The 1st Tuesday of every month at the Centralia VFW.
Bringing Veterans together through shared experiences, memories, resources, and support.

Coffee and donuts provided.

Facilitated by Travis Sarasky, the Veteran Support Specialist at Community Resource Center.

110th District Legislative Assistant Lori Bear of Blaine Wilhour’s office will be in the Library’s back lobby once a month to help anyone with State issues, such as DCFS, FOID, fishing licenses, property taxes, etc. Share your ideas, voice your concerns, and receive assistance with state government programs and issues. An appointment is not necessary

 https://a.co/0bB27JcX

A free event at Central Library with Thyme to Garden Club. Come see their program on pollinators, find out how to join, and be a part of their Q & A.

Learn how to draw sweet treats with local artist and retired teacher Trina Schneider of The Art Wagon! Trina will teach you how to draw sweet treats like ice cream, popsicles etc. This is a free 45- to 60-minute session and all ages are welcome to participate!

Save the date for a free car show at C-Town Twist on Friday, July 10! Starts at 5:00pm, ends at 9:00pm.

Join Centralia Regional Library District's social Crochet Club! Whether you’re new to the craft or a professional, bring your own project to work on as we chat and swap tips and ideas with each other. We will have extra yarn and hooks for those without. Please note that this is not a formal class.

This is a free event for all ages!

Crooked Creek Winery Downtown’s Annual Summer Concert Series is back again for 2026! This free event offers live music in the middle of the street in downtown Centralia, food trucks, community events, the famous spiked lemon shake-ups, and more!

Every Saturday night from July 11-August 15.

Community events are from 3:00pm - 6:00pm, live music is 6:00pm - 9:00pm.

Bring a lawn chair and join the community in the street!

📍 100 Block of East Broadway.

Castle Ridge will launch a new annual rock tradition this summer with the Inaugural Rock the Castle on Saturday, July 11, 2026, featuring Great White, Slaughter, and Quiet Riot. The event will bring together three of the biggest and most influential bands of the 1980s for one unforgettable night of pure rock and roll. This epic triple-bill marks the beginning of what organizers say will become an annual summertime rock tradition at the lakeside Castle Ridge venue.

“This is more than a concert. This is the birth of a tradition,” said Heath Eric, President & CEO of The Eric Group. “Rock the Castle is about legendary bands, massive songs, and an atmosphere you simply cannot recreate anywhere else. Castle Ridge was built for moments like this. We’re bringing arena-level rock to Castle Ridge – loud and relentless. This isn’t nostalgia. This is rock and roll at full volume. Castle Ridge will shake on July 11.”

A NIGHT BUILT ON ROCK HISTORY

GREAT WHITE For a band to thrive more than 40 years into its career, the songs have to be bigger than any single member. That philosophy continues to define Great White, a Grammy-nominated hard rock powerhouse with over 10 million albums sold worldwide. Best known for classics like Once Bitten, Twice Shy, Rock Me, Save Your Love, House of Broken Love, and Mista Bone, Great White delivers a live show that blends blues-based riffs, emotional depth, and relentless energy. With multiple platinum albums, six Billboard Top 100 hits, and a legacy forged on stages alongside Judas Priest, Whitesnake, and Scorpions, Great White remains a must-see live act.

SLAUGHTER Slaughter burst onto the scene in 1990 and immediately dominated radio, MTV, and arenas with anthems like Up All Night and Fly to the Angels. Their multi-platinum debut Stick It to Ya launched a career defined by high-octane performances and unwavering fan loyalty. Over more than three decades, Slaughter has earned American Music Awards, gold and platinum records, chart-topping videos, and a reputation as one of the most powerful live bands of their era. From world tours with Kiss, Ozzy Osbourne, and Damn Yankees to modern festival headlining slots, Slaughter continues to prove that hard rock never goes out of style.

