Southwestern Illinois calendar features ‘spooky’ Halloween events, tasty food, concerts

Noon Thursday, Oct. 28, 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

▪ O’Fallon Public Library Book Sale — 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30; 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31; and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 1. O’Fallon Public Library, 120 Civic Plaza, O’Fallon. Includes sorted fiction, non-fiction, DVDs, CDs, audio books, puzzles, games, special marked items, and more. Separate children’s room. Free admission, no reservations. Masks required to enter building. Accepting cash, check or debit/credit card. 618-632-3783 or ofpl.info.

▪ Art Faculty Exhibition 2021 Opening Reception — 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29. Hatheway Cultural Center Gallery, Lewis and Clark Community College, 5800 Godfrey Road, Godfrey. Exhibit on display 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday through Nov. 24. 618-468-4665.

▪ Trunk and Treat Caffeine and Chrome — 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. 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/221236816261587

▪ 17th annual Chili/Soup Cook-off & 7th annual Cupcake Wars — 3-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. New Baden Community Park, New Baden. Includes 14 chili teams, 11 soup teams and four cupcake teams. All-you-can-eat arm bands available for $12 each starting at 2 p.m. on day of event. Live music and car show. facebook.com/NewBadenChamberOfCommerce

▪ St. Louis Comic Book Show — 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31. Shrewsbury American Legion Post, 7300 Lansdowne Ave., St. Louis. Buy, sell and trade collectible comics, cards, toys and action figures. Meet other hobbyists and explore more than 40 tables. Refreshments available. Free parking. 314-544-2812.

▪ Red Cross Blood Drive — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2. Memorial Hospital Belleville, Auditorium, 4500 Memorial Drive, Belleville. Must be 16 years of age or older to donate; feeling healthy and well the day of the Blood Drive; and a photo ID is required. Lunch is provided to all donors. Appointments are recommended but not required. To make an appointment for the upcoming blood drive visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code MemorialBelleville or call 800-733-2767.

▪ Native American Heritage Event — 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 4. Ann Whitney Olin Theatre, Hatheway Cultural Center, Lewis and Clark Community College, 5800 Godfrey Road, Godfrey. 618-468-6400.

▪ St. Andrew’s Fall Book Fair — 3-8 p.m. (by reservation only) Friday, Nov. 5, and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 6. St. Andrew’s Eposcopal Church, 406 Hillsboro Ave., Edwardsville. Featuring more than 20,000 used books, well organized and priced to sell. Categories include fiction (hardcover and paperback), children’s books, history, literature, pets, sports, regional history, cookbooks, gardening, art, biography, music, humor, large print, religion, reference, science fiction and much more. For Friday reservations: 618-656-1294 or standrews-edwardsville.com.

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.

▪ Holy Family Men and Women’s Club Trivia Night — 6 p.m. (doors open) Friday, Nov. 5. Holy family Gym, 109 Church St., Cahokia. Bring your own food. Beverages for sale. Raffle baskets, table decorating contest. Cost: $10 per person or $100 per table. For reservations: 618-337-7842 or 618-779-6000.

Theater/Concerts

▪ Fliter Plays Schumann — 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 29, and 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis. Guest conductor Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider and the SLSO explore the many meanings of home. Karim Al-Zand’s “Luctus Profugis” honors the courage of refugees fleeing Syria. “Má vlast” is Bedřich Smetana’s search for the voice of his native Bohemia. Pianist Ingrid Fliter finds comfort in the beating heart of Robert Schumann’s Piano Concerto. For tickets and information, visit slso.org.

▪ Pipe Screams Organ Concert with Organist John Cargile — 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29. St. Paul UCC, 115 W. B St., Belleville. Enjoy your favorite haunted organ music at this unique concert. Costumes are encouraged. A free-will offering will be received. For more information call the church office at 618-233-3303.

▪ Ken Haller: When I’m 67! A Birthday Cabaret — 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, and 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. Blue Strawberry Showroom & Lounge, 364 N. Boyle Ave., St. Louis. Tickets start at $20. Vaccination required for entry. bluestrawberrystl.com

▪ The Philharmonic Society of Belleville presents Stars of Tomorrow/Halloween Spook-tacular — 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. St. Matthew Methodist Church, 1200 Moreland Drive, Belleville. Winners of the Stars of Tomorrow Young Artist Competition and some “spooky” classics of the season. Free and open to the public. bellevillephilharmonic.org

▪ The Hett Film Art Series: ‘Kinky Boots’ (2005) — 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2. Russel E. and Fern M. Hettenhausen Center for the Arts, 400 N. Alton St., Lebanon. Based on a true story, the film tells of a struggling British shoe factory’s young, strait-laced owner, who forms an unlikely partnership with a drag queen to save the business. Rated PG-13. 1 hour, 48 minutes. Screen Talk host: Dr. Jessica Campbell, associate professor of English. Free admission. 618-537-6863 or thehett.com.

