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Event Announcements from Midwest (and neighboring states) visitor offices:
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Clarksville, IN See what happens when roosters rule in the hen house in this brand-new comedy-musical featuring the Church Basement Ladies. More info Kenosha, WI Bring your family to enjoy one-of-a-kind Pumpkin Displays – all the characters’ faces are hand-painted every year! Also enjoy a Petting Zoo, Kids Straw Maze, Hayrides, Dr. Destruction’s Haunted Forest, Pony Rides, Camel Rides, Face Painting, and much more. More info Mitchell, IN Persimmon pudding is a longstanding southern Indiana tradition – after all, this is the 72nd Annual Persimmon Festival! More info Jerseyville, IL Come out to the Farmers and Artisans Market in Jerseyville for a showcase of locally grown produce and homemade artisan items. The market takes place every Tuesday evening from June 26 through Sept. 25 at the Outrageous Outdoor parking lot. For additional information, call (618) 498-8466 French Lick, IN Locally grown produce, baked goods, local handcrafted items, Buck-a-Book trailer, jammer tent, Master Gardener, and fun family activities. Sponsored by Orange County HomeGrown. More info Urbana, IL Gourmet food trucks from around the Urbana-Champaign area will converge on the Urbana Civic Center located at 108 E. Water Street on the last Tuesday of each month in April, May, June, July, August, September and October for a lunchtime food truck rally series. This event will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., rain or shine. There will be outdoor and indoor seating (inside the Civic Center) and access to restrooms. Take this chance to get out of your office and head over to Urbana’s Civic Center to socialize, enjoy our beautiful downtown area, and feast on a great selection of C-U’s finest street food. More info Birdseye, IN Experience this breathtaking tour of Patoka Lake. Search for Osprey, Balk Eagles and other wildlife as you cruise the lake in style. Listen to stories from the last and learn the history surrounding the 2nd largest man-made lake in Indiana. Reservations recommended. More info Branson, MO Grafton, IL You won’t want to miss this fabulous flea market on the river. There will be over 50+ dealers with all types of goods, antiques glassware, tools, candles, furniture and good old-fashioned junk! Join the fun the fourth weekend of every month from April through October in Grafton. More Info Great Bend, KS Head out to the SRCA Drag Strip, 455 W Barton County Road, September 27-30th for the “Thunder on the Plains”. Gates open at 7 AM, with Qualifying Races on Thursday. More info Manteno, IL Experience peace, love and community at this year’s Manteno Oktoberfest. The annual fest includes carnival rides, daily live entertainment, a lighted parade and endless amounts of delicious eats and treats. More info Bloomington, IN The four-day festival packs nine venues in downtown Bloomington with internationally recognized artists representing over 20 countries. More info Great Bend, KS The SRCA Drag Strip is still buzzing this September with lots of racing! Check out all of the scheduled races this month: 21 – Test & Tune and Gamblers Race 22 – NHRA Summit Points Race #8 27-30 – NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series New Albany, IN Live music returns to downtown New Albany’s Bicentennial Park. Listen to local bands perform and dine and shop at nearby restaurants and shops within walking distance.6:30 -9:30 p.m. in Bicentennial Park, 118 E Spring Street, new Albany. Nashville, IN Discover why Brown County is known as the great Art Colony of the Midwest as you stroll the downtown Village, admiring original local and regional fine arts and crafts during this free, self-guided tour! Meet the artists, see them at work, and enjoy some music, food, and wine while you’re at it. Great Bend, KS Catch a race and all of the fun at the Hahn Brothers’ Shootout. Registration opens 7 PM -9 PM Friday, and 8 AM Saturday. More info Sioux Falls, SD New Albany, IN Walk through the haunted carriage house at New Albany’s grand (and possessed) Culbertson Mansion…if you dare! Note: not for children or the faint-of-heart. Mt. Vernon, IL The “Illinois Proud” theme will permeate throughout the entire three-day festival. A celebrated, 100+ entry parade, that features a Marching Band Expo awarding $4000 in prizes to help fund regional middle & high school bands, returns to Fall Fest 2018 on Saturday, September 29. This year, participants will build floats, decorate trailers, trucks & automobiles, gather families and friends, and even develop impressive marching band routines all to the theme “Illinois Proud” to celebrate the state we live in! From Friday at 5 p.m. until Sunday at 5 p.m. entertainment at Fall Fest will, once again, be