If virus holds off, Belleville has a full schedule of fall parades and festivals
With so many annual events canceled in 2020 and earlier this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Belleville’s fall festival and parade schedule is now jam packed.
Events that are normally staged in the fall are scheduled again this year as well as several events that usually are held earlier in the year.
“It’s going to be event and parade season,” Mayor Patty Gregory said.
Organizers are busy planning for their fall events while hoping the coronavirus infection rates remain low enough that they aren’t cancel again.
Gregory said she urges residents to get a COVID vaccination in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker on June 11 removed COVID restrictions that had banned large public gatherings such as street festivals. However, infection numbers have increased recently and the state has placed St. Clair, Madison and Monroe counties on a COVID-19 warning list.
Here are highlights of Belleville events scheduled for this fall:
September
- Labor Day Parade, Sept. 6. The parade begins at 10 a.m. and the route includes a stretch of Illinois Street. Also, a picnic will be at Hough Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, go to the Southwestern Illinois Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO website at unionhall.aflcio.org/swiclcaflcio.
- Oktoberfest, Sept. 17-18. Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day on the Public Square in downtown Belleville. Look for bands and German cuisine. Organized by the Belleville Exchange Club, Belleville Shrine Club and Belleville Sister Cities. For more information, go to bellevilleoktoberfest.com.
- Belleville Main Street Marathon, Sept. 25. The race starts at 7 a.m. on Main Street in downtown Belleville and course support ends at 2 p.m. This will be the fifth running of the city’s marathon. The 2021 route was modified to reduce the number of volunteers needed at street crossings to comply with COVID-19 guidelines that were in place during race planning earlier in the year. For more information, go to bellevillemarathon.com or call 618-628-9898.
October
- Metro East Pride Fest, Oct. 2. Hours: Noon to 10 p.m. on West Main Street from Illinois Street to near Third Street in downtown Belleville. It’s a celebration of the LGBTQIA community along with their friends and allies. This festival is usually held in June. For more information, go to metroeastpride.org or the Metro East Pride page on Facebook.
- Chili-Cookoff, Oct. 8-9. Hours: 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. each day on the Public Square in downtown Belleville. Taste chili concoctions made by individuals, organizations and businesses. The Chili Chase 5K will be on Oct. 9. Hosted by the Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce. For more information, go to bellevillechili.com or call 618-233-2015.
- Tour de Belleville, Oct. 16. The ride starts at 10 a.m. at Union United Methodist Church at 721 E. Main St. You can choose a five-mile route or a 13-mile route. This event is hosted by the Belleville Parks & Recreation Department and is usually staged in the evening in mid-July. For more information, go to tourdebelleville.com or call 618-233-1416.
- Belleville Area Humane Society Race for Rescues 5K and Howl’oween Pet Parade, Oct. 17. Race starts at 10 a.m., block party at 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and parade at noon on East Main Street in downtown Belleville. Costumes are encouraged for people and their pets. For more information, go to the Belleville Area Humane Society page on Facebook.
- Art on the Square, Oct. 22-24. Hours: 4 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 22; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24 on the Public Square in downtown Belleville. The nationally ranked art show is usually staged in May. Free admission. For more information, go to artonthesquare.com.
November
- Shriners Parade, Nov. 5. The parade begins at 7:30 p.m. and the route is mostly on Main Street in downtown Belleville. This parade is usually in late May or early June. For more information, call 618-874-1870, go to ainadshriners.org or the Ainad Shriners Official Site page on Facebook.
- Santa Parade, Nov. 26. The parade begins at 10 a.m. and the route is mostly on Main Street in downtown Belleville. Look for Santa to kick off the Christmas season. Also, you visit Santa’s House on the Public Square. Hosted by the Belleville Optimist Club. For more information, go to the Belleville Optimist Club’s page or Santa’s House page on Facebook.
- Christkindlmarkt. Open on selected dates between Nov. 26 and Dec. 23 on the Public Square in downtown Belleville. For more information, go to bellevillechristkindlmarkt.com.
