Alton Main Street Newsletter February 2026

Director's Note~

Join us on Tuesday, February 10th from 5:30-7pm at The Wedge (620 E. Broadway) for our What’s Up Downtown information exchange, and learn the latest news on developments including business updates, real estate transactions & details of upcoming events. We’re excited to be working with Riverbender.com to live stream these quarterly events. RSVP to our Facebook event here!

Our 2026 Partner Drive is underway, and we would greatly appreciate the support of downtown businesses as well as companies outside of the district who recognize the vast benefits of having a thriving downtown! Find full details and a link to send dues via PayPal at: www.DowntownAlton.com/Partner. 

Would you like to help with a project? Visit DowntownAlton.com/Volunteer.

~ Sara McGibany, Executive Director

It's Time to Thaw out at Ice Jam at the Dam!

Enjoy winter along the Mississippi River by attending Ice Jam at the Dam at the Melvin Price Locks and Dam and National Great Rivers Museum on Saturday, February 21st from 10am-2pm! This winter-themed festival promotes outdoor recreation and features tours of the locks and dam, warm food and beverage vendors, campfires, educational booths, movies, live-music from Pickin Daisies and more! Most activities will be outdoors along the dam promenade to fully embrace the spirit of winter, but there will be campfires and heaters to keep you warm. Shed your hat and mittens when you head into the museum to chill out in the theatre for a winter movie or stroll through the glacial gallery. For more info, check out the Meeting of the Rivers Foundation Facebook page found HERE.

More Winter Fun at The Audubon Center at Riverlands

Winter fun is still soaring at the Audubon Center at Riverlands! Join us for two remaining weekends of Birds of Winter. We welcome you to a lineup of events celebrating our feathered friends. This Saturday, January 31st: a special Eagle Saturday featuring a Live Eagle Release. Or stop by for an engaging Sunday Symposium! Next weekend, family-friendly Eagle Days with MDC on February 7th, and a delightfully pun-filled Superb Owl Sunday! There’s something for birders, families, and nature lovers of all ages. Enjoy live presentations, crafts, local vendors, and cozy indoor wildlife viewing. Bundle up, bring your curiosity, and experience winter at Riverlands!

New from The Vintage Voices Players

The Vintage Voices Players present: The Lovejoy Legacy on Thursday, February 12th at 6pm at The Hayner Library Performance Room at Alton Square Mall. This powerful program brings history to life through first-person portrayals of individuals connected to the legacy of Elijah P. Lovejoy. To register, please call 1-800-613-3163.

Galentine's at Post Commons

Plan a downtown day with your gal pals to celebrate GALENTINE’S DAY! On Saturday, February 7th from 4–8pm there will be a Galentine’s Experience at Post Commons, featuring 30 women‑owned businesses, a toiletry drive for Oasis Women’s Center, and a fundraiser for the True North Nursing Scholarship. Good News Brewing will be serving up cold drinks and delicious pizza. Enjoy exclusive vendor specials, a curated raffle filled with amazing products, and a night of connection, community, and joy.

More Gal Pal Love at Honeybee Vintage, Strangelovely, and Persnickety

A few Broadway shops will be staying open late until 7pm on Thursday, February 12th for a Galentine’s Party! Join Honeybee Vintage to pick out a Valentine card or gift: chocolates, perfume, cologne, cards, jewelry and more. Enjoy sweets and sparkly sips while you browse all the new arrivals. You can also visit Persnickety by Jen Farley and Strangelovely that evening for drinks, snacks and laughs along with other fun surprises. RSVP to their FB Event right HERE!

