Alton Main Street Newsletter September 2023
Director’s Note ~
We are excited to announce Alton’s next big public art project which will begin on September 12th—a three-story, colorful, dynamic mural of birds lifting in flight that will be painted on the Mississippi Landing building at the corner of Alby and Front Streets! The project has been accepted as part of the National Audubon Mural Project, which will attract visitors from far and wide to boost our local economy and sense of place as a waterfront community. Take a look at a rendering of this work of art in the article below!
Speaking of beautification projects, the Fall City-Wide Litter Clean-Up is Sat, 9/9! Stop by our registration station at the corner of 3rd & Belle from 9am-Noon to pick up bags, gloves, a donut, and directions to areas in need of attention. Join the dozens of organizations, clubs and businesses that pitch in for this important biannual effort to clean up our streets. To adopt an area or for more information, please contact Pride Incorporated at pride@prideincorporated.org.
~ Sara McGibany, Executive Director
The 17th Annual Mississippi Earthtones Festival is returning to the riverfront on September 16th!
The Mississippi Earthtones Festival, presented by Alton Main Street, the Sierra Club, and Jacoby Arts Center is a celebration of our river through art, music, and conservation! This year’s event falls on Sept 16th and will be held at Alton Amphitheater from Noon until 10pm. Dozens of local artists and upcyclers will offer their nature-inspired, hand-made, and environmentally-friendly wares. Several agencies will be teaching festival-goers how to incorporate more sustainable practices into their daily lives.
Wind-powered music will fill the air, and our entertainment line-up features: Jake’s Leg – Grateful Dead Tribute (7-10pm), Loftys Comet – Alternative Indie Jazz (3-6pm), Mattie Schell & Friends—Americana (12-2pm), and between each act Jason “Gordo” Gordon 1-Man, 10-Piece Band (2-3pm & 6-7pm). New this year, ARTICA STL will team up with the Joia World Percussion Marching Band for two rousing performances through the festival grounds. Attendees are welcome to check in at the ARTICA booth and participate in these boisterous parades, one during daylight hours and one after dark.
Jacoby Arts Center has lined up an amazing arts playground, featuring live painting, dance performances, aerial arts, pole acrobatics and more. There will be a huge selection of local food & beverages on site! This year’s theme of “Love Joy Flow” will be present throughout the grounds. Local artists will fill Riverfront Park with beauty and creativity, enhancing the festival atmosphere for visitors. The Riverbend Yarn Bombers have been busy creating a giant hoop canopy, and will be bringing back last year’s colorful cozy for the fountain! Volunteers are needed—CLICK HERE to sign up for a shift at the festival on 9/16 or CLICK HERE to sign up to help with the MEF Litter Clean-Up on the river the following Saturday 9/23 and receive a free limited edition festival t-shirt!
CLICK HERE to RSVP and spread the word on Facebook
Canine Carnival at the Alton Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market
We’re teaming up with our friends at Hope Animal Rescues to present a fun day for dogs & dog lovers! On Sept 30th, we will have a pet parade at 10am, and a pet costume contest with voting to take place on Facebook. Rescue agencies will be there for an adopt-a-thon! You’ll enjoy pet-friendly activities as well as vendor booths offering accessories & services for your furry friends. Plus, we will be hosting a drive-through Vaccine & Microchip Clinic with the Metro East Humane Society and Madison County Triad, with free vaccines while supplies last! Rabies—free, Canine DAPPv—free, Feline HCP—free, Bordatellla—$10, Microchip—$20. Madison County registration fee for rabies— $15 for spayed/neutered / $35 for non spayed/neutered. Cash/check only, walk-ins only.
CLICK HERE to RSVP and spread the word on Facebook
Other September activities at the Market include:
9/2 – Live music from Charlotte Lenore
9/9 – Weaving plant fibers art demo with C, and a pop-up roller skating rink with Skate Culture
9/16 – Free vermicomposting workshop with Emily Ehley, and kids activities with Madison County Child Advocacy Center
9/23 – Watercolor painting art demo with Elyse Kasparian Webb and a pop-up roller skating rink with Skate Culture
Keep up on what’s in season at Facebook.com/AltonFarmersMarket
11th Annual Walk for Sickle Cell
Lend your support for a great cause by raising funds to help members of our community who are battling sickle cell anemia.