QUIET RIOT Quiet Riot changed music history forever as the first heavy metal band to reach number one on the Billboard Top 200with their genre-defining album Metal Health. Powered by massive hits like Cum On Feel the Noize and Bang Your Head (Metal Health), the band helped ignite the entire 1980s metal movement. With more than 15 million records sold worldwide, millions of monthly Spotify listeners, and songs woven deeply into pop culture, Quiet Riot remains a global rock icon. Their live show is a thunderous celebration of the music that launched an era.

Bring your little one for some hands-on, sensory learning with our children's librarian, Miss Rita. This special Summer Reading Sensory Story Time is farm and garden themed!

Crooked Creek Winery Downtown’s Annual Summer Concert Series is back again for 2026! This free event offers live music in the middle of the street in downtown Centralia, food trucks, community events, the famous spiked lemon shake-ups, and more!

Every Saturday night from July 11-August 15.

Community events are from 3:00pm - 6:00pm, live music is 6:00pm - 9:00pm.

Bring a lawn chair and join the community in the street!

📍 100 Block of East Broadway.

The Little Theatre Players perform improv by playing four games in front of an audience ala “Who's Line is it Anyway” . Games will include; “Who's at the Party”, “Break an Egg”, “Imagination Objects”, and “LTP News Floor”

Come relax, have a drink and a snack, and enjoy the chaos

https://4h.zsuite.org/

Let's learn about soil and how it differs from dirt, composting, photosynthesis, and more!

These lessons accompany the book "The Soil in Jackie's Garden" by Peggy Thomas. Anyone can come and learn!

This is a free, family friendly event hosted by Centralia Library on July 24, from 2-3pm

Crooked Creek Winery Downtown’s Annual Summer Concert Series is back again for 2026! This free event offers live music in the middle of the street in downtown Centralia, food trucks, community events, the famous spiked lemon shake-ups, and more!

Every Saturday night from July 11-August 15.

Community events are from 3:00pm - 6:00pm, live music is 6:00pm - 9:00pm.

Bring a lawn chair and join the community in the street!

📍 100 Block of East Broadway.

 BREAKING NEWS from the Castle 
Something NEW. Something BIG. Something EXCITING is coming to the Castle. We’re cooking up something special this concert season, and trust us, you’re going to want to be here for it.

If you love the HOTTEST up-and-coming artists, viral TikTok sensations, and the next wave of Rock, Country, Pop, and more, this is YOUR moment. Catch them NOW before they’re selling out arenas.

Last Saturday of the Month | May through September
May 30 | June 27 | July 25 | August 29 | September 26

LAKESIDE at the Castle
The Next Generation of Artists
Ready for what’s UP NEXT?

UP NEXT: The Rising Artist Series
Presented by Pepsi MidAmerica

 Sign up now: UpNextCR.com
Be the first to know. Don’t miss a beat.

Kaskaskia College Invites Community Members to Attend 2026 Community Engagement Meetings

CENTRALIA, Ill. — Kaskaskia College is inviting community members, business leaders, educators, elected officials, and stakeholders to participate in a series of Community Engagement Meetings being held throughout the College’s district this summer.

The meetings provide an opportunity for attendees to learn more about Kaskaskia College’s programs, workforce development initiatives, community partnerships, and future priorities.

Participants are encouraged to share ideas, feedback, and suggestions to help the College continue meeting the needs of the communities it serves.

A complimentary lunch will be served beginning at 11:30 a.m. at each daytime meeting, followed by a presentation and discussion from Noon to 1:00 p.m. The Centralia meeting will be held in the evening.

Community Engagement Meeting Schedule

Salem Education Center
Thursday, June 25, 2026
11:30 a.m. Lunch | Noon–1:00 p.m. Program

Vandalia Education Center
Monday, June 29, 2026
11:30 a.m. Lunch | Noon–1:00 p.m. Program

Greenville Education Center
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
11:30 a.m. Lunch | Noon–1:00 p.m. Program

Nashville Education Center
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
11:30 a.m. Lunch | Noon–1:00 p.m. Program

Harry L. Crisp Manufacturing & Trades Center, Centralia
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
5:30–7:30 p.m.
RSVP by July 23 to Joy Fitts, Dean of Workforce Engagement & Industrial Career Services, at 618-545-3118 or EMAIL.