▪ Daniel LeClaire: 21st Century Jazz Standards — 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3. Blue Strawberry Showroom & Lounge, 364 N. Boyle Ave., St. Louis. Tickets start at $25. Vaccination required for entry. bluestrawberrystl.com

▪ Pat McGee Band — 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4. Blue Strawberry Showroom & Lounge, 364 N. Boyle Ave., St. Louis. Tickets start at $20. Vaccination required for entry. bluestrawberrystl.com

▪ 30th annual Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival — Thursday, Nov. 4, through Sunday, Nov. 21. Tivoli Theatre, 6350 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, and Webster University Winifred Moore Auditorium, 470 E. Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves, Missouri. Screenings at the Tivoli will take place Thursday, Nov. 4, through Sunday, Nov. 14, and Thursday, Nov. 18, through Sunday, Nov. 21. Viewings at Winifred Moore Auditorium will be held Friday, Nov. 5, through Sunday, Nov. 14. For the festival schedule and ticket information: cinemastlouis.org

Clubs & Support Groups

▪ O’Fallon Woman’s Club — 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28. St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 111 O’Fallon Troy Road, O’Fallon. Program will be Charcuterie History and How to Build a Board. Presenter is Chrissy Johnson, Boarding House Bistro. Members are encouraged to bring a guest for Membership evening. ofallonwomansclub@gmail.com, www.ofallonwomansclub.org and Facebook: O’Fallon Woman’s Club Inc.

▪ 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

▪ A Plethora of Pens — 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 1. Glen Carbon Centennial Library, 198 S. Main St., Glen Carbon. This is an open group, walk-ins are welcome, all writing levels, and all genres. Different topics every month. This is not a critique group, although there are occasional group crits, mostly to improve the ability to critique others. Please wear a mask. No registration required. glencarbonlibrary.org

▪ GriefShare Seminar/Support Group — 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Dec. 7. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Conference Room, Lower Level, 1300 Beltline Road, Collinsville. A helpful, encouraging seminar for people grieving the death of a loved one. Featuring practical suggestions and reassurance through video interviews with counselors, grief experts and others. There are 14 total sessions; join any time. Cost: $15 for the workbook. For information or to register: 618-344-3151 or lcookparishnurse@charter.net.

▪ International Women’s Organization — 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2. Community Room, Eden Village, 200 S. Station Road, Glen Carbon. Speaker Anna Dovha presents “The Look of Ukraine.” Dovha is a Global UGRAD exchange student from Ukraine majoring in Economics at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She will share how several important events shaped Ukraine, the relationship with the United States and its cultural aspects. 618-406-0259, 618-830-5804 or 618-791-3341.

▪ 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

▪ Bible Study Fellowship — 9:30-11 a.m. and 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays. St. Matthew Methodist Church, 1200 Moreland Drive, Belleville. Morning class includes classes for newborn through Pre-K. We will be studying the gospel of Matthew through April. 618-520-8357 or 618-593-4104.

▪ O’Fallon Senior Citizens Club — 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3. O’Fallon Senior Center, 801 E. State St., O’Fallon. Business: Tickets for Dec. 5 Christmas party on sale. Members only. Subs are on the menu. 618-401-7588.

▪ PFLAG Edwardsville —7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4. Immanuel UMC Rainbow House, 808 N. Main St., Edwardsville. Offering support, education and advocacy for LGBTQ people and their allies. 618-977-5078.

▪ St. Clair County Genealogical Society — 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4. Online via Zoom. In “St. Clair County’s Circuit Court Naturalization Records,” Diane Walsh provides a brief overview of the naturalization process, then focuses on St. Clair County Circuit Court declaration and naturalization records. The lecture is 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. Thursday, Oct. 28. 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. Thursday, Oct. 28. Schnucks parking lot, 100 Columbia Center Drive, Columbia. facebook.com/monroecountyfarmersmarket

▪ Millstadt Farmers Market — 3-6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29. 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 Saturday, Oct. 30. 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 Saturday, Oct. 30. Monroe County Annex parking lot, 901 Illinois Ave., Waterloo. facebook.com/monroecountyfarmersmarket

Food

▪ O’Fallon K of C 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. Friday, Oct. 29. 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

▪ 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 (baked or fried), 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.

▪ Soulcial Park Restaurant & Bar Grand Opening Event — 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. Soulcial Kitchen, 127 North Belt East, Swansea. Soulcial Kitchen is throwing a celebratory Soulcial Park Restaurant & Bar (brick and mortar) Grand Opening on its 3+-acre food truck park, featuring food, fellowship, fun, plus one “spooktrunkcular” costume contest. facebook.com/soulcialkitchen

Reservations Required

▪ Virtual Saturday Morning Yoga — 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. 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.

▪ Adult Zumba w/Aimee — 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4. Glen Carbon Centennial Library, Youth Room, 198 S. Main St., Glen Carbon. Join us for an evening workout with our very own Zumba Fitness instructor. Come in comfortable exercise clothing and bring a water bottle. Space is limited and masks will be required. Requires Registration. glencarbonlibrary.org.

