Summer Events in Southern Illinois

Parades, entertainment, fairs and good food is just a taste of the diversity of summer events here in Southern Illinois. In fact, Marion Illinois is the home of the new multi-million dollar baseball stadium. So, if you're a baseball fan, you'll definitely want to check out a game before you leave! Are you ready to brave the scorching summer heat to enjoy some of the many summer events in Southern Illinois? Let us begin then:

Family fun waits at the annual DuQuoin State Fair. Everything from exhibits, rides, good food, concerts, competitions, entertainment and more is what you'll find at the DuQuoin State Fair grounds. The 2007 excitement begins August 25 and runs until September 3. For more information and directions, visit the DuQuoin State Fair Web site.

Go-kart racing, dances, dirt bike races and car shows is just a fraction of the excitement at the Sweet Corn and Watermelon Festival throughout Mount Vernon every August. So, if you have plans to visit Mount Vernon in August, be sure to add the Sweet Corn and Watermelon Festival to your itinerary, and enjoy free corn and watermelon while you're there!

The Anna Bixby Women's Center in Harrisburg is organizing two fund-raisers in an effort to raise money for the upcoming Anna Bixby Women's Center, state-of-the-art beauty salon and a strip mall. The two events -- held on the same day -- will include a poker run and a horse show. The 1st annual Voice for the Victims Poker Run will begin at Poor Boys Lounge on September 22, 2007 with the first bike leaving the lounge at noon, and the last bike returning at 6:00 pm. Poor Boys Lounge is located at 300 East Raymond Street in Harrisburg, Illinois. In addition to the poker run, they will be a raffle, food and entertainment. Anna Bixby's goal is to raise $10,000 to $15,000 at the Voice for the Victims Poker Run.

Not interested in the poker run? Then head to the Horse Arena in Vienna, Illinois (on Route 45, 1 mile off the Interstate 24 exit) for the Anna Bixby Benefit Horse Show. The Ann Bixby Benefit Horse Show will begin at 1:00 pm (CST). Other than the horse show, visitors will also enjoy a drawing, silent auction and entertainment.