Festivals, food & other fun fill weekend. See what else is happening in the metro-east

Noon Friday, Sept. 16, 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.

Highlighted Event

▪ Mississippi Earthtones Festival — Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17. Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater, #1 Riverfront Drive, Alton. The Mississippi Earthtones Festival is a celebration of our river through art, music and conservation. At this free and family-friendly event, we will feature 50+ educational booths, live music, interactive art experiences and performances with Jacoby Arts Center, as well as great local food and beverages. Sponsored by Alton Main Street and Sierra Club Illinois. 618-401-7870 or christine.favilla@sierraclub.org.

Events

▪ 41st annual Belleville Oktoberfest — 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, and Saturday, Sept. 17. Public Square, Downtown Belleville. Live entertainment, food, games and contests, children’s area, car show and more. bellevilleoktoberfest.com

▪ 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

▪ 74th annual Okawville Fair & Wheat Festival — 5 p.m. to midnight Friday, Sept. 16; 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday, Sept. 17; and 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18. Community Club Park, Okawville. Live music, carnival rides, food and drink, exhibits and more. Parade is 2 p.m. Sunday. For info: okawvillewheatfestival.com.

▪ Vine Street Market at O’Fallon Station — 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. 618-624-0139 or ofallonstation.com/vine-street-market.

▪ Metals & Electronics Recycle Drive — 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 17. St. Clair Township Building, 107 Service St., Swansea. Accepting office equipment, vehicles, electronics, batteries, appliances, machinery. Fees for TV/Monitor, CRT. No paper, glass, plastic, wood, cardboard or tires. 618-344-7232 or powerrecycling.com.

▪ Greater St. Louis Volunteer Fair — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17. Gateway Arch Visitor Center, west entrance, St. Louis. Attendees can learn about local nonprofits (including Gateway Arch Park Foundation), their missions and how to get involved. For more info: archpark.org.

▪ Missouri Botanical Garden Green Living Festival — 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17. Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis. The Missouri Botanical Garden’s annual Green Living Festival is returning in person as a series of pop-up events at institutions throughout the heart of St. Louis. The “Summer of Sustainability” series invites visitors to engage with experts at these events throughout the summer in a day of learning and exploring ideas for sustainable lifestyles. Entrance to the Green Living Festival is included with regular entry to the Missouri Botanical Garden. Free for Garden Members. Free St. Louis City and County resident admission till noon. 314-577-5100 or mobot.org/greenlivingfest.

▪ Metro East Humane Society’s Woofstock 2022 — 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17. Triangle H. Farm, 2082 S. Moreland Road, Edwardsville. This year’s theme is “Stick It to The Man for Man’s Best Friend.” The proceeds from this family-friendly event will benefit the homeless animals that MEHS serves. Includes live music, demonstrations, food and more. Cost: $10 per person or $30 per family. mehs.org

▪ Street Art Festival — 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17. Highland’s Downtown Square, Highland. Carrying on a tradition started centuries ago, this annual festival will turn the streets of downtown Highland into a temporary art gallery. Includes a street art competition, bags tournament, kids korner, live music, food and drink and more. highlandillinois.com

▪ 11th annual ‘Paint Historic Belleville’ Art Auction — 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17. Historic Garfield Saloon, 633 E. Garfield St., Belleville. View paintings of local sites of significance painted by local talent. Paintings go on display at 11:30 a.m.; the auction starts promptly at 1 p.m. Enjoy the art displayed, meet the artists, check out photographs of past paintings located inside the saloon, and partake in light food and drink for sale on our patio. All proceeds go towards our mission of maintaining and preserving local architecture and stories. facebook.com/events/1399593070526373

▪ 16th annual Mississippi Earthtones Festival — Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17. Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater, #1 Riverfront Drive, Alton. In celebration of the Mississippi River through art, music and conservation, this event includes live music, educational booths, interactive art experiences and performances, food and beverages and much more. Free and open to the public. facebook.com/EarthtonesFestival

▪ Sababa Jewish Arts & Culture Festival — 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18. Washington University St. Louis campus, Forsythe Boulevard and Olympian Way, St. Louis. Sababa, Hebrew slang for “Awesome, Cool or That’s Great,” features local, regional, and national visual art exhibitors, culinary experiences and musical performances, as well as activities from local Jewish organizations. New this year, the festival will feature a dedicated pavilion area for families and children’s activities and entertainment, including a magician, yoga, juggling and mad science area. Visitors can nosh on traditional favorites such as knishes, pastrami, hot dogs and pretzels, as well as kosher cuisine not normally associated with Jewish culture such as Indian food from St. Louis restaurant Gokul. Kosher ice cream, Dippin’ Dots, popcorn and cotton candy will also be served. sababastl.com

▪ Service of Remembrance for Queen Elizabeth II — 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 19. St. George’s Episcopal Church, 105 E. D St., Belleville. St. George’s Episcopal Church in Belleville will hold a service of Evening Prayer in commemoration of Queen Elizabeth II. As queen, she served as the supreme governor of the Church of England, which is the historical parent of the independent Episcopal Church of the United States. The service is open to all members of the community who wish to give praise and thanks for Elizabeth’s remarkable life, service and vocation. Parking is available in the lot across the corner from the church.

