Alton Main Street Newsletter December 2023
Director’s Note ~
We’re excited to share that Alton Main Street has been awarded with The Lieutenant Governor Award for Excellence in Revitalization, recognizing our mini-mural grant program which resulted in public art projects on exterior walls of River Bend Yoga & The Lovejoy, and additionally transformed a utility box in the 100 block of 3rd Street into a work of art. CLICK HERE to learn more. Our newest mural, the Alton Flyway at the corner of Front St. & Alby St. has just been listed on the National Audubon Mural Project website! CLICK HERE to check it out.
Partners, sponsors and volunteers – please save the date for our annual Appreciation Party, which will be held on Thurs, Jan 11th from 5-7pm at The Lovejoy located at 401 Piasa St.. Any business that appreciates the benefits of a thriving downtown is welcome to join; full details can be found at DowntownAlton.com/Partner. All of our projects are volunteer led; if you would like to join a committee, please CLICK HERE to tell us about your interests.
~ Sara McGibany, Executive Director
The final First Fridays Late Night Art & Shopping Experience of the year is tonight!
Alton Main Street and Jacoby Arts Center are partnering to present First Fridays, a late night art & shopping experience which spans 16 locations across the Downtown district, providing an opportunity to check out new shops & galleries and visit familiar favorites!
On Fri, Dec 1st, start your evening by picking up your passport at Jacoby Arts Center. Park in the lot at Broadway & Ridge Street and a free shuttle will run a continuous loop from 5-9pm.
Participants are offering a variety of discounts, refreshments and giveaways. Get your passport stamped at 10 locations and receive a $10 gift certificate. FIND “WHERE’S WADLOW” hidden at one of the following locations to win a $100 gift certificate!
AJ Stotler Photography, Alton Dispensary, AP Cigar, Brass Monkey Collectibles, Coco+Oak, Country Meadows I & II, Epicurean Fare & LuciAnna’s Pastries, FLOCK Food Truck Park & Bar, Funky Planet Toys & Gifts, Alton Visitor Center, Jacoby Arts
Center, Refabuloused Relics, Strangelovely, Shalon Salon, Rushmore & The Conservatory.
Highlights of this month’s event include the amazing magician John Johnson who will be at AP Cigar blowing minds with his sleight of hand, plus Jacoby Arts Center has coordinated a Swap Show with Soulard Art Gallery to coincide with this event, so this will be a great opportunity to see some artwork by STL artists
right here in Alton and then the following Friday, Dec 8th Alton artists will be taking over the gallery in Soulard.
CLICK HERE to RSVP and spread the word on Facebook
Don’t miss the holiday pop-up bar at FLOCK Food Truck Park!
FLOCKed returns with a holiday pop-up, serving house crafted holiday themed cocktails & small bites at 210 Ridge St! Wade Family Farms will be selling cut trees on Sat, Dec 2nd from 5-9pm and Sun, Dec 3rd from 10am-2pm. Have brunch with Santa and food truck Street Eatz on Dec 3rd, 10th & 17th from 10am-2pm, plus a special return visit from Dippidy Donuts on the 17th!
Hours: Wed 5pm-10pm (21+) Thurs-Sat 5pm-11pm (21+) Sun 10am-2pm (all ages) & 5pm-9pm (21+)
Alton Little Theater Christmas Concerts
ALT welcomes you to their “Best of the Best Christmas Concerts” on Dec 9th at 7:30pm and Dec 10th at 2pm. This regional concert with Middle School Students under the direction of Eddie Hitchcock will kick off your holiday in style.
Theodora Farms Holiday Market
Theodora Farms invites you to their FarmStore Holiday Market on Sat, Dec 9th from 1-6pm at 4835 N. Alby St. Join them for their customer appreciation, end-of-season celebration with artisan vendors, live music, a tree lighting, and Santa! The FarmStore will have produce, pantry goods, meats and cheeses available for purchase.
4th Ward Christmas party
Alderwoman Rosie Brown invites you to the 4th Ward Christmas party & meeting on Thurs, Dec 21st at 6pm at Today’s Beauty Supply, located at 1415 Central Ave.