in abundance. Performer details will be announced soon, but Blues Sunday is confirmed to return in 2018! The Kids Zone, Fall Fest 5K for Special Olympics, DMDC Cruise-In, Tri-State Treasure Hunt for Kids, and the Mt. Vernon Business Women’s Club “Great Pumpkin Contest” are all on schedule to return in 2018, as well. Fall Fest 2018 is opening the doors to Southern Illinois as we celebrate “Illinois Proud”. Consider this your invitation to the most exciting three days you’ll spend in the festival arts city from September 28 – September 30! Watch for more information soon at www.facebook.com/mtvfallfest. Great Bend, KS Help celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Great Bend Airbase at the 2018 Great Bend Airfest. See the last two flying B-29 Bombers – Fifi & Doc, vintage warbirds, live airshows, chat with aircrews, see historical displays and appearances, veterans recognition ceremony, enjoy a 1940’s dance in the hangar, and so much more! More info Oklahoma City, OK The 2018 Oklahoma Regatta Festival will take place Sept. 28-30 in the Boathouse District, downtown on the Oklahoma River. The three-day celebration of rowing, kayaking, dragon boating, whitewater rafting and family fun includes the Oklahoma City University Head of the Oklahoma race, OGE NightSprints, and a family festival featuring food trucks, beer gardens, a front row seat for all the racing – and RIVERSPORT Adventures! The annual OCU Head of the Oklahoma includes 2.5 mile head racing during the day featuring teams from across the country competing in collegiate, masters, and junior rowing as well as kayak and dragon boat racing. During the Oklahoma Regatta Festival, the 500-meter OGE NightSprints are held on the river after the sun goes down, creating an electrifying atmosphere for competitors and spectators alike. Spectators are invited to bring a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy racing on the Oklahoma River, then check out the action at RIVERSPORT Rapids and Adventures. More info Fairmount, IN This event includes a huge car show featuring 50’s classic and custom autos, Parade of Neon, special guests, swap meet, and plenty of 50’s entertainment. More info Caledonia, WI Nothing says summer in Wisconsin like beer gardens! The Franksville Craft Beer Gardenis Racine County’s first and only permanent beer garden is located in the Caledonia-Mt. Pleasant Memorial Park, 9614 Northwestern Ave., Caledonia. Open weekends (through September) from 12 to 8:30 p.m. Fridays and 12 to 8:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. More info Godfrey, IL Located in Robert E. Glazebrook Park, 1401 Stamper Lane, Godfrey, the maze is open on weekends, Labor Day and Columbus Day and is open after dark Fridays and Saturdays. Flashlights are required for those traveling the twists and turns of the maze after dark. Flashlights are available for purchase. Admission is $6 for adults, $4 for children ages 6 to 11 and children under five are free. Enjoy the ever-popular Cow Train and Hay Wagon rides and the new Jumping Pillow! Additional tickets required. For more information, call (618) 466-1483, ext. 3 Janesville, WI Hunt for Pokemon on September 29 while learning a bit of local history, as you stroll through an historic neighborhood in Janesville from 1 to 2:30 PM. Sponsored by the Rock County Historical Society and Hedberg Public Library. The tour begins and ends at the Hedberg Public Library. No registration necessary. Kids ages 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. More info Oklahoma City, OK In celebration of the revitalized District, the Plaza District Association holds the Plaza District Festival each fall. The festival highlights a wide array of Oklahoma’s own performing artists, visual artists, live musicians and children’s activities. The festival is open to the public and draws audiences from across Oklahoma City and the surrounding areas, and offers the surrounding neighborhoods an arts festival right in the heart of their community. Artist booths line NW 16th Street in a festive display of Oklahoma creativity. More info Oklahoma City, OK Starting at 4 p.m. in Military Park. Free Admission. More info New Albany, IN Dig great blues music by Welch Ledbetter Connection, Tad Robinson Band, Jimmy G. and the Sidewinders, and many others! Sample KCBS-sanctioned Stand-Alone Backyard competitors’ tasty BBQ, and enjoy brews by Floyd County Brewing, and Keg Liquors. Festival proceeds to benefit the Community Action of Southern Indiana. New Albany, IN Watch ghouls and zombies race creepy coffins (box cars) along New Albany’s waterfront as they compete for trophies for best decorated, fan favorite, and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place times across the finish line. Clarksville, IN Celebrate the Falls of the Ohio’s historical, cultural, and scientific heritage with a