Events in Mount Vernon, IL

This event features a solo performance.

Enjoy a casual night of karaoke at VFW, Sesser Cox Post 4753, with songs ranging from classic country to 80s rock. Singing ability is optional and enthusiasm is encouraged. Drinks are available, and the focus is on music and friendly company. The mic is open for anyone ready to take the stage.

At Salem Grace, a no-cost monthly mobile market offers drive-up boxes of produce for the community. All community members are welcome, and distribution is offered in order of arrival. Stay in your car, open the trunk, and a box of produce will be loaded into your vehicle.

Crochet Club at Centralia Regional Library District is a friendly, social meetup for anyone who loves to stitch. Bring a project to work on, connect with others, and exchange tips and ideas, whether you are just starting out or have years of experience. Extra yarn and hooks are available for those who need them. This is not a formal class, so participants work at their own pace with informal help from fellow crafters. All ages are welcome, and no registration or library card is required. The club meets once a month on the second Monday, except during holidays or other closures.

Families can enjoy an hour of creative fun together. Each month features a new theme with a craft and activity designed for all ages. Extra games and activities are available too, offering plenty of ways to take part.

This monthly support group welcomes new and experienced parents to learn, share, and build connections. Participants can come and go as needed. The group meets at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital, Medical Plaza, in the Garden Level Classrooms. Sign up to stay informed about cancellations or any changes. Parenthood takes a village, and this space is here to help build it.

A women-focused rock climbing getaway at Camp Manitowa blends skill-building at the crag with relaxing camp life. The experience begins with an arrival evening that includes dinner, a friendly meet and mingle, an overview from Sally Drake, and a bonfire with music. Over the next two days, participants travel by bus to Giant City State Park’s Devil's Standtable Area to work with Jon Richards of Vertical Voyages and climber-yoga instructor Debby Siegel. Newer climbers start with essential knots and belay technique, movement fundamentals, warm up climbs, and a first rappel, then progress to focused climbing on varied routes with an optional rappel on the second day. Experienced outdoor climbers can choose advanced coaching or a self-sufficient option if using their own approved gear. Each climbing day features coffee and a light breakfast at camp, sack lunches at the crag, and time to unwind before restorative yoga and a sound bath with Debby, dinner, and an evening bonfire with music. A hiking-only registration is available for those who prefer the nearby trails, with room for downtime such as reading or relaxing and the chance to watch the climbers. After the second climbing day, participants on the climbing-only plan may depart, or stay to bundle the experience with the Women’s Adventure Retreat, which welcomes an additional group and adds live Indie Folk and Americana music around the fire with Jeremy Todd. Instructional sessions include use of a harness, helmet, climbing shoes, a chalk bag, and a belay device with a locking carabiner, and personal gear may be used if approved by an instructor. For time outdoors, plan to bring snacks and a water bottle, comfortable weather-ready clothing that allows easy movement, closed-toe hiking or trail shoes, a backpack, necessary medications, sun protection, and a camera or phone. A hammock can be a nice addition at some crags. For camp life, pack bedding and towels, a yoga mat, a flashlight or headlamp, ear plugs, layers for changing conditions, a small blanket for bonfires, and a heated blanket or small space heater if staying in a yurt. Overnight accommodations include yurts and cabins, with the option to share with friends or a group and an additional fee for heated cabins or private yurts. Registration options are available to match different experience levels and interests.

At Camp Manitowa at Rend Lake, this women’s retreat with Sally Drake centers on connection, discovery, joy, and peace. All fitness levels are welcome. Participants choose how much adventurous activity to include and how much time to devote to spiritual reflection. A tentative schedule and updates are available on the event website. There is also an option to bundle with the Women’s Rock Climbing Retreat.

Experience this year’s quilt show titled Patriotic Patchwork. Admission is $5 per adult, and children 12 and under are admitted free. A quilt giveaway will take place, and the Best in Show quilts will be announced.

A family-friendly evening focused on astronomy features a short presentation inside the museum, followed by telescope viewing. Admission is free and the event is open to everyone, creating a welcoming setting to learn together and then observe through telescopes.

Wicked Mojo brings high energy live music from Southwestern IL to Arizona Joe's, packing the night with danceable favorites from the 80s through today. Expect cold drinks, hot tunes, and a set designed to keep the crowd moving.

Expect a high-voltage blast of 80s and 90s rock, ranging from stadium anthems to grunge staples. The band brings the era roaring back with huge choruses, hair-sprayed swagger, and a powerful live sound turned up loud. It is all about the hooks, the attitude, and the volume.

This bingo gathering at the C. E. Brehm Memorial Public Library District is hosted by library staff and features small non-monetary prizes.

Liberty Village of Centralia hosts a friendly get-together at the Rolland Lewis Building featuring coffee with card games, followed by community bingo. Biscuits and gravy are provided. No reservation is required, and the event is open to the public.

Enjoy coffee and card games in a relaxed setting designed for adults 50 and older. The gathering is held inside the Rolland Lewis Building at Veterans Park. For more information, contact the Mt. Vernon Parks and Rec Office at 618-242-6890.

Enjoy a Halloween-themed gathering at the Rend Lake Visitor Center filled with activities for all ages. A live snake presentation kicks things off, and families can trick-or-treat for candy alongside residents of Heritage Woods of Benton, with additional treats and resources provided by Crosswalk Community Action Agency. The Exhibit Hall features a scavenger hunt that glows in the dark, designed to delight kids of every age. Seeking Sensory offers hands-on, Halloween-inspired sensory activities. Costumes are welcome, and everyone is invited to take part.