Audubon Center at Riverlands
Audubon Center at Riverlands invites you to join them on Dec 16 & 17 for the second annual Winter Illumination Walk, featuring beautifully lit paths and surroundings, live bird presentations by World Bird Sanctuary, night walks in the magical Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, S’mores by the firepit and more! Tickets at: riverlands.audubon.org/events
Funky Cards & Collectibles
We are a locally owned and operated trading card and memorabilia shop located at 104. W 3rd St. We carry a variety of new sports cards and gaming cards as well as many singles to choose through. We will be having a Pokemon trading event on Sun, Dec. 10th from 1-3pm, all ages are welcome. We will also run a last minute Christmas sale the weekend of Dec 15th -17th. Look for discounts such as 10-20% off all merchandise. Great for last minute shoppers!
Honeybee Vintage
Honeybee Vintage is preparing to open a new storefront at 114 E Broadway (between Gentelin’s and My Just Desserts). Honeybee offers vintage, antiques, upscale resale, home decor, clothing, furniture paint, DIY wallpaper, gifts, and more. Shop online at www.honeybeevintagealton.com with free local pickup, and join our Sweet Rewards loyalty program. Digital gift cards can be purchased online with a personal message and scheduled delivery, and may be used online and at the shop. To stay up-to-date on the opening, please follow on all socials @honeybeevintagealton.
Soul Sanctuary
Is hosting a free Riverbend Wellness Festival at the Milton Schoolhouse on Jan 13th from 10am-4pm that will include over 25 local vendors, wellness breakout sessions and keynote speakers on topics to encourage overall wellness (physical, mental, emotional and spiritual). We will also be holding a raffle with proceeds benefitting Amare. We do this to encourage the Riverbend Community to begin 2024 from a place of overall wellness and give ideas on how that can look for both individuals and families.
Olive Oil Marketplace
Be sure to drop by and check out some of the great in-store savings you will not want to miss. We have made a priority to have tons of very special gift ideas & baskets. Not only is it going to be an awesome chance to get your friends and family gifts it will probably be a great time to sneak and get yourself a gift too!!
Senior Services Plus
SIHF and Molina Healthcare will be hosting a Flu and Covid Vaccine Clinic at SSP on Dec 6th from 10am-1pm. For more info or to make an appointment, call 618-465-3298 ext. 123.
On Fri, Dec 8th from 11am-1pm get ready for a ham-mazing luncheon! SSP is hosting our annual free Holiday Luncheon in the School House Grill, sponsored by Humana. We will be serving up these holiday favorites: glazed ham, mashed potatoes, country style green beans, diner roll, dessert and a beverage.
AJStotlerPhotography
Capture the magic of the holiday season with our limited edition Santa Experience sessions. These 1-on-1 sessions create lasting memories and stunning art. Watch as your little one’s eyes light up with awe as they interact with Santa Claus. Book by Dec 1st for special pricing. Don’t miss this enchanting opportunity to create magical moments and make this holiday season truly unforgettable.
Alton Apartments For You
Thank you to everyone who voted Alton Apartments For You for the Telegraph’s Best of the Best competition! We currently have studios, 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartments for rent in Alton and look forward to helping with your housing needs. Book a tour with us today by calling (618) 465-8708 or email us at leasing@altonrentals.com
Calling All Photographers—enter your work in two great winter contests!
Meeting of the Rivers Foundation is hosting their 3rd annual Winter on the River Photography Contest at the National Great Rivers Museum. Share your creativity and ‘winter on the river’ moments for a chance to win a cash prize! For an entry fee of $10 per photo, all entrants will have their work displayed from Jan 6th – Mar 9th in the gallery room of the National Great Rivers Museum. All proceeds will benefit future happenings of the museum.
Deadline Dec 18th, CLICK HERE for more details and to register:
The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center is hosting a photo contest in honor of World Water Day! Contestants may submit one photo pertaining to the Mississippi River or its tributaries, in each of the following categories: Wildlife Connections, Scenic Connections, Cultural Connections, Youth Category. Deadline Feb 1st, for details: jpang@lc.edu
Alton Memorial Hospital
Alton Memorial Hospital will host an American Red Cross Blood Drive on Thursday, Dec. 14th from 11:30am-4:30pm, in the AMH café meeting rooms.
To register, contact Dave Whaley in Communications at Alton Memorial, 618-433-7947 or david.whaley@bjc.org
Everyone who registers for this blood drive will receive a $10 Amazon gift card via email.
The Red Cross is experiencing a severe blood shortage. Low donor turnout and blood drive cancellations have led to the blood supply reaching
extremely low levels. The Red Cross needs donors of all blood types — particularly type O blood, the blood group hospitals need most — to give blood to help meet daily hospital demands. Each blood donation can be divided into components, including red blood cells, plasma and platelets, and each donation has the potential to save three lives.