Steeleville 4th of July parade to celebrate America's monuments
EDITOR'S NOTE: See more 4th of July Celebration coverage in our special section included in the newspaper's June 28 print edition.
A year after reaching a milestone with the 150th Steeleville 4th of July picnic, event organizers are celebrating America's monuments with the 2017 version of the celebration.
"Everything with the 150th went well with the (Steeleville) American Legion and the Lions Club," said Steeleville Mayor Bob Sutton. "I thought they did a very good job of keeping the theme throughout the parade and festivities and things that they did."
As it has many times during the history of the picnic, weather played a factor in the 150th anniversary with rain putting a damper on three of the event's four days.
This year, the forecast calls for scattered thunderstorms on Monday and Tuesday.
"The Boy Scouts have their the dunking tank," said Mike Kuehnle, the 4th of July Celebration chairman. "We are having the laser tag again this year. We're having kettle corn this year, that's something that's brand new.
The carnival will be open from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. through Monday and from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Tuesday. Laser tag, located next to the Steeleville American Legion, is from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. each day of the four-day event.
The carnival will briefly close from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday.
"We just want to welcome everybody into Steeleville," Sutton said. "There's going to be things here from the 1st through the 4th and would love to see everybody here."
Sutton also remarked on the annual parade, scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday, which typical draws thousands of people to West Broadway Street. A reported 80 entries were part of last year's parade and this year's special guests are the Shriners Oriental Band and motorcycles.
"We have one of the largest participation parades in terms of visitors in southern Illinois," Sutton said. "For me, there's always a big thrill when you come over that hill from the east and see thousands of people lining the street down there, it really is a thrill."
The Steeleville Jaycees will have their Craft Show in both the large and small halls at the American Legion and a Young Kids Area will be available with soft frisbees, pool of kernels and bubble wands.
Entertainment-wise, local artist Robbie Shae was scheduled to perform on Family Night/Gospel Night on Saturday, while Last Date - which performed last year - will take the stage on Sunday night.
Fertile Soil will perform Monday, with DJ Memory Lane performing on Tuesday.
The annual fireworks display, which lasts around 45 minutes, will take place on Tuesday at 10 p.m., weather-permitting.
"He will play patriotic music throughout the fireworks," Kuehnle said of DJ Memory Lane.
Sports-wise, the Harold Harmsen Wood Bat Classic is celebrating its 10th year this year with Trenton, West Frankfort-based Orient, Carbondale and host Steeleville as participants. Last year, the tournament was rained out after the first day.
In addition, the traditional Mega Money 50/50 raffle and attendance raffle - with the grand prize of $500 - will take place as well. The winners will be drawn on Tuesday and prizes must be claimed within one week.
Tickets can be purchased at the Steeleville American Legion, Legion Park or any Legion/Lions Club member.
The Firecracker 3K is now in its 35th year, with the race scheduled for 9:40 a.m. on Tuesday, 20 minutes before the start of the parade.