Alex Watkins is Harrisburg Kiwanis guest speaker

HARRISBURG - Alex Watkins, Community Development Director for the City of Harrisburg, was guest speaker at the Harrisburg Kiwanis meeting June 30 at Morello's.

State Sen. Dale Fowler, program sponsor, asked him to report on the next big event happening in Harrisburg, Shawnee Sasquatch Festival to be held Oct. 2.

Watkins indicated that the event is modeled after Frozen Dead Guy Days in Colorado. The Run Like A Sasquatch 5K will be held during the morning. There will also be a full marathon and a half marathon. The full marathon will begin at Garden of the Gods and end in downtown Harrisburg with the half marathon starting at SIC and ending in Harrisburg.

The full marathon is a Boston Marathon qualifier. Besides the runs, there will be carnival rides, carnival-style booths, music from Last Call band and Kendell Marvel, as well as many other activities.

Watkins explained that this type of undertaking will require many volunteers and sponsors. This will be a total community endeavor. Anyone wishing to help or for more information Watkins may be reached at City Hall.

At the conclusion of the presentation, Fowler updated the group about the Cairo port project, campsite needs, the Job Corps site transition, plans for the Illinois Youth Center, one billion dollars in road/bridge construction and a new village town being constructed at Massac State Park.