There are plenty of opportunities to get into the Christmas spirit in Southern Illinois. As noted on the page by this same title, it is not a complete list. However, this Year’s page has been started….
You will see some of the categories listing “TBD,” but hopefully not for long. Please feel free to send me Christmas events from I-70 to the Southern state line either by commenting on Facebook, Messenger, or asliceofsouthernillinois@gmail.com Updates are happening as I get the information and my neuropathy cooperates…
(The bright pink Christmas truck image is available as a digital download for purchase on my Ko-fi site.)
Click on the truck image below to go to the Page of Christmas events:
Note: There may be additions amd updates to this post throughout the season.
If you follow the A Slice of Southern Illinois page on Facebook, you’ve probably noticed the hashtag #FallinSouthernIllinois on some posts. This is to hopefully make it easier to locate posts about events in our region.
The unofficial beginning of fall in Southern illinois is signified by the last day of the DuQuoin State Fair and multiple Labor Day parades.
It might not be sweater weather just yet, but the rustle of colorful leaves paired with football games and marching band shows is just around the corner.
Music & Motion at Saluki Stadium
The first weekend in September welcomes back regional favorites such as the Carterville Lions Club Fair and the Marion County Antique Power Days in Salem. Cedarhurst Art & Craft Fair on the grounds of Mitchell Museum in Mt. Vernon draws many talented artisans and visitors.
Popular autumn activities are visiting mum and sunflower fields, picking apples, and visiting farmer’s markets. Among the tastes that represent the season, like apple cider and pumpkin spice just about anything, are drinks and dishes featuring local products. Pumpkin patches and corn mazes entertain people of all ages.
Fall in Southern Illinois is a wonderful time to venture out with those you love and make some memories. Enjoy!
I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas. This past year certainly had its ups and downs. Many, including me, are ready for another fresh start.
New Year’s Eve 2022 started out extremely foggy in parts of Southern Illinois. Visibility was limited to a few feet–especially near large bodies of water like Crab Orchard Lake. I had to travel on Route 13 this morning between Marion and Carbondale. Fog was so thick that I could barely make out landmarks like the Carterville Motomart or Veteran’s Airport until within a few feet of them. Stoplights had a hard time shining through the fog.
With that being said, PLEASE drive slower and stay extra alert if you are out and about this evening. I hope it is not as foggy tonight. New Year’s Eve is, unfortunately, a time when some will ignore common sense and decency to drive drunk or high. Don’t be one of those people! Just stay put or use a Designated Driver if you find yourself in that situation. Driving in fog is bad enough without having to dodge people who shouldn’t be on the roads….
Pokey and I will likely watch TV and wait for that big crystal ball to drop on New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, or something like that. I hope that however you choose to celebrate you are safe and healthy.
My friends @glaciers_end recently provided me with some Cranberry Savory Chutney for my kitchen “playtime.” 🙂 I have some other ideas for recipes, but I’ve discovered that you can make a quick and satisfying grilled cheese with it. I just used white sandwich bread with a little mayo on the outside of the slices. Inside, I spread the Chutney on one side, added a slice of American cheese, and cooked both sides in a non-stick, oil-sprayed skillet. Yum! I suspect a white cheddar or baby Swiss cheese would also be good. The Chutney has an extra depth of flavor that isn’t normal in a regular Cranberry sauce. You can find their products at their Marion store (check their posts for times) as well as @leaffoodhub and @carbondalemarket
#tastesofsouthernIllinois #asliceofsouthernillinois #southernillinoisliving #shoplocal #southernillinois #Chutney #Cranberry #cranberries #umami #grilledcheese #farmersmarkettotable #farmersmarketfinds #farmersmarkets #Marion #downtownmarion #UniversityMall
https://www.instagram.com/p/CmuCJYOL7v0/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=
We may not have those perfectly timed, big fluffy snowflakes falling on cue, but that’s OK. There are still plenty of Christmas movie-worthy adventures right here in Little Egypt. You don’t have to grab a flight to one of those places that never seem to be on actual maps to experience the wonder of the season.
Include your family and friends to create memories to be cherished for years to come. Snap photos to share with future generations. Throw in some of the obligatory Christmas movie elements like decorating cookies, Christmas pageants, caroling, and shopping for or making special gifts for loved ones. Hopefully, you can avoid the conflict or classic misunderstanding that is in pretty much any movie. (DISCLAIMER: If it’s a full blown rom com you want, that’s between you and God…)
You can build an evening, Day trip, or an even longer stay. Check the pages for links to some of the unique, locally-owned lodging, food, shopping, and more for a DIY Christmas movie-worthy experience.
