Looking for something to do in southwest IL? Here are more than 20 events to consider

Noon Thursday, July 21, 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 number of submissions received, events may run only one time in print, will be edited and appear 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.

Events

▪ Swansea Farmers Market — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays. Rural King parking lot, 2801 N. Illinois St., Swansea. Crafts, kettle corn, stained glass art, soap,baked goods, fresh produce. Tomatoes are now in season.

▪ Missouri Numismatic Society 62nd annual July Coin Show — Noon to 6 p.m. Thursday, July 21; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, July 22; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 23. St. Charles Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, St. Charles, Missouri. Over 125 dealers in attendance. U. S. and Foreign coins and currency as well as ancient coins will be featured. Free and open to the public. missourinumismaticsociety.org/annual-coin-show

▪ Author Talk: ‘The St. Louis Commune of 1877: Communism in the Heartland’ — 1 p.m. Friday, July 22. Field House Museum, 634 S. Broadway, St. Louis. This talk explores a little-known piece of St. Louis labor history with author Mark Kruger and his book, “The St. Louis Commune of 1877: Communism in the Heartland.” Kruger will share with visitors the fascinating story of the Great Railroad Strike of 1877, in which St. Louis had political control seized by workers and was ruled by a communist party. Free with limited availability in person. Masks required. For advance reservations: 314-421-4689 or info@fieldhousemuseum.org.

▪ Millstadt Township Farmers Market — 3-6 p.m. Fridays. Millstadt VFW Event Center, 200 Veterans Drive, Millstadt. Featuring everything: local plants, fruit, coffee, produce, flowers, honey, eggs, baked goods, jellies/jams and flea market items. No vendor fees. 618-476-3037.

▪ Tower Grove Park Beer and Cocktail Garden — 4-8 p.m. Fridays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays through October. Ruins Pond, Tower Grove Park, 4257 Northeast Drive, St. Louis. Enjoy a variety of seasonal and classic Schlafly beer, four seasonally rotating cocktails from STL Barkeep, food truck fare, live music, yoga and yard games. Free to attend. A portion of the beer and cocktail proceeds will benefit Tower Grove Park. schlafly.com

▪ Vine Street Market at O’Fallon Station — 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays. O’Fallon Station, 212 E. 1st 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. 618-624-0139 or ofallonstation.com/vine-street-market.

▪ St. Francis of Assisi Quilt Show — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 23, and Sunday, July 24. St. Francis Parish Center, 2nd and Clinton streets, Aviston. More than 100 quilts on display. Preview the quilts to be awarded at the Saturday, Aug. 6. parish picnic. Free refreshments, attendance prizes. Admission $3. 618-228-7219 or stfrancisav.org.

▪ Central Illinois Numismatic Association’s 32nd annual Summer Coin Show — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 24. Northfield Center I, 3210 Northfield Drive, Springfield. U.S. and foreign coins, ancient and modern coins, gold and silver bullion, state quarters, paper money. Admission: $1. Members and children under 16 enter free. Early bird admission $20, 7-9 a.m. For more info: michael.ripka13@comcast.net.

▪ Belleville West Class of 2012 Bar Crawl — 5-10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5. Downtown Belleville. Any district 201 grads 21 and older are welcome to join. This event is hosted by Belleville West Class of 2012. Order your wristband for drink specials online at https://bw12classreunion.splashthat.com/. Each bar participating in the bar crawl will have an evening drink special for those of us who have the Bar Crawl wristbands. Class of 2012 members can use the same link to RSVP for the 10-year reunion. facebook.com/events/1231357014062632

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.

▪ St. Clair County Office on Aging Mahjong — 12:30 p.m. Fridays. 201 N. Church St., Belleville. Mahjong is a game usually played by four people with 144 tiles that are drawn and discarded until one player secures the winning hand. Join our group and play this popular tile game. 618-234-4410, ext. 7034 or ext. 7044.

▪ Euchre — 7 p.m. Friday, July 22. Smithton Senior Center, 711 S. Main St., Smithton. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Snacks welcome. Water, soda and coffee will be available for purchase. Masks not required. 618-791-8769 or 618-698-3785.

▪ Pitch for Cancer Research Cornhole Tournament Fundraiser — 1-5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20. Trenton Community Park, Trenton. Prizes will be awarded to the top four team finishers. Food, beer and drinks will be available for purchase. It is being held in memory of Helen Andersen (Lebanon, IL) and Ashley Furlong, both who died from cancer at such a young age. Cost: $20 per person or $40 per team of two. Proceeds benefit cancer research. To register: https://bit.ly/3chkUtg. For info: Mark Skaer 618-623-2769 or skaer.mark@gmail.com.

Theater/Concerts

▪ Highland Thursday Night Live Concert Series: Josh Gilbert Band — 7 p.m. Thursday, July 21. Downtown Square, Highland. Enjoy live entertainment on Thursday evenings. Feel free to bring your own lawn chair(s), blanket, cooler, etc., and enjoy the show. The Lions Club will be selling brats, pork burgers and chicken sandwiches. highlandil.gov

▪ 2022 Summer Music Series: Almost Famous — 8 p.m. Friday, July 22. The Orris Theatre, 265 Merchant St., Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Admission: $20 at the door or online at stegenchamber.org/summer-music-series.

