Event Calendar
Take a look at our list of local upcoming events.
Click or hover above the date you are interested in for more information.
Do you notice something missing?
City of Aledo Trunk-or-Treat
Join us for a night of family-friendly fun, candy and community spirit.
Friday, October 31st
5–7 p.m.
Along N. College Avenue (From Main St. to NE/NW 3rd St.)
Hosted by the City of Aledo & Aledo Main Street
Bring the kids, dress up and enjoy an evening of festive fun downtown. We can’t wait to see you there!
Vital Signs Halloween Bash
Vital Signs will be back again to Cheers on Main for the Halloween Bash!
Time: 8:30pm-12:30am
Praire State Gaming & Cheers on Main will Sponsor the the Halloween Costume Contest again. There will be 1st, 2nd & 3rd Place Prizes. The Drawing will be at 11:00pm.
Trick or Treat in Joy
The Village of Joy hosts its annual City-Wide Trick-or-Treat event, offering hot dogs, hot chocolate, and treats for all ages.
Eliza Legion Fish Fry
Join the Eliza Legion for their annual Fish Fry! Enjoy a delicious meal and honor our veterans at this long-standing community tradition.
Drive through or dine in — whichever you prefer!
Cost: By donation
Come out, show your support, and enjoy great food, good company, and community spirit.
Dancing for Turf
Dancing for Turf is BACK!
Join us for a night of high-energy performances, big laughs, and serious community spirit — all to support the NBE Playground turf project!
Saturday, November 15
7:00 PM
MCHS Auditorium
What is Dancing for Turf?
Local teachers and community members pair up with choreographers to learn and perform fun dance routines on stage. It’s a feel-good event you won’t want to miss!
And here’s the twist — the WINNING DUO isn’t picked by judges… it’s based on who raises the MOST MONEY!
Want your favorite team to win? Make a pledge in their name!
Pledges can be made in 2 easy ways:
Give directly to the duo you’re supporting
Drop off at CBI Bank in Joy or Buffalo Prairie (just let them know which duo you’re supporting!)
Tickets will be sold at the door, but if you’d like to get them ahead of time, contact:
Tamala Parchert
Mandy Peterson
Michelle Marston
Come cheer, laugh, and help crown the 2025 Dancing for Turf champions — all while supporting a great cause!
Holly Days
Aledo Main Street’s 20th Annual “Holly Days” event in Historic Downtown Aledo will be on Friday, December 5th and Saturday December 6th!
December 5, Electric Parade, 5:30pm-8pm
December 6, Hot Chocolate Hustle, 9am-10am
Stay up-to-date with on Aledo Main Street’s Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/aledomainstreet.
Eliza Community Club Trivia Night
Get ready for a festive night of fun and friendly competition at the Eliza Community Club Trivia Night! Gather your smartest friends (or the ones with the best Christmas sweaters) and join for an evening of laughs, raffles, and great food.
$80 per table – up to 8 people per team
Food available for purchase
Raffles throughout the night
Prizes for the Best and Worst Christmas Sweater/Outfit!
Don’t miss this merry community tradition, it’s the perfect way to kick off the holiday season!
Contact: elizacommunityclub@gmail.com
Matherville Halloween Celebration
The Parade will begin at Old School Park with the lineup starting at 3:50 PM, and the parade will still start at 4:00 PM.
Trick-or-Treat will begin at 5:00 PM and go until 7:00 PM.
You can stay updated with Matherville on their community page.
Family Day at the Farm
All ages are invited to this church-wide event on Sun., Oct. 26th at Castor’s Farm (1536 135th Ave., Aledo) from 4-6pm. It’s a wiener roast so please bring hotdogs & buns for your family, a dish to share, and your lawn chairs. Drinks will be provided.
Brookstone of Aledo Fall Bash
We will be serving Nathans all beef hotdogs, water, and chips. Bounce house, door prize, raffle. All for only $5.00 per entry! At 1:00 pm we will have find the mini pumpkin in the hay for a prize.
All for only $5.00 a person.
Tickets sold only the day of event.
We can't wait to see you!
For any questions please call Lisa Wessels Executive Director/Sales at 309-582-3902
Trunk or Treat - Miles for Mercer
Join us for our fourth annual Trunk or Treat event! October 25th at the 4 way intersection in viola from 10am-1pm!
