O’Fallon Around Town — Dec. 8 edition

▪ Noon Friday, Dec. 9 is the deadline to appear in next week’s “Around Town” listing. We must receive your event in writing with a contact phone number for questions. Due to the number of submissions, events may run only one time in print, will be edited and appear in the week before the event date.

Email: lifestyle@bnd.com. Mail to: O’Fallon Progress Around Town, Belleville News-Democrat, P.O. Box 427, Belleville, IL 62222-0427. Questions, call Jennifer Green at 618-239-2643.

Friday, Dec. 9

▪ 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

▪ Shiloh Eagles Fish Fry — 5-7 p.m. 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. facebook.com/shiloheagles545

Saturday, Dec. 10

▪ Rummage Sale — 7 a.m. to noon. Township Building, 801 E. State St., O’Fallon. Men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, plus household items will be available.

Monday, Dec. 12

▪ McKendree Presents: It’s Okay to Be Different — 6:30 p.m. Hettenhausen Center for the Arts, 400 N. Alton St., Lebanon. Three contemporary stories by New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Todd Parr adapted and staged by Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia. For very young audiences, the hour-long production features three books from his collection. For tickets and info: thehett.com.

Tuesday, Dec. 13

▪ ImpactLife Blood Drive — 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, 3 St. Elizabeth’s Blvd., SLU Conference Room, O’Fallon. Appointments are required. 800-747-5401 or bloodcenter.org/group and use code 10155.

Wednesday, Dec. 14

▪ O’Fallon Sunrise Rotary Meeting — 6:45 a.m. O’Fallon Township Building, 801 E. State St., O’Fallon. 618-210-8156 or ofallonsunriserotary.org.

▪ Christmas Presence, featuring Terry Barber — 7 p.m. Hettenhausen Center for the Arts, 400 N. Alton St., Lebanon. A classically-trained countertenor with an extremely broad range and versatile voice, Terry Barber breathes new life into beloved Christmas songs and world-favorites. For tickets and info: thehett.com.

Thursday, Dec. 15

▪ O’Fallon Township Senior Committee Dinner & Entertainment — 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15. Township Building, 801 E. State St., O’Fallon. For O’Fallon Township residents only. Cost: $3 per person. Reservation deadline: Friday, Dec. 9.

Through Saturday, Dec. 31

▪ 53rd annual Way of Lights Christmas Display — 5-9 p.m. nightly. National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, 442 S. De Mazenod Drive, Belleville. Wintertime sparkles at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows as the Annual Way of Lights Christmas display illuminates the grounds. Since 1970, the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate have invited one and all to make the Way of Lights a part of their family tradition. This breathtaking display focuses on the birth of Christ, the one true light of the world. Come inside to experience the Twelve Days of Christmas Tree Room, Wreath Auction, Shrine Gift Shop, community music performances and LEGO Brick Display. Free admission to the outdoor light display. Paid features include camel, donkey and pony rides, petting zoo, kettle corn, food booth, carriage rides, and more. 618-397-6700 or snows.org.

▪ Lebanon’s Winter Wonderland — 5-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 5-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Horner Park, 11113 Widicus Road, Lebanon. Enjoy a mixture of colorful lights with beautiful cut-outs depicting scenes and whimsical adventures. lebanonswinterwonderland.org

Through Saturday, Jan. 7

▪ 10th annual Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden — Hours vary by date. Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis. Immerse yourself in a wonderland of more than 1.5 million lights, including spectacular new shows and favorite holiday tradition. New this year: A spectacular new show fills the pools in front of the Climatron with more than 100,000 lights. Advanced tickets are strongly encouraged to guarantee the date/time of your choosing. Tickets range from $3 to $22. Family Nights, which include $3 children’s tickets, are Wednesday nights through Dec. 14. Garden Glow is closed December 24 and 25. For more information, visit mobot.org/glow.

Through Tuesday, Dec. 27

▪ Christmas Wonderland Light Display — 6-9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 5-9 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Rock Spring Park, 2100 College Ave., Alton. More than 4 million lights will twinkle against the beautiful backdrop of Rock Spring Park, lighting the way toward another illuminating holiday season. The popular Enchanted Forest will also be open this year for visitors. Holiday trees are decorated by community organizations, schools and scout groups. Visitors to the park vote on their favorite and the organization’s tree with the most votes receives a cash prize. Santa will once again be back at the Santa House. Family members are encouraged to take their own photos with Santa at no charge. Admission to Christmas Wonderland is a suggested donation of $7 for cars and small vans or $1 per person for vehicles holding more than 10 people. 800-258-6645 or riversandroutes.com.

Through Friday, Dec. 30

▪ U.S. Bank Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo — 5-8:30 p.m. on select nights only. Saint Louis Zoo, 1 Government Drive, St. Louis. ‘Tis the season for holiday lights and sweaters! The dazzling holiday event features brand-new light displays and themed areas. Warm up with winter-themed treats, and say hello to the animals at Penguin & Puffin Coast and the Insectarium. For tickets and info: stlzoo.org/wildlights.

Other area happenings

▪ Nominating Petitions Available for the April 4, 2023, Consolidated Election — Nominating petitions are available at the Shiloh Municipal Building during regular business hours 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Friday for those persons interested in running for the office of Trustee at Large — three to be elected for a four-year term in the Tuesday, April 4, 2023, Consolidated Election. Filing begins at 7 a.m. Monday, Dec. 12, and ends at 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19, at the Shiloh Municipal Building, 1 Park Drive, Shiloh, IL 62269.