Events in Benton today

Explore a fall flea market and yard sale at the Williamson County Fairgrounds, featuring yard sale discoveries, flea market finds, antiques, crafts, and seasonal items. Admission for shoppers is free. Sellers can reserve space, with a 10 by 10 area priced at $10 and a 10 by 20 or trailer spot at $15 when paid in advance. A limited number of covered spaces are available for $15. For details or to reserve, contact Fair Board Member Cassie at 618-964-4987.

The Moonshine Run is the final stop of the Fire & Iron MC Station 77 Benefit Ride supporting Veterans Honor Flight. A pre-ride breakfast will be available for $10 per plate, and every dollar from breakfast goes directly to Veterans Honor Flight. All vehicles are welcome to participate. Ride registration takes place at Full House Gaming Parlor on Old 13 in Marion, and the finish is at The Moonshine Run in Johnston City, where attendees can enjoy food, drinks, live music, raffles, and door prizes while supporting those who served.

A supportive class for women and their partners to get ready for birth. Ideal for the second trimester, the session covers coping strategies for labor, relaxation techniques, and options for managing pain. It also addresses the transition after delivery with guidance for postpartum adjustment. Participants receive an introduction to newborn care and instruction on car seat safety, and the experience includes a guided tour of the Women’s Center. Registration should list only the expectant mother as the registrant, and do not add guests. SSM Health students may be asked to give their place to an expectant parent if the class reaches capacity.

Residents can clear out unwanted electronics at a community e-waste collection organized by CJD E-Cycling in partnership with the City of Marion. Items with power cords and metal items are accepted, including servers, switches, desktop towers, printers, landline phones, cable boxes, cell phones, wireless modems, audio and video equipment, holiday lights, home electronics, additional telecommunications equipment, and lead acid batteries. Televisions and computer monitors of all types, including CRT, console, projection, plasma, and flat screen models, are welcome, along with dehumidifiers and refrigerators. Some items cannot be accepted. Do not bring radioactive materials, alkaline batteries, light bulbs, household smoke detectors, oil, antifreeze, paint, or other hazardous materials. Non-electronic waste such as tires, wood, asbestos, office waste, furniture, fiberglass, insulation, roofing materials, or dirt is not allowed. Flammable materials, pesticides, oil filters, air bags, lead, mercury switches, fluorescent lights, firearms, ammunition, shells, and media such as DVDs, CDs, cassette tapes, and VHS tapes are also excluded.

This benefit ride directs a portion of proceeds to veterans honor flight. Participation helps raise funds for the cause.

Drop in at the library for come-and-go activities for kids. Participants can have their activity cards stamped each month they take part in these activity days, and completed cards can be turned in for a prize at the end of the year.

Dance Monkey brings a festive, full-production show to Just Add Water. The Chicago-based group, formed in 2024, has performed across the Midwest at casinos, state fairs, weddings, corporate events, and bars and clubs. Their set spans multiple eras and genres, tailored to connect with audiences of all ages, and they add their own twist to familiar favorites. With smoke, lighting, video elements, and costume changes enhancing the performance, the band presents a musical journey through hits people know and love, creating a night to remember.

A stewardship day at First Presbyterian Church of Marion, IL focuses on the Cultivating Care Food Donation Garden. Illinois Extension staff and volunteers offer hands-on guidance to build confidence in watering, weeding, and harvesting. Harvests are weighed, then delivered to the Salvation Army Food Pantry in Marion, supporting neighbors and families in need. It is also an opportunity to connect with community members and share practical gardening tips. Registration is recommended so participants can be contacted if poor weather leads to a cancellation. Local Illinois Extension contacts for this site include Horticulture Educator Kim Rohling, Horticulture Program Coordinator Erica Lunde, and lead Master Gardener volunteer Sasha Milburn.

Adults from any country, language, or background are welcome to attend free English classes at Marion Aldersgate Church. Classes are interactive and conversation focused, with engaging activities that keep learners motivated. Participants practice everyday English for real life while connecting with others and building community. All students complete a placement interview on the first day to determine their level. Classes meet on Tuesdays, pause for a summer break, and resume afterward. Instruction is free, and there is a $20 fee for the book and classroom materials. A brief registration form is requested so organizers can learn more about each participant, and confirmation will be sent by email or phone.

Little Nashville partners with Glaciers End twice each month to serve slow smoked, flash fried wings coated in handmade sauces. Look for 75-cent wings on the first and second Wednesday and sample the full range of Glaciers End flavors.

Master Naturalist Lily Glaeser and Indigo Nathani lead an easygoing nature walk focused on spotting birds and building identification skills. Everyone is welcome, regardless of age or experience. Registration is required in case of weather-related cancellation, and binoculars are available to borrow with a reservation. Sponsored by University of Illinois Extension and supported through partnerships with Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, Giant City State Park, Green Earth, Southern Illinois Audubon Society, the Shawnee Chapter of Illinois Audubon Society, and the Southern Illinois University Carbondale Zoology Department.

A weekly cooking effort prepares food for distribution through the Rotary Serves Food pantry. There is plenty available to cook, and consistent volunteers are especially needed to handle prep, cooking, portioning, labeling, and cleanup. It is a simple way to support neighbors through shared meals, all in the spirit of #FeedingOthersIsLove.

Agustin Jimenez, an associate professor in the SIU School of Biological Sciences, presents research on armadillos and the parasites that travel with them as they expand their range north. The talk explores how the nine-banded armadillo contributes to the spread of Neotropical parasites across North America and how shifting environments influence infection risks and transmission in mammals. Attendees will hear about the factors that help explain infection patterns, with time set aside for Q and A. The program takes place at Carbondale Township in Carbondale. Please enter through the back entrance of Carbondale Township Hall via the parking lot for Buckwater Brew.