▪ Prepared Childbirth Class — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6. HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, 1 St. Elizabeth’s Blvd., O’Fallon. These classes teach relaxation techniques, controlled breathing, physical and emotional changes that occur during labor and birth. Pain control options are discussed. Both mother and support person learn how to take an active part in the birth process. Cost: $20. To register, email childbirtheduc@hshs.org. hshs.org/StElizabeths

▪ City of the Sun 5K Trail Run — 9 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 7. Cahokia Mounds, 30 Ramey St., Collinsville. Join this rain-or-shine event to help raise funds to preserve Cahokia Mounds. Please be aware that this is a trail run and that the ground may be wet and uneven. Entry fee: $30. For more information: cahokiamounds.org.

Worth the Drive

▪ Living History Saturday — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. 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

▪ River-to-River Trail Society Hike: Dutchman Lake, Johnson County — 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. Meet along the access road to Dutchman Lake, about five miles northwest of Vienna, Illinois. This hike is intended for people in good health who have done some hiking. The hike will run 5-6 miles with some small creek crossings. Hiking sticks and boots or sturdy shoes are strongly recommended. Hikers should bring their own water and a snack. No dogs, please. 270-331-1553 or rivertorivertrail.net

▪ Mary Engelbreit: Then and Now — 10 a.m to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3. Green Door Art Gallery, 21 N. Gore, Webster Groves, Missouri. This exhibit spans the years of Mary Engelbreit’s art practice. Featuring earlier works released from her family’s personal collection, drawings for calendar pages, newer works from her recent exploration of acrylic painting, and images she drew for herself during pandemic lockdown. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. 314-202-4071 or greendoorartgallery.com.

Halloween Events

▪ Treats on the Streets — 1-5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29. Town Square, Highland. Businesses and organizations around town will be handing out candy to anyone who wishes to participate. Some businesses will be set up at their brick-and-mortar locations, while others will be set up on the square. For more information: facebook.com/events/271481634702161.

▪ Edwardsville Masonic Lodge Trunk or Treat — 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29. Edwardsville Masonic Lodge, 90 Kriege Farm Road, Glen Carbon. Providing candy, hot dogs, chips and hot cocoa. Free and open to the public. edwardsvillemasons.org or facebook.com/edwardsvillemasons

▪ Halloween Party in the Park — 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. City Park, 101 S. Buchanan St., Edwardsville. Community Candy Walk will include local businesses and organizations that will line the sidewalks around City Park with decorated booths/spaces and give out treats. Little trick-or-treaters can participate in the annual Costume Contest at noon with categories covering all age groups plus group costumes and pets. Head off down to Main Street for some Downtown Trick-or-Treating. cityofedwardsville.com

▪ Halloween Spooktrunkular Event — 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. Soulcial Kitchen, 127 North Belt East, Swansea. As part of the grand opening event for Soulcial Kitchen’s brick and mortar Restaurant & Bar, there will be a costume contest for guests. Come to the event and let the folks at Soulcial Kitchen snap a photo of you, in all your gory glory. They will post your photo to the Soulcial Kitchen FB page and “boo-ever” gets the most FB likes by 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 31 wins. facebook.com/soulcialkitchen

▪ Outcast Car Club Trunk or Treat — 1 p.m .Saturday, Oct. 30. Hofbräuhaus St. Louis - Belleville, 123 Saint Eugene Drive, Belleville. Candy for the kids and prizes for the best decorated trunk, theme and costume. facebook.com/events/1490288561336931

▪ Nightmare on Niedringhaus — 3-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. Civic Park, Niedringhaus Avenue, Granite City. Costume parade for kids. facebook.com/events/2747667118859330

▪ Too Cute To Spook Pumpkin Trail — 3-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. Main Street, Downtown Breese. Includes downtown trick or treating, kids activities, business pumpkin decorating contest, a children’s costume contest at 6 p.m., haunted house at Gridiron and a pet costume contest. A Nightmare on Main Street Pub Crawl will follow from 8 p.m. to midnight. Live entertainment and more. breesechamber.com

▪ CBD Kratom Trunk or Treat — 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. CBD Kratom, 10300 Lincoln Trail, Fairview Heights. A family-friendly Halloween event featuring traditional trick or treating candy and a special area for treats, prizes, and an Instagram giveaway.

▪ Alton Halloween Parade — 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. Alton. The parade will begin at the corner of Washington Avenue and Broadway and continue on Broadway to Piasa Street. The parade will then turn right onto Piasa to 9th Street. riversandroutes.com

▪ Christ Church Trunk or Treat — 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31. Christ Church, 339 Frank Scott Parkway East, Fairview Heights. Bring your family and friends for a candy crazed afternoon of trunk or treating. facebook.com/events/159515543043157

▪ Troy UMC Trunk or Treat — 4-6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31. Troy UMC, 407 Edwardsville Road, Troy. Join Troy UMC for Halloween festivities, decorated trunks and tasty treats. troymaryvillecoc.com

This story was originally published October 27, 2021 at 10:00 AM.