Upcoming Events
CCCC Fall Festival Coming September 24
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Free entertainment, fall crafts and merchandise, food, an educational animal show, the smoke house, children’s games, and a business expo will be highlights of the Coal Country Chamber of Commerce 13th annual Fall Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 24, at the Benld City Park.
The Fifth Annual Tour de Coal bike ride will additionally be run in conjunction with the festival starting with a 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. registration at the Benld City Hall. Bicycling devotees from many parts of Illinois, Missouri and other states have preregistered for the bike ride from which they may choose the 15, 30 or 63 mile route. Registration is also allowed on the day of the race.
While the festival officially opens at 10 a.m. the free entertainment starts at 7:30 with Joe Powell serenading the many crafters, food vendors, and local business people who are setting up their booths. Powell’s performance is available to anyone who wants to sit in the entertainment pavilion and enjoy the peaceful early morning.
At 9:45 a.m. the Will Black Orchestra, led by local musician Bill Winkleblack, will perform, followed by the Heartland Band at 11:30. The Heartland Band features classic and modern country music and the State Champion Fiddler, 13 year-old Mikayla Roach. At 1 p.m. until 4, Steve Davis will present “Elvis” and his full band, the “Memories of Elvis”.
“That is 8 hours of first class entertainment that is free for all who choose to take part,” said Mickey Robinson, CCCC Executive Director. “We are trying to fulfill the Chamber goal of bringing people from outside the local Community District 7 area to our event that is family oriented and designed to be inexpensive fun for all ages.”
Robinson said visitors who attend the Fall Festival should bring lawn chairs with them. The only other available seating will be in the Food Court area.
New to the 13th Annual Festival will be live full-grown Reindeer with antlers. Children and adults can thrill to the sight of these creatures. They will be on display from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. near the children’s area of the festival. The reindeer also known as the caribou in North America, is a deer from the Arctic and Subarctic. Reindeer vary considerably in color and size. Both sexes grow antlers, though they are typically larger in males.
Another popular animal show is the Reptile Show shared with the Festival by Dr. Richard Crowell of the Biology Department of Blackburn College. Crowell brings a collection of native and exotic snakes and lizards. Persons attending the Reptile Show from around 1:30 until 2:30 p.m. will learn about various species as well as be able to handle some of the reptiles.
Another free exhibit for the children will be the Community Unit 7 Fire Protection District’s “Smoke House”, which is a scaled down version of a family home that is used to teach youngsters how to respond in the event of a house fire. During demonstrations with groups of children, the Smoke House will fill with non-toxic “smoke,” giving firefighters an opportunity to teach children how to safely exit the house.
Illinois State Police District 18 will again bring in the “Rollover Simulator” , a car model with human “Dummies” that shows persons what would happen to someone who is not wearing a seat belt when a car roles over.
Lettie Crays will again be sharing a children’s book that she has authored. This year’s book is the “just arrived” . For those who wish to purchase her book from this first edition, there will be the added advantage of having the author sign it.
The Macoupin County Safe Kids Coalition for Car Seat Check Up will be a feature that is returning to our festival this year. The Coalition’s goal is to help parents properly install and use children’s safety car seats.
The Macoupin-Montgomery Chapter of Crime Stoppers will offer free fingerprinting of children for identification purposes in the event a child is lost or abducted. Each set of fingerprints will be given to the children’s parents for safekeeping.
“Sometimes parents are afraid to have their children fingerprinted because they think that the prints will go into the police system,” Robinson explained. “Crime Stoppers takes the fingerprint and then hands it over to the parent. It does not make a copy of the prints.”
A traditional part of this Festival is the Craft area where this year will again be a wide variety of products for sale. Decorations and gifts that are appropriate for fall and the upcoming holiday seasons will brighten the day with color and design. Yard ornaments, pet items, knick knacks, Halloween, Christmas and Thanksgiving décor, books, children’s services, raffles, clothing, sports memorabilia, baskets, purses, cooking products and tools are just some of the many wares that will be available to shoppers.
In the Food Court, the Festival has brought back old favorites and new vendors as well. Available for purchase will be BBQ ribs, “Smokies”, ice cream products, snow cones, burgers, a variety of fish, corn dogs, Italian beef, hot dogs, pork steaks, kettle korn, funnel cakes, pretzels, sweet potato fries and other delicious foods that are on the menu.
The Festival gives local non-profit groups an opportunity to fund raise or just promote their services. Some of the groups that will participate in some way are Joyful Angels Community Toy Drive, the Illinois Valley “Barn in the Garden” Gift Shop, several church groups, Education Station Preschool, Macoupin County Public Health Department, and Macoupin County Military Support Group.
Health care related groups will take part in the Health Fair which is organized by Community Memorial Hospital of Staunton. The Health Fair will offer free blood pressure screenings and will offer information about health care opportunities in our area.
For local businesses, the festival is a way of attracting new potential customers from the immediate area as well as outside communities. The Business Expo will feature local Chamber members who will have displays of their products or services. Some are planning to register people for free drawings and to give away free gifts. The Expo gives them the opportunity for a relaxed venue to get to know new customers and socialize with their old friends and customers.
The Macoupin Center for Developmentally Disabled will again offer a variety of “kiddie” games for young children along with a “bouncy” house. Low-priced games will include a ring toss, bean-bag toss and duck pond. The games are a major fund raiser for MCDD’S Camp Goodtimes summer camp for clients.
“We hope that local folks and those from far away will all enjoy this day of much free entertainment, and a way to have a family adventure that is inexpensive and fun.” Robinson concluded.
If anyone still wants to have vendor or exhibitor space or to ride in the Tour de Coal, they should visit the chamber web site at www.coalcountrychamber.com or email mrer@madisontelco.com or call 217-710-5218.
