Discover how to decode food labels, bust myths, and take control of your plate.
REGISTER AT: https://emails.illinois.edu/newsletter/80/1218340380.html

Ever wonder what's really in your food? In this eye-opening session, we'll walk through the world of natural and artificial food chemicals. Learn how to identify them, understand their impact on food safety, and weigh the pros and cons of their use. From naturally occurring compounds to additives in processed food, you'll gain the knowledge to make informed choices about what you eat.

For more information or if you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, contact Dee Walls at walls1@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet access needs.

See less

Register in advance --> go.illinois.edu/FourSeasons

Learn how to create a nature-inspired living heart craft with freshly cut willow. Learn how to add a touch of rustic romance to bouquets that showcase flowers in the sweetest way possible.

Presenter: Chris Lueking, horticulture educator, Illinois Extension

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact Gemini Bhalsod at gbhalsod@illinois.edu.

Have a gardening topic on your mind and want to know more? Share suggestions for upcoming sessions with the series coordinators: Nancy Kreith at kreith@illinois.edu, Gemini Bhalsod at gbhalsod@illinois.edu, or Andrew Holsinger at aholsing@illinois.edu.

About the Four Seasons Gardening Series
University of Illinois Extension’s Four Seasons Gardening series focuses on home gardening, environmental stewardship, and backyard food production. Four Seasons Gardening sessions are monthly online sessions led by Illinois Extension experts beginning at 1:30 p.m. on select Tuesdays and are free to attend. Registration is required. Learn more about the series and register for individual events at go.illinois.edu/FourSeasons.

Additional Winter Session
Pruning Young Shade Trees | March 3
Young shade trees face a variety of challenges in the landscape, resulting in surprisingly low survival rates for many of these plants. While planting practices and follow-up care are major factors in the mortality of younger trees, canopy failure from poor branch structure is a bigger risk for trees that make it beyond establishment.

Proper pruning early in a tree’s life can drastically reduce the risk of canopy failure or hazard development from structurally unsound limbs later in life. Learn more about the issues young trees face and how early pruning can set them up for a lifetime of healthy canopy structure. Presenter: Ryan Pankau, horticulture educator, Illinois Extension

Each month Centralia Library has a different themed craft and activity for all ages to do.

Other games and activities will be available too, so bring the whole family for an hour of fun!

Tickets are live! Grab them on Simply Soul’s Facebook Page!

Want to guarantee that you sit with your friends? We have VIP tables that include a special gift.

February 13th from 6pm - 11 pm

What to expect? A good time, good food, and good music provided by a local DJ

Noah Atwood will be playing live music at Jack’s-Let’s Play on Friday, February 13, 2026 from 9:00pm - 12:00am

SIX YEARS of sisterhood and Galentine's Downtown tradition!!! It’s time for our GALENTINE’S CHAMPAGNE LUNCH 6.0—our favorite, most magical , ELECTRIC day of the year!! This event is so much fun, and these spots always go fast. This year, think community love (#collaborations #Wintea ), sisterhood (#youcansipwithus ), and, of course, COTTON CANDY CHAMPAGNE and pink drinks!!! Everything preppy and unapologetic and cool .

So grabbbb your baddies and get ready to treat yourselves to a sophisticated (cough, cough ) lunch. It's GAL-en-TIME again!!

***Advance ticket purchase required.***

Private lunch includes:

Complimentary Cotton Candy Champagne cocktail (or mocktail)
Curated lunch service and desserts by Wintea Express
Your own Valentine gifts from us to take home
Professional photography
Guaranteed Golden Girls theme song played on the hour
and an all-around, light-hearted, very fun afternoon with love and just your gems of friends!

When: Saturday, February 14th, 11:45am-2pm

Very limited space available. Menu and details subject to change. Tickets ARE transferrable. We will sell out.

Can't wait to hug your necks! Muah!

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Colden Brewery in Downtown Centralia with some ice-cold drinks, great people, and some food!

Happening on Saturday, February 14, from 4:00pm-8:00pm

Dueling Pianos Returns To Castle Ridge In 2026

February 14, 2026 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Dueling Pianos returns to Castle Ridge. Experience the ultimate dueling pianos event, featuring Howl at the Moon Dueling Pianos. This highly anticipated event will take place on Saturday, February 14th in Centralia, Illinois.

View Event Details

Odin Health & Rehab Center is having an Indoor Mardi Gras Parade on Wednesday, February 17, at 2:00pm

This event is open to the public and all are welcome!

We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

DCEO Grant Training

3rd Wednesday of the month 9AM.

This slide presentation will discuss important grant-related topics pertaining to grant management. Each month we will discuss a different component, process, or emerging practice that can benefit potential and existing grantees. Register or view recording of past grant trainings at this link.

