8/2011 - Check out the calendar both on Visitmenardcounty.com and our facebook page - A new calendar has been added to the facebook page at facebook.com/visitmenardcounty as an added location for visitors to find information about what's happening in the county. Simply click on the link to the left, and then click on the calendar to get information on the upcoming events.

8/2011 - Membership meeting on Thursday, August 25 - Come meet the new executive director, Andy Maxson and say goodbye to outgoing exec, Laurie Silvey. Discussions about fall festivals, annual meeting, and more are on the agenda. Refreshments will be served. The meeting is at the New Salem Visitors Center at 7:00 pm. Hope to see you there!

8/2011 - Athens Fall Festival to kick off Festival season - Athens will welcome visitors from throughout the area to the city park as they host their Fall Festival on August 26 and 27. Planned for this action-packed weekend are a pageant, parade, vendors, crafts, carnival, raffles, bands and much more. The festival kicks off Friday night with the pageant to name Miss/Mr. Athens and Little Miss/Mr. Athens. Carnival rides, food, and bands will all be happening at the park until midnight. Saturday, the parade begins at 10am and travels from the high school to the park. All day long, vendors, carnival rides, games and more will provide plenty of fun.

7/2011 - Part-time Executive Director needed - Part-time Executive Director needed for the Menard County Tourism Council. Responsibilities include but not limited to: Community and public relations; support all operations of the tourism council; must be experienced in maintenance and update of website; write and submit weekly articles for local newspapers, also press releases; event planning and promotion; photography of events; monthly and annual membership meetings; advertising and member sales; Grantwriting. Submit resume with references asap to: tourism@visitmenardcounty.com.

7/2011 - Get ready for the fall festival season - Don't forget that all of the fun of fall festivals begins in late August with the Athens Fall Festival scheduled for August 25 through 27. A raffle, bands, carnival, food, and parade are all planned for this year's event to be held at the City Park. On Labor Day weekend, it's the annual Labor Day Celebration in Greenview at the city park. A parade, car show, tractor display, petting farm, bands, food and vendors are all on the schedule for the Sunday, September 4 and Monday September 5 event. Then, Harvestfest kicks off on September 16 and 17 in downtown Petersburg. A parade, scarecrow contest, bands, food, vendors, and all kinds of fun fill the weekend. An additional event for Petersburg is in the planning stages, to be held in conjunction with the Candlelight Tour at New Salem on October 7 and 8. Lining the streets from Petersburg to New Salem will be hundreds of luminaries lit by volunteers. Pumpkin carving contest, vendors, and downtown shopping are planned. Stay tuned for more details.

6/2011 - Marbold Farm Days a success - Despite dreary weather that kept attendance down, the Marbold Association considered their Farm Day a success. They were able to entertain the crowds with crafts, food, music and their special presentation by Badlands Bill Oglesby. The group plans to open up the Homestead once again for their annual ice cream social on Labor Day Weekend.

7/2011 - Fair to be held July 19-24 - The Menard County Fair kicks off for its 156th annual event on Tuesday, July 19. All kinds of activities are planned for the run of the fair, including the talent competition on Thursday, the demolition derby on Friday night, the antique tractor pull and kids activities on Saturday afternoon, and the truck and tractor pull culminating in fireworks on Saturday night. The show closes on Sunday with a truck show full of entertainment. For exact times and fees, go to www.menardcountyfair.com.

4/2011- Marbold Farm Days Planned - Located at the south edge of Greenview, Illinois, on Route 29, the 1850’s Historic Marbold Farmstead is in its early stages of restoration. On Sunday, May 15, Marbold Farm Day will offer fun educational activities, as vendors, speakers and displays turn the grounds into living history.
         Crafters will bring dulcimer making, bee keeping, chair caning, doll whittling, pottery, rope making, blacksmithing, spinning, grain grinding, quilting, soap making, rug weaving and more.  Displays of old tools, vintage hats, old tractors, quilts, Alpacas and draft horse demonstrations will be enjoyed.  Food and childrens activities will also be available.
At 2:30 pm, a special presentation by trick-shot artist “Badlands Bill” Oglesby will be held.  “Badlands Bill” has shot for Kings, Queens, and Heads of State world wide.

1/2011 - Menard County Calendar - MCTC wants to know about your events. We list them on our calendar pages, and also submit them to visitors guides and newspapers throughout Illinois to help you promote your events. But, if we don't know about them, we can't help you. Help us help you and send in your events to us at tourism@visitmenardcounty.com

1/2011 - Membership Drive underway- Our annual membership drive is now underway. We are dedicated to expanding the tourism interest in the rich historical heritage of Menard County and supporting the related businesses and tourism sites of our community. Added benefit for 2011 - Any business member signing up before April 1, 2011 will have an ad included on the Menard County Tourism restaurant placemat to be distributed throughout Illinois. No extra cost. Individual/family members get a name listing on the placemat. Also new for 2011 - member decals for all business members. Only $15.00 for individual/family members and $75.00 for business members. Contact Deann Shelabarger at larnde15@aol.com. Send payment to MCTC, PO Box 531, Petersburg, IL 62675.