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Ye Olde Christmas is the theme of the Macoupin County Historical Society’s annual Christmas Show, which will be held Friday through Sunday, December 5–7, at the John C. Anderson Home and Museum, 920 West Breckenridge in Carlinville.
“The Christmas Show is one of the most magical times to visit the Anderson Home,” said MCHS Board Member and House Manager Brandy England. “Some families make it an annual Christmas tradition to visit the Anderson Home when it is decorated for Christmas. It’s a great opportunity to get into the Christmas spirit and pick up some ideas for decorating your own home for the holidays.”
MCHS member Kendra Mize, of Bunker Hill, who has coordinated the decorating effort for more than two decades, has again marshalled a small army of volunteers to decorate all 13 rooms of the home. Each room features a themed Christmas tree, along with mantle pieces, centerpieces, tabletop decor, garlands and florals, and other special touches.
The home will be open for self-guided tours from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, December 5; from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, December 6; and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, December 7.
“We’re very excited to offer for the first time candlelight tours from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday,” said Shawna Ashby, who serves as a co-manager with England. “Viewing the decorated home by candlelight promises to be a magical experience.”
The final candlelight tours on Friday and Saturday start at 7:30 p.m. Admission to the home is five dollars for adults and one dollar for children ages five to 12, with four-year-olds and younger admitted free of charge.
The Anderson Home Gift Shop will be open during tour hours, offering one-of-a-kind gift items and stocking stuffers. Santa Claus will be on hand in the downstairs parlor to greet children and listen to their Christmas wishes from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 6.
While the decorated home is the centerpiece of the Christmas Show, several other features on the Historical Society’s grounds will be open. The Red Barn will be open and serving hearty beef stew, chili, homemade pies, and warming holiday beverages such as wassail and hot chocolate on Friday and Saturday.
The General Store and Print Shop will be decorated and open to the public, with the Print Shop offering its popular handmade Christmas cards and other items produced in the shop; kids can print their own blank “Santa List” to keep track of their Christmas wishes.
“The General Store offers unique gift items, including some small antiques, for shoppers to peruse,” England noted.
Local blacksmiths will demonstrate their craft in the MCHS Blacksmith Shop located on the north side of the Historical Society Grounds, with wrought iron gift items, including stocking hooks and decorative pieces, available for purchase.
The Macoupin County Historical Society’s Christmas Show runs concurrently with the Carlinville Christmas Market and Downtown Christmas events, and a free trolley and shuttle buses include the Anderson Home as a regular stop during the festivals, enabling visitors to ride from the square or the Macoupin County Fairgrounds to the Historical Society grounds.
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The Holiday Sparkle Committee of Gillespie is preparing for the 4th Annual Holiday Sparkle Lighted Parade and Community Tree Lighting, set for Sunday, November 30, at 6:00 p.m. in downtown Gillespie. This beloved community tradition invites residents and visitors to kick off the holiday season with lights, music, and festive cheer.
Food trucks will line the parade route starting at 4:00 p.m., offering a variety of tasty options for families to enjoy before and during the celebration. The event will culminate in the illuminated parade and the ceremonial lighting of the community tree, signaling the official start of the season’s celebrations.
A highlight of this year’s festivities will be a special performance by Gillespie area students in grades 3 through 5. The group will join together to sing Christmas carols, lending their voices to the town’s joyous welcome to the holidays.
Parade participants are invited to bring extra sparkle to the evening—whether by entering a parade float, walking in the parade, or simply attending to enjoy the atmosphere. Participation helps make the event truly magical for the entire community. The only requirement for the parade is all entries have to incorporate holiday lighting.
To join the parade lineup, interested participants can sign up at https://forms.gle/L7Q4tEkgjj8Lt5E47. The Holiday Sparkle Committee expresses gratitude for the ongoing support of residents, businesses, and volunteers who help bring this festive occasion to life each year.
The second part of the holiday festivities will take place on Saturday, December 13 when the Sparkle will sponsor the vendor fair and food trucks in downtown Gillespie including a visit from Santa. Vendors will be located in the Gillespie Civic Center, Zion Lutheran Church, and Emma G’s Upscale Boutique while local businesses and eateries will also be open. An egg nog jog benefitting Gillespie Cross Country will also be held on December 13 and interested participants can join here.
The Holiday Sparkle Committee invites everyone to mark their calendars and join in the celebration. For more information, please contact the committee by email at gillespieholidaysparkle@gmail.com or visit Gillespie Holiday Sparkle on Facebook.
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The community is invited to participate in a family-friendly, drive-thru charity event aimed at keeping local students warm this winter. The “Warm Up Our Kids” drive-thru takes place on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Karmak Campus, located at 1 Karmak Plaza, Carlinville, IL and is sponsored by Karmak and Carlinville Area Hospital and Clinics.
Additional drop-off boxes will be available at the following locations to maximize participation and convenience:
- Sullivans in Carlinville, Gillespie, and Litchfield
- Pharmacy Plus in Girard
- Sav-Mor Pharmacy in Virden
- CAH&C Clinic sites in Gillespie, Girard, Carlinville, and Virden
- Briar Rose in Litchfield
- Brave Hazel in Carlinville
- Oh-So Cute Boutique in Virden
Drive through the event route and drop off much-needed supplies listed below. All donations will directly benefit students in the participating school districts, helping ensure every child has the warmth and essentials they need to face the winter season. Community support help bridge gaps and bring tangible, immediate relief to families in need.
Join us in spreading warmth and goodwill this December. The Ben Gil Post and community partners look forward to seeing you at the Karmak Campus drive-thru.