Public Flood Mitigation Meeting

The City of Alton cordially invites the public to an open house meeting on the planned flood mitigation improvements within the downtown district, including a proposed 1,000-foot long flood wall along East Broadway. The purpose of the open house is to provide citizens with updated information regarding the project scope and proposed timeline. The meeting will be held at Alton City Hall in the Council Chambers (101 E. 3rd St.) on Wednesday, February 4th at 6:00pm. Please attend to share your thoughts and questions. CLICK HERE to find more information about the project

New Frontiers Home & Garden Furnishings

New Frontiers Home & Garden Furnishings is celebrating 48 years in business with their biggest sale of the year. All furniture and accessories storewide are on sale and financing is available. If you haven't been in lately, you need to check them out! New Frontiers always has the latest styles. They are a full line furniture store offering fully customizable upholstery and greenhouses in three sizes. Located at 101 W. Third St. in Downtown Alton. For more information visit FrontierFurnishings.com or call 618-465-8868

The American Oddities Museum

Stop by our NEW location at 301 Piasa Street to check out our expanded collection, new exhibits, and bigger gift shop! Admission is only $7, open Thursday-Sunday from Noon-5pm. We are hosting our 27th annual food drive on February 7th at Franklin Lodge in Alton. We're spending the day celebrating the spooky winter season of ghosts, hauntings, folklore, and legends while also supporting a great cause! This is a FREE event -- but recommended admission is a non-perishable food item for Alton's food banks. We've collected thousands of pounds of food for those in need, and with your help we'd like to make this our biggest year yet! Be chilled by the presentations, meet spooky speakers and authors, browse the vendors, and make this the best day you’ll have all winter! RSVP to our FB event HERE.

Elysian Gallery

Join us on February 7th from 3-8pm for Dust & Thunder: Wild Horses of the Frontier, a powerful solo exhibition by photographer Tammi Elbert. Experience the beauty, intensity, and spirit of the Western wild horse herds through her striking imagery. From February 13–15, resident artist Isabella Empey will take over the gallery, offering a fresh, immersive look at her creative process. Plus, we’ve added new handcrafted jewelry from Internationally acclaimed Jennifer Fleites of Ptera Jewelry to the gallery — perfect for Valentine’s Day gifting.

Jacoby Arts Center

Jacoby Arts Center brings you First Friday Weekends, beginning in February! On the first full weekend of each month we'll offer a collection of free or low cost events, happenings & fun meant to bring the public into our cozy community space to share art, connection, learning, and more! Friday, On February 6th we will host a final reception for the OMA and Little Art Shows from 6-8pm. Saturday, February 7th join us for the "Spread the Love" Community Art Night from 6-8pm - bring a donation to Oasis Women's Center (or you can drop a cash donation in the Jacoby box) and enjoy Valentines card making + community connection. Sunday, February 8th - the return of our popular Kids Club from 2- 3:30pm and then the *new* Fiber Art and Textiles Community Meetup from 4-6pm! Find the details for these and ALL of our amazing classes, workshops, and meetups at www.JacobyArtsCenter.org

Alton Pride

Alton Pride will host a Winter Beach Party Bingo on Saturday, January 31st, from 11:30am - 3:00pm at Alton Sports Tap. Don't wait, this was a sold-out event last year! Games start at Noon with our Fabulous Drag Hosts, Moxie Cotin and Avery C. Lauren. Don't miss your chance for great prizes, wonderful entertainment, and a 50/50 raffle! Plus a bonus game of Heads or Tails for those brave enough to play! Bring your dollar, dollar bills, y'all! Remaining tickets are limited - get yours RIGHT HERE!

Alton Pride’s scholarship applications are open for 2026 graduating high school seniors. This annual program supports LGBTQ+ students and allies pursuing higher education. This year, the organization will award four $1,000 scholarships. Deadline to apply: Feb 28th, apply online at www.AltonPride.com

The Wedge Innovation Center

Join us at The Wedge Innovation Center on Tuesday, February 17th from 5-7:30pm for an inspiring talk with Joan Fernandez, author of Saving Vincent. Using Van Gogh’s life and art as a lens, Fernandez explores how creativity, vision, and perseverance can build extraordinary value, often long before recognition or reward arrives. The Van Gogh Entrepreneur: Building a Billion-Dollar Legacy from Nothing is ideal for entrepreneurs, creatives, and innovators seeking a fresh perspective on legacy, resilience, and success. Full details at https://thewedge.space or get tickets HERE.

