April 29th- May 3nd
Benton, Illinois
Rend Lake Water Festival
Schedule of Events:
Carnival Wednesday - Friday, 6pm - 10 pm
Saturday 1 pm - 5 pm
Saturday 6 pm - 10 pm
Carnival is located in the NE corner of the
Benton Public Square on the City Parking Lot behind Joe's Pizza. Visit the facebook page to view video and more pictures of this fantastic new Carnival, All Rides will be ONE ticket each
Single ticket - $4
Armbands - $25
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090752734
Saturday May 2nd
10am - 4pm: Vendor Fair
Location: Franklin County Ford Garage Museum
10:00 AM: Parade
The Parade will begin at 10:00 am at Pizza Hut and will end at Joplin St. on North Main.
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm Motorcycle Show
12:00 pm- 4:00 pm Veteran's Resource Fair
Mt Vernon Illinois
Mt. Vernon BIG Spring Carnival
Presented by Mt. Vernon Festivals, Inc.
Location: South 9th St., Downtown Mt. Vernon, IL
Dates: April 29 - May 3, 2026
Time: Wed, Thu & Fri 5:00 pm, Sat & Sun 1:00 pm
Get ready for a weekend of fun, thrills, and excitement at the Mt. Vernon BIG Spring Carnival!
Join us in Downtown Mt. Vernon, IL for an unforgettable event featuring carnival rides, games, delicious food, and so much more! Whether you're looking for a fun family outing, a night out with friends, or an adventure on the rides, this carnival has something for everyone.
May 2nd
Alto Pass
Cinco De Mayo Fest
11am- 5 pm
Annual community festival
-Parade at 12pm
-Alpacas, Bouncy House, -Food Vendors, -Music 12:30 pm - 2:00pm
Cobden High School ESL Folkloric Dancers 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Carbondale Middle School Choir 2:30 pm- 3:00 pm
-Dance Performance, -Miss Cinco De Mayo Pageant
-Adult Beverages 21(+)
Herrin
Herrin House of Hope Block Party
Herrin House of Hope
11 am- 2
112 N 14th St. Herrin, Illinois
FREE event
Music, food, dunk tank, games and more
Alto Pass
Cinco De Mayo Fest
11am- 5 pm
Annual community festival
-Parade at 12pm
-Alpacas, Bouncy House, -Food Vendors, -Music 12:30 pm - 2:00pm
Cobden High School ESL Folkloric Dancers 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Carbondale Middle School Choir 2:30 pm- 3:00 pm
-Dance Performance, -Miss Cinco De Mayo Pageant
-Adult Beverages 21(+)
Herrin
Herrin House of Hope Block Party
Herrin House of Hope
11 am- 2
112 N 14th St. Herrin, Illinois
FREE event
Music, food, dunk tank, games and more
May 7th- 10th
West Frankfort Illinois
Old King Coal Festival
West Frankfort Illinois
Old King Coal Festival
- Thursday, May 7, 2026
5:00pm: Midway opensBargain Night- all rides only 1 ticket
7:00pm to 10:00: Band on the main stage: Arview on Country.
Friday, May 8, 2026:
5:00pm: Midway opens
7:00pm- 10:00 pm- Free entertainment- 6pm- 8 pm Backline 5 , 8:30 pm= 10:30 pm
7 Bridges - Saturday, May 9, 2026:
8:00 am- 5K walk and run
10:00am: Coal Miners Memorial Service at Coal Miners Memorial Park.
2:00pm: Old King Coal Grand Parade.
3:00pm: Midway opens.
6:0pm to 7:30 Band: Roots in Blue
8:00 pm- 10:00 pm Ronny McDowell - Sunday May 10th
Midway opens at 1pm- all rides 1 ticket
The festival promises a family-friendly environment, so bring your lawn chair and enjoy West Frankfort’s hospitality!
May 16th
Carbondale,
DIY Day-Y'all Rock Block Party
12pm- 6:30 pm
Eurma C Hayes Center
331 E Willow
Carbondale, Illinois 62901
Join Y'all Rock Carbondale for DIY DAY at the Eurma Hayes Center on Saturday, May 16!
Learn a new skill Make stuff with your hands Get creative
DIY day is FREE and open to ALL AGES!
