Just For Bigs

MARCH

Feb. 2-Mar. 16^th; Annual orchid show at the Botanical Gardens. "Storybook Classics" theme showcases 800 orchids from one of the world's premier collections in scenes inspired by Johnny Appleseed, Jack and the Beanstalk, Peter Rabbit and The Secret Garden. Garden admission plus $3. Free for members. www.mobot.org

2^nd ; Dog Show; Belle-Clair Fairgrounds Park-200 South Belt West, Belleville, IL  62220   (618) 233-0052

3^rd; Hearth Cooking: Stephenson House in Edwardsville, IL .  11am-2pm, $15 per person

5^th; 1820 Children's Day: Stephenson House in Edwardsville, IL.  10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. General Admission.  19th Century toys, games and activities will be available for children to learn about, play and create. All children must be accompanied by a paying adult.

8^th; Jaycees Mouse Races in Mascoutah, IL. 7:30 p.m., Mascoutah Sportsmans Club.

15^th; Plants and animals: Spring Babies: Children's Museum in Edwardsville, IL, 2:00-3:30 PM.  Explore buds, blooms, eggs and new baby animals. Touch live baby chicks; Discover the rebirth and growth of plants and the new animal life around us. Recommended for ages (5-8). Cost is $5 per person. Registration required.

15-16^th; The Great Train Expo!! 10-4pm Gateway Center,Collinsville, IL. 618-345-8998. Admission: $7.00 (Under 12 Free!!)

15^th; 6th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Belleville, IL; 11:00a.m., Downtown.

15^th; Chocolate Rendezvous in Lebanon, IL.  Purchase a ticket at the Chamber and stop into participating shops to sample delicious chocolate treats.

21-23^rd; International Gem & Jewelry Show, Inc.  Gateway Center, Collinsville, IL.  Friday Noon-6pm; Saturday 10am-6pm; Sunday 11am-5pm; $7.00 Adult Admission

22^nd; Gateway Grizzlies Easter Egg Hunt at the Ballpark.  The hunting begins at 11:00 a.m. with 10 minutes between each hunt. The age group for hunts are 1-2 year olds, 3-4 year olds, 5-6 year olds, 7-8 year olds, 9-10 year olds, and 11-12 year olds. For more details call (618) 337-3000

28^th-30^th; Craft Show:  Belle-Clair Fairgrounds Park, 200 South Belt West, Belleville, IL  62220  

Eckert's Spring Festivities

Checkout all the spring activities happening at Eckerts throughout the months of March, April, and May. Fun for all ages, visit www.eckerts.com.

APRIL 

4^th; Family Fun at The Children's Museum in Edwardsville, IL.  There will be games, crafts and demonstrations. Recommended all ages; Cost is $4 per person

4-5^th Scrapebook Show; Gateway Center Collinsville, IL.  Classes and Crops:
THUR - SAT; Various Times and Fees

5^th; Children's Garden at the Botanical Gardens. Blaze a trail like Daniel Boone; Get a map at the Ridgway Center; Follow a trail to make a craft and collect your frontier supplies; Enjoy tasty pioneer treats and visit the General Store to trade with the merchant for a fun surprise. Activities from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Children $3, adults free, plus Garden admission. www.mobot.org/finn

14^th Basket Making Workshop, at Stephenson House in Edwardsville, IL. 10:00 a.m. Learn how to make baskets with the award winning mother-daughter team who have been weaving together for 8 years.

18^th Dinoroarus Exhibit begins at the St. Louis Zoo; Step back in time to see roaring, spitting, moving dinosaurs in this one-of-a-kind walk-through exhibit. Admission is $1.50 for Zoo Friends members and $3 for non-members. Children under two are free.

20^th; Circus at Nova Plaza in Cahokia; 4:30-7:30pm.

April - October 2008. The Mascoutah Heritage Museum will have an exhibit of early life in Mascoutah. The museum is open third Sundays of the month, from 1 to 4 p.m.  The exhibit will close at the end of October.

MAY

3rd- Trivia Gone Wild at the St. Louis Zoo.  Get your "beastly bunch" together for the Young Zoo Friends' trivia night. Proceeds benefit global conservation efforts of the Saint Louis Zoo. 

3^rd; May Market in Lebanon, 9-5pm.  Welcome spring with a stroll down St. Louis Street where vendors and artisans will showcase what the season has to offer. Pick up plants and flowers for the garden while the whole family can enjoy pony rides, magic shows, food and music.

5^{th &} 6^th- Great Midwest Fly-in at the St. Louis Downtown Airport in Sauget, IL.  Fly-overs, static displays, petting zoo, FAA Wings Safety Seminar, car show, free Young Eagles Flights, plane wash, special guests, food, games, prizes and visits to transportation attractions around the area.  Call 618-337-6060; 9-4pm. www.stlouisdowntownairport.com

10^th; Grossology at The Children's Museum in Edwardsville.  Join Dr. Loren Hughes, self-proclaimed grossology expert, as he demonstrates how to chemically cook up and create his own version of disgusting things such as snot, sweat and vomit. Discover what ingredients create the smells and textures of gross stuff! Recommended for ages 7-12, Cost is $6 per person. Registration required.

16^th-Aug. 15^th-Peanut Butter & Jam Festival every Friday evening in Highland.  Downtown on the Square, 618-654-3721.  www.highlandillinois.com

16^th-18^th; Arts on the Square in Belleville: Friday: 5 pm - 9 pm, Saturday: 10 am - 8 pm, Sunday: 11 am - 5 pm.  Meet exhibiting artists, enjoy family entertainment, children's workshops, taste fine cuisines, and take a walk through the historic neighborhoods of Belleville.  Free, for more information call 618-257-0747 or visit artonthesquare.com

18^th- Kids Day at Cahokia Mounds in Collinsville, IL.  11am-4pm.  Hands-on crafts and activities, such as arrowhead making, pottery making, face painting, spear throwing, corn grinding, Indian games; dance performances and more. For kids of all ages. Free, for more information call 800-289-2388 or 618-346-5160  

24^th; Mayfest Picnic, O'Fallon, IL.  Rides, Food, games, music, and an auto show.  Parade on Saturday at 6:00pm. 

24^th-Cahokia Mounds Nature Hike, 9:30 am - 1 pm. Take a three-mile hike with an archaeologist and a naturalist through various habitats. Learn about the cultural and natural resources, excavation results, and native uses of plants of Cahokia Mounds.  Canceled in case of rain.  Free, for more information call 800-289-2388 or 618-346-5160    

17-18^th; Chinese Culture Days at Botanical Gardens features a Grand Parade with 70-foot dancing dragon, martial arts, Chinese calligraphy, painting and authentic regional cuisine. T'ai chi and tea tasting in the Grigg Nanjing Friendship Garden, where special tours focus on the symbolism of many plant species and architectural details. Doors open at 9 a.m.; activities from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Grand Parade at 2 p.m.), both days. $10 adults, $7 seniors, $3 Garden members, $3 children ages 3 to 12, free for members' children (12 and under). Buy tickets in advance online at www.mobot.org. No trams