Registration takes place starting at 8am, and the one-mile paved walk at Rock Spring Park begins at 10am
For more information, please visit: www.APreciousOrganization.org
Alton Flyway mural project to commence on September 12th
Alton Main Street is announcing its next public art project which will take place in the heart of downtown Alton. A colorful, dynamic mural of birds lifting in flight promises to attract visitors and residents alike to appreciate our connectivity within the natural world. This project will be an opportunity to educate our community of Alton’s global significance positioned on the Mississippi Flyway, which is used by nearly half of all birds that migrate. The Alton area is home to 18 species of gulls which are pictured in the artwork.
The Alton Flyway image was created by the late James K. Schmidt as a composition expressive of freedom, exhilaration and expansion characteristic of bird flight. The cool colors and spacious simplicity of the design is suggestive of skyward movement against the rectangular shapes of an urban setting. This three-story tall piece of artwork was designed specifically for the Mississippi Landing building at the corner of Alby and Front Streets, and will be visible from the Clark Bridge, the Sam Vadalabene bike trail, and the heavily trafficked Route 100/Landmarks Boulevard.
The artist selected to translate the painting into its mural form is Robert Fishbone, owner of On the Wall Productions, who has over 50 years of experience painting large and complex murals around the country. Work is set to begin on September 12th and will take 4-6 weeks to complete.
Alton’s mural has been accepted as part of the National Audubon Mural Project, and will be featured on its website as well as subsequent media coverage. The Audubon Mural Project celebrates birds while drawing attention to the risk that climate changes poses to both birds and people. The project commissions artists with a diverse range of styles and life experiences to paint birds imperiled by climate change. It began in the Harlem and Washington Heights neighborhoods of northern Manhattan, and is now stretching its wings across the country.
Alton Main Street is managing the fundraising, logistics, production and marketing of the project. Donors who made the mural possible include: Friends of Alton Main Street, Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau, Pride Incorporated, Sierra Club Piasa Palisades Group, Ruth Foundation for the Arts, Erie Insurance, Audubon Center at Riverlands, Alton Foundation, Moon Beam Initiatives (owner of the building’s ground floor commercial space), Monica Bristow (loft resident), and the Mississippi Landing Condominium Association.
These partners share Alton Main Street’s mission to uplift the region and celebrate our area’s natural beauty. We thank them for joining us in this significant project that will enhance an important gateway to our city and in turn boost our local economy. Murals define the flavor of a community, and public art is proven to drive foot traffic, local spending, and private investment. Educational activities with Audubon Center at Riverlands, art walks, and a self-guided tour will be coordinated to build connections and deepen our sense of place and community pride.
Indulge in all things coffee related during the Great Rivers & Routes first-ever Javapalooza celebration
Are you a latte lover or a coffee connoisseur? Fifteen locally owned and operated coffee shops are taking part in this debut event that will run Sept 1 – Oct 1.
Participating shops are showing off their coffee skills by creating a featured signature drink served up during Javapalooza. People who visit a participating coffee shop can enter to win great prizes. And there’s even a contest for the shops themselves – a Latte Art contest!
Find out more by visiting: https://www.riversandroutes.com/events/javapalooza/
Jacoby Arts Center
Jacoby Arts Center has opened registration for their Fall class programing! Offerings include classes for kids such as Anime Drawing for teens, How Did You Make That!? Conception to Creation class, and a brand new Play with Clay just for the younger artists. Classes for adults include Monoprinting 101, mixed level Watercolor Painting, our popular Clay program, plus the BRAND NEW Darkroom and Experimental Photography classes and workshops.
Check out www.JacobyArtsCenter.org for more details!
