SEPTEMBER DATEBOOK

4, Pulaski County Development Association Ohio Bayou Festival in Grand Chain. Spend the day and evening on the banks of the Ohio River sampling shrimp, catfish, gumbo, red beans and rice, as well as traditional American food. Dancing starts at 5:30 p.m. Activities include a garden tractor pull, vendors, and crafts. (618) 745-6226.

4-6, Championship Rodeo in Kampsville. Lawn chairs are welcome. Kids' events are scheduled, and much more. Admission, $10 for adults, and $5 for children ages 7-12 years old. Advanced tickets available for $8 for adults, and $5 for children ages 7-12-years old. Children 6 years old and younger are free. (618) 653-4563.

4-6, The 28th Annual Argyle Antique Gas Engine Show at Argyle Lake State Park, north of Colchester. Camping, food, tractor equipment, steam engines, chainsaw carving, antique tools, and more. (309) 776-3358 or www.argyleantiquegasengine.org.

5, The Third Annual Mason Rodeo in Mason. Events will include bull riding, bare back and saddle bronc riding, ladies' barrel racing, calf roping, team roping jr. steers, mutton busting, a mechanical bull, an Army rock wall, pony rides, and more. Admission is $6 in advance and $8 at the gate. Kids 10 and under are $3. (618) 238-4558.

10-11, The Sixth Annual Wabash Ribberfest in Mt. Carmel. Two great days of BBQ, fun, and interesting sights on Market Street. Enjoy an art show, craft booths, a quilt show, music, and much more. (618) 262-5116.

10-11, Truckin' Specialties Mid-West Charity Cruise (formerly known as the WNNS-Valco Cruise for Charity) in Springfield. Proceeds from this year's cruise benefit the Sangamon County Rescue Squad. The Pre-Cruise Party will be at the Steak N' Shake in Prairie Crossing off of Hwy. 4 on Friday. The Cruise will take place at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on Saturday. (217) 629-7077, x145.

10-12, 2004 Lovejoy Homestead Festival and Pork Day in Princeton. A weekend jam-packed with colorful events. Enjoy crafts, museum tours, a children's fun fair, a block party, entertainment, food, and much more. (877) 730-4306, or E-mail ptoncham@theramp.net.

11, The 14th Annual Rend Lake Car Show on the square in Benton. Come enjoy a relaxing evening while viewing more than 175 top quality show cars. Restaurants, food vendors, antique stores, and '50s and '60s music are a big hit. The square is closed to vehicle traffic so bring a lawn chair and enjoy visiting with friends and new acquaintances. (618) 438-2121.

17-19, Maroa Sesquicentennial in Maroa. Enjoy a parade, crafts and antiques, a quilt show, a car show, carnival rides, a cake walk, fireworks, and much more. (217) 794-5561.

18-19, The Fourth Annual Harvestfest at Berryville Vineyards, three miles north of Berryville Enjoy grape stomping, a grapevine wreath toss contest, hayrides, live music, and wine tasting, along with many other activities. Fun for the whole family. (618) 456-2335.

SEPTEMBER 2004 www.aiec.coop 29

18-19, The 10th Annual American Heritage Collectors Club Show at Butler Haynes Park in Mapleton. Enjoy a parade, a tractor pull, antique engine displays, a flea market, blue grass music, food, and more. (309) 679-1590 or (309) 362-2321.

18, Golconda Shrimp Festival in Golconda. An all-day event that will include a shrimp cook-off, food entertainment, Shawnee Queen River Boat rides, and more. (618) 683-6246.

24, The 10th Annual Italian Fest at Jacobs Park in Farmington. "Taste of Italy" Italian cuisine served from 7 a.m. until dark. Three-on-three basketball, a 5k run, 2 mile walk, kids fun run, co-ed softball, bocce ball, kiddie tractor pull, "bovina bingo," tomato stomp, spaghetti-eating, inflatable kids' rides, "Rapido Pomodoro Challenge," a "flying tomato" launching contest, entertainment all day and evening, and more. Free. Bring your lawn chairs and stay all day. (309) 245-2441.

25, Tri-County Callers at South Wilmington Sportsmen's Club in Essex. Courses being offered include archery, outdoor cooking, fishing, hunting 101, taxidermy, ATV safety, first aid/survival skills, turkey/duck calling, personal safety/self-defense, and shotgunning. The cost is $50. (815) 634-4579.

24-26, Prairie Land Heritage Museum Institute's 35th Annual Steam Show in South Jacksonville. This event features Massey Harris tractors, Crown steam engines, and Fairbanks Morris gas engines. Other attractions will include horse plowing, sorghum making, a flea market, craft booths, and more. Adults $5, children under 12 are free. (217) 997-2102 or (217) 245-4905.

25, Jo Daviess County HCE 49th Annual "Old Market Day," at Old Market House Square in Galena. Living history turn-of-the century open-air market with farmers' hacks and stands offering produce, flowers, jam and jellies, homemade pies, crafts, and much more. (815) 858-3392.

25-26, Saline County Home-makers' Past to Present Festival at the fairgrounds in Harrisburg. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. each day. Handcrafted items, a flea market, collectibles, food featuring the Homemakers' county famous funnel cake, a petting zoo, entertainment, wagon rides, demonstrations, and much more. (618) 252-5255 or e-mail ursus@midwest.net.

25, Flora Academic Foundation Appleknocker Arts and Science Festival in Flora. A school-community project that features free hands-on activities for children, cultural entertainment, educational exhibits and displays, food, and more. (618) 662-8178

Illinois Country Living publishes event listings as space allows, giving preference to events of regional or statewide interest. Event listings are provided by the event sponsors and the Illinois Bureau of Tourism. The magazine assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of information submitted for publication and advises calling ahead to confirm dates and times. To be considered for inclusion, send listings and photographs (If sending photographs please include self-addressed stamped envelope) to Illinois Datebook, Illinois Country Living, PO Box 3787, Springfield, IL 62708-3787. The deadline for submission id 45 days prior to the publication date.

30 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING www.icl.coop