Let Charleston Tourism help spread the word about community events you are planning
in the Charleston area. Submit event details and contact information
to tourism@co.coles.il.us for consideration.
2012 Calendar of Events
February
Feb 4 Charleston Challenge Mid-Winter Classic
Carl Sandburg School, 1924 Reynolds Dr.
Registration begins at 8 am
Get ready to run a 5 k - 10 K - 15 K race. Be prepared for all weather condition ~ sun, rain or snow! www.charlestonchallangeduathlon.com For information, call (217) 348-0430.
Register online at www.Active.com
Feb 4 St. Vincent de Paul Society Trivia Night
Moriarity Hall, St. Charles Borromeo Church, 921 Madison Street
6:30 pm Start Time
All proceeds will help us to assist those in need in our Charleston community.
March
Mar 3 La Grande Soiree
Keller Convention Center, Effingham, IL
Further details about this event contact Kimberly Lockart at (217) 238-4765
Mar 24-25 Holiday Craft Show/Expo
Holiday Concord Floor, 1300 S West, Olney
9 am - 5 pm
Do you need a place to show off your beautiful crafts? Come be a part of our show! To reserve vendor space, call (618) 754-3551 or send an email to m_mwoodenflowers@yahoo.com. If you are looking for the perfect craft to put in your home, come on down and see what we have to offer.
Mar 24 Square Fest
Around the Charleston Square
4 pm - 1 am
Square Fest is a central IL independent music showcase that will take place Saturday, March 26, 2011. Over 30 live music acts will perform around the square in Charleston at the following venues: Top of the Roc, Mac's Uptowner, Friends and Co., Mother's, & Indio Cigar Factory. Acts range in all styles, including: Folk, Jazz, Funk, Heavy Metal, Blues, Rock and Roll, Dubstep, Jam, Pop, & Electronica. One wristband allows entry to all five venues for over ten hours of live music and entertainment. For more information, contact Scott Chaplinski, Director of Square Fest, at scott.chaplinski@gmail.com
April
Apr 13 Basket Bingo for HOPE of East Cental Illinois Childern’s Programs
VFW in Charleston
5:30 – 9 pm
Come join us for food, fun, 50/50 raffle, and door prizes. We will have product from Longaberger, Pampered Chef, Thirty-One, Tupperware, Scentsy, Avon, Mary Kay, candles and many more. Tickets may be purchased ahead of time at HOPE, 701 6th St, or at the door. Tickets are $10 each for 10 games. Intermission and last chance games will be available at the door. miblank@yahoo.com (217) 348-8815
Apr 20-22 Celebration: A Festival of the Arts
Eastern Illinois University Campus Doudna Fine Arts Center S. 7th St.
A celebration of a multitude of arts ~ everything from blacksmithing to watercolor, accompanied by live performances and a variety of unique food vendors. www.eiu.edu/~festival (217) 581-2113
Apr 14 Kick butts Day 5K Run/Walk
Morton Park, Lincoln & Division
9 am Start Time
Kick Butts is a chance to raise awareness about tobacco and supporting tobacco control policies and education. The 5K walk/run will be followed by a community picnic where free food, games and information regarding tobacco use and the effects it has on one's health will be available. For more information visit www.eiu.edu/herc/kickbuttsday or call the EIU Health Education Resouce Center at (217) 581-7786.
Apr 28 Art and Antiques at Osage Farm
Osage Farm, 1344 E County Rd 720 N
8 am - 3 pm
A unique shopping experience, Art and Antiques at Osage Farm showcases the area's finest country and Americana antique dealers. This year features fourteen high quality antique dealers and eight folk artists, pork chop sandwiches and local band, Big Blue Mountain. Rain or shine, event under cover. Free Admission. Directions: Take Rt. 16 west 1½ mi., turn left on Beechtree Rd. (Crestline Vet Clinic). Drive ¼ mi. to “T” and turn right on 720 N County Rd. Drive ½ mi. to 1320 E and turn left. Drive 1 mi.- Osage Farm is on the left. (217) 508-8812 www.artandantiquesatosagefarm.com
May
May 11-12 IHSA Girls Badminton Tournament
Eastern Illinois University, Lantz Gym
For more information, visit http://www.ihsa.org/sportsactivities/girlsbadminton.aspx.