Audubon Center at Riverlands
Join us on National Public Lands Day Sept 23rd from 8am-12pm for iNat Dash, a morning of nature exploration and learning. You’ll have a chance to engage with experts in the field through guided wildlife hikes and activities! Learn about pollinators, plants, birds, and amphibians as we hone our skills for our BioBlitz next Spring with our partners at the St. Louis Zoo!
Our Wellness Series – Bikes, Birds, and Brews continues on Sept 15th from 5:30-8:30pm. Bring your bike and join Riverlands staff for this 3-hour cycling session around the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary! This ride will offer unique views of our avian visitors as we cycle to four different locations, a roughly 5-mile ride, while we interpret the great views and bring along a spotting scope to see these birds up close! At the end of your ride enjoy a brew from Old Bakery Beer Company and light snacks back at the Audubon Center.
For details, please visit: https://riverlands.audubon.org/
Senior Services Plus
Is hosting an Open House, Sept 19th from 10am-1pm. Staff will provide information on the center’s programs, services, and more. SSP’s School House Grill will be operating during this event. Guest speakers are from Department on Aging and AgeSmart Community Resources. For more information, please call 618-465-3298×117.
State Representative Amy Elik is hosting a Free Utility Bill Clinic at SSP, Sept 27th from 10-11:30am. Meet with experts from Citizens Utility Board for a free, one-on-one analysis of your utility bills and learn how you can save money. Please call 618-433-8046 to RSVP
Find more info at: www.seniorservicesplus.org/
Theodora Farms
It’s back to school time! Stock up on ingredients for weeknight meal favorites like sweet hakurei turnips, carrots, whole chicken, pasta, pizzas and salad mixes. Stop by our FarmStore at 4835 N. Alby with a school I.D. and receive 10% off your purchase during the month of September. FarmStore hours are Tues, Wed and Sat, 10am-2pm and Thurs, Fri 10am-6pm.
Theodora Farms invites food entrepreneurs and restaurant owners to attend a Local Food Summit on Mon, Sept 18th from 4-6pm. Let’s discuss how we can build the local Riverbend food economy together! Farm fresh refreshments will be available as well as a farm tour. RSVP at thefarm@theodorafarms.com or 618-208-7738.
More info at: www.theodorafarms.com/
OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center
Join us for our golf tournament to raise funds for the Moeller Cancer Center on Mon, Sept 18th at 9am.
For more info: www.osfhealthcarefoundation.org/alton-golf-tournament/
We’re introducing a new Grandparents Support Group for those who are navigating the extra challenges of dual roles as grandparents who are also the primary caregivers for their grandchildren. Participants will learn how to manage and support their families and themselves. The group will meet every Friday from 10:30-11:30am. starting on Fri, Sept 15th.
Alton Jazz & Wine Fest
Alton Expo
Sept 7th-10th at the Alton Amphitheater. Fair food, carnival rides, live entertainment, mud volleyball tournament, and a catfish classic fishing tournament.
CLICK HERE for details
Alton Pride Festival
Sat, Sept 9th from Noon-9:30pm on Belle Street between 4th & 7th. Live entertainment, great vendors, pet adoption, a youth zone and more!
CLICK HERE for details
Holiday Fears Market
The Holiday Fears Market is back on Sat, Sept 30 from 11:30am-4pm at The Old Bakery Beer Company, located at 400 Landmarks Blvd. to celebrate the release of Spooky Scary Stout!
In addition to releasing a delicious BBA Stout with Peanut Butter and Chocolate you can enjoy food and drink specials, tarot card reading, and a great selection of vendors selling their Halloween-themed art!
CLICK HERE for details
Alton Cigar Event
Sat, Sept 30th from 3-8pm at Bluff City Grill. Free admission, hand-rolled cigars by STL Cigars, DJ Brando, food & drink, covered patio.
CLICK HERE for details
BJC Healthcare Alton Memorial Hospital
Buy tickets online for four great items in the Alton Memorial Health Services Foundation Duck Pluckers Ball online raffle. Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased HERE, or scan the QR code on the poster with your smart phone. Winners will be drawn at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at the 14th annual Duck Pluckers Ball, held at NILO Farms in Brighton. The event annually raises funds to purchase a new AMH ambulance.