ Glen Carbon American Legion Post 435 Fish Fry — 4:30-8 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/Carryout service. 618-288-7119.

▪ Shiloh Eagles Fish Fry — 5-7 p.m. Fridays. Shiloh Eagles 545, 100 Eagle Drive, Shiloh. Cod, walleye, catfish, shrimp and sides. Full menu. Dine-in or carryout available. For carryout, call 618-624-5412.

Reservations Required

▪ Virtual Saturday Morning Yoga — 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 28. Online via Zoom. Get fit and healthy when you join us for an energizing session of yoga with instructor Sarah Hartwig. Register at glencarbonlibrary.org/calendar.

▪ Weekly Sunrise Yoga — 7:30 a.m. Tuesdays. Kiener Plaza, 500 Chestnut St., St. Louis. Check-in begins at 7 a.m. Sunrise Yoga produced by Gateway Arch Park Foundation and led by Yoga Buzz. Free and open to the public. In-person attendance is limited so pre-registration is required at archpark.org/events/sunrise-yoga. The class will be streamed live at facebook.com/gatewayarchpark.

▪ Virtual Evening Flow Yoga — 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1. Online via Zoom. Classes are suitable for those newer to yoga or those wanting a basic flow class. This class introduces traditional yoga postures, teaches you how to breathe, and helps you feel more comfortable in the yoga practice. Instructed by Anne Hughes. Register at glencarbonlibrary.org/calendar.

▪ Highland Moose Lodge Charity Golf Tournament — 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 11. Timber Lakes Golf Course, 3120 Forest Lake Lane, Staunton. Cost: $50 per person or $200 per team of four. Portions of the proceeds to support John Kutz Memorial Scholarship and other community events. 618-531-7208 or lodge2479@mooseunits.org.

Blood Drives

▪ Red Cross Blood Drive — 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27. YMCA, 1 Town Center Drive, Maryville. Appointments recommended but not required. To make an appointment visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-733-2767.

▪ ImpactLife Blood Drive — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 30. Anderson Hospital Platelet Drive, Classrooms 1, 6800 State Route 162, Maryville. Appointments are required. 866-448-3253 or bloodcenterimpact.org.

▪ ImpactLife Blood Drive — 2-6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 30. Wood River Public Library, Donor Bus, 326 E. Ferguson Ave., Wood River. Appointments are required. 866-448-3253 or bloodcenterimpact.org.

▪ ImpactLife Blood Drive — 2:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31. Granite City High School, Atrium, 3101 Madison Ave., Granite City. Appointments are required. 866-448-3253 or bloodcenterimpact.org.

▪ Red Cross Blood Drive — 3-8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1. St. James Catholic Parish & School, 412 W. Washington Ave., Millstadt. Appointments recommended but not required. To make an appointment visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-733-2767.

Worth the Drive

▪ Fourth Friday Art Walk — 6-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27. Historic Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. On the fourth Friday of the month, participating shops and galleries in historic downtown Ste. Genevieve extend their hours into the evening and provide a festive atmosphere for a stroll through downtown to view the artwork and creativity on display in local galleries, shops and restaurants. visitstegen.com

▪ Living History Saturday — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28. Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. History comes alive in historic Ste. Genevieve on Saturdays. Enjoy “Hands-On History” presentations, demonstrations, music and craft activities at historic sites. Take a free walking tour or join a Ranger Talk and learn about fascinating aspects of historic Ste. Genevieve. Visitors might be able to try throwing a tomahawk, learn how to make moccasins, watch yarn being spun, or learn how filigree is made. Activities vary weekly. Enjoy the ambiance created by costumed strollers and various musicians and crafters on hand to greet visitors. Come interact with these special presenters. visitstegen.com

▪ Bluegrass on the Farm — 7-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28. Suson Park, 6073 Wells Road, St. Louis. George Portz & Friends of Bluegrass, featuring Missouri harmonica champ Eric Thompson, Thunder & Lightning Cloggers, country vocalist Caitlyn Richards, banjoist “Sammy Boy” Webb. Cost: $5 adults, children free.

▪ Green Door Art Gallery presents: ‘It’s Not What It Seems’ — 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1. Green Door Art Gallery, 21 N. Gore St., Webster Groves, Missouri. A surreal and fantasy art exhibit featuring acrylic paintings by Tom Blood, Mollie Chounard and Michael Frank, and wood vessels and sculptures by Anthony Scheffler. The exhibit is free and open to the public. The artwork in this exhibit will be available for sale Sept. 1 – Oct. 30. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. 314-202-4071 or greendoorartgallery.com.