REC Fest

Date: May 17
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

National Great Rivers Museum, East Alton, IL – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rivers Project Office, invites you to REC Fest – the largest recreation and safety festival in the Riverbend! Kick off the summer season with your family at the National Great Rivers Museum from 10:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m. for this FREE, adventure-themed event (rain-or-shine).

“Our goal with this exciting event is to encourage families to explore outdoor recreational opportunities and nature while learning how to go about them safely,” says Park Ranger and Event Coordinator Travis Smith. “This event has grown over the years to include more adventure stations. From archery and hiking, to weather safety and fishing skills, there will be plenty for you and your family to test out and learn.” With over 25 partnering organizations providing fun, interactive activities, you are sure to find something new! Climb the rock wall with Upper Limits Rock Gym and Pro Shop, see the stars with The Nature Institute’s Mobile Planetarium, see what it takes to hit a bullseye with the National Park Service, and so much more! Visit the Facebook Event Page for more information.

In addition to all things recreation, 4th grade students can visit the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers station to receive a FREE Every Kid Outdoors Pass – an America the Beautiful pass option granting students and their families FREE admission to all National Parks and public lands! What better way to start the summer? For more information on the pass please visit https://everykidoutdoors.gov/index.htm

Alton Memorial Day Parade

Date: May 26
Time: 10:00 a.m.

Downtown Alton, IL – This annual parade in honor of all those that have served and sacrificed to defend our country is one of the largest around. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rivers Project Office, attends with Bobber the Water Safety Dog and park rangers in promotion of recreating safely on the water.

Two Rivers Family Fishing Fair

Date: June 7
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Pere Marquette State Park, Grafton, IL – Held in celebration of National Fishing Week and co-sponsored by Pere Marquette State Park, Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Two Rivers Family Fishing Fair offers fun and information for the entire family. Numerous seminars, educational activities, and awesome prizes! Concessions will be open to purchase food or refreshments.

Paddle Festival

Date: June 14
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, West Alton, MO – Paddle with the Mississippi River Water Trail Association (MRWTA) in the calm backwaters of the Mississippi River. Try out your skills and learn how to safely paddle in a kayak or canoe, test your balance on a stand-up paddle board, or take a guided tour at this ACA-sanctioned event. Guests can enjoy complimentary lifejackets, safety boaters, and paddling tips. Pre-registration is required.

Alton Midwest Nationals F1 Powerboat Races

Date: June 21-23
Time: Varies

Riverfront Park, Alton, IL – Ever dreamed of watching boats flying across the waters of the Mississippi River at speeds in excess of 120 miles per hour? Formula 1 Powerboat racing is coming to Alton June 21 – 23! The race series will take place on the Mississippi River at the Alton riverfront with a series of six to eight races. Kick off the event on Belle Street at Mac’s the evening of June 21 with a Meet & Greet Street Party where you can meet drivers, see the racing boats up close and personal, and grab some food. Watch races throughout the day on Saturday, June 22, and join a Driver’s Sponsor Appreciation Party at 6 PM, and continue with more races Sunday, June 23, with an end-of-event Awards Presentation at 4 PM in Riverfront Park! Don’t forget to visit with the Corps of Engineers park rangers during this event at our water safety booth on Friday from 2-6, Saturday from 9-5, and Sunday from 9-4! Tickets to watch the race can be purchased here.

MRWTA Firecracker Race

Date: July 6
Time: 7:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.

Grafton Access, Grafton, IL to Alton Riverfront Park, Alton, IL – This fundraiser for Mississippi River Water Trail Association will be held on the Mississippi River on Saturday July 6, 2024. In this event, paddlers will race on a 15-mile downriver course from Grafton access to the Alton riverfront, ending at the Alton marina. After the race, participants are invited to come to Old Bakery Beer Company for a free meal, courtesy of MRWTA. There will be an award ceremony and raffle at the restaurant starting at 3:30. For details, or to register, click here.

National Public Lands Day – Monarchs and Milkweed

Date: September 28th
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, West Alton, MO – Join the USACE Rivers Project and Audubon Center at Riverlands in celebrating National Public Lands Day with Monarchs & Milkweed! National Public Lands Day (NPLD) is the nation’s largest single-day volunteer effort for public lands. The theme for NPLD 2024 is “Together for Tomorrow”, and to celebrate we are hosting engaging volunteer opportunities centered around the monarch butterfly! Activities will include monarch tagging, milkweed planting, invasive species removal, interactive games, plant giveaways, and more!

