Alton Main Street Newsletter August 2024
Director’s Note ~
Alton Main Street is requesting community input to shape the future of downtown! Click HERE to take a 10-minute survey that will gauge which businesses and quality of life improvements are sought after in the district. The deadline for submissions is July 31st. Our organization will use the data collected to revise our strategic plan and proactively target businesses and improvements that the community has requested.
We will share a synopsis of the results during the next installment of our quarterly What’s Up Downtown Information Exchange on Tuesday, Aug 13th from 5:30-7pm at iMerge Community Center (200 W. 3rd St.)
~ Sara McGibany, Executive Director
Welcome back to the Return of Kooliverse
On Sat, Aug 3rd local artist Michael Snider presents The Return of The Kooliverse at The Conservatory, Alton’s art bar located at 554 E. Broadway. Get ready for a cosmic journey filled with music, art, and good vibes. Performances start at 7pm by Mammoth Piano, Lydia Newson, and DJ KC MACKEY. Let the energy of the Kooliverse ignite your senses and take you to another dimension. Tickets are only $5 and can be found at THIS LINK.
Rock the Hops Returns!
On Sat, Aug 10th, Rock the Hops will feature 27 musical acts across 5 venues in Downtown Alton! That’s over 100 local musicians who live, work, and create right here in our region. Catch their sets from 2-8pm at The Old Bakery Beer Company, The Conservatory, Bossanova, FLOCK Food Truck Park & Bar, and Ragin Cajun Piano Bar! Your ticket includes craft beer samplings with a commemorative tasting glass, live music from several genres, visual artists, makers, vendors, free shuttles, and the satisfaction of knowing that you’re directly supporting Alton’s creative culture! Find ticketing information at www.rockthehopsalton.com
It’s a party at iMerge Community Center
iMerge Community Center is proud to present Once in a Blue Moon – a house music fundraiser and festival! iMerge is Alton’s 12,000 sq. ft. community center, entertainment space and meeting facility all in one, featuring arcade games, gaming equipment, karaoke, a killer sound system, party lights, commercial kitchen, concession stand, conference rooms and so much more! Play, dance, eat, party, meet, teach, and socialize; our facility can meet all of your needs. Once in a Blue Moon is their first large fundraiser since opening in January of 2023, and goals for this event include providing supplies and activities for current programming, creating new programming, buying a new dance floor, and meeting new volunteers. Of course, the evening is also about having a great time and dancing to the epic lineup of Chicago-based DJs that we are so lucky to have in Alton for this festival! Tickets at imergecommunitycenter.org/tickets
3 Purple Coats Presents Honeysuckle Summer Nights
Honeysuckle Summer Nights, a 3 Purple Coats Production, takes place at the Alton Riverfront Amphitheater on Sat, Aug 3rd—7pm. Enjoy a vaudeville show & live music! $15 Tickets are available at the gate. Food trucks will be on-site, the show is for those 18 & up!
Alton Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market Activity Calendar
Alton Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market from 8am-Noon every Saturday at the corner of Landmarks Blvd. & Henry St.
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES:
8/3 – Seed Swap with the Sierra Club & Live music from Tony Caradonna
8/10 – Celebrating National Farmers’ Market Week! Check out some BIG Farm Equipment on-site with the Madison County Farm Bureau
8/17 – Live music from Crossriver
8/24 – Live music from Steph Plant & an Obstacle Course with Blue Wave Spirit Martial Arts
8/31 – Artist demo: Riverbend Yarn Bombers
Leverage your buying power!
Grant funding is 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!
FLOCK Food Truck Park & Bar
Has been shaking up some incredible Market Cocktails using ingredients from our Farmer’s Market vendors ~ check their social media for each week’s recipe! Coming up they have an adult summer camp, movie nights, live music, trivia, a farm-to-table dinner, and much more!
4th Ward Picnic
Alderwoman Rosetta Brown and the 4th Ward Committee invite you to a community picnic at Hellrung Park (703 Central Avenue) on Saturday, August 3rd from Noon-4pm! Free & family-friendly— all are welcome. Bring a lawn chair! Food & drinks, bounce house, games, races, raffle, face painting, basketball tournament, skate park & more! Learn about services available to the community at informational booths.