Games

▪ Euchre — 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16. Smithton Senior Center, 711 S. Main St., Smithton. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Partner night. Snacks welcome. Water, soda and coffee will be available for purchase. Masks not required. 618-791-8769 or 618-698-3785.

▪ Metro Cribbage Club — 12:30 p.m. Mondays. American Legion Post 365, 1022 Vandalia St., Collinsville. For more information, contact Yvonne Bright, 618-344-1521 or ybrightmail@gmail.com.

Theater/Concerts

▪ Highland Thursday Night Live Concert Series: Trilogy Band — 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15. 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

▪ Philip Fortenberry — 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16. Hettenhausen Center for the Arts, 400 N. Alton St., Lebanon. As a versatile artist whose style encompasses a wide range of musical genres, Philip Fortenberry is a performer with an equally expansive career. Philip was the pianist and Associate Conductor for the Broadway musical Rocky, where he also received the inaugural “Ghostlight Award” as Best Musician on Broadway. For tickets and info: 618-537-6863 or thehett.com.

▪ Monroe Actors State Company presents ‘The Pajama Game’ — 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, and Saturday, Sept. 17; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18. Capitol Theater, 202 S. Main St., Waterloo. Romance is blossoming at the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory. Handsome new Superintendent Sid Sorokin falls hard for feisty Union rep “Babe” Williams, and, despite her dismissal of all things love-related, it seems she’s falling right back. For tickets and info: masctheatre.org.

▪ Golden Anniversaries Discussion: ‘Last Tango in Paris’ — 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 19. Virtual discussion. Distraught following his wife’s suicide, American hotelier Paul (Marlon Brando) becomes transfixed by the beautiful younger Frenchwoman Jeanne (Maria Schneider) when he meets her by chance at an apartment both are attempting to rent. Intro and discussion by Eileen G’Sell, film critic for The Riverfront Times; contributor to Hyperallergic, Salon, and Vice; and senior lecturer in the College Writing Program at Washington University. Find streaming options on JustWatch. Join the discussion free via Eventive.

▪ Kaskaskia College Fall Choir Concert — 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22. Jane Knight Auditorium, 27210 College Road, Centralia. This concert will feature the Concert Choir, KC Blues, Community Chorale and Middle School Festival Choir.

▪ St. Louis Symphony Orchestra presents ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2’ — 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, and Saturday, Sept. 24; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis. The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra presents the final installment of the Harry Potter series in concert. Justin Freer conducts as the orchestra plays Alexandre Desplat’s score to “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” in concert while the film plays on the big screen. For tickets and info: 314-534-1700 or slso.org.

Clubs & Support Groups

▪ GriefShare Seminar/Group — 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Dec. 6. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Fellowship Hall, lower level, 1300 Beltline Road, Collinsville. A special weekly seminar and support group for those grieving the death of a loved one. Featuring practical suggestions and reassurance through video interviews with counselors, grief experts and others who have experienced the death of a loved one. Participants can start at any time. Cost: $20 for the workbook. 318-344-3151 or bklee54@yahoo.com for info or to register.

▪ The National Alliance on Mental Illness Southwestern IL (NAMI SWI) — 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15. 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.

▪ St. Clair County Office on Aging Grief Support Group — 10-11:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 19. PSOP, 201 N. Church St., Belleville. Diana Cuddeback, LCSW, with Heartlinks Grief Support Center facilitates this peer grief support group for older adults who have lost a loved one. Learning about the grief process and being with others who understand helps. This group meets on the third Monday of each month. Please call Susan at 618-234-4410, ext. 7044, to register.

▪ 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

▪ Bible Study Fellowship Women’s Classes — 9:30-11 a.m. and 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays. St. Matthew Church, 1200 Moreland Drive, Belleville. Morning classes include teaching for newborn through Pre-K. Together with other women, we will be studying the later history of Israel. For info or to register, call or leave a message with Jane at 618-520-8357 or Candy at 618-363-3285.

▪ O’Fallon Women’s Club — 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 22. St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 111 O’Fallon Troy Road, O’Fallon. Breakfast meeting. Speaker Teri Rankin will talk about “Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.” Yearbooks will be ready for pickup. Note the change for the first meeting of the Club year. ofallonwomansclub.org or facebook.com/OFallonWomansClubInc

▪ Highland Garden Club — 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22. Korte Rec Center, 1 Nagel Drive, Highland. A brief business meeting followed by a make-n-take led by Marge Coles of Walter Knowles Florist. Those who wish to participate will be making an artificial Christmas decoration. Cost for the activity is $20. Visitors are always welcome to attend.

Food

▪ 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

▪ 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, tilapia, catfish, 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. 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

▪ Sausage Supper — 3-7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17. Evangelical United Church of Christ, 2520 Poplar St., Highland. Drive-thru only. Dinner is $12 and includes 1-pound sausage, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, apple pie. 618-654-7459.

▪ Quail Club Wurstmarkt — 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18. Quail Club, 8303 Concordia Church Road, Belleville. Dine in or carryout.

