Summer Events in Southern Illinois

Parades, entertainment, fairs and good food is just a taste of the diversity of summer events here in Southern Illinois. In fact, Marion Illinois is the home of the new multi-million dollar baseball stadium. So, if you're a baseball fan, you'll definitely want to check out a game before you leave! Are you ready to brave the scorching summer heat to enjoy some of the many summer events in Southern Illinois? Let us begin then:

Family fun waits at the annual DuQuoin State Fair. Everything from exhibits, rides, good food, concerts, competitions, entertainment and more is what you'll find at the DuQuoin State Fair grounds. The 2007 excitement begins August 25 and runs until September 3. For more information and directions, visit the DuQuoin State Fair Web site.

Go-kart racing, dances, dirt bike races and car shows is just a fraction of the excitement at the Sweet Corn and Watermelon Festival throughout Mount Vernon every August. So, if you have plans to visit Mount Vernon in August, be sure to add the Sweet Corn and Watermelon Festival to your itinerary, and enjoy free corn and watermelon while you're there!

The Anna Bixby Women's Center in Harrisburg is organizing two fund-raisers in an effort to raise money for the upcoming Anna Bixby Women's Center, state-of-the-art beauty salon and a strip mall. The two events -- held on the same day -- will include a poker run and a horse show. The 1st annual Voice for the Victims Poker Run will begin at Poor Boys Lounge on September 22, 2007 with the first bike leaving the lounge at noon, and the last bike returning at 6:00 pm. Poor Boys Lounge is located at 300 East Raymond Street in Harrisburg, Illinois. In addition to the poker run, they will be a raffle, food and entertainment. Anna Bixby's goal is to raise $10,000 to $15,000 at the Voice for the Victims Poker Run.

Not interested in the poker run? Then head to the Horse Arena in Vienna, Illinois (on Route 45, 1 mile off the Interstate 24 exit) for the Anna Bixby Benefit Horse Show. The Ann Bixby Benefit Horse Show will begin at 1:00 pm (CST). Other than the horse show, visitors will also enjoy a drawing, silent auction and entertainment.

For more information about the Anna Bixby Women's Center, the Voice for Victims Poker Run and/or the Anna Bixby Benefit Horse Show, please visit the Anna Bixby Women's Center Web site.

Visit the Illinois Centre Mall in Marion on Saturday, August 18 for some delightful singing entertainment. On this date, the Illinois Centre Mall will hold their talent search for the So. IL Opry. There will be karaoke style performances, and the show begins at 1:00 pm and runs until 4:00 pm. Location: The Center Court Stage inside the mall.

Are you into trains? Then you must stop by the Center Court inside the Illinois Centre Mall on August 25 or 26 for the Lionel Train Show. The trains will be setup and demonstrations presented during regular mall hours (Monday - Saturday, 10:00 am to 9:00 pm; Sunday, Noon to 5:30 pm).

Visit the Cobden Community Park on August 3 for the annual Peach Festival. Festivities include karaoke night, peach cobbler, barbeque, carnival rides, games, bingo, spin and win for peaches, pioneer encampment, history exhibit, and much more. Admission is free.

Little Chapel church will be hosting their annual Liberty Fest beginning September 1, 2007 at 1:00 pm. Festivities include mouth-watering food, rides, concerts, cars, motorcycles, giveaways, fireworks and lots more. Best of all: it's all FREE! Yes, that includes the food as well. Location: 3859 Hwy 34 North, Harrisburg. For more information, phone 618-253-4522.

That concludes the 2007 summer events in Southern Illinois. Again, these are just a few of the many summer events in the Southern Illinois area. Stay cool and have fun!