Haunted Night at the NGRM

Date: October 4
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

The National Great Rivers Museum is proud to host our first ever Halloween event in America’s most haunted small town, Alton, Illinois – Haunted Night at the NGRM!  Get ready to kick off the spooky season with a bang! Join us for a spooky-scary, family-friendly evening at the NGRM on Friday, October 4th, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. This is an event you won’t want to miss! We’ve lined up a night full of Halloween-style fun and educational activities, including haunted evening dam tours, free animal presentations, spooky campfires, fun games and crafts, educational tables, a costume contest, and a free screening of the movie Hocus Pocus in the theater!

Clarksville Apple Festival

Date: October 12-13
Time: All Day

Lock and Dam 24, Clarksville, MO – Enjoy a beautiful, scenic drive along Highway 79 and spend the day in Clarksville at the annual Applefest celebration. Attend the annual parade, explore craft vendors, sample a variety of food, and participate in other apple-themed activities! Afterwards, make sure to stop by Lock and Dam 24 for free educational tours of the historic lock and dam, usually restricted to the public, courtesy of the US Army Corps of Engineers!

Who Works the Waterways

Date: October 16
Time: All Day

National Great Rivers Museum, East Alton, IL – The museum will be closed to the public today while our partners bring in high school groups and representatives of the industry that service and utilize our inland waterways in hopes to encourage today’s youth to consider the vast career opportunities that are associated with the Mississippi River.

Watershed Cairns Art Exhibit

Date: May 6-November 3
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

National Great Rivers Museum, East Alton, IL – National Great Rivers Museum invites you to visit their new temporary art exhibit, Reversing Course: The Illinois River in 1900 and Today. Created by local artist Libby Reuter as part of her Watershed Cairns series, this exhibit explores the challenges facing the Illinois River Valley, as well as its beauty, through art. This exhibit will be housed in the National Great Rivers Museum classroom and can be viewed during normal museum hours, when classroom is not otherwise occupied.

Alton Halloween Parade

Date: October 31
Time: 7:00 p.m.

Downtown Alton, IL – Ghouls and goblins will return to Alton in this annual parade. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rivers Project, plans to make a spooky appearance in hopes to scare you into partaking in good water safety practices.

Winter on the River Photography Contest

Registration Open: November 16, 2024 – January 6, 2025

Exhibit runs January 11 – March 14 2025

Meeting of the Rivers Foundation will be hosting their 4th annual winter photo contest at the National Great Rivers Museum, with entries accepted from November 16, 2024 – January 6, 2025 and the exhibit running from January 11 – March 14, 2025. Photo entries must have both the Mississippi River and winter as their theme and will be displayed in the National Great Rivers Museum during the exhibit period. There will be cash prizes awarded to the winners in both the adult and youth categories. For more information on this contest, including rules and regulations and where to sign up, click here.

Eagle Ice Festival

Date: January 4
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

FLOCK Food Truck Park, Alton IL; National Great Rivers Museum, East Alton, IL; and the Audubon Center at Riverlands, West Alton, MO – Enjoy a variety of activities in celebration of wintering American Bald Eagles returning to southwest Illinois during Eagle Fest! Get a bite to eat, see a live eagle from the World Bird Sanctuary, take an eagle-watching tour, and enjoy fun winter activities for all ages! Visit Great Rivers and Routes for more details!

Clarksville Eagle Days

Date: January 27-28
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Lock and Dam 24, Clarksville, MO – Quite possibly one of the best locations to witness over one hundred American Bald Eagles is Clarksville, MO in winter. Join the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rivers Project Office, and the community of Clarksville for a day full of eagle related activities. There will be live eagle presentations, spotting scopes, tours of Lock and Dam 24, and food and craft vendors. Bundle up and enjoy watching the eagles soar!

MDC Eagle Days

Date: February 10
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, West Alton, MO – The Missouri Department of Conservation invites you to view eagles through spotting scopes staffed by trained volunteers, as well as attend a live Bald Eagle program presented by the World Bird Sanctuary.

Ice Jam at the Dam

Date: February 17
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

National Great Rivers Museum, East Alton, IL – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rivers Project Office, is hosting the third annual Ice Jam at the Dam – an outdoor, winter-themed festival to promote outdoor recreation and celebrate all things icy along the river. The event will, of course, feature live music from Chris Cahill & Co., tours of the locks and dam, warm food and beverage vendors, campfires, education booths, and more! Click here to learn all the icy details!