Mt. Vernon is home to a wide variety of events for the
entire family including Mt. Vernon's Cedarhurst Craft
Fair, named a Top 100 Event in North America by the
American Bus Association. Other favorites include the
totally unique Sweet Corn and Watermelon Festival, the
Midwest Herb and Garden Show that welcomes spring each
year, our July 4th celebration plus a host of events that
feature everything from great barbecue to thrilling rodeo
action. For a full list of everything going on in the
area, see our events calendar, too.
Cedarhurst Craft Fair
Join the 20,000 visitors during this two-day event held
each year the first weekend after Labor Day. More that
160 exhibitors from throughout the country show and sell
crafts as diverse as feather jewelry, contemporary
furniture, quilting, pottery, woodworking, glass, and
ceramics. The fair includes continuous entertainment,
children's activities, and a variety of foods. Cedarhurst
Craft Fair was named a Top 100 Event in North America by
the American Bus Association in 2003. For more information
call (618) 242-1236 or visit
www.cedarhurst.org.
Downtown
Car Show / Mt. Vernon Cruise Night
This event kicks off the festivities of Sweet Corn and
Watermelon. The Car Show will be located on 9th Street
between Harrison and Jordan. The
proposed cruise route will be:
• 9th Street to Main
• West onto Broadway then to the Times Square Mall
• Back through town (east on Broadway to the Federal
Building at 6th Street)
• North on 6th Street
• West on Main Street
• South on 9th Street back to their original parking spot
Features
Downtown Mt. Vernon Development Cruise Night & Car, Truck,
and Motorcycle Show, entertainment, food, demonstrations,
and a 50/50 drawing.
The Car Show
will have various models from "Classics" to "Modern". For more information call (618) 242-6866.
Illinois
Arts & Humanities Month
A month of statewide celebrations, the Illinois Arts
Council and the Illinois Bureau of Tourism are working
together to bring the arts to every community. A list of
events and activities will be posted closer to date on how
our community will celebrate this month.
The Iris Farm
At Peak Bloom, the Iris Farm is expecting acres of flowers
at their new location just 2 miles west of Wayne City on
Rt.15. Photographers, day-trippers, weekenders and
families are welcome. The beds are open daily from 10:00
a.m. until 5:00 p.m. May 1 - 31, closed Sunday. When it's
closer to bloom time, a peak bloom report will be recorded
on the phone's answering service. For more information
call (618) 895-2022 and website is
www.theirisfarm.com.
King City Music Festival
At the Rend Lake College Marketplace & Holiday Inn. This
weekend festival will feature a State Sanctioned
Kansas City Barbeque Competition featuring more than 30 barbequers from all over the nation, two days of non-stop
musical entertainment, several food booths, and a Kidz-Q.
Free Admission. For more information call (618) 242-5725.
Little Egypt Fly-In and Veterans Reunion
Located at the Mt. Vernon Airport, War birds and aircrafts
will fill the runways beginning at 9:00 a.m. Other
prestigious models are also scheduled to appear. Many
field activities may be experienced throughout the day.
Fun for the entire family. For more information call
(618) 242-7016 or visit
www.mtvernonairport.com.
Midwestern Herb and Garden Show
More than 35 exhibitors display everything for a garden
the second weekend in February. Booths of fresh
herbs-culinary, medicinal and decorative; water plants,
dried flower arrangements, books, woodcarving and basket
making, etc: There is free admission to the show,
including complimentary classes and seminars offered every
hour to everyone. For more information visit their
website at
www.midwesternherbandgardenshow.com
or call (618) 242-3151.
The Mt.
Vernon Mile
Twelve age groups compete for trophies and medallions as
they run before a huge crowd gathered for the Sweet Corn &
Watermelon Festival parade. The start line, finish line,
and the registration table are located at the parade
judges stand on 10th Street between Main and Broadway.
For more information call (618) 242-6890.
The Southern
Illinois Steel Guitar Show is an annual event put on by
Southern Illinois Productions, a Not-for-profit
Organization. The show features some of the best Steel
Guitar players in the world as well as amateur players.
Come to our next show and mingle with your favorite Steel
Guitar players. For more information call (618)
242-3151.
Illinois
Wine & Art Festival at Rend Lake
The Wine & Art Festival features tasting of Illinois wine,
presentations by Illinois artists, and entertainment by
local musicians. Specialty foods will be available to
complement the wines you will be tasting. Located at the
Southern Illinois Artisans Shop right off I-57, exit 77.
For more information call (618) 629-2220.