catered meal, bourbon, beer and wine tastings, live music, a silent auction, fossil bed hikes, and bird watching. Guests will also watch the park’s new film. Beach-themed or casual attire is encouraged. Proceeds benefit the Falls of the Ohio Foundation. New Albany, IN Newburgh, IN It is the 8th year for Historic Newburgh Farmers Market and it is going to be our best yet! We’ll take over the Edgewater Grille parking lot every Saturday this summer from 8am-12pm starting this Saturday, May 26th. The Newburgh Farmers’ Market supports local entrepreneurs who are farmers, producers, bakers, artisans and more. All come from within a 60 mile radius of Newburgh. They offer seasonal fresh fruit, vegetables, meats, poultry, eggs, flowers, bedding plants, breads, pastries, and so much more. The Market also offers breakfast food, provides a variety of local art and entertainment, and offers learning opportunities and special programming. Come by with the family, and stock up on some new items and old favorites. Grab a coffee and breakfast from one of our vendors while you shop. Cleo’s Bakery, Lucid and Joe Brewski will all be serving up wonderful coffee selections. If you’re looking for something to nibble while shopping, you’ll find delicious sausage biscuits from Cleo’s Bakery, breakfast burritos from Edgewater Grille, and lots of sweet treats from vendors like Sadie’s Sweets and Katy’s Kitchen & Garden. Ben and Penny’s is also open for breakfast and lunch. Nashville, Indiana Check out a free, live concert by some of your favorite Brown County musicians at the Pavilion Music Series! Head to the corner of Main and Jefferson Streets, a.k.a. the Village Green, for some evening entertainment. Bring your lawn chair and blanket, or relax on a nearby bench, as you soak in the sounds of these skilled performers. The Pavilion Music Series is presented by Arts Village Brown County! Kenosha, WI Oktoberfest returns to the lawn of Anderson Arts Center at Kemper Center this year. Enjoy German food & beer, music & dancing with live music by Dorf Kapelle. More info Kenosha, WI Kenosha, WI Kenosha County Executive Jim Kreuser invites bike riders of all ability levels to participate in the Fall Wheel Ride to Petrifying Springs Park. Choose one of two starting points! There will be concessions and bike-related activities at the Petrifying Springs Biergarten. The event is FREE; registration is encouraged. More info Kenosha, WI High flying kites, family activities, and a picnic lunch are highlights of this free community event at Lincoln Park. This is a smaller version of the Outta Sight Kite Flight that happens at Kennedy Park each June. More info Birdseye, IN Enjoy a relaxing afternoon aboard the Patoka Voyager. Admission includes five to seven tastings, two glasses of your choice and a souvenir wine glass. More info Belleville, IL Old Town Market offers a variety of vendors of homegrown produce, meats, preserves, james, jellies, soaps, art, and more. Kankakee, IL A friendly community gathering to shop for local grown produce, flowers, made fresh daily foods to eat, activities and music to enjoy while shopping or eating. Spring market starts April 28-May 19 Summer market continues from then until Oct. 27, 8 a.m. to noon French Lick, IN Locally grown produce, baked goods, local handcrafted items, Buck-a-Book trailer, jammer tent, Master Gardener, and fun family activities. Sponsored by Orange County HomeGrown. More info Madison, IN Stroll the tree-lined streets of Madison’s Historic District as you shop from 250 artisans at Southern Indiana’s premier outdoor juried fine arts & crafts show. More info Springfield, MO This fall festival includes a pumpkin patch, hay rides, haunted trails, free farming demonstrations and more fall fun at this unique farm park in West Springfield. More info Kenosha, WI Enjoy a Lake Michigan sailing excursion aboard a 49-passenger wooden tall ship. Public sail times are offered Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Red Witch is also available for private charters including corporate outings, birthday parties, wedding proposals, and more special occasions. More info Kankakee, IL ‘Carry the Banner’! Based on the 1992 film and true story, join the Kankakee Valley Theatre Association as they put their own twist on this classic tale. Check the details for more info on upcoming shows! More info Janesville, WI Alton, IL Listen to the melodic songs of the bells ringing forth from the Carillon Tower in the Nan Elliot Rose Garden. Every Sunday during the summer, you can walk the trails through the garden or spread out a blanket to listen as a talented local musician plays the bells for all to hear. Concerts are free and last approximately 30 minutes. More info Janesville, WI Midwest CVBs and DMOs: Do you have an upcoming event to share? Please send press releases to info@midwestwanderer.com.