Heritage Tractor Halloween Howl
Ready for some fall fun? Come on out for our Halloween Howl!
TRICK-OR-TRACTOR
Our version of trunk or treat: Visit your local Heritage Tractor in costume on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 8 a.m. to Noon for sweet treats and a FREE John Deere toy!*
COSTUME CONTEST
Snap a picture of your costumed kiddos in our store for a chance to win a prize! To enter our costume contest, simply post your photo on Facebook and tag @HeritageTractor.
We can't wait to see all of your AMAZING costumes!
Aledo Fireman’s Pancake Breakfast
The Aledo Fire Department will be serving breakfast on Saturday morning, October 25th, from 7 to 10 AM. Come on out, have a great meal, and visit the 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit!
Brews Energy - Boo Bash!
Get ready for some spooky fun!
Join us for the Brews - Energy Boo Bash! on Oct. 24th at Sherrard Park from 5:30-7:30 PM.
We're bringing the treats and the entertainment!
• Hot Dogs & S'mores
• Trunk or Treat
• Movie Screening
• Costumes
Girl Scouts Night at Skinner Landscaping
Come check out the Girl Scouts Night at Skinner Landscaping!
Bring the family and enjoy the play area: Admission is $10 per person and includes all the activities inside. (No charge for 2 year olds and under.) If your a Girl Scout contact Kelsie Berggren to register and get in half price!
They have a playground, corn maze, hay rack ride, peddle track for all ages, sand area with diggers, barrel cars for smaller children, bounce house, huge bounce pad, tug o war, tether ball, other games, lots of things to climb on. In addition to animals and a pick your own pumpkin patch.
Annual Coat Collection/Give-Away
Do you or your kids need a winter coat? Or, maybe you're someone who can donate a coat. First Baptist is having our Annual Coat Collection/Give-Away - We are now collecting NEW or like new condition kid and adult winter coats, scarves, mittens/gloves, hats, snow pants, and boots. Leave donations in the collection tote outside the church - 800 NE 6th Ave. Aledo from now thru Oct 22nd. The giveaway will take place at FBC on Thursday, Oct. 23rd from 6-7:30pm and Saturday, Oct 25th from 9-10am. There are no income guidelines. Items will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. No early distribution. Questions, contact the church office at 309-582-7812.
We are also in need of many volunteers for the Coat Giveaway, sign up to volunteer at firstbaptistaledo.com.
9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit
The 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit will be arriving at Woodhull at 1 pm. The fire departments and police departments of Mercer County will be escorting the exhibit to Central Park in Aledo along Highway 17. Come on out, stand along the route, wave some American flags, and welcome the Tunnel to Towers 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit to Mercer County!
Arrival in Aledo, IL approx 1:30 pm.
S-I-N-G-O Party
Join the New Boston PTO for a SINGO Party: A fun twist on bingo with your favorite songs!
Here’s how it works:
Buy a card ($20 for the first, $5 for each additional).
The DJ plays songs you know and love.
Mark them off your card as you hear them.
Get five in a row and shout SINGO!
This is an adults-only event, so grab your friends, bring your own drinks and snacks, and get ready for a night full of music, laughter, and prizes!
Featuring: All Your Favorite Hits
$20 for 1st card | $5 for each additional
Trivia Night Fundraiser
Gather your friends and join in for a fun-filled evening of trivia, raffles, and prizes. Teams of up to 8 can compete for bragging rights and great rewards.
Cost: $80 per 8-person team
Bring your own snacks and drinks
50/50 drawing, raffle, silent auction items, and other fun prizes
Registration:
Pre-register or get more information by calling or texting (309) 737-4144.
All proceeds benefit Mercer County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, a non-profit organization funded by donations.
S.P.A.R.K.S. Annual Harvest Hop
Join the Village of Seaton for an evening of fall fun at the Annual Harvest Hop! This family-friendly park fundraiser will feature:
Trunk or Treat: 5–6 PM
Bounce House
Hayrack Ride at Dusk
Food & Treats:
$3.00 – Hot dog, water, and chips
$1.00 – Cotton candy
Come out, support the park, and celebrate the season with the community.