May 17-19 IHSA Girls State Track & Field
Eastern Illinois University, O'Brian Stadium
For more information, visit http://www.ihsa.org/sportsactivities/girlstrackfield.aspx
May 24-26 IHSA Boys State Track & Field
Eastern Illinois University, O'Brian Stadium
For more information, visit http://www.ihsa.org/sportsactivitiesboystrackfield.aspx
June
Jun 1 Jonah Fish Fry
Lifespan Center, 11021 ECR 800N
4:30 - 7:30 pm
The Jonah Fish Fry, sponsored by the Coles County RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program), is fast approaching. This is a great community event – show your support for RSVP and get a wonderful meal as well! Please pass this on to anyone who may be interested. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children ages 5-12.(217) 639-5165
Jun 8 Annual Sarah Busch Lincoln Golf Outing
Mattoon Golf and Country Club Mattoon, IL
Further details about this event call Kimberly Lockart at (217) 238-4765.
Jun 10 Summer Start Up! Community Festival
St Charles Church, 921 Madison
Noon - Sunset
St Charles Church will host their annual summer festival for community members of the Greater Charleston area. Activities for the whole family will be featured, including bingo, live music, games, raffles, crafts, auctions, pork chop dinner, a beer garden, races and much more! www.saintcharleschurch.org (217) 345-3332
Jun 2012 date to be determined Corn Belt Shrine Club Truck & Tractor Pull
Coles County Fairgrounds
Come out and enjoy a day filled with Trucks and Tractors. For more information, contact Mike at mikem@itpapulling.com.
Jun 22 Charleston Chamber of Commerce 35th Annual Golf Outing - "Buy Local-Play Local"
Charleston Country Club
Registration 10:30-11:30 am, Lunch 11 am-Noon, Shotgun Start 12 Noon
Dust off those clubs and get ready for a day of fun in the "Buy Local - Play Local" Charleston Chamber Golf Outing. $100 all-inclusive fee per player includes driving range, putting contest for $5000, 18 holes of golf & cart, mulligans, lunch, give-aways, snacks and beverages on the course, "Beat the Mayor" contest, Par 3 poker, dinner and prizes. Foursomes and individuals are welcomed! Registration form available on www.charlestonchamber.com. (217) 345-7041
July
Jul 3-4 Red, White, and Blue Days
Morton Park, Division and Lincoln Ave.
www.charlestonredwhiteandblue.com (217) 345-7691
July 3rd, Tuesday
July 4th, Wednesday
Jul 4th Fireworks at Coles County Airport
Dusk
Food vendors on site. Free admission. Handicapped parking available. Shuttle buses running from Charleston and Mattoon. Bring lawn chairs/blankets. No personal fireworks, pets or alcoholic beverages allowed. (217) 345-7120 www.colescountyairport.com
Jul 25 Christmas in July Trivia Night - Fundraiser for Christmas in the Heart of Charleston
Charleston Public Library
6 pm
Gather your friends for a night of Christmas Trivia about music, movies and more! All the proceeds will go towards the Christmas in the Heart of Charleston in December! Teams of up to 6 individuals will compete in 10 categories to see who knows the most about Christmas. The team answering the most questions correctly, will win $100 CASH! Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase! For more information, call (217) 348-0430.