• February 18, 2026 - Registering in SAM: This training will explain the steps required to apply for a Unique Entity Identifier, how to complete your SAM.gov registration and steps for registration renewal.

• March 18, 2026 - Creating a GATA Registration: This training will show applicants how to create a GATA Grantee Portal Page and the different components of the GATA Portal.

• April 15, 2026 - Notice of Funding Opportunities: This training will explain what a Notice of Funding Opportunity is and give a breakdown of the template and where to find information.

• May 20, 2026 - Writing a Grant Application: This training will explain how to complete application documents, how to read a Notice of Funding Opportunity, and how to submit the application package for review.

https://dceo.illinois.gov/aboutdceo/grantopportunities/upcoming-grant-trainings.html

Joel Young will be playing live music at Jack’s-Let’s Play on Friday, February 20, 2026 from 9:00pm-12:00am

Jack’s-Let’s Play is hosting a Dart Tournament on Saturday, February 21. Sign up begins at 12:00pm, blind draw start at 1:00pm.

Please join us for our annual Jazz & Rock Bands Dinner concert. Dinner tickets are $10, meal includes: salad, spaghetti, bread stick. A dessert auction, raffle baskets and 50/50 raffle will be held. See a band member or click on link to purchase tickets. General admission (dinner & table seating not included) may be purchased at the door or through the link. https://centraliamusic.ludus.com

This year we are excited to host our special guest artist, Zack Clark and we will have a performance from our Alumni Jazz band!

St. Mary School Centralia is having their annual Trivia Night on Saturday, February 21. Doors open at 7:00pm!

Grab a table (8 max) of your favorite people! Bring your own snacks and coolers, and help support our school.

Come play bingo with Centralia Regional Library and High Point Residence!

It’s free for anyone of any age to play with prizes up for grabs, from snacks to home goods and seasonal decor to toiletries!

Bingo is on the last Wednesday of every month (unless of holiday or closure) in the 2nd floor Monken Activity Room, accessible by elevator and stairs.

Experience what Kaskaskia College has to offer you!

Spend the day at KC and visit with faculty to learn more about classes and programs that interest you! Hear from a KC Student Panel about transitioning to college life.

Sign up today: https://form.jotform.com/220524600160136

All attendees will receive free breakfast and lunch, plus students will receive a KC swag bag.

8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. | Breakfast & Check-In/Registration
9:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. | Welcome and Student Panel
10:00 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. - Academic Sessions
12:00 p.m. | Lunch
12:30 p.m. | Optional Campus Tour (Tour attendees eligible for a giveaway!)

United Way Annual Dinner: Go for the Gold
Winter Olympics–Inspired Evening
Milan-Inspired Pasta Dinner
Speakers • Interactive Games • Community Celebration

Join United Way of South Central Illinois for an unforgettable evening as we Go for the Gold—celebrating the power of community, collaboration, and impact. Inspired by the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan, this year’s Annual Dinner blends meaningful storytelling with lighthearted, Olympic-themed fun.

Guests won’t just attend the event—they’ll be part of it. Throughout the evening, attendees will take center stage in friendly, Winter Olympics–inspired challenges where teamwork and laughter take the spotlight. Add in a Milan-inspired pasta bar, engaging speakers, and a room full of community champions, and you’ve got an event that’s as fun as it is impactful.

Why attend?
• Celebrate local impact and community wins
• Enjoy a unique, interactive dinner experience
• Support programs that strengthen education, financial stability, and health across our region

We’re going for the gold—but we’re doing it the United Way.

The Philharmonic Orchestra does a radio time warp as it performs some of radio's top music throughout the decades. Guest vocalists and members of Actors Alive acting as DJs of the various periods will join the fun. The evening includes cabaret-style seating, drinks and snack foods. A cash bar from Crooked Creek Winery will offer a selection of wines, beers, signature cocktails and mocktails

Wednesday, March 4, is Open Mic Night at Colden Brewery! Come show off your karaoke skills starting at 6:00pm in historic downtown Centralia.

Show off your love of LEGO and LEGO building skills in Centralia Regional Library's LEGO Club for ages 6-11!

This fun, interactive club meets in the 2nd floor Activity Room every 2nd Monday of the month at 4pm, unless of a holiday or other closure. The 2nd floor is accessible by elevator and stairs.

Each month Centralia Library has a different themed craft and activity for all ages to do.

Other games and activities will be available too, so bring the whole family for an hour of fun!

DCEO Grant Training

3rd Wednesday of the month 9AM.

This slide presentation will discuss important grant-related topics pertaining to grant management. Each month we will discuss a different component, process, or emerging practice that can benefit potential and existing grantees. Register or view recording of past grant trainings at this link.