Reservations Required

▪ Masterworks Chorale Oktoberfest — 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18. Eckert’s Shed, 951 S. Green Mount Road., Belleville. The evening includes a buffet with appetizers, two meats, two sides, dessert and one drink ticket, musical performances by Chorale Principal Singers, accordion music and a sing-a-long. Reservations are $30 per person and can be made at singmasterworks.org.

▪ Medicare Q&A with Jon Bergmann — 6-7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 19. Glen Carbon Centennial Library, 198 S. Main St., Glen Carbon. Bring your questions on how to register and what is covered when you sign up for Medicare. Requires Registration. Requires Registration. glencarbonlibrary.org

▪ Virtual Evening Flow Yoga — 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 19. Online via Zoom. A Slow Flow mixed levels practice that will lead you through a series of yoga poses that focus on strengthening, lengthening, and stretching. Requires Registration. Instructed by Anne Hughes. Register at glencarbonlibrary.org.

▪ Adult Zumba with Aimee — 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22. 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

▪ Virtual Saturday Morning Yoga — 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 24. 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.

▪ OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center 22nd annual Golf Tournament — Noon Friday, Sept. 23. Spencer T. Olin Golf Course, 4701 College Ave., Alton. Registration and lunch at 10:30 a.m. Shotgun start at noon. Dinner and closing remarks at 6 p.m. Cost: $185 per person/$740 per foursome. Includes food and beverage, ticket to dinner. osfhealthcarefoundation.org/alton-golf-tournament

▪ Mississippi Earthtones Festival Great River Clean-up — 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 24. Location TBD; register to receive location confirmation once the event is near. The Mississippi Earthtones Festival is a celebration of our river through art, music, and conservation. On the Saturday following the festival, join us for a litter clean up on the Mississippi River. Since the festival began, volunteers have removed over 45 tons of trash from the river. Join us to continue this important effort. RSVP at signupgenius.com/go/508044fafa829a1f58-2022. 618-401-7870 or christine.favilla@sierraclub.org.

▪ SIUE Cougars Unleashed Homecoming Run — 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 24. Birger Hall, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Edwardsville. This year’s run is offered both virtually and in-person, featuring 10K, 5K and one mile runs with prizes awarded for the top times in the 10K and 5K. Participants will enjoy a pancake breakfast provided by Chris Cakes and post-run refreshments. The virtual run can be completed anytime, anywhere between Sept. 17-24. To sign up for either the in-person or virtual run, visit runsignup.com/cougarsunleashed. Later in the day, participants are invited to enjoy food, drinks and games at the Cougar Fan Zone from 4-7 p.m. at Korte Stadium. Register for the free event at siue-cougar-fan-zone.eventbrite.com.

▪ Jewelry & Paper Crafts Class — 10:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 26. PSOP, 201 N. Church St., Belleville. April Barnes from Three Sisters Crafts returns to show us how to make new offerings. Make a decorative notepad ($3) or bracelet ($5) for yourself or for a gift. Reserve your spot, 618-234-4410, ext. 7044 or 7034. Sponsored by the St. Clair County Office on Aging.

▪ Wine and Whiskey for the Watershed — 6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30. The Ink House, 117 N. 2nd St., Edwardsville. This wine, whiskey, and food experience will feature some of the area’s most critically acclaimed restaurants and the world’s finest vintages and most sought-after spirits. Proceeds from the event will benefit outdoor recreation, education, and environmental stewardship for the Watershed Nature Center. For tickets and info: watershednaturecenter.org.

▪ 2022 Walk to End Alzheimer’s — 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1. Southwestern Illinois College, 2500 Carlyle Ave., Belleville. Registration at 9 a.m.; ceremony at 10 a.m. For information or to register: alz.org/bellevillewalk.

▪ Granite City Senior Social Club Fall Dance — 2-4:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16. Granite City Township Hall, 2060 Delmar Ave., Granite City. Featuring Mo Pleasure. Advance ticket sales through Sunday, Oct. 9. Cost: $8 per person/$15 per couple in advance; $10 per person at the door. Refreshments included. For tickets and info: Diana 618-444-6771 or Marty 618-797-6749, Granite City Township Office 618-877-4373.

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

▪ 41st annual Murphysboro Appletime Fiddle & Banjo Contest — 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17. Liberty Theater, 1333 Walnut St., Murphysboro. Featuring George Portz and His Friends of Bluegrass. Fiddle & Banjo contest at 6 p.m. featuring southern Illinois’ finest fiddlers and pickers. 618-632-1384.

▪ Southern Illinois Pagan Alliance Mabon Celebration — 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18. Giant City State Park, Shelter 2, 235 Giant City Road, Makanda. Mabon is the second of three harvest festivals and the second time of the year when day and night are equal in length. This balance encourages pagans to reap what they sow, both literally and figuratively. Gathering begins at 2 p.m. Ritual begins at 3 p.m. A potluck will follow. Bring what you can to share. All ages are welcome. Ample free parking is available at Shelter 2. More free parking is available north of Shelter 2. Carpooling is encouraged. Please bring a friend or two. Well-behaved pets are welcome. sipagan.com

This story was originally published September 14, 2022 at 11:00 AM.