We love being part of the communities we serve. Warmer weather, coupled with longer days, means more time to get out and experience what our area has to offer. Our employees have came up with a list of things to do without having to travel very far. The list is in no particular order.
1. Tour the plant where SKI is made - Breese, IL
The Excel Bottling Company is located at 488 S. Broadway, Breese, IL 62230. Tours of the plant are available. They are the makers of the the world famous SKI soda. They also make around 17 other flavors of soda. Get more info at their website by clicking here.
2. Wally's Drive-in & 3. Dairy King - Breese, IL
After checking out the Excel Bottling Plant, you might be ready to eat! Wally's Drive-in has some of the best burgers around. You can check out their Facebook page here.
Hopefully you still have room for dessert. Also located in Breese, Dairy King is wonderful stop. You can check out their website here.
4. Carlyle lake - Carlyle, IL
We are lucky enough to be close to the largest man-made lake in Illinois. Whether you enjoy fishing, camping, the wildlife, or just cruising the water, Carlyle lake has a lot to offer. Did you know they are celebrating 50 years this year? There are many events planned for the celebration. Get more info at the lake's website.
5. Fairview Park & 6. Foundation Park - Centralia, IL
Fairview Park - Enjoy the weather at Fairview Park. This park has swimming, basketball, volleyball, tennis, skate park, shelters, and play toys for children. It also hosts a carnival every year to celebrate the July 4th holiday.
Foundation Park - Has many shelters for events, great trails, and one of the best disc golf courses around. This park also hosts an annual Balloon Fest. When 2017 Balloon Fest info becomes available, it can be found here. South Central Transit provides a shuttle service for this event.
See the City of Centralia website here.
7. Outboard Power Boat Races National Championships - Raccoon Lake, Centralia, IL
Raccoon Lake, in Centralia, is home to the Outboard Power Boat Races National Championships. Two days of fast action hydroplane and runabout power boat racing on Saturday and Sunday, August 5th & 6th 2017. Races start at 1:00 pm both days. Admission is $2 and children 12 and under are free. Feel free to download and print the event flyer by clicking here.
The National Boat Racing Association and Outboard Drivers Association invites everyone to the 14th Annual Outboard Power Boat National Championship Races to be held at Raccoon Lake in Centralia.
Please support the concessions that will be provided by the Central City Lions Club.
The race location is on the East side of Centralia on Country Club Road, follow signs for parking located at the race site boat ramp and point park area at the North end of Country Club Road.
8. Eckert's Country Store and Farms - Belleville, IL
Located in Belleville, IL, Eckert's is open year round. They have a Country Store, Restaurant, Garden Center, Custard Shop, and much more. For more info, including a calendar of events, click here to be taken to their website.
9. Cedarhurst Center for the Arts - Mt. Vernon, IL
Located in Mt. Vernon, IL, Cederhurst Center for the Arts offers many things to do. An Art and Craft fair, classes, exhibits, and family events. For info and a calendar of events, visit their website here.
10. Rend Lake
Just south of Mt. Vernon, IL, Rend is another great lake. Fishing, camping, boating, swimming, skiing, hunting, trap shooting, a resort, hiking, bike trails, museums, shopping, cafes & restaurants, and golf are some of the things it has to offer. Get more info and contacts here.
11. Du Quoin Fairgrounds
Located in Du Quoin, IL, the Fairgrounds hosts all kinds of events. Car shows, Motocross events, rodeos, Monster Truck shows, concerts, and the State Fair just to name some. There are several lakes in the fairgrounds that people can fish in. Non-Fair Event info can be found here. State Fair info can be found here.