Now through September 30
‘Rise Up O Men’ at Derby Dinner Playhouse
September 15 – October 31
Jerry Smith Produce & Pumpkin Farm Fall Season
September 22-29
Persimmon Festival
September 25
Jerseyville Farmers Market
September 25
Orange County HomeGrown Valley Farmer’s Market
French Lick Town Green
September 25, October 30
Urbana Food Truck Rally
September 26; October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Patoka Lake Tour
Patoka Lake Marina
September 27
”Ozarks
September 27-28
Grafton Riverside Flea Market
September 27-30
Lucas Oil Drag Races
September 27-30
Peace, Love and Community at Manteno Oktoberfest
September 27-30
25th Annual Lotus World Music and Arts Festival
September 27-30
SRCA Races
September 28; October 5
Bicentennial Park Concert Series
September 28, October 26
Village Art Walk
September 28-29
Hahn Brothers Shootout
September 28-29
Sioux Falls PREMIER Rodeo
Sutton Rodeo of South Dakota is bringing the Professional Rodeo Cowboy’s Association’s (PRCA) newest competition series, the Sioux Falls PREMIER Rodeo, to Denny Sanford PREMIER Center on September 28th-29th. The PRCA Xtreme Roughstock Event will feature Xtreme Bulls Tour, Xtreme Bronc Match, and the brand new Xtreme Bareback Riding event together for the first time in a star-studded single event. The event showcases the PRCA’s top Bull Riders, Saddle Bronc and Bareback Riders against the best rodeo stock in the world, in a unique $40,000 competition. Money earned goes toward qualification to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and World Championship titles in Las Vegas.
September 28-29; October 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27
Culbertson Mansion’s ‘Literally, a Haunted House’
When: 7-11 p.m., every Friday and Saturday, September 28-October 27
Where: Culbertson Mansion State Historic Site, 900 E. Main St., New Albany, Ind.
Cost: $15 per person
More info
September 28-30
7th Annual Mt. Vernon Fall Fest
The 7th Annual Mt. Vernon Fall Fest will be held September 28-30. This year’s theme, “Illinois Proud,” will focus on the state’s bicentennial. 2018 is Illinois’ 200th birthday, and Mt. Vernon’s Fall Fest will participate as an official bicentennial event for the state. Illinois officially became a state on Dec. 3, 1818, and events are being held throughout the year in cities across the state to celebrate. The Illinois bicentennial is an opportunity to recognize the widespread impact Illinois’ residents have made and celebrate the state’s rich history and culture.
September 28-30
Great Bend Airport Airfest
September 28-30
2018 Oklahoma Regatta Festival
September 28-30
Remembering James Dean Festival
September 28-30
Franksville Craft Beer Garden
September 28-30; October 5-8, 12-14, 19-21, 26-28
Great Godfrey Maze
September 29
Pokemon Go Historical Walk
September 29
Plaza District Festival
September 29
20th Annual Vietnamese Lunar Moon Festival
September 29
New Albany Blues, Brews & Barbecue Fest
When: 1-10:30 p.m., Saturday, September 29
Where: Bicentennial Park, 118 E. Spring St., New Albany, Ind.
Cost: $12 day of show; $10 pre-purchased
More info
September 29
Culbertson Mansion’s Coffin Race
When: 4 p.m., Saturday, September 29
Where: New Albany riverfront via 6th St., New Albany, Ind.
Cost: Free admission
More info
September 29
Margarita on the Rocks
When: 6-10 p.m., Saturday, September 29
Where: Falls of the Ohio, 201 W. Riverside Dr., Clarksville, Ind.
Cost: $75 per person; $600 table of eight
More info
September 29
‘The Ugly Duckling’
This musical adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic begins with a comical egg-hatching ballet and ends with an empowering message of acceptance. Featuring a fresh score that incorporates rap, this version stays true to the lesson that everyone’s entitled to acceptance and love. Recommended for grades K through 5.
When: 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., Saturday, September 29
Where: Ogle Center, Stem Concert Hall, 4201 Grant Line Rd., New Albany, Ind.
Cost: Free, but reservations required
September 29
Newburgh Farmers Market
September 29
Pavilion Music Series
September 29
Kemper Center Oktoberfest
September 29
Waterfront Warehouse Oktoberfest
September 29
Kenosha County Fall Wheel Ride
September 29
Time to Fly Kite Fest
September 29; October 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27
Fall Foliage Wine Cruise
Patoka Lake
September 29; October 6, 13, 20, 27
Old Town Market
Downtown Belleville
September 29; October 6, 13, 20, 27
Kankakee Farmers Market
Downtown Kankakee Corner of Schuyler & Merchant
September 29; October 6
Orange County HomeGrown Orelans Farmer’s Market
Orleans Congress Square Park
September 29-30
Madison Chautauqua Festival of Art
September 29-30; October 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 27-28
Harvest Fest at Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park
September 29-October 1
Tall Ship Red Witch
September 29, 30, October 6, 7
KVTA presents Newsies
September 30
Live Music at Timber Hill Winery
September 30
Carillon Concerts at Gordon Moore Park
September 30; October 7, 14, 21, 28
Rock County Farmers Market
October Events
November Events