Family Fun: Weekend Highlights Aug. 4th-6th

 Wow, the week has gone by so fast. It's hard to believe the weekend is already here- but we are GLAD it is. Here are some of  highlights ( family friendly, or course) from this weekend's event calendar.

Friday August 4th 

The weekend starts out great with a Back to School Party in Benton at the Franklin Hospital. It starts at 10:00 am and runs until 2:00 pm  In addition to school supply giveaways there will be food, vendors and inflatables. There is no charge for the event.

If you live near Sesser ( or feel like a drive) there is a FREE music in the park event starting at 7:00 pm . The park is a great place to spend the evening in Metropolis where  the movie " Movie in the Park is scheduled in Metropolis at Massac State Park to begin at 7:30

It's peach time and the village of Cobden is celebrating this year's peach crop with its annual Peach festival. The festival kicks off this evening  with the Queen contest, carnival and free entertainment.(the Magnatones) which begins at 6pm.. F

Saturday August 5th 

Saturdays are always busy days in southern Illinois and this Saturday is no exception.
Back to School events are scheduled in Carbondale, Marion, DuQuoin,  Norris City, Harrisburg and West Frankfort.  All are designed, with kids in mind, and will also help get your kids ready for school.

Cobden's Peach festival continues with a 5K run and a parade that starts at 4:30. In addition to the festival activities, traveling to Cobden will give your family opportunity to explore this special, diverse community.  The Union County Museum in Cobden plans to have extended hours during the Cobden Peach Festival. The museum is scheduled to be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 4-5 – those are dates of the Peach Festival. The museum is located along South Appleknocker Street in downtown Cobden.The museum plans to present a special exhibit titled “Southern Illinois Sports.”  which features photographs of sports teams from various eras and locations. 

Daddys and daughters can have a special night out together in Benton at the Father Daughter Dance  scheduled a t the Benton Civic Center  beginning at 6:pm. It is a fundraiser for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and  tickets cost $40.

 Travel to the  Cache River Wetlands Visitor Center in Cypress to learn about "Bats in Illinois" .  Learn where they live, how common they are, their importance to the environment, and methods used to research and monitor their activity. 
The FREE  indoor program starts at  6:30pm and  is followed by an optional field trip to experience evening emergence of bats.

Parents, need a little time for themselves and the Varsity Center is offering some great new music programs on the weekend on their balcony stage. Tonight's offering is 
"Chicago-born acoustic guitarist and film composer Andreas Kapsalis will be featured in a concert on the Balcony Stage at The Varsity Center  Aug. 5. Andreas’ performances include a unique 10-finger playing style, which has brought him before audiences around the world. Tickets are only $10 and drinks ( alcoholic and non-alcoholic) are available for purchase. 

Sunday
Always a great time, the Crab Orchard Kennel Club is sponsoring its annual  AKC Dog Show   both yesterday and today  (August 5th and 6th) at the Pavilion in Marion 
   Admission is $5, children 10 and under are Free.  Over 600 dogs representing more than 130 different breeds will be competing for the coveted title of Best in Show both days.  A judging program with breed ring times will be available at www.onofrio.com.  There will be special clinics available by appointment only, concessions, and vendors selling dog-related items.  Only dogs entered in the show will be allowed in, no strollers or baby carriages will be allowed for the safety of children and dogs.
 
Although school is just around the corner, the region's pools and beaches are still open for business. Think about spending the day at  one of the many community pools or beaches. 
Its a great way to spend time together.

Enjoy your weekend and remember to make www.sifamilies.org your families source for regional information.