Jul 29 - Aug 5 159th Annual Coles County Fair
Coles County Fairgrounds
For more information call 345 2656 or visiting www,colescountyfair.com
August
Aug 16 EIU Move-In Day
Campus Housing Dorms
Welcome back students! EIU's dorms officially open the doors for the newest group of students to arrive for the 2012-2013 school year! www.eiu.edu/~housing (217) 581-5111
Aug 27 Annual Coles County Air Show
Coles County Airport, Rt. 16
Gates open at 11 am, show starts at 1 pm
This year's show includes lots of planes, food vendors and much more! Free admission and plenty of free parking. No pets allowed. www.colescountyairport.com (217) 234-7120
Aug 2012 date to be determined WEIU Kids day
Sesame Street, Kiwanis Park
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Be sure to bring your camera, because Super Why and Princess Presto will be our special guests for the day. There will be snacks, games and activities for the kids as well as goody bags, door prizes, FREE children's books. jlhuckstep@eiu.edu (217) 581-7912
September
Sept 15 Trials & Tribulations: The Story of the 1847 Matson Slave Trial
Oakland
Enjoy a unique combination of living history, dramatic theatre and an 1847 meal to learn this story of the courageous Bryant family who sought freedom in Coles County. This is the only time that Abraham Lincoln represented the slave owner. www.matsontrial1847.org (217) 508-9113
Sept 22 Charleston Challenge Duathlon
Carl Sandburg School, 1924 Reynolds Dr.
9:00 am
This event hosted by the Charleston Parks and Recreation Department features a 2 mile run, 19.2 mile bike ride, 2 mile run over a vigorous course. Team and individual divisions available. www.charlestonchallengeduathlon.com (217) 348-0430
Sept 28-30 Eastern Illinois University Family Weekend
Eastern Illinois University campus
Pack up the family and check out the family weekend activities, including the EIU Panthers football game. www.eiu.edu
October
Oct 19-21 Eastern Illinois University Homecoming
Eastern Illinois University campus and Charleston community
Weekend events include an "all-you-can-eat" sunrise breakfast, homecoming parade, EIU Panther football game, tailgating & MORE!
*** Parade Route this year!***
Starts at 7th and Lincoln Ave.
North on 7th St.; West on Monroe Ave.
South on 6th St.; West on Polk Ave.
South on Division St.
Ends at O'Brien Stadium
Check out www.eiu.edu/homecoming for further details.
November
Nov 7 Yuletide Tunes & Treats ~ Dessert Buffet, Silent Auction & Music
What's Cookin' Restaurant, 409 7th St.
6 pm - 8 pm, auction ends at 7:40 pm
Start your shopping and satisfy your sweet tooth while raising money for the Christmas in the Heart of Charleston Celebration. Tickets are $10 and are available at the door or in advance by calling (217) 348-0430.
Nov 12 Charleston Challenge 40 Mile Relay
Carl Sandburg School, 1924 Reynolds Dr.
9:00 am
This event hosted by the Charleston Parks and Recreation Department features 40 miles of fun for up to 4 team members. Team and individual divisions available. www.charlestonchallengeduathlon.com (217) 348-0430
Nov 16 Charleston Chamber Lootery 2011
Charleston Country Club
5 pm - 9 pm
Each ticket admits 2 people for fun, food and fabulous cash giveaways. Every tenth ticket wins a cash prize with a Grand Prize of $2,000. For tickets, call (217) 348-0430 Charleston Tourism or (217) 345-7041 Chamber of Commerce.
Nov 16-17 Festival of Trees
Sarah Bush Lincoln Health System Health Education Center
Friday, November 16, 10 am - 8 pm; Saturday, November 17, 10 am - 2 pm
Beautifully decorated Christmas trees, wreaths and centerpieces will once again adorn the Lumpkin Family Center for Health Education. Net proceeds to benefit Healthy Kids program, Emergency Department renovation and the Surgery Center. www.sarahbush.org (217) 238-4765
December
Dec 1 Christmas in the Heart Shopping Market
Charleston Public Library
10 am - 4 pm
Christmas shopping made easy! Featuring many vendors in one location. (217) 549-0311
Dec 1 Christmas in the Heart of Charleston
Courthouse Square
5 pm - 7 pm
Holiday parade, carriage rides, refreshments, live window displays, entertainment, photos with Santa and much more. Parents are encouraged to bring their own cameras for pictures with Santa. Parade starts at 5 pm. Streets leading to the Square will be closed ~ please park 2-3 blocks off the Square and walk inward. Check out event page on Facebook under "Christmas in the Heart of Charleston". (217) 348-0430