Scout Spaghetti Fundraiser
Come hungry and help support our scouts!
$10 gets you spaghetti, bread stick and salad.
Clintstones at "Fergtoberfest"
“It's become a tradition to close out our patio music season with Aledo's hometown faves, The Clintstones! Join us for this years "Fergtoberfest" celebration, games, food, drinks, and awesome live music.”
15th Sherrard Pumpkin Festival
Our 15th Annual Sherrard Pumpkin Fest will be Saturday Oct. 4th. Come join us from 8am to 3pm for a variety of food, craft, produce, pumpkins, mums & flea market items from over 40 vendors in the Sherrard Village Park. There will be a silent auction too. We are still accepting vendors.
Benefit of Nick Watson
“As most know, Nick has been battling some health issues the past few months. At the end of June, he had surgery to remove a tumor from his head. He has an infection and they had to go back in again Friday afternoon. Starting the recovery process again until his third, and hopefully final surgery.
Nick has and always goes above and beyond for not only friends and family, but his community. It is now our turn to show him the same love and support he’s always given out!
Come and join us on Saturday, September 27th as we have an evening planned for raffles and food! There will be a gun raffle for a Henry .22 lever action rifle and a 9mm Hellcat pistols. 500 tickets at $20 each. Individuals must have a valid FOID card to win.”
Art Gala
Step through the doors and enter into a world of elegance — where old-world charm collides with fresh, bold ideas.
General Admission: Free
Saturday, September 20, 2025
Aledo Opera House — 108 SE 2nd Ave, Aledo, IL 61231
Doors open: 5:30 PM
Silent bidding begins upon paddle registration
Live auction begins at 6:30 PM
5th Annual Pedro Memorial Dart Tournament
Dart Tournament:
Sign up @ 11am & Darts Fly @ Noon
Cost: $10.00 + $5.00 Green Fee
$1000 Pot Added
Trivia:
Sign up:5:30pm & Start Time @$6:30pm
Cost: $5.00 per person ( 5 person Team)
Toph & CJ will kick off Karaoke to finish the night shortly after Trivia is Done.
All the Proceeds will go to Mercer County Restoration Program.
Big Al's 2nd Annual Fall Market Day
Join Us for the 2nd Annual Big Al's Fall Market Day!
Come out and support local vendors and browse unique flea market finds at Big Al's Fall Market Day!
We'll have coffee and food vendors on-site, so bring your appetite and enjoy a fun day of shopping and community.
Date: September 20, 2025 from 9:00am-2:00pm
Location: 1751 Knoxville Road Sherrard, Illinois 61281
Interested in being a vendor?
Text Lisa Wymer at 309-278-3332 or send us a message here to reserve your spot!
Let’s make this year’s market even bigger and better!
Rollin’ Hills Ranch Fall/Halloween Open House
Come celebrate fall with us
“There will be an amazing selection of fall and Halloween goodies, including pumpkins , indoor/ outdoor decor, treats, and all things homemade! Please see first post for details of what we will have to offer! I will post pictures and the menu as the event nears! There will also be a gift drawing Can’t wait to share the fall goodies with you, the best season of them all.”
Joy Fest
Come out the Joy and enjoy a day of events!
Stay updated and learn more on the Village of Joy Facebook page
Momco Evening Meetup
Join us for an evening designed to connect, encourage, and equip you in your journey of motherhood. We’ll share time to catch up over light snacks, enjoy a fun activity together, and dive into the “Make It Awkward” curriculum with a powerful video from the MomCo founder—offering both challenge and inspiration for deeper conversation.
This is a space for authentic community and encouragement—a place where you can come just as you are and leave feeling refreshed, supported, and reminded that you are never walking this season of motherhood alone.
*Childcare unavailable. Please note the start time is at 6:30PM this week.
Food Truck Fued
The Ride 17 Music Festival's "Food Truck Feud" is back for 2025!
So far, our participating food trucks are:
-Shiver Me Ginger
-Just Us and Treats
-Cocina Verde
-Vamos! Food Truck
-Chuckies Famous Breaded Tenderloin
Stay tuned for more details and be sure to follow both host pages!