Bring your friends and neighbors for a fun day of:
- Screen Printing Workshops, - Sewing Workshops, - Small Group Instrument Lessons
- Free Food, - Live Music All Day, - Custom Button Making, - Community Art Project
- Zine Making, ….and MORE!
This program is funded by Artspace Southern Illinois’ Southern Arts Fund, and partially supported by grants from the Illinois Arts Council as well as from Funding Good Chaos and generous private donors.
Marion
Holistic Health Music Festival
12pm- 5pm
Harry Crisp Ampitheater
Music, Vendors and Information. Food Trucks, Kids Activities
Carbondale,
DIY Day-Y'all Rock Block Party
12pm- 6:30 pm
Eurma C Hayes Center
331 E Willow
Carbondale, Illinois 62901
Join Y'all Rock Carbondale for DIY DAY at the Eurma Hayes Center on Saturday, May 16!
Learn a new skill Make stuff with your hands Get creative
DIY day is FREE and open to ALL AGES!
Bring your friends and neighbors for a fun day of:
- Screen Printing Workshops, - Sewing Workshops, - Small Group Instrument Lessons
- Free Food, - Live Music All Day, - Custom Button Making, - Community Art Project
- Zine Making, ….and MORE!
This program is funded by Artspace Southern Illinois’ Southern Arts Fund, and partially supported by grants from the Illinois Arts Council as well as from Funding Good Chaos and generous private donors.
Marion
Holistic Health Music Festival
12pm- 5pm
Harry Crisp Ampitheater
Music, Vendors and Information. Food Trucks, Kids Activities
May 17th- 25th
Herrin, Illinois
Herrinfesta Italiana
May 17th
Little Mr. & Miss HerrinFesta Pageant 🌟 Time: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location: Herrin Civic Center
May 18th
Miss HerrinFesta Scholarship Pageant 👑 Time: 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Location: Herrin Civic Center
Tickets required- $5 children, $10 adults
May 19th
Mayor’s Honoree Banquet 🎉 Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Herrin Civic Center
Thursday May 21st
- Midway Carnival Opens 3:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Downtown Herrin
Friday May 22nd
7:00 am - 9:00 am
Ed Goodwin Memorial Prayer Breakfast 🙏
Date: Friday, May 24, 2024
Location: Herrin Civic Center
10:00 am- 4:00 pm
Golfing For Grads Scholarship Golf Tournament ⛳
Location: Pine Lakes Golf Course
11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Robert A. Ferarri Corporate Division Bocce Tournament 🎾
Location: Herrin Bocce Courts
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
History of Herrin- The Movie
Herrin Public Library
Midway Carnival Opens from 6pm- 10pm
Saturday May 23rd
8:00 am - 10:00 am
Masonic Lodge Breakfast 🍳
Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026
Location: Herrin Masonic Lodge
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
JALC Tri-Festa Triathlon 🏊♂️🚴♀️🏃♂️
Date: Saturday, May 25, 2026
Location: John A. Logan College
11:00 am - 1:00 pm Grand Parade 🎉
Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026
Location: Park Avenue (101 N. Park Ave, Herrin, IL)
12pm- 10 pm Carnival Midway Opens
12:30 pm- 5:00 pm Adult-Child Bocce Tournament 🎾
Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026
Location: Herrin Bocce Courts
2:00 pm- 5:00 pm Pasta Eating Contest
Herrin Civic Center
No hands, no forks, just pure pasta passion—who will reign supreme in this Italian-style showdown? $100 will be awarded to the Carb Consuming Champion.
Register here: https://www.chamberorganizer.com/members/evr/reg_event.php?orgcode=HERR&evid=101747065
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Pasta Sauce Contest
Herrin Civic Center
From family recipes to bold new flavors, the Herrin Festa Italiana Pasta Sauce Contest is where tradition meets taste. Prizes will be awarded. $100 for First place,
2:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Grape Stomp
The grapes are ready—are you? From tiny toes to championships stomps join Herrin Festa Italiana’s Grape Stomp Competition Saturday, May 23 at 3 pm in the Free Entertainment Tent, featuring youth and adult divisions, three‑person teams, and the top teams will be selected based on juice, costumes, and style!
Enjoy juice, plenty of laughs and Italian flair.
Participants are requested to register at the event starting at 2:30 pm.
