Fairs & Festivals
Arthur Amish Country Cheese Festival Sep 01-03, Three days of free cheese, entertainment, contests, car show, craft and flea markets, food and more. 800-72-AMISH. Downtown Arthur, Arthur.
Athens Fall Festival Aug 23-25, 7pm Thu, 5pm Fri, 10am- 12am Sat, Parade, carnival, bands, car show, vendors, entertainment and more. 636-8429. Athens Community Park, W Jackson St. at N Main St, Athens.
Bar-B-Cue Aug 26, 12-7pm, Raffle, Bobby Remack Band, DJ the Clown, free swimming and great food. Free admission. 787-2360. Knights of Columbus Hall Council 364, 2200 S. Meadowbrook Rd.
Budweiser Illinois Blues Festival Aug 31, Sep 01, 6pm Fri, 12pm Sat, Internationally-known blues artists on three stages. Bring a lawn chair. $20- $25. RiverFront Festival Park, Water Street, South of RiverPlex, Peoria.
Edinburg Labor Day Picnic Aug 31, Sep 01-02, Carnival rides, games, demolition derby, bands and more. Parade starts at 10 a.m. on
Labor Day. edinburglabordaypicnic.info. Lion’s Club Park, Edinburg.
Eldred House Festival of Haunts- Eldred, IL Aug 25, 1pm-dusk, James Eldred House, Eldred, 217-899-5676.
Ethnic Festival Aug 31, Sep 01-02, 5-11pm Friday, 12-11pm Sat-Sun, Weekend of local ethnic groups providing ethnic foods, music and cultural activities. Free admission. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave.
Jersey County Victorian Festival Sep 01-03, 7am-5pm, Large Civil War reenactment, arts, crafts, antiques, festival food, tractors and more. $10, under 13 free. Free parking. 618-498- 5590. Hazel Dell Farm, 1510 North State St, Jerseyville.
Lincoln Art and Balloon Festival Aug 24-26, 10am-11pm Fri, 8am-11pm Sat, 8am, Hot air balloon launch and glow, tethered balloon rides, music, food, carnival games, fine art fair, the art of wine, children’s art activities, flea market, craft fair, car show and more. $5 and free. 735- 2385. Logan County Airport, Lincoln, 217-735-2385.
Manito Popcorn Festival Aug 31, Sep 01-02, Three days of all the regular festival fare and popcorn! manitopopcornfestival.com. Manito.
Marbold Ice Cream Social Sep 02, 11am-4pm, Food, music, period craftsmen, children’s activities and more. Admission. Marbold Farmstead, Rte. 29, south of town. 968-5808. Greenview.
Old Capitol Blues & BBQs Aug 24-25, 5pm-12am Fri, 12pm-12am Sat, BBQ competitors and vendors, local and national blues talent and children’s activities. $5, under 12 free. Fifth and Washington. 544-1723. Downtown Springfield.
Pittsfield Fall Festival Aug 30-31, Sep 01, 6pm Thur-Fri, 9am Sat, Food vendors, crafts, carnival and many activities. Parade on Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. 617-2656. Pike County Courthouse, 100 E. Washington St, Pittsfield.
Prairieland Chautauqua Aug 31, Sep 01-03, 4-8pm, “Women Who Made History.” Presentations by reenactors, musical entertainment and nightly communal suppers. 243-2423. Jacksonville Community Park, 1201 S. Main, Jacksonville.
South Town Celebration Sep 01-02, 4pm Sat, 3pm Sun, Two day celebration of oldest area in Springfield. Blues and jazz, Ruka Pugg, games, food, barbeque, vendors. 414-5854. Corner of S. Grand East and 11th Street. $5. South Town, 1031 South Grand Ave East and 11th Street.
