Bethalto's 150th Birthday

About this event

Bethalto is turning 150 years old! It's time to celebrate. Parade start time is 11:00 and the party in Central Park begins at noon. The parade begins at 11:00 at the corner of Roosevelt and Moreland Rd, continues to the Arboretum (Central St), and ends at Village Hall. You won't want to miss this parade, be sure to bring a chair. The Ainad Shriners Rolling Nobles will be riding thru on their crazy bikes, founding families, fun floats, tractors, show cars, and lots and lots of candy. (Parking available at Cornerstone Church, 1st Baptist Church, Parkside Condos, Parkside Elementary, The Boys & Girls Club ball field grass).

The celebration continues in the park at noon. Join us for opening ceremonies at the stage. We will begin with the crowd joining together under the flag for some patriotic singing.

Over 25 artisans and craftspeople selling their handmade items, and food vendors to satisfy everyone’s taste buds and sweet tooth’s! FIVE inflatables, sack races, 3-legged races, dunking booth (filled with teachers and principals from the Bethalto School District…won’t that be fun), cake walk, The Army rock climbing wall and football toss, Shinobi Fitness and Elite fitness with some fun activities for kids of all ages, a magic show on stage at 5:15, face painting, games games and more games provided by our church community, show cars and more.

But that’s not all. The Zydeco Crawdaddys Band, Rivertown Sound Barbershop Quartet, and the Gibson Girls will all be performing (check out details section for schedule). Put on your dancing shoes for a fun old fashioned town dance starting at 6. Don’t forget to pick up grandma and grandpa, they will want to show off their dance moves to the Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy. Grab those lawn chairs again in case all the dancing wears you out.

The Artisan Guild of Southern Illinois will have 8 Living History Demonstrations. Weaving, gunsmithing, wood working, rope making, Scherenschnitte, lace making and more. Dressed in period pieces, the artists are a collection of masters in heritage crafts. An old-fashioned quilting bee and historical information related to Bethalto will be set up in the community room in village hall. Come celebrate this historical moment with your family and community, and remember what makes Bethalto “Your old Home Town”