Founders Week, Rock the Hops Headline Packed Weekend of Riverbend Events

Founders Week, Rock the Hops Lead Weekend Events Around the Riverbend

From community celebrations and live music to markets, movies, crafts and family activities, the Riverbend area has a busy weekend ahead. For the complete calendar of upcoming happenings, visit RiverBender.com Events.

Jersey County Founders Week continues Friday, Aug. 7, at Jerseyville City Center Plaza as the Jersey County Business Association, in conjunction with the City of Jerseyville, celebrates 187 years of Jersey County. The week runs Tuesday, Aug. 4, through Saturday, Aug. 8, with daily themes tied to local history and tradition, including Local Love Day on Aug. 7 and History & Heritage Day on Aug. 8.

First Fridays in Downtown Troy brings entertainment, live music, downtown business specials, local shopping, street vendors, food trucks and more to Downtown Troy on Friday, Aug. 7. Guests are encouraged to bring a lawn chair for the family event, which features Art on the Streets and live music by Ryan & Rainn.

The Owlz Band - VFW Post 1308 will bring a night of live music to Alton VFW Post 1308 from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7. The performance is open to the public.

Alton Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market 2026 Season! is set for 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 8, at the corner of Landmarks Boulevard and Henry Street in Downtown Alton. The rain-or-shine market features locally grown produce, farm products, baked goods, plants, hand-crafted artwork and ready-to-eat meals, with Aug. 8 marking a celebration of National Farmers’ Market Week.

Rock the Hops 2026 takes over Downtown Alton on Saturday, Aug. 8, with music, art and craft beverages. The event includes 28 live original musical performances across multiple genres, tastings of more than 40 styles of craft beer, seltzers, ciders and more, plus visual artists, makers, vendors, free shuttles and a commemorative tasting glass with ticket purchase.

Glo Bingo Benefit for Dream Home Charities will be held Saturday, Aug. 8, at Collinsville Fireman's Hall. Doors open at 6 p.m. and bingo begins at 7 p.m. for the 18-and-older event, which features more than $1,000 in cash prizes, six bingo cards for 10 games, a Glo hat and dauber, a cash bar, bring-your-own snacks, raffles and VIP table options.

Midwest Avenue - VFW Post 1308 will perform from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at Alton VFW Post 1308. The show is open to the public.

Movie in the Park! “National Treasure” invites guests to bring chairs and blankets Saturday, Aug. 8, to Lions Club/Wittman Park in Jerseyville for an outdoor screening near the Jerseyville Splash Pad. The Splash Pad will be open late, and concessions will be available.

Friday, Aug. 7

Missouri Numismatic Society's 66th Annual Coin Show continues Friday, Aug. 7, at the St Charles Convention Center in St Charles, Missouri, with free parking, free admission and more than 150 coin dealers. Friday hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and a 5 p.m. auction by Scotsman's will feature more than 1,000 items.

Highland Cows brings Power's Highland Haven to Cambridge House of Maryville from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7. The free public event offers guests a chance to see Highland cows up close.

St. Andrew's Book Fair Aug. 7-8 opens from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Edwardsville. The sale includes more than 20,000 books, along with DVDs, Blu-rays, puzzles, CDs, vinyl records, sheet music and a boutique with rare and autographed items.

IMPACT CIL Trivia Night invites teams to bring food and drinks, decorate their tables and compete Friday, Aug. 7, at IMPACT CIL in Alton. Tables cost $200 for up to eight people, and proceeds support Independent Living Services.

Bad Co. Legacy – August 7, 8pm comes to the Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville at 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, with former Bad Company singer Robert Hart and guitarist Dave “Bucket” Colwell performing classic Bad Company songs.

FRIDAY NIGHT BLUES JAM! brings a blues-themed open jam to Full Moon Lounge in Godfrey on Friday, Aug. 7. Singers, guitarists, bassists, drummers and harmonica players of all skill levels are welcome to join in or listen.

