Happy weekend, Belleville! In today’s happening-today edition: Weekend lane closures, Freedom Fest, and Starry Night Campout + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
Today’s sponsor, GoldCo, is helping folks around Belleville protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Support for working survivors: Allsup will sponsor the free 16th Annual National Conference on Work and Cancer on June 26, offering guidance on balancing treatment, recovery and employment for survivors, and registration is required -- see the cancer conference agenda.
Weekend traffic disruption ahead: For Belleville, IL drivers, westbound I-55/70 in St. Clair County has weekend lane closures starting 5 a.m. today. Expect significant delays, slow down, obey construction signs, and drive carefully -- get the full closure details.
A patriotic weekend awaits: Belleville will mark America’s 250th with Freedom Fest June 26–27, a music festival and parade at The Campus featuring Head East and Shotgun Creek, benefiting Honor Flight and local veterans -- see the Freedom Fest lineup.
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The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's $150 off right now.* Highlights this week: |
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03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Crave-worthy pub fix: When you want pub grub that actually feels thought-out, Charlie's Place nails it with Ranch Curds, Dirty Fries, and pick-three tacos, plus a legit brunch for when last night lingers. It’s the reliable downtown hangout you suggest then pretend you "just discovered".
Patio plans, solved: Tavern On Main has that cozy brick-lined vibe, comfort eats like pizza, pasta, and sandwiches, plus a full bar and a patio that actually makes Belleville evenings feel special. Grab a friend, split a pie or a plate of pasta, then linger for one more round because...why not?
Night golf, anyone?: Yorktown Golf Course is an 18-hole, fully lighted par-3 shaped by Bob Goalby and Pete Dye, perfect for sharpening the short game after sundown. Grab a quick round, hit the range and putting green, then unwind in the clubhouse with fellow locals who call this their go-to.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Around town today & tomorrowOur favorite events going on the rest of this weekend. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
📚 One City, Many Stories: Belleville History Field Day @ Downtown Belleville | Saturday (6/20) at 10:00 AM – Think you know Belleville’s backstory? Celebrate America’s 250th with a free, downtown field day that mixes historical demos, museum exhibits, hands-on workshops, short films, live music, even a Lincoln in Belleville stroll, then a block party with food, drinks, and the neighborly gossip textbooks skip.
👨 Father's Day Workshop @ Campers Inn RV (Collinsville) | Saturday (6/20) at 10:00 AM – Father’s Day calls for sawdust and smug satisfaction, not another novelty tie. This free RV workshop lines up family DIY build-and-paint, expert tips, live demos, and deals on parts, accessories, and camping gadgets, because around here the campsite is basically our backyard.
🚗 6th Annual Troop 520 Car Show @ Gateway Classic Cars (O'Fallon) | Saturday (6/20) at 10:00 AM – Roll over to Gateway Classic Cars for Signal Hill Troop 520’s show, where the chrome gleams, the food smells right, the music fits, and the Scouts run a tight ship. Free to spectate, with trophies decided by you, the Scouts, and the Scout leaders.
🎶 Meditative Sound Journey with Taylour @ Yoga on Main LLC | Saturday (6/20) at 11:00 AM – Trade the errands for a mat at Taylour’s meditative sound journey, where gongs and singing bowls do the heavy lifting. At Yoga on Main, it’s donation-based, cash preferred, all are welcome. Bring a mat, water, and that neck knot with seniority.
🎨 Art Journal Workshop @ Art Gecko Creative Studio (O'Fallon) | Saturday (6/20) at 1:00 PM – Swap doomscrolling for some low-pressure creativity at Art Gecko Studio’s monthly art journaling hangout. It’s 21 and up, first session is $50 with your own journal, monthly meetups are $25 with supplies, and you get weekly prompts, so your muse stops ghosting you.
🎉 3rd Annual Summer Kickoff Party @ VFW Post 5691 (Collinsville) | Saturday (6/20) at 3:00 PM – Whether you’re here for Sniffy Beagle or Yacht Club, or the excuse to park your lawn chair at VFW Post 5691, this Summer Kickoff packs live tunes, food trucks, and ice cream. The kids get a corner, you get a cold one, everyone gets summer.
🌌 Starry Night Campout 2026 @ Belleville Parks and Recreation | Saturday (6/20) at 7:00 PM – Belleville Parks and Rec is turning Campus Stadium into a backyard campout under the stars. Bring the family, pitch your own tent, catch a movie on the inflatable screen, enjoy hot treats, and relish an outdoors you can walk to, no packing list required. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — The Belleville report Weather forecastToday — High: 87°F — Low: 68°F — Precip: 17% A slight chance of rain showers between 7am and 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Southwest wind around 3 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tomorrow — High: 85°F — Low: 68°F — Precip: 92% Showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. South wind 6 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Later: Showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Chance of precipitation is 90%. This house is wildThis spacious 4-bedroom, 3-bath home blends fresh updates with everyday comfort. A brand-new roof, updated lighting, and new bathroom faucets keep things feeling crisp and current, while plush carpet with moisture-resistant pet padding adds a practical touch. Outside, new landscaping and a 2025 stone walkway create a polished, inviting finish.
Take a peek inside → | | |