Sip N' Shop - The Bean Field
Join us for another day of shopping local vendors , while listening to live music from Jen Craft!
Beanfield hours 6-12
Sip n Shop hours 8-12
Live music hours 10-12
Ride 17 Music Festival
The Ride 17 Music Festival is back for 2025!
A full day of music and community—ALL across Mercer County, IL.
Presented by Visit MerCo
Saturday, September 13th
Mercer County, Illinois
FREE to attend
Headliner: Suzy Bogguss at Central Park in Aledo starting at 7pm
(In collaboration with the City of Aledo's Central Park Grooves.)
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- Lewis Knudsen – Aledo Main Street's Harvest Hop from 10am to 12pm
- Ryan Koresko Music – Aledo Main Street's Harvest Hop from 1pm to 3pm
- Bitter Nothings – New Windsor Depot from 2pm to 5pm
- Monica Austin – City Limits from 3pm to 5pm
- Funktastic 5 – In New Boston with the Food Truck Feud from 4:30pm to 6:30pm
- Vital Signs – Cheers On Main from 10pm to 1am
- Cold Crow Pie – Ferg's Public House from 4pm to 7pm
-Moonshine Run (Weather Permitting) - Cheers on Main from 6:30pm to 9:30pm
- Rabbit Hole – Saucy's from 8pm to 12am
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Save the date. Tell your friends. Wear your dancing shoes.
Be sure to follow us for updates like the lineup and other participating events!
Green Brothers Event
Saturday, September 6th
Aledo, IL
Mercer County Fairgrounds
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Let’s Rally Behind Lane & Macoy Green!
Two brothers. One fight.
Both battling cancer — side by side.
We’re coming together to show these boys they’re NOT fighting alone.
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FAIRGROUNDS FESTIVAL
Mercer County Fairgrounds
Noon – 8:00 PM
A full day of booths, food, family fun & Green-style entertainment!
SCHEDULE:
Noon–4:00 PM: Booths, Food, Drinks, Kids’ Games and more
4:00 PM: LIVE AUCTION – Be ready to bid, laugh, & give BIG!
5:00–8:00 PM: Live Music, More Food, and Closing Celebration
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WHAT TO EXPECT:
Benefit T-Shirts (order form to come)
Raffles & Prizes
Games
Hayrack Rides
Local Food Vendors
Live Music & More Surprises!
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WANT TO HELP?
Host a Booth
Donate Auction/Raffle Items
Volunteer
Sponsor an Activity
Message us or contact:
Jen Miller
309-737-6662
jenmiller3434@gmail.com
Shelly Ortega
563-343-0134
shellygreenortega@gmail.com
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This isn’t just a fundraiser. It’s a community fight.
Let’s show Lane & Macoy how much love Mercer County can bring.
Cancer picked the wrong brothers… but it messed with the right town.
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[Click “Going”]
Invite your friends
Wear your Green Brothers Gear(order form to come)
Bring your heart, your wallet, and your best auction smack talk!
Eliza Lions Annual Tractor Drive 2025
Join neighbors and friends for the annual tractor drive through the scenic byways of the area! After the ride, enjoy a homemade grilled lunch and good conversation at the Eliza Center.
Cost for the ride: $25 (all proceeds go toward helping those in need in the community)
Contact:
Ron Lagerstrom
Phone: 309-537-3474
Email: rcrimson2008@yahoo.com
PTSD Awareness: Trail Rides Across America
Join us as we partner with Michele Berling, a former police officer who is riding her horses across America to raise awareness for PTSD. Michele’s incredible journey is helping shine a light on the mental health challenges faced by military members, veterans, and first responders.
This trail ride will raise awareness for PTSD and provide much-needed support for our nation's heroes. The cost is $20 per rig at Sandy Oaks, and proceeds go toward funding for mental health services for military members, veterans, and first responders! Together, we’ll honor their sacrifices and show our commitment to their well-being. To buy a T-Shirt for the event, click here: https://excelsior-ranch.square.site/
If you'd like to donate, all donations will go directly to supporting mental health services for military members, veterans, and first responders. You can donate here: https://pay.excelsiorranch.com
Let’s come together to support those who serve and raise awareness for PTSD. We look forward to seeing you there!