This weekend in Belleville, IL

The 10th anniversary of the Belleville Main Street Marathon highlights a milestone year, with the Half Marathon carrying the Road Runners Club of America Illinois State Championship designation. Participants run America’s longest Main Street through historic Belleville, Illinois, with additional city roads on both courses. The full marathon is a USTAF-certified Boston Marathon qualifier and includes about ten miles on a paved trail. Anniversary perks include bonus swag, and the first 900 registrants receive a pair of Goodr sunglasses. All registrants receive an everything T-shirt and a finisher’s medal. After the finish, celebrations feature pizza from Bennie’s Pizza Pub, assorted snacks, a special beer from Belleville’s Shoehorn Brewing for those ages 21 and older, and a DJ to keep the atmosphere festive. This nonprofit event is organized by volunteers from the Belleville Running Club and Toolen’s Running Start, with proceeds reinvested in the community, including support for a local food pantry, the Belleville Parks and Recreation Department, and a college scholarship fund for Belleville high school students. From the 2025 race, $20,000 was donated to these causes.

Mason’s Mission Color Run brings the community together at Freeburg Park for a family-friendly day of color, music, and purpose to honor Mason’s memory and raise awareness about distracted driving. Participants can take on a 2K color run, with a scenic option along Mason’s Trail, while a live DJ provides music throughout. Highlights include a foam party, a 16-foot water slide, and a rinse station, along with a food truck, photo opportunities, and activities for all ages. Registration includes an event T-shirt. Organized by Mason’s Mission, a local nonprofit dedicated to increasing awareness, encouraging conversation, and helping prevent tragedies related to distracted driving, participation supports this mission and pays tribute to Mason’s legacy.

Darts for Kids marks its 15th anniversary with a $5,000 added darts tournament at Madison County Firemen's Hall, benefiting children with medical needs. The nonprofit has assisted 187 families through community support. Entry to the hall is $25 and includes a Femas-catered dinner, soda, and ten kegs of beer, followed by a cash bar. Pre-registration for morning events is available online. Morning competitions cost $40 per team and include $20 in green fees. These are bring-your-own doubles with $1,000 added to each division. Men’s AA is for players at 32 PPD and above or by known ability, played as 501 and cricket, double in and double out, best of five, with a four-freeze rule. Men’s A covers 26.0 to 31.9 PPD and features 501, cricket, and choice, best of three with the freeze rule. Men’s B is 25.9 PPD and below and plays 501 freeze with $1,000 added. The Women’s open runs as 501 with the freeze rule and $1,000 added. A free youth event is also part of the program. Evening events are limited to players who are no longer in the morning brackets, and participants may enter only one. Options include a blind draw at $15 per player with $5 toward green fees, using 701, cricket, and choice in best-of-three sets on both sides with $500 added, or Mixed Trips that allows one AA player per team at $45 with $10 toward green fees, where women throw first and play 701 open in, open out, best of three on both sides with $500 added. A pre-tournament hosted by Top Shooters takes place in advance of the main day. Community backing includes Gold Sponsors at $250 such as Buckle up for Brooklyn, TopShooters, Westco, Misfitz, Veterans United Foundation, Remax Mike Belovich and Mark Roberts, X1 Elite Streaming, Arachnid, Action Amusement, Accel Entertainment, Booyah Darts, Go 2 Storage, Tony's Trimmings, Diamonds Bistro and Gaming, Boomer Insurance Services, Smile, Micah Panther Brown Golf Scramble, Triple Threat Darts, Tyler Gartside Memorial, KC Darts, Scotty Tarrants Memorial, James Orlandini Foundation, Big Shots, Nine Dart Out, GC Elks Darts, and Main Street Gaming. Silver sponsors at $100 are Stone Plumbing and Granite City Eagles (Mike Schieffer). Memorial tributes at $100 honor Julie Weger, Max Mosley, Randy Nelson, Craig Crawford, Jolene Harshbarger, Linda Anglin "BTD", and Bill and Zach Hudzik. Trophy sponsors at $150 recognize Westco for Men’s AA, Granite City Elks Darts for Men’s A, Big Shots for Men’s B, Jess Thatcher for Women’s, and Westco for Blind Draw and Triples.

Historian and collector Dr. Andrew J. Theising brings a traveling road show and sale of paper ephemera to town. Browse a wide range of old materials, including documents and papers, flyers, programs and pamphlets, maps, cards, letters, and more. Some pieces are signed by dignitaries, cultural icons, and authors. With a focus on St. Louis Metro materials, this showcase offers unusual and unique finds available for purchase.

June's Breakfast + Patio hosts brunch with live music on the patio featuring Richard Carson Jr. Brunch specials are available along with local draft beer, brunch cocktails, and an espresso bar. Counter service is provided. The event is family friendly, and kids and dogs are welcome.

A relaxed chess gathering at Collinsville Memorial Library welcomes families and creates space for friendly games and community connections. New players and seasoned experts are equally welcome, with an emphasis on play and building relationships.

St. John the Baptist Catholic School hosts its third annual Harvest Fest, a friendly celebration of the fall season with BBQ plates, games for all ages, raffle prizes, face painting and activities for kids, and plenty of autumn-themed fun. Open to everyone, this community gathering offers an easy way to connect with friends, family, and neighbors in a relaxed setting. Proceeds support programs and events at St. John the Baptist Catholic School.

R5 brings live music to Pete's Hard Stop to welcome the ber months, pairing familiar favorites with the cozy, cool energy that makes early autumn nights special. A lively dance floor and great company set the tone for a night that kicks off the season.

Part of the 2026 WSIE Music Series, Mississippi Moon performs a tribute to the music of the Doobie Brothers and Michael McDonald at the PressHouse/Herald Square outdoor amphitheater. The St. Louis group includes Dave Farver on sax and vocals, Pete Ruthenberg on keys and vocals, Mark Crowell and Dave Ryan on guitars and vocals, Dennis Stringfield on percussion and vocals, Eric Grossman on bass guitar, and Joe Meyer on drums. A suggested donation of $10 per entrant benefits WSIE 88.7 The Sound.

Vannah Leigh teams up with musician Sam Morgan as a collaborative duo set. Their performance blends Leigh’s original songwriting with cover tunes and close-knit duets, offering a varied showcase of their musical interplay.

Celebrate all things Scrubs with a themed trivia night at Shoehorn. Tackle a total of eight rounds centered on plotlines from the show’s original ABC era, skipping the reboot season entirely. Some questions may also touch on the revival along with the pop culture moments the series is known for. Teams of four to eight can take part. Make it a night out with friends and enjoy what Shoehorn and nearby spots have to offer.