• March 18, 2026 - Creating a GATA Registration: This training will show applicants how to create a GATA Grantee Portal Page and the different components of the GATA Portal.

• April 15, 2026 - Notice of Funding Opportunities: This training will explain what a Notice of Funding Opportunity is and give a breakdown of the template and where to find information.

• May 20, 2026 - Writing a Grant Application: This training will explain how to complete application documents, how to read a Notice of Funding Opportunity, and how to submit the application package for review.

https://dceo.illinois.gov/aboutdceo/grantopportunities/upcoming-grant-trainings.html

The State of the City Address luncheon is on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at Castle Ridge Event Venue! Enter in through the drawbridge.

Centralia Mayor Bryan Kuder will be giving updates on the City of Centralia. Lunch is $25 a person.

RSVP will be available soon, stay tuned!

St. Mary School is hosting their first annual Made by Kids Craft Fair! All children can be apart of this event, even if they don’t go to SMS.

Kids ages 3-18 are welcome to be a vendor at no cost! The only ask is that crafts be primarily made by kids. Please fill out the form in the link below to register.

The Craft Fair will be held on Saturday, March 21, from 10:00AM-2:00PM at the St. Mary School Gym.

THAT ARENA ROCK SHOW

March 21, 2026 7:30 pm

Brings Classic Arena Rock to Castle Ridge in Centralia, IllinoisSaturday, March 21, 2026 Tickets ON SALE NOW at https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/68221697/that-arena-rock-show-centralia-castle-ridge Castle Ridge will transform into a full-scale rock arena on Saturday, March 21, 2026, when That Arena Rock Show brings...

View Event Details

Save the Date! This Spring, the Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce is focused on highlighting businesses in our region. This is a FREE event for the public to come out and see what the Quad-County area has to offer.

Discover everything from home goods, home improvement, and non-profits. This is a one-day event, taking place on Saturday, March 28, 2026 from 8:00am - 5:00pm.

Interested in being a vendor? Register online: https://forms.gle/qRdoHe33Q3PE11NM8

Thanks to Kaskaskia College for sponsoring. The event will be held in the gymnasium at KC.

Save the date for Centralia BPW’s 100 Year Celebration at Centralia Area Historical Museum on Saturday, April 11, 2026 from 2:00pm-4:00pm

Inaugural Blues Fest at the Castle

April 11, 2026 7:30 pm

Join us for the inaugural Blues Fest at Castle Ridge on Saturday, April 11th, 2026.  This event will headline Albert Cummings with special guests Cat Daddy’O and Kingdom Brothers. Get tickets now at https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/53954711/albert-cummings-centralia-castle-ridge. Albert Cummings is...

View Event Details

DCEO Grant Training

3rd Wednesday of the month 9AM.

This slide presentation will discuss important grant-related topics pertaining to grant management. Each month we will discuss a different component, process, or emerging practice that can benefit potential and existing grantees. Register or view recording of past grant trainings at this link.

• April 15, 2026 - Notice of Funding Opportunities: This training will explain what a Notice of Funding Opportunity is and give a breakdown of the template and where to find information.

• May 20, 2026 - Writing a Grant Application: This training will explain how to complete application documents, how to read a Notice of Funding Opportunity, and how to submit the application package for review.

https://dceo.illinois.gov/aboutdceo/grantopportunities/upcoming-grant-trainings.html

Save the date for our longest-standing chamber event, Golf Plae Dae, on Friday May 1, 2026! Shotgun tee-off is at 11:00am.

Location: Colonial Golf Course, Sandoval, IL.

More details to come soon!

The annual Locust Street Historical Fair takes place on Saturday, May 2, 2026 from 10:00am - 2:00pm!

This event features:

Classic Car Show
Antique Power Days
Crafters
Food Vendors
Children’s Activity Area

DCEO Grant Training

3rd Wednesday of the month 9AM.

This slide presentation will discuss important grant-related topics pertaining to grant management. Each month we will discuss a different component, process, or emerging practice that can benefit potential and existing grantees. Register or view recording of past grant trainings at this link.

• May 20, 2026 - Writing a Grant Application: This training will explain how to complete application documents, how to read a Notice of Funding Opportunity, and how to submit the application package for review.

https://dceo.illinois.gov/aboutdceo/grantopportunities/upcoming-grant-trainings.html

Event Schedule – Saturday, May 23, 2026

7:00 PM – Show Begins

📍 Venue: Castle Ridge
📍 Location: Centralia, Illinois

Multi-Platinum country hitmakers, Eli Young Band, will bring their Strange Hours Tour to Castle Ridge on Saturday, May 23, 2026, for a night of high-energy live music, chart-topping hits, and brand-new songs from their latest album, Strange Hours. Special guest Jenna Davis will open the show.

