This weekend in Madison County, IL

This catfish tournament begins with check-in at Bluff City Outdoors. Participants then head out to fish and later return to the shop for the official weigh-in.

Enjoy a long run along a shaded section of the MCT trail with flexible mileage options. Pick an eight mile loop, choose a five mile loop, or turn it into an out and back for whatever distance suits you. All paces and preferred distances are welcome. Pack a dry change of shirt and a little cash if you plan to stop by Goshen Coffee Roasters afterward for coffee and a bite.

Classes are offered on both weekend days, with a separate renewal class available on Sunday.

Queen Beedz returns to Wild Birds Unlimited with an autumn pop-up full of shimmering seasonal accessories. Explore earrings celebrating football teams, festive Halloween-themed pieces, and plenty of other fall-ready sparkles.

Get into the spooky spirit with a Pokémon-inspired trick-or-treat adventure inside the library. Decorations set the scene, and costumes are encouraged. Explore four stations to collect treats and boost your stats. Activities continue while supplies last or until the event wraps up, whichever comes first.

The 20th Annual Cope Plastics Charity Golf Tournament takes place at The Woodlands Golf Club & Banquet Facility and brings golfers together to support community nonprofits. Registration includes boxed lunches, and play begins with a shotgun start. Team entries are already full, and sponsorship opportunities are being accepted to help make the event a success. This tournament began in 2007 with about eight teams, raising a little over $2,000 for its first beneficiary, Friends of Kids with Cancer. Since then, it has raised more than $152,000 and, in 2024, added three additional beneficiaries: Riverbend Family Ministries, Overnight Warming Locations, and 5A's Animal Shelter.

Designed for children from birth to age 5, this Kindermusik class builds learning through music. Little ones explore through songs, movement, instrument play, and story listening in a warm and playful setting.

Take part in a Rubber Duck Hunt where proceeds benefit Pink Ribbon Good. Registration is at the Edwardsville Fire Department, and participants then travel by Jeep from Edwardsville to Hamel, Troy, and Maryville, finishing at Bobby’s Frozen Custard in Maryville. The hunt features seven duck-drawing stops, including the starting point, with chances at each location to draw ducks and purchase food or drinks. The registration donation is $20 for the first participant and $10 for each additional participant in the same Jeep who wants a Duck Hunt card. Wear a Halloween costume to earn an extra duck draw that could boost your score, watch for a photo opportunity along the route to collect extra points, and compete for a prize recognizing the best Halloween or Pink Ribbon themed Jeep decorations.

A family fall celebration featuring live music and testimonies around bonfires, along with hot dogs, chili, popcorn, and hot chocolate. Guests can pick up candy bags, enjoy face painting, play games, and capture memories at a photo booth. Raffles include gift cards and a 58 inch flat screen TV. Everything is free. For questions, call 618 929 2521.

The library hosts a Lego Family Build Day where bricks are provided for open, creative building. Participants of every age can take part, and teamwork on shared creations is encouraged.

Suggested for ages 20 to 50+, this hands-on session focuses on creating a junk journal, a handmade book crafted from recycled and found materials and ephemera. Use the pages to write, draw, paint, or document memories, thoughts, ideas, and inspiration. The final journal can take any direction you choose and will be uniquely personal. Participants should bring their own supplies.

An autumn marketplace comes to The Warty Toad LLC, with free entry and a mix of indoor and outdoor experiences, rain or shine. Explore a curated selection from local makers and artists with a mystical bent, uncover unusual wares, and enjoy an otherworldly setting. The centerpiece is the Familiar Adoption Station, where a limited number of six inch eggs hold companions awaiting awakening. The $40 premium adoption includes your choice of Basilisk, Dragon, or Phoenix, along with the Alchemist’s Hatching Guide, a ritual manual that explains how to bond with your egg and trigger its reveal. Follow the steps and the shell splits cleanly to unveil a fully articulated familiar with flexible movement. Optional accessories include custom crafted egg holders from a textile vendor, available in over the shoulder and wrist dangle styles, to keep the shell protected as it nears awakening. Supplies are limited due to the time required to cultivate each companion, and adoptions close once the hatchery is empty. Vendors interested in participating can secure booth space, with pricing, setup information, and registration available in shop or through the business website.

Take part in a no-cost chess club that is open to every age and ability level. Enjoy a welcoming setting for friendly games with others who enjoy the game.

Settle in for a relaxed, family friendly chess meetup centered on casual games and building community. Beginners and experts are welcome to play, learn, and connect.

A movie-themed trivia night combines friendly competition with an auction and raffles to power the mission of Equipping The Called, a 501(c)3 charitable organization. This annual fundraiser is one of the organization’s key efforts, with proceeds helping keep the resource closet stocked and operations running so hundreds of local children and families receive support. Funds raised help ensure that when a child enters care, they are met with dignity, comfort, and essential items to help them thrive. Ways to take part include purchasing a table, becoming a sponsor, or donating to the auction and raffles. Play with purpose and bid to make a difference while supporting foster and kinship families through an evening of fun and meaningful impact.

LA FIESTA 2 Mexican Restaurant & Bar hosts TGNY Acoustic for a lively set of unplugged music that spans classic and current country and rock, blues, doo-wop, and favorites from the 1950s through the 2000s. Settle in for good food and a welcoming vibe while the playlist moves from timeless oldies to modern hits. There is no cover charge.

Explore Alton’s haunted past on a 2.5 hour walking experience that ventures inside four notable sites. Led by Alton Odyssey Tours, this immersive outing highlights why the town is often called one of the most haunted small communities in America. It begins at the Historic Grand Theater with an introduction to paranormal investigation and a hands-on demonstration of the tools used throughout the tour. Participants then take part in an on-site investigation at the former ABC Bakery, walk the Underground Railroad tunnels at the Enos Sanitarium, and visit landmark locations including the once grand Hotel Stratford and the Hemingwayesque Hilltop Room. Tickets are $40 per person. Participants must be 14 or older. The route is about a mile and includes steep hills and stairs, so weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes are recommended. The tour departs from the Historic Grand Theater. Offered on select dates with small groups to keep the experience hands-on, availability is limited and spots tend to fill quickly.

Flustered Mustard returns to Miners Theatre for the sixth annual live shadow cast presentation of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Each ticket includes a prop bag.

This event features Singles play followed by a Monster DYP. There is no entry fee for participants. An extra $25 will be added to Singles and $50 to Doubles. A 2nd Annual Back to School Tournament is also planned, with a call for vendors.

Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, Illinois hosts a Trunk or Treat in the north parking lot. The event offers a friendly atmosphere with a focus on safety and fun.

Experience the woods after dark on a guided hike along the trails of the Mississippi Sanctuary and Olin Nature Preserve. The route is about 2 miles at an easy to moderate pace, may include some elevation changes, and includes stops along the way, making it suitable for families. Guides choose the path based on the group and finalize it at the start. Please arrive on time, as the hike leaves promptly. Meet in front of Talahi Lodge and park in the lower rock lot at the bottom of the hill. Check your email the day of the event in case weather causes a cancellation. Registration is required. Members attend at no cost and nonmembers pay $5. Bring a reusable water bottle, bug spray, layered clothing, and sturdy footwear. A flashlight is optional, and you will be encouraged to keep it off for most of the hike.