Makanda Spring Fest

Artists from the surrounding area will have on display their finest works for viewing and purchase. Live music is scheduled to take place at the Makanda Pavilion and in the Rainmaker’s Garden, with bluegrass, jazz, blues and various other music by local bands for the duration of the two–day event. Enjoy the relaxation and entertainment in the unique town of Makanda. Free admission, 10am-6pm

CITY: Makanda

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

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

Blessing of the Bikes

Thousands of motorcyclists travel to Bald Knob Mountain, Southern Illinois’ highest point and the site of the Bald Knob Cross of Peace located just outside of Alto Pass, about 10 miles south of Murphysboro on IL-127.

CITY: Alto Pass

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

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

Alto Wine Fest - Dawg Daze of Summer

What’s summer in Southern Illinois without festivities! Join Alto Vineyards in celebrating the summer with music from Whistle Pigs, Bone Dry River Band and the Rural Kings. Local art and wines; along with food, games, great friends and family-fun! From noon to 6pm

CITY: Alto Pass

ASA Pro/Am Archery Tournament

Archery Shooters Association's Illinois Championship 3-D Archery Tournament for men, women and Children. Archers from all over North America visit Metropolis for one week in June to compete for cash and prizes and the title of Illinois Champion.

CITY: Metropolis

Christmas in the Village

Spend the day in downtown Cobden, where you can enjoy fresh-roasted nuts while listening to strolling Victorian carolers and madrigal players, take an old-fashioned horse-drawn surrey or wagon ride around the village, and visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Feed Store, where handcrafted wreaths and gingerbread houses will be on display.

CITY: Cobden

Fort Massac Encampment

This annual reenactment of late-1700s Illinois life on the frontier prairie features blanket traders, merchants, military units, fife and drum corps, and period-style food from more than 20 vendors. The encampment offers military drills, mock battles, along with story telling and children's activities.

CITY: Metropolis

Cabela's King Kat Tournament Trail

This catfish tournement will be held at Fort Massac State Park, Metropolis. Bring a rod & reel and enter to win prizes and cash. A $500 big fish award will be given. A kids tournament is also planned.

CITY: Metropolis

Easter Sunrise Service

Annual Easter Sunrise Service held at the 111 foot Bald Knob Cross, music & refreshments.

CITY: Alto Pass

Cache River Days

This fun fest includes a flea market, parade, softball tournament, yard sales, BBQ and music.

CITY: Ullin

Pepper Fest

Celebrate the pepper harvest from 11am to 5pm, A favorite gathering for all chile heads and hot pepper fans. 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. 618-893-1443. www.darnhotpeppers.com

CITY: Cobden

Olde Tyme Christmas and Living History

Decorations and period music accompany reenactments of what 18th century life was like at Fort Massac. The park staff and local historical re-enactors will welcome guests to the visitors' center and museum, which will be festively decorated with items based on 17th and 18th century designs. Hot spiced tea will warm visitors as they sample cookies baked in the authentic period bake oven.

CITY: Metropolis