Alton Main Street Newsletter June 2024
Director’s Note ~
Have a great time while honoring Alton’s history, heritage and culture at the 33rd annual Juneteenth Celebration at Killion Park on Sat, June 15th from 10am-5pm. Enjoy free children’s activities, live music, great food, a health fair & more. Juneteenth is a nationwide celebration of the ratification of the 13th Amendment which abolished slavery.
Another mainstay event that celebrates Alton’s rich history is Vintage Voices, walking cemetery tours that are held every October with actors in period costumes telling the stories of Altonians who have shaped our history. Open auditions are being held at the YWCA of Alton (304 E. 3rd St.) on Sat, June 8th from Noon-4pm, which will be a cold reading from a provided script.
~ Sara McGibany, Executive Director
Join us on Sunday, June 9th for our 27th Annual car show with The Dynamic Duo Car Club!
Downtown Alton’s 27th annual All-Wheels Drive-In Car Show will be held on Sun, June 9th from 8am-4pm. The event typically attracts over 200 classic cars, hot rods and motorcycles, which the public is welcome to browse on 3rd, 4th, State and Belle Streets. There is no charge for admission. Alton Main Street organizes this tradition with support from The Dynamic Duo Car Club. Come out for the automobiles and stay for the music, 50-50 drawing & vendor displays, and have lunch downtown! This year we will have live music from the Skylark Brothers! From 1-3pm the band will perform all of your favorite classic rock tunes. We will also be featuring a pin-up contest at 3pm with the Kittenz of the Kulture Social Klub 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. Details on the 37 classes and 7 specialty awards can be found on our website. The fee is $20 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 Tues, June 4th. If you have car show related questions, please contact Leslie Tepen at: 618-946-0159.
Please note that we have reconfigured the event grounds to improve traffic flow! Automobiles that will be in the show are asked to enter at State Street from Broadway. After you are shown to your spot, please visit the registration tent near Danny’s Lounge at 118 W. 4th Street. A map can be found on our website.
Alton Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market
8am-Noon Every Saturday at the corner of Landmarks Blvd. & Henry St.
Special Events Calendar for June!
6/1 – Alton Chamber Strings
6/8 – Artist demo: Pottery wheel
6/15 – Music from Acoustic Potluck & plant seedlings with Flourish Farms
6/22 – The market is being displaced due to the powerboat race – find our food producers at the corner of Broadway & Ridge
6/29 – Music from Ken & Linda
Join us for the Night Market
7-10pm Every Thursday in June & July!
Get a jump start on your weekends at this fun event held inside Jacoby Arts Center and in the neighboring pocket park connecting with FLOCK Food Truck Park, bringing the 600 block of Broadway to life! Shop for art and handmade wares as well as vintage and hip thrift items. Delicious food from Big Boys Q will be available for purchase, and the JAC bar will be flowing!
LIVE MUSIC SCHEDULE
June 6 – Fleetwood & Family
June 13 – The Hamilton Band
June 20 – Hideous Gentlemen
June 27 – Crystal Lady
July 4 – Red White and Floyd
July 11 – The Grand Arson
July 18 – Olive
July 25 – HOOKiE
CLICK HERE to RSVP to our event pages and help spread the word on Facebook!
Rock The Hops Seeking Artists, Musicians
Rock the Hops festival returns to Downtown Alton – musicians and artists wanted!
RTH will pair music and art with craft beer on Saturday, August 10th from 2pm-8pm. Since 2015, Rock the Hops has offered music-lovers over 150 live music sets performed by 600+ local up-and-coming and established artists, and has showcased hundreds of local visual artists, from filmmakers and photographers to painters, printmakers, ceramic artists and more. Submissions are now open for this community celebration of music, art, and creative culture!
Musicians, bands, and visual artists who are interested in being featured at this year’s festival can fill out an online submission form at www.RockTheHopsAlton.com (Deadline June 24th). Get your tickets online today!
