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?
Joy Fest 2026
Come to Joy Fest for a fun-filled day of family fun, great food, live music, vendors, a parade, car show, magic, and more!
Events:
7am to 10am — Fire Department Pancake Breakfast
9am to 3pm — Car Show (Sign up at 8am)
9am to 5pm — Vendors (Setup starting at 7am)
11am — Parade (Lineup at 10:30am)
12pm to 4pm — Pulled Pork and Hotdog Meals
12pm to 1:30pm — Music, Magic and Muppets Fire and Injury Prevention Show with Firefighter Doc Patterson
12pm to 2pm — Music with John Heasley
1pm — Fireman’s Water Barrel Fight
2:30pm to 4pm — David Casas Magic
3pm to 5pm — Music with Eva Kendall
Mercer County Historical Society Open House
Please join the Mercer County Historical Society and Essley Noble Museum for their Open House and celebrate the rich history of Mercer County! Come explore, learn, and discover the stories that helped shape our community.
See the new large-format scanner and how it works
Try out the new research stations
Explore the museum, school house and buildings
Book sale
Door Prizes
Light refreshments
Ride 17 Music Festival
Mercer County, Illinois' largest music festival is back for its third year!
From east to west across the county, we've got you covered with live music, delicious food, free transportation, and activities for all ages. Best of all, admission and transportation are completely FREE!
For complete schedule and information visit: visitmerco.com
Mercer County Historical Society Open House
Please join the Mercer County Historical Society and Essley Noble Museum for their Open House and celebrate the rich history of Mercer County! Come explore, learn, and discover the stories that helped shape our community.
See the new large-format scanner and how it works
Try out the new research stations
Explore the museum, school house and buildings
Book sale
Door Prizes
Light refreshments
Viola Boyz Presents Sherrard FFA & Alumni Truck and Tractor Pull
Get ready for some horsepower and excitement at Viola Boyz Backroad Speedway! The Sherrard FFA & Alumni Truck and Tractor Pull is bringing the action with big trucks, powerful tractors and plenty of fun for the whole family.
Cost:
$15 General Admission
$25 Pit Pass
Questions reach out to Chad Kinsey (309) 737-8736 or visit https://bit.ly/4wKCOrU
Keithsburg Labor Day Celebration
Spend your Saturday with friends, family, and the community of Keithsburg! Enjoy local vendors, great food, live music, games, kids activities, and the Best Meat in the Burg Cook-off!
Events:
9am — Vendors Open
Food from Keithsburg Christian Church
Cake Walk Starting at 12PM
1pm — Best Meat in the Burg Tasting Begins
3:30pm — Awards Presentation
Contact Dale Parker at (309) 507-2224 for information.
Live Music at Bid’s:
1pm to 4pm — Bubbie Tippie
4pm to 8pm — Shelton Biddle
8pm to 11pm — Blank Stare
Aledo Central Park Grooves - The Clingstones
Sponsored by Riddell Roofing, Yates Tree Service, and Cokel’s.
Odd Bettie’s Pin-Up Contest
Sponsored by Riddell Roofing, Yates Tree Service, and Cokel’s.
Aledo Central Park Grooves - Tag Dynamic Duo
Sponsored by Riddell Roofing, Yates Tree Service, and Cokel’s.
Aledo 23rd Annual Antiques Day & Car Show
The Aledo 23rd Annual Antiques Day & Car Show will take place on Saturday, August 29th, with main events taking place from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm!
There is sure to be something for everyone to enjoy- live entertainment in the band shell, HUGE car show, tractor show, garden tractor pulls, pin-up contest, section of antique vendors and another area for artisan & farmers market vendors, food trucks & more!
More info at www.aledomainstreet.com/events
AMS office phone number: 309-582-2751
AMS email: info@aledomainstreet.com”
105th Annual New Boston Fish & Chicken Fry
Don’t miss the 105th Annual New Boston Fish & Chicken Fry …
New Windsor Rodeo
Wednesday, August 19
5:30-7:30 pm. Entries Open in all Departments
Thursday, August 20
9:00 am. Entries Open in all Departments
3:00 pm. Entries Open for Parade
4:00 pm. Entries Close in All Departments
5:00 pm. Street parade, New Windsor Business District
7:00 pm. IPRA Rodeo and Mutton Bustin begins at the fair grounds and Carnival opens
Children 12 and under free!
Friday, August 21
5:00 pm. Carnival Opens
6:00 pm. Bouncy & Stick Horse Races for kids
7:00 pm. IPRA Rodeo and Mutton Bustin begins at the fair grounds.
Children 12 and under free!
Saturday, August 22
7:00 am. Race Day Entries Open for Rodeo Run
8:00 am. Rodeo Run Start
8:30 am. Entries Open for Junior Horse Show
9:00 am. Junior Horse show
11:00 am. Entries open for Kiddie Parade
1:00 pm. Kiddie Parade
5:00 pm. Carnival Opens
6:00 pm. Bouncy & Stick Horse Races for kids
7:00 pm. The final performance of the IPRA rodeo and Mutton Bustin
Children 12 and under free!
Learn more about the rodeo on their website.
You can get the most up-to-date information on their Facebook event page.
56th Annual Keithsburg Boat In Breakfast
Come enjoy a fun-filled day on the Mississippi River and a delicious breakfast that has become a Mercer County tradition! Bring the whole family and enjoy a hearty breakfast while taking in the sights and sounds of the river.
Rain or shine | 6:00 AM–Noon
Adults: $14
Kids (8 and under): $8
Breakfast includes:
Scrambled eggs
Fried potatoes
Bacon & sausage
Melon & tomatoes
Toast
Coffee, iced tea & milk
Aledo Central Park Grooves - Big River Brass Band
Sponsored by Brookstone Assisted Living Center.
Cinema @ Central - Zootopia 2
Cinema @ Central will be showing Zootopia 2 this year. Grab your blankets and chairs to join us for the screening.
Open to all ages.
Time: Dusk
Cost: Free
Sponsored by Casey’s General Store.