Alton Main Street Newsletter July 2025

Director's Note~

We are thrilled to announce that My Just Desserts has been awarded Alton Main Street’s Facade Improvement Grant for 2025! With support from our sponsor Partner Engineering & Science, Inc. $5,000 will be granted for the installation of a historically appropriate iron fire escape, allowing owner Markus Boyd to develop the vacant upper story of the building.

We are teaming up with Coco+Oak to present a FREE educational workshop for small business owners about best marketing practices for growth. Join us at 110 W. 3rd St. on Tuesday, July 15th at 5:30 to learn about web and ad design and getting a return on your investment. A link to register can be found at www.DowntownAlton.com/Events/SmallBusinessResources

~ Sara McGibany, Executive Director

Upcoming Activities at the Alton Farmers' & Artisans' Market!

The Alton Farmers' & Artisans' Market welcomes you to enjoy the season's special activities each Saturday through October 18th!

Coming Up:
6/28 - Goat Yoga from 9-10 *ticketed
7/5 - Keep Alton Weird Sideshow with FreakShow Deluxe, and paint Little Free Art Libraries with Jacoby Arts Center at the info booth
7/12 - Make & Take project with the Girl Scouts, and live music from Jenny's Paradox
7/19 - Make & Take project: upcycled inspirational signs with Maggie O'Brien
7/26 - Christmas in July, visit with Santa while he’s on vacation from the North Pole!

Stay up-to-date on what produce is in season and upcoming activities on Facebook & Instagram @AltonFarmersMarket

Night Market on Broadway is in full swing!

Night Market on Broadway is every Thursday from 7-10pm. We are taking 7/3 off so our crew can enjoy the fireworks, but join us for the remainder of July in the green space on 3rd St. between Catdaddy’s & Chez Marilyn and along Sugar Alley for art, handmade wares and vintage & hip thrift items. Check out our page on Facebook HERE!

LIVE MUSIC SCHEDULE: 
July 10 - 29 Steps Band
July 17 - Liver Jones & The Flatworms
July 24 - Erin Jo & The Greater Good
July 31 - Lonesome Blues 

Fireworks at the Alton Ampitheater

Fireworks on the Mississippi at Alton's Riverfront Amphitheater will take place on Thursday, July 3rd from 5-10pm. At this free event, enjoy food trucks and live music from the Lincoln Land Brass Band until the fireworks begin at 9:30!


Enjoy the Fireworks with OBBC at Red, White & Brew!

Don’t miss out on your chance to book a spot at The Old Bakery Beer Co. for Red, White, and Brew and get a front-row seat for Alton’s incredible fireworks display on July 3rd! Your $260 reservation includes: one reserved parking spot from 5-10pm with space for up to 8 people (you can park your car in your reserved spot, or just hang out there!) 24 drinks on ice (beer, soda, and cider of your choice), 8 food tickets (1 entrée and 1 side dish from the grill station), 8 commemorative koozies, plus tax & gratuity are included! Limited spots remain, so stop by the brewery at 400 Landmarks Blvd. or call 618-463-1470 to reserve your spot today!

An AHHH-dubon Evening!

If you’d like to have Downtown Alton as your backdrop to the fireworks display, join the Audubon Center at Riverlands for a special evening of appreciation, community, and friends. “An Ahhh-dubon Evening” will take place on Thursday, July 3rd from 6pm – 9:30pm. Enjoy an exclusive view of the Alton fireworks from the comfort and beauty of the grounds located at 301 Riverlands Way in West Alton, MO. Bring a picnic, chairs, and friends. Yard games, local food vendors, and kids activities will be on-site. Live music from Joshua Grassle & Friends! This event is $10 for adults and free for children, register in advance at riverlands.audubon.org/events

Independence Day with the Episcopal Parish of Alton

Join the folks at St Paul's Episcopal Church for an Independence Day Celebration! They will hold a Vigil Mass on July 3rd at 5:30pm at St Paul's (10 E. 3rd St.), and after the service there will be time to hang out in the garden for a potluck and cookout. All are welcome to join and they hope to see you there!

