Alton Main Street Newsletter June 2023

Director’s Note ~

Have a great time while honoring Alton’s history, heritage and culture at the 32nd annual Juneteenth Celebration at Killion Park on Sat, June 17th from 11am-4:30pm. Enjoy free children’s activities, live music, great food & more.  Juneteenth is a nationwide celebration of the ratification of the 13th Amendment which abolished slavery.

The Sierra Club’s Urban Farm Tour is back for the first time since pre-pandemic! This self-guided event is set for Sun, June 25th from 10am-1pm and will feature a variety of vegetable, herb, flower and fruit gardens (as well as chicken coops!) in residential, community garden, and commercial settings. To RSVP and receive a tour map, please CLICK HERE to register.

~ Sara McGibany, Executive Director

Join us on Sun, June 11th for our 26th Annual car show with Time Machines Unlimited Car Club!

Downtown Alton’s 26th annual All-Wheels Drive-In Car Show will be held on Sun, June 11^th from 8am-4pm. The event typically attracts over 200 classic cars, hot rods and motorcycles, which the public is welcome to browse on 3^rd, 4^th, State and Belle Streets. There is no charge for admission. Alton Main Street organizes this tradition with support from Time Machines Unlimited Car Club.  Come out for the autos and stay for the live music, 50-50 drawing, vendor displays and festival food court.

This year’s entertainment is Number4Combo! From 1-3pm the band will perform live rock music with a smooth dance groove. Come out to hear some songs that you haven’t heard in awhile. We will also be featuring a pin-up contest at 3pm to celebrate the glamour, sophistication and class of the 1950’s. Registration for automobiles is open from 8am-Noon, and trophies will be given at 4:00pm.

The fee is $15 to enter the judging, or just $10 to display your wheels. Dash plaques & goodie bags are given to the first 150 registrants. If your company has promotional items that you would like to contribute to the bags, please call 618-463-1016 to arrange pick-up by Wed, June 7th.

Please note that we are reconfiguring the event grounds to improve traffic flow! Registration for automobiles entering the show will now be located near Danny’s Lounge at 118 W. 4th Street. Please enter from Piasa Street (aka Hwy 67) to 4th Street. Full details including a map of the grounds, and a list of our 38 classes and 6 specialty awards can be found on our website.

If you have car show related questions, please contact Jamey Griffin at: 618-792-8901.

The Night Market on Broadway is in session from 7-10pm Every Thursday in June & July!

Upcoming activities at the Alton Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market

6/3 – Live music from Ken Christopher & Pop-Up Roller Skating Rink ($5 kids / $10 adults)

6/10 – Join Jacoby Arts Center for an Art Playday with live music, special artist vendors, interactive art activities for the kiddos, and more!
Plus, Recipes and More from University of Illinois Extension “Eat. Move. Save.” Program

6/17 – Artist demo: Pottery wheel throwing with Bob Sancamper, and live music from the Alton Youth Symphony

6/24 – The Center for American Archeology will have atlatls and spears for you to throw, demonstrations of ancestral skills, and info about all of their 2023 programs and activities.

Funds are available to double the buying power of SNAP benefits

Thanks to a LinkUP Illinois grant from The Experimental Station, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients can double their buying power for fresh fruits and veggies.

Visit our info booth to swipe your SNAP card where you can have an unlimited amount matched!

Miles Davis Jazz Festival

Sat, June 3rd – 6-9pm at Post Commons, 300 Alby St.

Entertainment by the NGK Band, featuring Big George Brock, Jr. and Porch Café

$30 ticket includes buffet dinner

CLICK HERE to RSVP on Facebook

OBBC Proud Market

Thurs, June 15th – 5-8pm

At The Old Bakery Beer Company, 400 Landmarks Blvd.

LGBTQ+ vendors and food & drink specials. This night also serves as the Drink for a Cause Night, with 25% of beer sales supporting Alton Pride!

Lodgefest

River Bend Yoga

Will host a summer camp for kids aged 5-12 from Mon, 6/19—Fri, 6/23 from 1-3pm! Veteran educator and RYS 200 certified yoga instructor Stephanie Greenhalgh will guide students to a place of mindfulness through yoga, movement, breathwork, storytelling, and social-emotional learning lessons. In a safe, structured learning environment, children will also practice healthy coping strategies, problem-solving skills, team-building activities, being silly, laughing, and having fun.

CLICK HERE for more info

The Hayner Public Library District

Join our Writers Circle working this month with short stories, or attend our exceptionally informative “Branching Out” genealogy discussions! The Color Purple is this month’s “From Story to Film” selection, and on Wed, June 7th at 6pm we will be hosting Melanie Holmes as she discusses her new book, 100 Things to Do in Illinois Before You Die, featuring Alton and its haunted reputation. The highlight of the summer is our 2023 Kids and Teen Summer Reading Program, featuring programs, crafts, and activities to make your summer eventful. Visit our website or socials for more details!

Alton River Dragons

Opening Day of our 2023 season is June 2nd! Game time is 6:35pm at Lloyd Hopkins Field, located within Gordon Moore Park.

Find our schedule at www.AltonBaseball.com

OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center

Invites you to a community conversation on Opioid Use Disorder on Fri, June 16th from 10:30-1pm at its Perpetual Help Center. Explore and reduce stigma during this interactive discussion, with lunch provided.

We are also introducing a weekly Connections: Caregiver Therapy Group which will meet Mondays from 10-11am to provide an educational, caring, supportive environment for individuals who are caring for someone with significant developmental, mental health or physical impairments.

Alton Physical Therapy

is delighted to announce the new location of our leading rehabilitation center at 3550 College Ave, marking a significant milestone in the provision of exceptional care for individuals seeking physical therapy services. Alton PT aims to revolutionize the rehabilitation experience by combining cutting-edge techniques, a patient-centered approach, and a team of highly skilled professionals.

Senior Services Plus

Has started an Adult Respite Care program where you can bring your loved one age 60 years or older on Tuesdays from 8:30am-1:30pm to spend time with trained staff from St. John’s Community Care staff and participate in social activities. Lunch will be provided at no cost. For details call 618-465-3298. SSP is located at 2603 North Rodgers.

Mr. Everything

Visit us for all of your medical cannabis needs. We offer a full range of Delta-8 THC and CBD products: flower, gummies, pre-rolls, edibles & tinctures.

We have 2 locations to serve you—visit us Downtown at 307 State St. Thurs, Fri, Sat 7pm-12am, Sun 7pm-2am, or at 211 E. Elm St. Mon-Sat 11am-8pm.

For more info: 618-208-7889