7pm-10 pm
Free Live Music Under the Tent
Sunday May 24
10 am- 12pm Car Show
Herrin Memorial Park
Shine, style, and horsepower take center stage at the HerrinFesta Car Show! Classic cruisers, muscle cars, hot rods, and custom builds line the streets as car enthusiasts gather to admire the craftsmanship and history behind each vehicle. Whether you’re a gearhead or just love a good stroll through chrome and color, this event is a Festa favorite for all ages.
Registration begins at 9:00 AM
12pm- 8 pm
Carnival Midway Open
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm International Bocce Tournament
Herrin Bocce Complex
300 W Walnut St Herrin, IL 62948 United States
5:30 pm - 11:00 pm
Italian Film Night at the Civic Center
Join us for a special Sunday evening social and film screening hosted by the Herrin Heritage Club.
5:30 PM – Social Hour with Cash Bar
6:30 PM – Film Screening Starts
Short Film Program
This year’s program features a curated selection of seven Italian short films, presented in their original language with English subtitles. The full program runs approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Film Lineup (in order): VIOLA, CALL BAIT, MONICA’S CAT, RUKELI
BEYOND THE HILL, WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF MILK, TWENTYSEVEN SISTER PORTRAIT
7:00 pm- 10:00 pm Free Music Under the Tent
Monday May 25th
7:30 am 10:00 am Road Races
The Herrinfesta Road Races has a long history of families and friends coming together on Memorial Day to have fun, to suffer in the heat for a few miles, and enjoy time with friends and family. If you have never ran it before then you should come join us for a really fun time. With one of the fastest courses around, runners can come to Herrin and shoot for a new PR. This is a family friendly event with a few race options. The 10k run, 5k Walk, Park Avenue Mile, Kids Mile, and those looking for an extra challenge can run both the 10k & the Park Avenue Mile.
10k starts at 7:30, 5k starts at 7:45 and the mile starts at 9:30.
Sign-Up For the Road Races
9:00 am- 10:oo am Doughboy Memorial Service
WWI Doughboy Memorial
`1:00 pm - 6:00 pm Pickleball Tournament
1:00 pm- 8:00 pm Carnival Midway open
Herrin, Illinois
Herrinfesta Italiana
May 17th
Little Mr. & Miss HerrinFesta Pageant 🌟 Time: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location: Herrin Civic Center
May 18th
Miss HerrinFesta Scholarship Pageant 👑 Time: 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Location: Herrin Civic Center
Tickets required- $5 children, $10 adults
May 19th
Mayor’s Honoree Banquet 🎉 Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Herrin Civic Center
Thursday May 21st
- Midway Carnival Opens 3:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Downtown Herrin
Friday May 22nd
7:00 am - 9:00 am
Ed Goodwin Memorial Prayer Breakfast 🙏
Date: Friday, May 24, 2024
Location: Herrin Civic Center
10:00 am- 4:00 pm
Golfing For Grads Scholarship Golf Tournament ⛳
Location: Pine Lakes Golf Course
11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Robert A. Ferarri Corporate Division Bocce Tournament 🎾
Location: Herrin Bocce Courts
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
History of Herrin- The Movie
Herrin Public Library
Midway Carnival Opens from 6pm- 10pm
Saturday May 23rd
8:00 am - 10:00 am
Masonic Lodge Breakfast 🍳
Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026
Location: Herrin Masonic Lodge
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
JALC Tri-Festa Triathlon 🏊♂️🚴♀️🏃♂️
Date: Saturday, May 25, 2026
Location: John A. Logan College
11:00 am - 1:00 pm Grand Parade 🎉
Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026
Location: Park Avenue (101 N. Park Ave, Herrin, IL)
12pm- 10 pm Carnival Midway Opens
12:30 pm- 5:00 pm Adult-Child Bocce Tournament 🎾
Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026
Location: Herrin Bocce Courts
2:00 pm- 5:00 pm Pasta Eating Contest
Herrin Civic Center
No hands, no forks, just pure pasta passion—who will reign supreme in this Italian-style showdown? $100 will be awarded to the Carb Consuming Champion.