Trenton Education Center
Thursday, August 6, 2026
11:30 a.m. Lunch | Noon–1:00 p.m. Program

Join us for SAFE and scientific fun with fire and ice! Learn about the amazing properties of fire and combustion when we produce a flaming fireball! Then, cool off with spectacular demonstrations involving dry ice as we explore the science behind this amazing frozen gas. Children will be dazzled and entertained with foggy dry ice storms, piezo poppers and even a special Mad Science “burp” potion will amaze children as they learn about chemical reactions, air pressure and the states of matter. Get ready for some
sizzlin’ excitement!

EDUCATIONAL VALUE:
This class introduces children to the physic facts on heat and states of matter. Children will be exposed to many ideas, including that fire needs three elements to burn: Heat, fuel, and oxygen. They will see paper that burns with no ashes as they learn about flammability and combustion. Children will understand that matter takes up space, and a vacuum may be created by using fire to burn up oxygen.

TAKE-HOME MESSAGE:
1. Fire needs heat, fuel and oxygen.
2. Dry ice goes from a solid to a gas, skipping the liquid phase.
3. Some fuels are more combustible than others.

This event is free and open to all ages.

Crooked Creek Winery Downtown’s Annual Summer Concert Series is back again for 2026! This free event offers live music in the middle of the street in downtown Centralia, food trucks, community events, the famous spiked lemon shake-ups, and more!

Every Saturday night from July 11-August 15.

Community events are from 3:00pm - 6:00pm, live music is 6:00pm - 9:00pm.

Bring a lawn chair and join the community in the street!

📍 100 Block of East Broadway.

Crooked Creek Winery Downtown’s Annual Summer Concert Series is back again for 2026! This free event offers live music in the middle of the street in downtown Centralia, food trucks, community events, the famous spiked lemon shake-ups, and more!

Every Saturday night from July 11-August 15.

Community events are from 3:00pm - 6:00pm, live music is 6:00pm - 9:00pm.

Bring a lawn chair and join the community in the street!

📍 100 Block of East Broadway.

Crooked Creek Winery Downtown’s Annual Summer Concert Series is back again for 2026! This free event offers live music in the middle of the street in downtown Centralia, food trucks, community events, the famous spiked lemon shake-ups, and more!

Every Saturday night from July 11-August 15.

Community events are from 3:00pm - 6:00pm, live music is 6:00pm - 9:00pm.

Bring a lawn chair and join the community in the street!

📍 100 Block of East Broadway.

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 Fairveiw 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 Fairview 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 Fairview 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

 BREAKING NEWS from the Castle 
Something NEW. Something BIG. Something EXCITING is coming to the Castle. We’re cooking up something special this concert season, and trust us, you’re going to want to be here for it.

If you love the HOTTEST up-and-coming artists, viral TikTok sensations, and the next wave of Rock, Country, Pop, and more, this is YOUR moment. Catch them NOW before they’re selling out arenas.

Last Saturday of the Month | May through September
May 30 | June 27 | July 25 | August 29 | September 26

LAKESIDE at the Castle
The Next Generation of Artists
Ready for what’s UP NEXT?

UP NEXT: The Rising Artist Series
Presented by Pepsi MidAmerica

 Sign up now: UpNextCR.com
Be the first to know. Don’t miss a beat.

Originally from Hickory, NC and now based in Nashville, TN, the multi-award winning Alvarado is redefining what it means to be a country artist in today’s music scene. With a sound that fuses the heartfelt storytelling of 90’s country with the raw, unfiltered honesty of alternative rock, her music has been described as “Deana Carter meets Alanis Morissette.”