River Bend Yoga
River Bend Yoga offers over 25 regular classes a week! But each month, extra goodness is added to the calendar. Check out some of the latest attractions coming soon: 7/28 – Core Strength Workshop and Restorative Yoga & Reiki (All Levels), 8/4: Ashtanga (Level 2-3). Starting this month, our Yoga Teacher Trainees are offering donation-based classes for the community! Attend as our guest, or give what you are able which will be put toward our building fund. Find our full schedule and reserve your spot on our website: riverbendyoga.punchpass.com
Senior Services Plus
Glowing! Glowing! GONE! Get your tickets now for SSP’s third annual Glow Bingo fundraiser taking place Friday, August 23rd from 6-9pm. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased online at seniorservices plus.org/glow-bingo. All proceeds go to SSP programs and services. Need another way to give back to your community? The American Red Cross is holding a Blood Drive Monday, August 26th from 10am-3pm at SSP. To sign up, visit redcrossblood.org and enter code SSP. Walkins welcome! Learn how to keep yourself safe both at home and in public at the AARP Illinois sponsored Public Safety Presentation, Friday, August 30th from 12-1pm. Lunch is provided. To register, call Leslie at 618-465-3298 ext. 123 or register online at THIS LINK.
Lovejoy Legacy Counseling & Wellness
Our team is committed to walking alongside you or your family to overcome stressful experiences and gain a deeper understanding of yourself and others. We will work towards helping you build secure and fulfilling relationships. Our office is located at 307 Henry St. Suite 407, and you can schedule an appointment by calling (618) 374-0176 or visiting www.lovejoylegacy.com.
Bridged LLC
At Bridged LLC, we understand the decision to launch a business is deeply personal. As an entrepreneur, you are driven by passion & purpose, independence & autonomy, creativity & innovation, flexibility & work-life balance, and financial potential. The Bridged Team is committed to ensuring all of the necessary boxes for launching your startup are checked so that you can concentrate on your business strategy and turning your vision into reality. Connect with us today! Hello@BridgedLLC.com, 314-884-0033, or www.BridgedLLC.com
Centerstone
Centerstone is a nonprofit health system specializing in mental health and substance use disorder treatments for people of all ages. Services are available in Florida, Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina, and Tennessee through the operation of outpatient clinics, residential programs, school-based services, telehealth, and an inpatient hospital. Centerstone also offers specialized programs available nationwide for the military community, as well as services for children, including therapeutic foster care. Learn more by calling 877- HOPE123 or visiting www.Centerstone.org.
The Renaissance X
The Renaissance X is a new unique gathering place at 401 Piasa Street, providing exemplary service and a selection of spirits, wine, & beer in a relaxing setting that caters to a mature crowd. The establishment was packed for its grand opening last weekend and is receiving rave reviews! Stop by on Friday & Saturday nights to enjoy the patio, smoke a cigar, sip a drink, and relax to live music and DJs. There are several events in the works for the fall including Sunday jazz brunches! Call (618) 208-7889 for more info or to inquire about hosting an event.
Bossanova Martini Lounge and Restaurant
Now that property owner Russ Smith has found a great tenant to replace The Lovejoy, he has more free time to make enhancements to his establishment Bossanova Martini Lounge and Restaurant at 112 W. 3rd St. which is celebrating 20 years in business! First up is adding lunch service Wed-Sat from 11am-2pm. Enjoy appetizers, salads and sandwiches with quick service. Find the full menu including lunch, dinner, pizzas, noodle bowls, martinis & more at: AltonBossa.com
OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center
Organizers for the 3rd annual OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center Back-to-School Celebration on Saturday, August 3, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. are expecting a crowd of at least 700 for this year’s event at Alton Square Mall. Why? Because that’s how many attended last year’s Back to School event which was also held at Alton Square Mall.
This year’s Back-to-School Celebration, sponsored exclusively by Dwight and Cheryl Werts, and Werts Welding & Tank Service, Inc., will distribute school supplies including (but not limited to) paper, pens, pencils, and crayons to the first 500 kids ages 4 to 12.
Admission is FREE and the event is open to the public. A hot dog lunch complete with chips, cookies, and bottled water will be available while supplies last. So far, a group totaling more than 22, encompassing local dignitaries, businesses, service agencies and organizations, have pledged their involvement.