Touchstone Energy Balloon Fest

Come and enjoy watching as these balloons are filled and then take off for various areas. Friday night is a launch from Forest Park, Saturday morning, they will launch from various locations and try to hit their targets as they float through the air. There will be a Balloon glow and basket burn at the Dam Spillway area Saturday night with food and entertainment. You can meet the pilots on Friday evening. Sunday morning will be another opportunity to watch. These colorful balloons will be launched daily (weather permitting) and you can watch as they fly and do tasks around the Lake Shelbyville area.

CITY: Shelbyville

Tower Hill Fall Festival

Held in the Village Park. This is the 27th year for the festival which has unique activites such as the Produce "500" which features vehicles made from produce from as small as a grape to as large as a watermelon. It also has a car and motorcycle show, garden tractor pulls, a tractor show, plenty of kids games a parade Saturday at 4:00 pm and entertainment along with the annual demo derby on Sunday.

CITY: Tower Hill

Scarecrow Daze Festival

During the 17th Annual Scarecrow Daze Festival, the entire city of Shelbyville is decorated with scarecrows. With a different theme every year, entrants decorate their homes and businesses to the theme. There is also a large parade on Saturday, kids' games, a beer tent, music, a quilt show, and plenty of food and crafts, in downtown Shelbyville. Held in conjunction with Touchstone Energy Balloon Fest.

CITY: Shelbyville

Shelby County 4H & Jr. Fair

One of only a few fairs that still highlight their 4H and Juniors. The fair includes dog care and obedience, judging in livestock, poultry, rabbits, lambs, produce, flowers, plants, and many other subjects. The Food Shack serves plenty of great food each day of the fair manned by the various 4H Clubs in Shelby County. The fair wraps up with the popular livestock auction and team penning.

CITY: Shelbyville

Shelbyville Festival of Lights

Come to Shelbyville and take a drive through Forest Park as it is lit up for the Holiday season. Different themed areas delight with the centerpiece being a large carousel placed on the Historical Chautauqua Auditorium. These lights are put in place each year by volunteers and new lights and themed areas are added yearly. Candy Cane lane is to honor loved ones. Come enjoy the Victorian Village, Santa's Shop, the North Pole, Bethlehem, and others.

CITY: Shelbyville

National Road Music Festival

Pretend you're on a train going from California to New York. Along the way, you'll hear music from Rock n' Roll to Country to Gospel...and that's exactly what will happen at this festival in Historic Downtown Vandalia. Both days, there will be craft and food vendors of all kinds and constant entertainment.

CITY: Vandalia

Cowden Pioneer Days

This family friendly festival is set in the city park with plenty of carnival rides, craft vendors, flea market, foods, etc. There is also an IPRA sanctioned rodeo that takes place Friday and Saturday. A demolition derby takes place on Sunday. You can also enjoy the Horseshoe tournament or the arm wrestling. There will also be a large parade Saturday morning. Tour the historical cabins set in the park along with collections.

CITY: Cowden

Effingham County Fair

The annual county fair offers a variety of events for residents and visitors. 4-H and open shows of agricultural products and animals, Queen pageants, horse racing, talent contests, rodeo, demo derby, tractor pulls, and professional entertainment are some of the events you can enjoy while at the County Fair.

CITY: Altamont

Greenville Graffiti Car Show

The Greenville Graffiti Car Show is a nostalgic day of classic cars, Hollywood stars, oldies music, and great food. Donna Douglas, who played Elly Mae Clampett on "The Beverly Hillbillies," one of the most popular television series in the 1960s, is the featured celebrity at this year's event. She will sign autographs, participate in a special question and answer session with fans and serve as a celebrity judge. The car show (open to 1985 and older cars and trucks), features a variety of contests, food and fun. Also appearing is Ronnie Rice, lead singer of the group New Colony Sic. The group was founded in Chicago and went on to success when they signed with Mercury Records.

CITY: Greenville

Young Lincoln's Wilderness Capital Street Pageants

Street Corners in downtown Vandalia will be the stage for short performances that re-create historic moments. For example, a young Abraham Lincoln will meet Stephen Douglas at the Statehouse. What a fun way to learn about the past!

CITY: Vandalia