Register here: https://www.chamberorganizer.com/members/evr/reg_event.php?orgcode=HERR&evid=101747065
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Pasta Sauce Contest
Herrin Civic Center
From family recipes to bold new flavors, the Herrin Festa Italiana Pasta Sauce Contest is where tradition meets taste. Prizes will be awarded. $100 for First place,
2:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Grape Stomp
The grapes are ready—are you? From tiny toes to championships stomps join Herrin Festa Italiana’s Grape Stomp Competition Saturday, May 23 at 3 pm in the Free Entertainment Tent, featuring youth and adult divisions, three‑person teams, and the top teams will be selected based on juice, costumes, and style!
Enjoy juice, plenty of laughs and Italian flair.
Participants are requested to register at the event starting at 2:30 pm.
7pm-10 pm
Free Live Music Under the Tent
Sunday May 24
10 am- 12pm Car Show
Herrin Memorial Park
Shine, style, and horsepower take center stage at the HerrinFesta Car Show! Classic cruisers, muscle cars, hot rods, and custom builds line the streets as car enthusiasts gather to admire the craftsmanship and history behind each vehicle. Whether you’re a gearhead or just love a good stroll through chrome and color, this event is a Festa favorite for all ages.
Registration begins at 9:00 AM
12pm- 8 pm
Carnival Midway Open
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm International Bocce Tournament
Herrin Bocce Complex
300 W Walnut St Herrin, IL 62948 United States
5:30 pm - 11:00 pm
Italian Film Night at the Civic Center
Join us for a special Sunday evening social and film screening hosted by the Herrin Heritage Club.
5:30 PM – Social Hour with Cash Bar
6:30 PM – Film Screening Starts
Short Film Program
This year’s program features a curated selection of seven Italian short films, presented in their original language with English subtitles. The full program runs approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Film Lineup (in order): VIOLA, CALL BAIT, MONICA’S CAT, RUKELI
BEYOND THE HILL, WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF MILK, TWENTYSEVEN SISTER PORTRAIT
7:00 pm- 10:00 pm Free Music Under the Tent
Monday May 25th
7:30 am 10:00 am Road Races
The Herrinfesta Road Races has a long history of families and friends coming together on Memorial Day to have fun, to suffer in the heat for a few miles, and enjoy time with friends and family. If you have never ran it before then you should come join us for a really fun time. With one of the fastest courses around, runners can come to Herrin and shoot for a new PR. This is a family friendly event with a few race options. The 10k run, 5k Walk, Park Avenue Mile, Kids Mile, and those looking for an extra challenge can run both the 10k & the Park Avenue Mile.
10k starts at 7:30, 5k starts at 7:45 and the mile starts at 9:30.
Sign-Up For the Road Races
9:00 am- 10:oo am Doughboy Memorial Service
WWI Doughboy Memorial
`1:00 pm - 6:00 pm Pickleball Tournament
1:00 pm- 8:00 pm Carnival Midway open
May 28th- May 31st
Christopher Homecoming
Bill Dennison Park
Famous fish sandwich, food vendors, bocce tournaments,
Carnival by Egyptian Exposition May 29, 30 & May 31st
Bands and Food vendors nightly
Cow Pattie Bingo May 31st Beer Garden 3:00 PM
Vendor fair May 30th and 31st,
Lions Club Pancake and Sausage Breakfast May 30th, 2026 7:00am-10:00am
5 K Run/Walk May 30th, 2026 8:00 AM
Car Show May 30th, 2026 10:00 AM
Galatia Old Settler Days
Join us the first weekend after Memorial Day and enjoy the parade, rides & midway, food stands, garage sales, nightly entertainment AND the Annual Lions Club Auction! Schedule coming soon!
Christopher Homecoming
Bill Dennison Park
Famous fish sandwich, food vendors, bocce tournaments,
Carnival by Egyptian Exposition May 29, 30 & May 31st
Bands and Food vendors nightly
Cow Pattie Bingo May 31st Beer Garden 3:00 PM
Vendor fair May 30th and 31st,
Lions Club Pancake and Sausage Breakfast May 30th, 2026 7:00am-10:00am
5 K Run/Walk May 30th, 2026 8:00 AM
Car Show May 30th, 2026 10:00 AM
Galatia Old Settler Days
Join us the first weekend after Memorial Day and enjoy the parade, rides & midway, food stands, garage sales, nightly entertainment AND the Annual Lions Club Auction! Schedule coming soon!
