Alton Main Street Newsletter July 2023

Director’s Note ~

We commend the Alton Historical Commission and especially Doug Bader for his hard work to amend Alton’s brick street ordinance, which was approved by Alton City Council this week. Nearly 10 miles of brick streets are now protected from being paved, and over 40 brick streets were added to the protected list. Any repairs to brick streets will now have to be done with brick, meaning no more unsightly concrete patches!

~ Sara McGibany, Executive Director

Don’t miss these two amazing summer concerts featuring hot STL bands at a great new venue!

We’re excited to host two summer concerts at the new Alton Godfrey Rotary Park, located across the street from  Alton City Hall at 101 E. 3rd Street. Both concerts are free to attend and will be held from 7-9pm.

Funky Butt Brass Band will perform on Fri, July 14th. The band was formed in 2008 by six talented musicians who respect and revere the New Orleans brass band tradition. The FBBB takes traditional New Orleans brass tunes and sprinkles in their own brand of special Saint Louis musical magic. At any given gig, you’ll also hear some Chicago blues, Memphis soul, Southern rock and St. Louis R&B. CLICK HERE to RSVP on Facebook!

Aaron Kamm & the One Drops will perform on Fri, August 18^th. Hailing from St. Louis, MO, AKOD merges flavors of Roots Reggae and Mississippi River Blues and infuses them with improv-laced jams, and soulful vocals. Get ready for a high-energy performance and unique sound. CLICK HERE to RSVP on Facebook!

Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket to spread on the lawn or a chair to place on 3^rd Street, which will be closed to vehicular traffic during the event. Food & beverages will be available for purchase on-site, or concert-goers are encouraged to pick up a carry out meal from their favorite Downtown Alton dining establishment on their way to the concerts.

We thank presenting sponsor Simmons Hanly Conroy, as well as the Alton Godfrey Rotary for creating this beautiful park. What an enduring way to celebrate your club’s 100th anniversary!

The All-Wheels Drive-In Car Show was rescheduled due to rain

The event will be held Sun, July 16^th from 8am-4pm on 3^rd, 4^th, State and Belle Streets.

Live music from the Number4Combo from 1-3, Pin-up contest from 3-4, Awards from 4-4:30. Free admission!

CLICK HERE for full details

The Night Market on Broadway is in session from 7-10pm Every Thursday through the end of July!

Jacoby Arts Center

is excited to announce the newest addition to their educational programming – a darkroom and experimental film photography studio! Jacoby has cultivated a darkroom studio to rival the best in the area and it will be led by award winning artist and retired educator, Jeff Sass. Jeff will teach classes and workshops as well as create his own art in the studio as Jacoby’s artist-in-residence. Weekly classes in Darkroom 101 will begin in August, with four introductory workshops set for the end of July. A studio rental program will be offered in the Fall, with an advanced film club joining the program later in 2023.

July registration is open at www.JacobyArtsCenter.org/darkroom

Pride, Incorporated

The beautiful flower beds that Alton Main Street’s volunteers maintain in the 3rd/State/Belle area will be featured on this year’s Pride, Incorporated Garden Tour on Sun, July 9th! Purchase your ticket to support this great non-profit dedicated to community beautification and you’ll gain access to a dozen gorgeous residential gardens and highlighted public spaces.

Learn about all of the stops and purchase tickets at: www.pridegardentour.com

Upcoming activities at the Alton Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market

7/1 – Live music from Acoustic Potluck

7/8 – It’s Christmas in July, visit with Santa while he’s on vacation from the North Pole

7/15 – Check out the 17’ Kooliverse Kaleidoscope!
Plus, Recipes and More from the University of Illinois Extension “Eat. Move. Save.” Program

7/22 – Flower arranging workshop with Foxes Boxes, plus Don Woodruff the Magician

7/29 – Terminal Descent Custom Calls will demo making duck calls
Plus, our monthly Pop-up roller skating rink with Skate Culture! ($5 kids / $7 adults)

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!

Funky Planet Toys & Gifts

Join us in celebrating our 2 year anniversary on Sat, July 22nd! We will have a pop-up shop of artisan cotton candy from Apple Creek Sugar Mill, a performance from local musician and children’s author Steph Plant at 12pm, a free kids’ yoga class at 2pm, and many items on sale. You can also find our booth at Night Market!

The Hayner Public Library District

Our partnership with Old Bakery Beer continues with our Taps and Tomes book club, and Emily Ehley from Trees Forever is back for another Wildflower ID program! This month’s Writers Circle will cover Erasure Poetry, and James Bond will grace the screens at our Genealogy Library for Film Flashback Friday. Ramona Pollard with The Nature Institute brings a Community Science program about birds to the library, and Mark Pierce will present his new book, When the Stars Came Out: The Story of the Mississippi River Festival. Don’t miss out!

YWCA of Southwestern Illinois

Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau

Step up to the plate for All Star Restaurant Week July 7 – 16! 24 locally owned and operated restaurants are serving up carefully crafted lunch and dinner specials during this 10 day dining extravaganza. Pick up your commemorative Restaurant Week pint glass at the Alton Visitor Center, 200 Piasa St. The glass is free to diners presenting a receipt from a participating restaurant dated July 7 – 16, while supplies last.

River Bend Yoga

Will host a second summer camp for kids aged 5-12 from Mon, 7/17—Fri, 7/21 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.

Senior Services Plus

AARP of Illinois will be sponsoring a presentation at SSP on Fri, July 28th from 11am-12:30pm in the Schoolhouse Grill. Chelsea Jakob, Paralegal for the  Senior Citizens Legal Services Project with Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, will be speaking on Wills and Powers of Attorney paperwork. To register, please call 618-465-3298×123. Lunch will be provided, registration is required. To register, please call 1-877-926-8300 or visit https://events.aarp.org/Willandpoa

Alton Little Theater

will produce 8 performances of the delightful musical – SPAMALOT July 21st through 30th, and Riverbend residents are in for a treat at this Monty Python show that is zany, witty,  super-silly, energetic and just good old-fashioned fun!

Tickets are just $25, or $15 for students under 18. Box Office hours are 10am -2pm Mon-Fri; or purchase tickets online anytime at
www.altonlittletheater.org

Age of Adventure Comic Book Collector Show

July 2nd from 9am-2pm at the Milton Schoolhouse (1320 Milton Rd.) – $2.00 Admission

Many lifelong collectors will be selling their items: comics, collectables, fandom merch, DVDs, and fantasy art will all be available for purchase.

Comic book writers and artists will be in attendance and will be doing commissioned work at the show. Buy or sell! Tables are available for $25

If patrons turn out to support this event it will turn into a regular show where you can get your geek on!

For details, Wayne Judge: sifujudge@yahoo.com

AJ Stotler Photography

Specializes in headshots, branding, senior pictures, family portraits and more.

Visit our beautiful studio at 124 Front Street or make arrangements for us to come to you!

Learn more and find a portfolio of our work at: ajstotlerphotography.com