From tree lighting ceremonies and sparkling light displays to small town festivals and ice skating, you can find it downstate. There are many beautiful and meaningful ways to celebrate the birth of Christ. Although some events took place before it was even time to start opening your Advent calendar’s little drawers, many are still to come. While keeping your Christmas traditions, you might just discover some new ones. May you, your family, and friends be richly blessed during this wonderful season.
Please check the links to many Christmas festivities from I-70 (including Effingham) to the southern state line via the Christmas in Southern Illinois page. It is a continual work in progress… Before heading out, you may wish to check the provided link for each for specific info or changes.
As you’ve likely heard before, farmer’s markets are a great local shopping adventure. Some are practically one stop for your grocery needs. Even in winter months, the Carbobdale area is blessed to have a couple of farmer’s market options. The Community Farmer’s Market is open December through March from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the movie theater wing of the University Mall at Carbobdale. L.E.A.F. Food Hub is an online farmer’s market with pick up locations in Carbondale, DuQuoin, Carterville, Marion, Herrin, Cobden, and Tunnel Hill. Some home delivery is available.
MacaronsCarbondale Community Farmer’s MarketHerbal Teas by Mustard Seed Sowers. My favorite is the Holy Basil. Licorice Mint is also good. My daughter loves the Chocolate Mint. Honey & Shrooms has local honey and beeswax.
Glacier’s End has many wonderful shrubs and products like hickory and elderberry syrups. The Mexican Mocha Hot Sauce is wonderful. Cordials such as their Honeysuckle are great additions to drinks.
Honeysuckle Cordial complements the flavors in a homemade sparkling raspberry spritzer. A large variety of bison products are available.If you have SNAP/Link, it can be used to double your buying power on eligible food products at the Farmer’s Market
If you have stayed away from Farmer’s Markets because you are concerned about prices, I can tell you that there are various price points. Some gourmet local items may run a bit more than you would spend but can be used sparingly to add flare to your dishes. Many things really don’t seem any higher than national chain store prices. For example, I actually paid less for cube steak at the Farmer’s Market than I would have paid at the larger chain store. Actually, there was a better variety of meat available at the farmers market than at the chain store . Please keep in mind that if you can’t find something on bare shelves at a larger store, you might find an even better local product through one of the local markets or stores.
Flyway Family Farms has a great variety of mushrooms like shiitake, oyster, and lion’s mane. They also have seasonings and Mushroom Jerky. Warm potato and green bean salad made with a vinaigrette containing Glacier’s End’s Apple Butter Ginger Shrub. The Shrub helped to add a bit of acidity to the vinaigrette while echoing the freshly grated ginger root.
Gallo Pinto (Costa Rica’s national breakfast dish) made with brown rice by Cahokia Rice. They also have white rice. Both are available through L.E.A.F. Food Hub.
Baked Vegetable “Stir Fry” with shiitaki mushrooms from Flyway Family Farms. Marinated shiitaki mushrooms (Flyway Family Farm) and chicken kabobs on Rosemary BBQ Skewers from Flora Bay FarmCarbondale Community Farmer’s MarketL.E.A.F. Food Hub goodies delivered to our home.
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Watermelon radish from River to River Farm and Basil Microgreens from Autumn Ridge Farm kick this salsa garnish up a bit. Both were ordered through L.E.A.F. Food Hub.
Big Muddy Hogs in Hurst also carries many local items, such as bread from Baked on Division and Steam Shovel Coffee. They are located at 300 Adams Street. Many of the local farms and vendors give product updates and advise where you may find their products on Facebook and Instagram.
Check out clips from Christmas Light displays, local food, and more. Marion, Herrin, and Makanda areas are featured. There are also frugal DIY projects for home, outdoor, and the Christmas Tree.
Grab a cup of hot cocoa or your beverage of choice and enjoy!
Since approximatelty 2017, #ServeSoILL has been an annually anticipated event by Cornerstone Church of Southern Illinois. The church’s Western Kentucky campus has now joined the fun. Of course 2020 was the exception due to COVID-19 precautions, but #ServeSoILL 2021 returned strong. Hundreds of volunteers worked at sites throughout Southern Illinois and Western Kentucky on May 1.
Garden work in Cannon Park, CartervilleVolunteers working with Carterville Garden Club members
I did not visit every site, but I did have the privilege of traveling with a wonderful group to some of the Williamson County sites as part of the social media team.
