Annual Festivals in Southern Illinois

Are you planning on a trip to Southern Illinois? Then you just may want to have some fun while you're visiting. Southern Illinois offers a variety of annual festivals. While planning your trip be sure to schedule in some trips to our annual festivals.

Parades, contests, pageants, good food, tournaments, musical entertainment and much more can be enjoyed at the Old King Coal Festival in West Frankfort. The Old King Coal Festival is held around Labor Day (usually in September). For more information and driving directions, visit their Web site (listed in resources).

Do you enjoy independent films? If so you'll enjoy the annual Big Muddy Film Festival in Carbondale. This 10-day festival is one of the oldest student and community run film festivals in the country. It was created to bring films which are not available to the public. The festival usually takes place in February or March. For more information, phone 618-453-1482.

For all of you, who love hunting and the outdoors, pay a visit to The Southern Illinois Celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Days in Carterville. This is a family event, and if you are traveling with children, it is encouraged that you bring them along too. Free admission and parking is available. For more information phone the committee at: 618-985-8392.

If you're traveling to Southern Illinois toward the end of May, pay a visit to Herrin for the Herrinfesta Italiana. There's lots of fun to be had at the Herrinfesta Italiana - live entertainment, car show, pageant, poker run, giveaways, contests, fireworks and much more! For more information, dates and schedules visit their Web site (listed in resources).

How about some summer fun! Dances, go-kart races, dirt bike races, car shows and more can be enjoyed in Mount Vernon during the Sweet Corn and Watermelon Festival. Plus, you also get all of the corn and watermelon you want, free! For more information, phone 618-242-3151.

Visit the small town of Golconda and enjoy their annual Shrimp Festival. Not only will you enjoy shrimp, but you will also enjoy entertainment from local songwriters and performers, visit the booths of many vendors, and even learn how to prepare shrimp. If you're not a shrimp lover, you will also find other food being sold at the festival. For more information, phone 618-683-6246.

In addition to their Shrimp Festival, Golconda also holds an annual Deer Festival celebration in November. As you approach the annual Deer Festival, held on Main Street in Golconda, your belly will begin to growl from the smell of barbeque cooking outside of the big tent. The Deer Festival isn't just known for its barbeque, it's also known for the Deer Queen Pageant, vendors, parade and much more. For more information on Golconda's annual Deer Festival celebration, phone 618-683-6246, or 618-683-9702.

Each year, the annual DuQuoin State Fair attracts thousands of locals and tourists to the area. The fair offers exhibits and competitions of Illinois agriculture, rides, arts and crafts, vendor booths, tractor pulls, demolition derby, free entertainment and a whole lot more! More information on this annual event can be found on their Web site (listed in resources).

These are just a few of the annual festivals throughout Southern Illinois (my home town). If you'd like to find out about the many other festivals in Southern Illinois just post your comments and let me know what city in Southern Illinois you plan to visit, and I'll be glad to provide you with the festival information in that city.

Enjoy your adventures in Southern Illinois, and make sure to make them all a family adventure. May God be with you on your journey to Southern Illinois.