▪ Highland Muny Band — Approximately 8 p.m. Friday, July 22. Downtown Square, Highland. Listen to the beautiful music of the Muny Band all summer. Free and open to the public. facebook.com/HighlandMunyBand

▪ Music in the Park Summer Concert Series: ShortMist (Country Rock) — 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 27. Klucker Hall (Upstairs), 14 Park Drive, Shiloh. Free parking. Sponsored by Village of Shiloh. 618-632-1022, ext. 119.

▪ Whitaker Music Festival 2022 Concert Series: The Soulard Blues Band — 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 27. Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis. Entry at 5 p.m. The Whitaker Music Festival offers a lineup of free Wednesday evening concerts under the stars. Pack a picnic and enjoy the beauty of the Garden grounds in summertime bloom as you listen to the tunes and rhythms of an eclectic rotation of artists from week to week. Live music will begin at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays through Aug. 3. Free admission entry begins at 5 p.m. Last entry is at 8:15 p.m. Advance reservations required. mobot.org/whitaker

Clubs & Support Groups

▪ The National Alliance on Mental Illness Southwestern IL (NAMI SWI) — 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, July 21. St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church, 1200 Moreland Drive, Belleville. For family members or other caregivers of someone who has a mental illness. Meetings held the third Thursday of each month. For information, contact Diane at diane.bski@live.com or call NAMI at 618-798-9788.

▪ Parkinson’s Disease Discovery Group — 2-3 p.m. Tuesday, July 26. Sullivan Conference Room, HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Highland, 12866 Troxler Ave., Highland. Meetings will be held on the fourth Tuesday of every month. This group provides the opportunity to learn and share helpful information, support each other in dealing with Parkinson’s disease-related issues, and to connect with others who can relate to your experience. Registration is not necessary to attend. Masking (non-cloth) is still required in health care facilities. For more information or questions, please call 618-651-2720. stjosephshighland.org

▪ The National Alliance on Mental Illness Southwestern IL (NAMI SWI) — 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 26. First Baptist Church, 534 St. Louis St., Edwardsville. For family members or other caregivers of someone who has a mental illness. Meetings held the fourth Tuesday of each month. For information, contact Pat Rudloff at silverlining6@charter.net or call NAMI at 618-798-9788.

▪ 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. Free and open to all. For info or to join the Zoom meeting, contact Craig at 618-567-6095. 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

▪ Belleville Community Band — 7:30-9 p.m. Wednesdays. Belleville Philharmonic Hall, 116 N. Jackson St., Belleville. Currently seeking new members, particularly woodwinds, percussion and tuba. Visit the Belleville Community Band Facebook page for more info.

Food

▪ Fry’er Fest 2022 — 5-8 p.m. Thursday, July 21. Chicken Out Kirkwood, 10463 Manchester Road, Ste. A, Kirkwood, Missouri. Chicken tender lovers can chow down and party in the parking lot for one night only. Part-block party, part-competition, “Fry’er Fest” will challenge some of St. Louis’ top chefs and foodies to face off over the course of the evening with three challenges on spice, quantity and speed. Attendees can munch on free, “Flappetizers” provided by Chicken Out, Hi-Pointe Drive-In, and Sugarfire Smokehouse. Free and open to the public. facebook.com/events/3218850668402255

▪ O’Fallon Fish Fry — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. Knights of Columbus Hall, 402 E. U.S. 50, O’Fallon. Traditional menu of cod, hamburgers, hot dogs, pork steaks and several side dishes. Dine-in and carryout. Credit cards accepted. Orders can be called in at 618-632-6229 or facebook.com/KnightsOfColumbus4239

▪ 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

▪ Okawville American Legion Fish Fry — 5-8 p.m. Fridays. American Legion Post 233, 205 N. Hanover St., Okawville. Dine in or carryout. Also serving lunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday with a salad bar. Pizza made fresh and served every day. facebook.com/OkawvilleLegion

Reservations Required

▪ Virtual Saturday Morning Yoga — 9:30 a.m. Saturday, July 23. Online via Zoom. Get fit and healthy when you join us for an energizing session of yoga with instructor Sarah Hartwig. Space is limited. Registration required. Register at glencarbonlibrary.org.

▪ St. Clair County Office on Aging Exercise Class — 10:45-11:45 a.m. Tuesdays. PSOP, 201 N. Church St., Belleville. Tracie Renschen, MS Kinesiology, (the study of mechanics of body movement) leads this exercise class to focus on strengthening the various muscles of the body, helping with balance and arthritis. Cost: $3 per class. To register, call Mary at 618-234-4410, ext. 7034.

▪ Adult Zumba with Aimee — 6-7 p.m. Thursday, July 28. Glen Carbon Centennial Library, 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. Requires Registration. glencarbonlibrary.org

▪ Hops for Heroes — Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13. Edwardsville Moose Lodge, 7371 Marine Road, Edwardsville. Hops for Heroes is a charity beer tasting featuring craft breweries from the St. Louis area. Tickets include four hours of beer tasting from local breweries, a complimentary beer tasting glass, and T-shirt. Food will be available for purchase as well. Must be 21 to enter. Tickets must be ordered by July 22 to guarantee T-shirt sizes. Proceeds support the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight Network. For more info or to purchase tickets, visit Eventbrite.com or https://bit.ly/3PApe5d.

Worth the Drive

▪ Ste. Genevieve Farmers Market – 7 a.m. to noon Saturdays. KC Hall grounds, 600 Market St., Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. Locally produced vegetables, fruits, eggs, honey, canned goods, vinegars, jams, jellies and freshly baked goods. facebook.com/SteGenevieveFarmersMarket