Fence construction at Cannon Park, CartervilleWork at Anne West Library in CartervilleAnne West LibraryCannon Park
One thing illustrated in the photos is how adults and children of all ages and abilities worked together to fill some needs and serve within the community. It was a gorgeous day for a beautiful expression of the Biblical commandment to “love your neighbor as yourself.”
Carterville High School Bus WashDeep cleaning at Herrin House of Hope
Some of the other work sites were Bald Knob Cross of Peace at Alto Pass, various schools, and the Square in Marion..
Helping prepare the new Boys and Girls Club building in MarionRestoring floors at Herrin House of HopeVolunteers assisting the Marion Boys and Girls Club in building preparation
Search Facebook and Instagram for #servesoill to see additional photos.
So, my Christmas Eve Eve episode waited until Christmas Eve to actually post, but we still wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.
This episode has a few frugal Christmas decor DIY’s mingling in with a tour of a few regional Christmas Light display faves and unique shopping experiences. There are a few mouthwatering peeks at food from Drizzle Mini Donuts and Razmo’s too…
Wherever you are in the world, we wish you joy and peace as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
(For those looking for the PDF hot cocoa bar download, it’s in the Cozy Cocoa & More post.)
MakandaMarion Candy Cane Lane, West Frankfort Yost Family Lights, MarionReis Lane, Herrin
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has caused some of our beloved Christmas traditions to be postponed until next year, others will continue, go virtual, or have been modified. Fortunately, it is possible to see many Christmas lights throughout Southern Illinois from the safety and comfort of our own cars. Other events have been social distanced.
Route 13/West Maine Street, Carbondale, 2020
Carbondale’s annual Lights Fantastic Parade (I won’t say what year it started, but I did string battery operated lights onto my flag pole and freeze through the parade route with the Marching Salukis that year. People have fortunately found the secret to constructing floats that don’t catch fire as they go down the street now…) will be a drive by event this weekend.
Normally, there are many live Nativity Scenes. I guess the angel is normally socially distanced, and the Wiseman technically are distanced from the birth by a few years, but COVID-19 has also affected these events. So far, I have seen one scheduled for Carrier Mills.
Stores continue to be at reduced capacity as we have been on Tier Three of the COVID-19 mitigation, but some are able to modify and continue their Christmas Open Houses and sales. If you are near Salem, you may wish to follow the links below (or from the app or Events page) to see the happenings this evening at both Country Creek Treasures and The Rusty Nail. It is very important that we continue supporting our local shops, restaurants, lodging, and other small businesses when we have opportunity to do so. In the long run, supporting them supports our communities as a whole.
If you head to Salem this evening, you could also see the Lewis Family Light Display and possibly make the half hour drive on to Centralia’s Foundation Park to see Fantasy of Lights 2020. Have yourself a merry little family Christmas adventure or one of those Hallmark Movie script- worthy dates.
Division Street, Downtown Carterville, 2015
A mix of family, community,, and municipal displays light up this December Southern Illinois sky this year. We will add them to the list at the top of the Events section in the app and website as we become aware of them. You may want to pack up your hot cocoa for the road, grab a comfy car blanket, and set out to see some lights. Our recommendation is to see what is also close to your destination, such as lights or events in neighboring towns, places to get food, local shops, or possibly experience a stay in one of the cozy cabins or inns at Christmastime. Many are listed in the Lodging section of the app and this website.
Candy Cane Lane, West Frankfort, within past decade…
Some events this year may have food or beverage trucks on site. Spread S’more Love will be on site some at the Reis Christmas light display in Herrin. We will try to share info on the Facebook page and update the ASOSI app and the Events section of this website as we hear of more opportunities to taste a bit of Southern Illinois.
This pandemic has been a mean one, but it cannot stop Christmas, and it cannot stop Southern Illinois from celebrating the birth of Jesus–safely, of course!
Please see currently listed Christmas and seasonal events from the app/website below. We recommend checking back regularly for additions or updates as well as checking links before making a special trip to see something for any admission fees or last minute changes.
11/27/20 Farm Fresh Christmas Trees Opening Day Black Friday at The Patchhttps://fb.me/e/AJ5dEcg3
12/5/20 Frosty the Snowman and Home Alone at Oasis Drive-In Theater,fundraiser to benefit Marion Unit 2 Foundation, $30 per vehiclehttps://fb.me/e/3ELz5GiLG
Although it would be impossible to list everything happening south of I-70, an effort is made to try to list some highlights. If you have an event or know of one to submit, please email it to: asliceofsouthernillinois@gmail.com