Volunteer: Pollinator Garden Workday offers volunteers a chance to help maintain native plant demonstration gardens Friday, Aug. 7, at The Nature Institute in Godfrey. Participants should bring gloves and water, and tools will be provided.

Motherhood Support Group meets Friday, Aug. 7, through the Six Mile Regional Library District in Granite City, with an in-person session at 10 a.m. at 2001 Delmar Ave. and a virtual Zoom option at 6 p.m. The program is for current and expecting moms and includes refreshments, resources, giveaways, guest speakers, children's activities and certified doulas.

Summer Reading Retreat offers an open-house-style evening of crafting, conversation and quiet reading Friday, Aug. 7, at Hayner Library in Alton. Guests can make a prism suncatcher with supplies provided, enjoy light snacks and refreshments, and should call to register because space is limited.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat continues Friday, Aug. 7, at Alton Little Theater. The Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical follows Joseph's journey from betrayal to triumph, with tickets listed at $25.

Saturday, Aug. 8

Old Six Mile Society & Museum Meat Raffle Fundraiser supports the Old Six Mile Historical Society & Museum in Granite City, with a drawing Saturday, Aug. 8. Tickets are $10, winners do not need to be present, and prizes include a $500 gift card to Cionko's Meats and a queen-sized quilt.

Missouri Numismatic Society's 66th Annual Coin Show concludes Saturday, Aug. 8, at the St Charles Convention Center in St Charles, Missouri. Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the free-admission show featuring more than 150 coin dealers.

Edwardsville Garden Club - Program – Resources for Gardeners -Saturday August 8, 2026 12:00 – 1:00pm will be presented from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Glen Carbon Senior Center. Sarah Ruth, program coordinator for Master Gardener and Master Naturalist volunteer programs in Madison, Monroe and St. Clair counties, will discuss research-based gardening resources from Illinois Extension, followed by a potluck lunch and general business meeting.

The Motown Sounds of Touch – August 8, 8pm brings the acclaimed group to the Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville at 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8. The performers have spent more than 15 years entertaining audiences nationwide and were a Top 3 finalist on NBC's “The Winner Is.”

Beginner Yoga Class starts at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at Wilson Park Centennial Pavilion off 29th Street in Granite City. The Six Mile Regional Library District program requires no registration, and participants should bring their own mat.

Coffee & Chaos welcomes young children from birth to age 4 and their caregivers Saturday, Aug. 8, at Hayner Library in Alton. Toys, games, activities and coffee will be available, and no registration is required.

Adult Summer Craft Series meets from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Six Mile Regional Library District, 2001 Delmar Ave. in Granite City, for an 18-and-older craft session making coffee spill bookmarks.

Nintendo Switch gives students in grades 7-12 a place to play from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, in the Teen Room at Six Mile Regional Library District, 2001 Delmar Ave. in Granite City.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat continues Saturday, Aug. 8, at Alton Little Theater. The energetic musical features a wide variety of musical styles, with performances running July 31 through Aug. 9 and tickets listed at $25.

A Scary Good Movie: Monsters University brings a back-to-school family movie event to Hayner Library in Alton on Saturday, Aug. 8. Families can enjoy a screening of “Monsters University” with popcorn and other snacks.

Pokémon Club meets at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at Six Mile Regional Library District, 2001 Delmar Ave. in Granite City. Children in grades K-8 can play, learn how to play or spend time with other Pokémon fans.

Pirates in Paradise is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 8, at The Loading Dock in Grafton.

Sunday, Aug. 9

Behind the Glass Brewery Tours offers a 40-minute look at Old Bakery Beer Company in Downtown Alton at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9. Tours are $10 per person and include a pint of beer and samples from the tank; groups of eight or more are asked to reserve a spot.

Resources for Families of Missing Loved Ones meets Sunday, Aug. 9, at Teri's Route 66 Diner in Granite City for attendees to listen to cases and learn about volunteer opportunities.

Print Version