Jacoby Arts Center

After a soft opening of their new space in June, Jacoby Arts Center is now announcing their regular hours beginning the week of July 7th! The center will be open every Thursday-Saturday from 12-6pm, and patrons can enjoy the very first gallery show in the new location through August 30th. The showcase is a sample of artwork from Bluff City Bazaar, an artisan collective now open at 612 Belle Street, just around the corner from JAC's new home at 208 State Street. Classes in Clay are now registering for July and August, plus there are still spots for super fun Summer Art Camps open on their website at www.jacobyartscenter.org! They hope to see all your beautiful faces soon.

Mooneyham Art, LLC

Proudly presents Bold. Brave. Beautiful., a striking new exhibition opening Friday, July 5th from 5–9pm at 305 State Street. This free event showcases the emotive photography of Marty McKay, whose images—rooted in her experience as a two-time cancer survivor—capture the fragile beauty of everyday moments with depth and grace. Also featured is the heirloom-quality jewelry of David Bailey, whose hand-sculpted sterling silver pieces blend ancient lost wax casting with modern aesthetics. Each work is a bold, wearable sculpture, inlaid with semi-precious stones and crafted with meticulous detail. The evening includes additional
works from Mooneyham’s resident and guest artists and live music by Psychedelic Symphony. Refreshments available. Exhibition runs through early August. For
more information, visit www.MooneyhamArt.com.

Country Meadows

On Sunday, June 29th local author Rod Jackson will be at Country Meadows Antiques, 401 E. Broadway from 1-3pm to sign copies of his book From the Creek Bank to the Classroom - a perfect gift for Christmas, which is only six months away! Come on in to meet the author, have a splash of lemonade and browse the shop.

OSF Saint Anthony's Health Center


In honor of our 100th anniversary, we invite the public to a free concert by Estonia’s acclaimed Arsis Handbell Ensemble on Sat, July 12th at 7pm at the Benjamin Godfrey Memorial Chapel (Lewis & Clark Community College, Godfrey, IL). The concert, From Bach to Pärt, features classical favorites and works by Estonian composers. Seating is first come, first served; free-will offerings accepted. Don’t miss this rare U.S. performance by one of Europe’s top handbell groups! For more information, call (618) 474-6101 or visit www.arsis.ee.

Honeybee Vintage

Have you shopped the Beetique at Honeybee Vintage lately? Find boutique and premium brand kids clothing at resale prices…boys and girls, newborn to teen. In July, the deals get even sweeter with our BOGO days! All month long, Buy One Get One Free on clothing and shoes in the Beetique. Select some new summer looks, or get a jump on back-to-school shopping! New items added to racks as space permits, so come get first pick then check back throughout the month. Matilda Jane, Hanna Andersson, Mini Boden, Ralph Lauren, Gymboree, Janie and Jack, Gap, Lands End & boutique brands. Open 7 days a week at 114 E. Broadway!

Busey Bank

Lower Your Borrowing Costs and Boost Your Savings with Busey Bank! Looking to buy a home? We can help make it more affordable. Through the Downpayment Plus® Program, eligible buyers may receive up to $10,000 to use toward down payment and closing costs. To qualify, buyers must meet income requirements, contribute at least $1,000 to the purchase, complete homebuyer education and counseling, and live in the home as their primary residence. Already a homeowner or planning ahead? Grow your savings with Busey’s special CD rates—including a 7-month CD at 4.00% APY and a 13-month CD at 3.75% APY, available with a qualifying checking account. To learn more, visit your local branch at 4415 Martin Luther King Drive, contact Nicole L. Williamson at 618-659-6671, or email Trish Holmes at Trish.Holmes@busey.com, or CLICK HERE to start an application online!

Argosy Casino

Argosy Casino will host a JOB FAIR on Thursday, July 10th from 10am–1pm at 410 Piasa Street. Openings are available in the following positions:

(Part Time and Full Time)

CLICK HERE to apply!

Senior Services Plus


Boost your health and wellness—as well as others, at SSP!  On July 21, the American Red Cross will be holding a Blood Drive from 10am-3pm. Donors will receive a Fandango Movie Ticket via email ($15 value). To make an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org and enter ‘SSP’. Walk-ins welcome! The Lewis & Clark Community College Dental School will be performing Free Oral Cancer Screenings on July 29 from 10am-1pm. No appointment necessary. Participants will be entered to win a Waterpik Sonic-Fusion®. SAVE THE DATE—on August 6 a representative from the Illinois State Treasurer’s office will conduct free Unclaimed Property Searches, connecting people with their cash and other assets through the I-Cash Program. This walk-in clinic is from 10am-1pm—first come, first served.