Jennifer has been active in the Nashville and national music scene for four years, performing at notable venues such as The Viper Room (LA), The Listening Room (Pigeon Forge), The Cobra (Nashville), The Bird’s Nest (Dunn, NC), The Purple Onion (Saluda, NC) and more. With inspirations such as Janis Joplin, Deana Carter, Alanis Morissette, Reba McEntire and Tom Petty, Jennifer’s music creates a smooth blend of the best elements of classic rock, country, blues, and Americana. Her multi-genre shows are guaranteed to keep an audience engaged and satisfied.

Jennifer’s live show includes all the crowd favorites from most genres of music as well as original music.

Save the date for the September Luncheon! Wednesday, September 16 from 12:00pm-1:00pm. Tentatively scheduled at Intermountain Electronics.

Mark your calendars!

Evergreen Wealth Strategies is excited to announce Fore the Community! their new event is focused on bringing people together for a great cause.

Date: September 18, 2026
Place: Greenview Golf Course - Centralia

A morning of golf, community, and charitable impact is on the way. Stay tuned for registration details, hole sponsorship opportunities, and more.

 BREAKING NEWS from the Castle 
Something NEW. Something BIG. Something EXCITING is coming to the Castle. We’re cooking up something special this concert season, and trust us, you’re going to want to be here for it.

If you love the HOTTEST up-and-coming artists, viral TikTok sensations, and the next wave of Rock, Country, Pop, and more, this is YOUR moment. Catch them NOW before they’re selling out arenas.

Last Saturday of the Month | May through September
May 30 | June 27 | July 25 | August 29 | September 26

LAKESIDE at the Castle
The Next Generation of Artists
Ready for what’s UP NEXT?

UP NEXT: The Rising Artist Series
Presented by Pepsi MidAmerica

 Sign up now: UpNextCR.com
Be the first to know. Don’t miss a beat.

MONSTER CRAWL — YEAR 8
SAVE THE DATE — Saturday, OCTOBER 17, 2026

Darkness falls. Downtown awakens.
This isn’t just a block party —
This is THE BEAST OF FALL.

Where families creep for devilishly good eats & drinks and downtown feels DEADLY FUN!

📍 216 East Broadway, Centralia, IL.
All ages and all costumes are welcome.

Past attendees keep screaming about it —
“Wicked good times — scare ya next year!” 
“Street festival energy, DJs, food trucks, and laughs from dusk to night!” 
“Monster claws, costumes, pumpkins, makeup, and memories you can’t unsee.” (community sentiment) 

Free activities:
👻 Costume contests with prizes
👻 Creepy cool vendors & surprises
👻 Family + friend approved thrills

Save the date for the chamber luncheon at Kaskaskia College on Wednesday, October 21, from 12:00pm-1:00pm. It will be held at the Lifelong Learning Center. More details to come closer to time.

Join the South Central Illinois community for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s®, a powerful and hopeful event uniting families, friends, caregivers, and local businesses in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias—conditions impacting millions of Americans and countless local families.

Participants of all ages and abilities will come together to honor loved ones, support those currently facing the disease, and take meaningful action against a condition that deeply affects our families, workplaces, and community. The Walk is more than a single day—it’s a movement fueled by hope, remembrance, and determination.

Every dollar raised supports the Alzheimer’s Association’s critical mission: advancing research toward treatment, prevention, and a cure, while providing 24/7 care and support for individuals living with Alzheimer’s and the caregivers who walk this journey with them right here in our community.

Whether you form a team, walk in honor or memory of someone you love, or support the event through sponsorship, your involvement makes a difference.

Get involved. Get inspired. Help end Alzheimer’s.
Register today and be part of one of Belleville’s most meaningful community events at www.alz.org/SCILWalk.

Save the date for the Centralia Downtown Fall Festival.

Save the Date! The Chamber luncheon on Wednesday, November 18, is at SSM Health from 12:00pm-1:00pm