Led by an unmistakable vocal and fueled by a Texas-rock edge, Eli Young Band has spent nearly 25 years building one of the most respected and enduring careers in modern country music. The never-changing lineup of Mike Eli, James Young, Jon Jones, and Chris Thompson has grown from college-bar favorites in Denton, Texas, into globe-trotting, arena-packing, chart-topping pioneers.

“Eli Young Band is the definition of a road-tested, fan-driven live act,” said Heath Eric, promoter with The Eric Group. “They’ve built their career the right way, song by song and show by show, and Castle Ridge is the perfect setting for the kind of honest, high-energy performance they deliver every single night. This is going to be a special one for Centralia, Illinois.”

Ticket Information

Presale:

Wednesday, February 4 at 9:00 AM CT through Thursday, February 5 at 11:59 PM CT.

Sign up at CastleRidgeConcerts.com to receive the presale password

Public On Sale:

Friday, February 6 at 9:00 AM CT.

Tickets available at CastleRidgeConcerts.com and ETIX.com.

About Eli Young Band

What goes around comes around, and nearly 25 years after forming in Denton, Texas, Eli Young Band has come full circle. After rising from Texas’ vibrant independent country scene, their 2005 breakout album Level launched the band into the national spotlight, followed by three Billboard Top 5 albums including the No. 1 10,000 Towns and Platinum-certified Life At Best.

The band boasts multiple No. 1 singles including the 5X Platinum “Crazy Girl,” 3X Platinum “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” Platinum “Drunk Last Night,” and 2X Platinum “Love Ain’t,” along with a catalog of fan-favorite hits that have defined modern country radio for more than a decade.

In 2025, Eli Young Band released Strange Hours, a 13-track album written entirely by the band and recorded back home in Denton at the same studio where Level was born. The project marks a creative homecoming, returning to the raw, grassroots energy that first defined their sound, while bringing the wisdom and edge of 25 years on the road.

The lead single “Home In Hometown” captures the heart of that journey, a powerful reflection on life, family, and finding home wherever the road leads. With millions of fans, more than two decades of hits, and a renewed creative spark, Eli Young Band remains very much in their prime.

About Jenna Davis

Jenna Davis is a captivating rising star who is set to take the country music scene by storm. Her debut album, Where Did That Girl Go?, released June 27th of last year, showcases her undeniable vocals paired with relatable storytelling. The project followed the impressive releases of her SIKE EP and her debut single “DiCaprio”(co-written by Walker Hayes, Kelsea Ballerini and Ross Copperman), which has garnered 15 million streams across platforms. Her prior releases have charted impressively on both Spotify and Apple Music, with streams reaching well into the millions, highlighting her rapidly growing fan base and the far-reaching appeal of her music. 

Fresh off the stage from her first-ever run of live shows, Jenna sold out all three debut performances, marking an electrifying introduction to her life on the road. Building on that momentum, she’s gearing up to join Brett Young as direct support at the top of the year, followed by a spring tour supporting Maddox Batson. With her growing fanbase and undeniable stage presence, Davis is quickly proving that her storytelling shines just as brightly live as it does on record.

Castle Ridge presents TRAVIS TRITT

Saturday, August 15, 2026
Gates open at 6:30 pm CT / Show starts at 8:00 pm CT

Presale: Wednesday, January 21, at 10:00 AM through Thursday, January 22, at 11:59 PM CT
Sign up at CastleRidgeConcerts.com to receive the presale password

Public on sale: Friday, January 23 at 10:00 AM CT

Castle Ridge
1750 Tee Lane
Centralia, IL 62801
CastleRidgeConcerts.com

The 37th Annual Centralia Balloon Fest will be held on August 21-22-23, 2026 at Centralia Foundation Park.

Friday hours of Centralia Balloon Fest is 3:00pm - 10:00pm.

For details, visit the centraliaballoonfest.com or click on “Balloon Fest” at the top of the page

The 37th Annual Centralia Balloon Fest will be held on August 21-22-23, 2026 at Centralia Foundation Park.

Saturday hours of Centralia Balloon Fest is 3:00pm - 10:00pm.

For details, visit the centraliaballoonfest.com or click on “Balloon Fest” at the top of the page

The 37th Annual Centralia Balloon Fest will be held on August 21-22-23, 2026 at Centralia Foundation Park.

Sunday hours of Centralia Balloon Fest is 12:00pm - 6:00pm. Sunday is Free Family Fun Day! Entry and parking are free. There are kids activities all day in the park.

For details, visit the centraliaballoonfest.com or click on “Balloon Fest” at the top of the page

Save the date for the Centralia Downtown Fall Festival.