Episcopal Parish of Alton

Shrove Tuesday Pancake & Sausage Supper at St Paul's!

Join the Episcopal Parish of Alton for their annual pancake and sausage supper on Shrove Tuesday, February 17th at 6:00pm at St Paul's. A free will offering will be taken up to cover the cost. All are welcome!

2026 Lenten Series: Certified Recovery Congregation

The Episcopal Parish of Alton has had a decades long support of recovery ministry. We look to continue to expand our understanding of mental health and recovery as a way of continuing our community support and love for our neighbor. Join us for our free lenten series that includes prayer, a meal, and a presentation every Wednesday of Lent. All are welcome to attend!

Busey Bank

The Busey Bank Bridge Checking & Savings Accounts offer an affordable, hassle-free way to manage your money—whether you’re just starting out or looking for a simpler banking option. With as little as $25 to open an account, no monthly maintenance fees, no overdraft fees, and no minimum balance requirement, Bridge accounts are designed to give you peace of mind. Enjoy 24/7 mobile and online banking, free e-statements, check cashing and deposits, and a Busey Bank debit card. Busey is proud to support financial access for everyone through its Bank On-certified accounts.

Learn more at Busey.com or by contacting Trish R. Holmes - Community Banking Mortgage Officer at Trish.Holmes@busey.com / 618-659-6656, or Nicole L. Williamson - Assistant Vice President at Nicole.Williamson@busey.com / 618-659-6671.

1st MidAmerica Credit Union

1st MidAmerica Credit Union will award five $1,000 scholarships to area high school seniors in May. Applications are due Tuesday, March 31st. Over 130 area youth have benefited from the 1st MidAmerica Credit Union scholarships, which were introduced in 2005. Scholarships may be applied to tuition, fees or other educational expenses.

Eligibility Requirements:

1. Applicant must be a member of 1st MidAmerica, a primary accountholder and the account must be in good standing.

2. Applicant must be a 2026 high school graduating senior.

3. 1st MidAmerica employees, directors and their families are not eligible.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to see that all information is received by 1st MidAmerica by the deadline. All materials submitted become property of 1st MidAmerica. Scholarship recipient must provide proof of enrollment before the beginning of the Fall Semester, at which time the Credit Union will pay the scholarship amount to the applicant. 1st MidAmerica reserves the right to withhold award of scholarship if no qualified applications are received. Click here to fill out the Scholarship Application online!

Senior Services Plus

Join Senior Services Plus to hear from local legislators speaking on topics relevant to older adults at SSP’s Meet the Legislators event on Friday, February 13th from 11:45 AM-1 PM (doors open at 11). Lunch will be provided, sponsored by AARP Illinois. RSVPs are required! Call 618-465-3298 ext. 100 to reserve your spot.

SSP will host a Mobile DMV event on Tuesday, February 10th from 10 AM-2 PM. Appointments are limited and required; call 618-465-3298 ext. 123 to sign up today!

A free, two-part diabetes presentation will be offered on February 2nd & 16th from 1-2 PM; call 618-465-3298 ext. 109 to RSVP.

Alton River Dragons

The Alton River Dragons 2026 Season Kicks Off On May 26th! Alton’s Prospect League baseball team is offering organizations, kids sports teams, clubs, etc. who are looking to raise money the opportunity to sell River Dragons tickets as a fundraiser! You can purchase tickets for half price, sell them at face value, and keep the proceeds to benefit your organization. Groups are asked to commit to a minimum of 50 tickets per game, and there’s no limit on how many you can sell—for details please contact alton@prospectleague.com. Find a game schedule, buy tickets & merch and much more at www.AltonBaseball.com