Cache River Nature Festival

Enjoy the area’s rich bird life and wetland habitat. A 12-minute orientation film gives a wonderful overview and introduction of the watershed, explaining the unique bio-diversity of the flora and fauna that can be experienced here. Visitors can also acquaint themselves with the area by exploring an interactive diorama of a bald cypress-water tupelo swamp, area state champion tree information and changing landscape displays. Activities include guided field trips, canoe tours, live bird demonstrations and various exhibits from 8am to 4pm.

CITY: Cypress

Bald Eagle Watching in the Cache River Wetlands

The Cache River Wetlands offers great opportunities for eagle watching, as well as spotting other birds. The Cache River Wetland Center provides resource and identification materials to help you spot eagles and other birds in the area and along the rivers. They will provide maps and directions to the viewing station for the nest just off Illinois Route 37 off Perks road and south of the visitor's center.

CITY: Cypress

Super City - Quilt City Connection

Quilt show, cooking demonstrations and more at Harrah’s Riverfront Event Center and other locations. 877-424-5025. www.metropolistourism.com. An assortment of exhibits and activities will be held. Quilts by a local guild combine with artist and culinary demonstrations for an event of super measure at the Harrah's Riverfront Event Center in Metropolis.

CITY: Metropolis

Cobden Peach Festival

Celebrate the local peach harvest, sponsored by the Cobden Lions Club. Join us for fresh peaches from local orchards, carnival rides and games, crowning of ‘Miss Peach Queen’, homemade food and peach cobbler & pie with a 5K run/walk and parade on Saturday. Free admission.

CITY: Cobden

Superman Celebration

Metropolis, Home of Superman, holds a celebration the second weekend in June each year celebrating the 'Man of Steel'. A Superman Drama kicks off the weekend of contests, music, food and fun, as well as a comic book & artist show, fan films, street vendors, a carnival, costume contest and a Super Car Show.

CITY: Metropolis

Super City Blues & Ques

Friday night is the "anything but" competition, with open entries for entrees, sides, sauces and sweets. Each entry is $25, and monetary prizes up to $75 are awarded in each category. Vendors start selling at lunchtime, and live music starts in the afternoon. The beer garden will open in the late afternoon, and will be located next to the stage. Saturday is the Kansas City BBQ Society competition, with the grand champion winning $1000 plus a 6' trophy. Vendors will be selling all day and bands will start in the afternoon and play until 10:00 PM. Also on Saturday, there will be "touch a tractor" for the kids, and an arts and crafts fair for everyone

CITY: Metropolis

Pepper Fest

Celebrate the pepper harvest, a favorite gathering for all chile heads and hot pepper fans. From 11am to 5pm, walk the pepper field and see many varieties of hot peppers in bloom, meet the vendors and see who makes the best hot/spicy food, visit the Pepper Farm Store and select your favorite salsa, jellies, spices and pepper products, relax, visit with friends, enjoy great local music and soak in great southern Illinois pepper heat.

CITY: Cobden

Southern Illinois Boat & Fishing Show

A weekend long event sponsored by the Youth Outdoor Education Foundation and the Williamson County Tourism Bureau. The show features boats, trailers, trucks, ATVs, fishing tackle, live entertainment and more. Admission and parking is free. Great fun for all ages.

CITY: Marion