A volunteer stewardship day focused on caring for the pollinator gardens at the Rend Lake Project Office/ Visitor Center. Organized through a partnership between University of Illinois Extension and the US Army Corps of Engineers, the session blends hands-on garden maintenance with an educational segment. Participants receive guidance on supporting pollinator habitats, contribute to stewardship tasks, and connect with fellow volunteers in a welcoming setting.

The 4th annual Rick Heck Memorial Car, Truck and Bike Show gathers enthusiasts at Ricks Towing Inc for a wide-ranging display of rides and a trunk or treat following the show. There is a $20 entry fee per car. Awards will be presented across numerous categories, including Best in Show, Best Classic Car, Best Classic Truck, Best Modern Car, Best Modern Truck, Best Motorcycle, Best Lifted 4x4, Top 10 Lifted 4x4, Top 75 Classic, and Top 25 Modern. Make-specific honors include Best Modern Chevy, Best Modern Ford, Best Classic Ford, Best Classic Chevy, and Best Classic Mopar. Additional recognitions include Dallas’s Choice, Daniel’s Choice, Aaron’s Choice, Dakota Choice, Ricky’s Choice, Shane’s Choice, Mike’s Choice, Ricks Brothers Choice, Bev’s Choice, Family Choice, Best Classic Paint, Best Modern Paint, Best Interior, and Farthest Driven.

Library Game Day at C.E. Brehm Memorial Public Library District offers a welcoming space to enjoy board and card favorites along with role playing games. Spend time with friends, meet neighbors and connect with fellow library visitors while you play. Complimentary snacks and drinks are available. Families are welcome, and children should be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Everyone is welcome on stage at VFW Sesser Cox Post 4753 for a night of karaoke. Pick favorites from classic country to 80s rock and anything in between. Singing ability is optional, enthusiasm is encouraged. Drinks are available, and the focus is on music and good company.

A no-cost Mobile Market at Salem Grace offers a produce giveaway open to anyone in the community. Items are handed out in the order people arrive. Participants can drive up, open their trunk, and have a box of produce placed in their vehicle. Volunteers are welcome to assist with the distribution.

Black Flannel channels the static of rough nights into a grunge and alternative sound driven by heavy distortion and hard-edged choices. Their music embraces a gritty, shadowy mood, showing that grunge never vanished... it only grew darker.

Learn which owls are calling from the woods and what makes these nocturnal birds unique. This hands-on program is created with children 5 and younger in mind, yet all ages are welcome. Each session features a story, an activity, and a craft. It is free and family friendly. Capacity is limited with availability on a first come, first served basis. Large groups of more than 10 must pre-register by calling 618-724-2493.

A live set at Geo's Bar & Grill dives into the shadowy core of 90s grunge. The band leans into brooding textures, a hard-edged metal bite, and raw emotional fatigue that defined the era. Unapologetic and gripping, the music refuses to court approval and is impossible to ignore.

Black Flannel brings raw grunge and alternative energy to Twisted Sisters, forged in the static of bad nights and worse mornings. Stitched together by distortion and a streak of bad decisions, the band dives into a darker strain of the genre to show that grunge still breathes.

This event marks a welcome return to Salem.

This event features a solo performance by one artist.

At Camp Manitowa at Rend Lake, this women-centered winter hiking retreat offers a peaceful break from the busy season with nature, light adventure, and connection. Cozy lodging is available in heated cabins or yurts, and guided excursions on the camp bus explore nearby state parks and scenic winter trails. The weekend begins with time to get settled, a camp tour, an overview of the plan with facilitator introductions, and a brief intention-setting meditation, then dinner, a bonfire, and stargazing. The next day features coffee and breakfast followed by multiple short hikes in Shawnee National Forest, with grab-and-go lunches enjoyed at picnic tables or on the bus between trails. After returning to camp, participants can warm up before an all-levels yoga session with a calming sound bath, then dinner and live music by the fire. The final morning offers coffee with fruit and yogurt, another all-levels yoga option, time to pack or choose a meditative hike, and a closing brunch with reflection, with the option to enjoy a bit more nature through kayaking, hiking, or art. All activities are optional, so everyone can shape the experience to match their pace, take free time, or sleep in and ask a friend to pick up breakfast. Suggested items to bring include bedding and towels, layered clothing and hats for changing weather, hiking boots or shoes, wool socks, gloves, a neck warmer, a small backpack for food and drinks, hand warmers, a refillable water bottle, a small blanket, a flashlight or headlamp, and earplugs. If staying in a yurt, a space heater or heated blanket is recommended, and some yurts include heaters. Lodging is in yurts and heated cabins, and retreat prices start at $275, with earlier arrangements helping secure preferred lodging or placement with friends or a group.

Celebrate karaoke night at the VFW with a mix of classics from country favorites to 80s rock anthems. No professional pipes required, but high energy is encouraged. Settle in for sing-along fun, drinks, and friendly company.

This free, monthly mobile market at Salem Grace provides drive-through produce distribution for anyone in the community. Participants can remain in their vehicles while a box of produce is placed in the trunk, and supplies are handed out in order of arrival. Volunteers are welcome to assist with the distribution.

Create festive ornaments for the tree and say hello to Santa along with other special friends. This program is tailored to children 5 and younger, yet all ages are welcome. Each session features a story, an activity, and a craft. It is free and family friendly. Groups of more than 10 must pre-register by calling the Rend Lake Project Office/Visitor Center at 618-724-2493. Space is available on a first come, first served basis.

Get ready for a rockin good time.