Miles Davis Jazz Festival
Saturday June 1st from 6-8pm at Post Commons, the Alton Museum of History & Art presents the Miles Davis Jazz Festival!
Entertainment is by Soul Café and your $30 ticket includes a buffet dinner.
Limited seats remain so get yours quickly. To purchase call Abe Lee Barham at 618-799-9157. More details can be found on their Facebook page!
Rockin’ With Robert
The Upper Alton Association presents a series of free concerts to be held at 2180 College near the Wadlow Statue, every Tuesday evening throughout the month of June!
This year’s line up includes:
June 4—NGK Band
June 11—Number 4 Combo
June 18—Soulard Blues Band
June 25—Porch Café
Proud Market presented by Old Bakery Beer Co
odd way out
Thebeeskneesbyaly
Wicked Wax Candle Co.
Violet & Jade
Chlo’s Curiosity Cabinet
ReBloom STL
Park Bench Creations
Once Design
Tana’s stained glass
So Below Minerals
Hanna Herbals
River City Oddities
Jacoby Arts Center
invites you to join them for their newest exhibition: Interior Views by Jeffrey Sass. Comprised of 18 pieces that show the joys and frustrations of a working artist trying to create meaningful art, the show began with a question, “Why do I use these same objects in my work?” The work answers that question in stark detail. Interior Views opens June 7th from 6-8pm and runs through July 11th at 627 E. Broadway.
Jacoby is also hosting a series of weekly Summer Art camps for kids ages 3-16 starting in late June. www.jacobyartscenter.org/summercamp
AP Cigar
The first multi-generational ribbon cutting in Downtown Alton will take place at 11am on Sat, June 1st beginning at AP Cigar located at 202 State St. and immediately following at River Bend Yoga, only a short walk away. Owner Mike Weller and his mom Vicky have been diligently working towards this day; River Bend Yoga opened its doors in 2014 where the cigar shop is today. In 2022, she was able to relocate to a newly renovated 5k square foot location to grow her business as a cornerstone of quality living.
Mike opened AP Cigar in 2016 in Rosewood Heights, but after his Mom was set to move he knew it was time to bring his brand and business to the ever growing entertainment district of Downtown Alton. There will be open houses and refreshments at both locations where you can also visit with our knowledgeable staff.
River Bend Yoga
For ten years, Vicky Delaney and her teachers have created a warm, welcoming space for the community, and it’s time to celebrate this milestone! Festivities kick off Sat, June 1st, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:30 a.m., followed by an Open House until 6pm, featuring free 30-minute classes, hourly gift give-a-ways and refreshments. RBY teachers will be at the studio to answer questions and give tours of the studio located at 100 W. 3rd St.
You can find all the details on their FB event right here!
Honeybee Vintage
is Alton’s newest destination for vintage, antiques, upscale decor, and local art! But…did you know? Our Bee-tique offers upscale resale children’s clothing, plus quality toys and books! Now featuring summer outfits, swim wear, patriotic, and Cardinals…coming soon, Alton River Dragons gear for the whole family! Father’s Day is June 16th, check out our grilling spices, drink mixers, Alton stickers, and more!
Attending the Formula 1 Powerboat Races? Just steps from the riverfront, we are your stop for cold drinks, snacks, sunscreen, and earplugs! PLUS! Pick up your Mississippi River Festival shirts and hats to be concert-ready. Now streaming all the bands in store…
You can find details about the Bee-tique and store right here on Facebook!
The Riverbender Building
is centrally located in the heart of Downtown Alton at 200 W. 3rd Street, with 8 small office suites available from $400 per month. Building features include free wifi, conference room, rooftop terrace and flexible lease terms. Find details and take a virtual tour at www.RiverbenderBuilding.com!
By Design
Will be teaching a T-shirt quilt making class this summer! Join us in the studio for 5 consecutive Mondays July 22-Aug 19 from 9am-12pm. A fee of $250 and 20-25 of your own t-shirts are the only things required for this project. To register, call By Design today at 618-433-1400! You can find more details by clicking here!