When you’re not working (and it’s not snowing), Alton CVB has things to do

The Alton Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau has released its special events list for this winter.

For additional information beyond that provided, contact the event coordinators at the numbers supplied with each calendar entry.

Underground Railroad Shuttle Tour
Saturday, Feb. 21
10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m.
Alton Visitor Center
200 Piasa St.
Alton, IL 62002
Learn about local, Underground Railroad sites on a shuttle tour with J.E. Robinson Tours and the Alton Regional CVB. The two-hour guided shuttle tours will stop at some of the sites that were part of the Underground Railroad system including Rocky Fork Church, Enos Apartments and more.

For more information on the Underground Railroad shuttle tours or to make advance registrations, contact the Alton Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau at (800) 258-6645.
Admission
$25

Eagle Watching Open House
Saturday, Feb. 21
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge
HCR 82 Box 107
Brussels, IL 62013
A winter Open House will be held at the Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge. Learn about eagles and take tours to see some on Swan Lake and the Illinois River. For more information, call (618) 883-2524.

Live Bald Eagles at TreeHouse Wildlife Center
Saturday – Sunday, Feb. 21 – 22
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
TreeHouse Wildlife Center
23956 Green Acres Road
Dow, IL 62022
There will be live bald eagles every weekend in January and February at the TreeHouse Wildlife Center. Free admission. Donations are appreciated. For more information, call (618) 466-2990.

Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony
Sunday, Feb. 22
3 to 5 p.m.
Lewis and Clark Community College
5800 Godfrey Road
Godfrey, IL 62035
Alton Symphony Orchestra along with the Great Rivers Choral Society will perform Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. For more information, call (618) 798-1492.

Bald Eagle Days at Pere Marquette
Tuesday, Feb. 24
Starts at 8:30 a.m.
Pere Marquette State Park
13112 Visitor Center Lane
Grafton, IL 62037
A site interpreter at Pere Marquette State Park will be presenting informative programs about bald eagles this winter. All programs will begin at the park’s visitor center at 8:30 a.m. Reservations are required. There will be a short video presentation followed by an observational drive to view the wintering bald eagles. Dress warmly and have a full tank of gas. For more information or reservations, call (618) 786-3323.

Bald Eagle Days at Pere Marquette
Thursday, Feb. 26
Starts at 8:30 a.m.
Pere Marquette State Park
13112 Visitor Center Lane
Grafton, IL 62037
For more information or reservations, call (618) 786-3323.

Live Bald Eagles at TreeHouse Wildlife Center
Saturday – Sunday, Feb. 28 – March 1
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
TreeHouse Wildlife Center
23956 Green Acres Road
Dow, IL 62022
There will be live bald eagles every weekend in January and February at the TreeHouse Wildlife Center. Free admission. Donations are appreciated. For more information, call (618) 466-2990.

Annual Madrigal Dinner/Play
Saturday, Feb. 28
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Godfrey Knights of Columbus Hall
1713 Stamper Lane
Godfrey, IL 62035
Pageantry, humor, food and music with the lords and ladies of the castle. For more information, call (618) 798-1492.

MARCH

Bald Eagle Days at Pere Marquette
Monday, March 2
Starts at 8:30 a.m.
Pere Marquette State Park
13112 Visitor Center Lane
Grafton, IL 62037
A site interpreter at Pere Marquette State Park will be presenting informative programs about bald eagles this winter. Reservations are required. For more information or reservations, call (618) 786-3323.

Lunch-n-Learn
Friday, March 6
Starts at noon
Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge
HCR 82 Box 107
Brussels, IL 62013
Bring your own lunch and sit down with the staff at Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge to learn about eagles. Then head out for a short hike to see some eagles soar over Swan Lake. Open to all ages. Dress for the weather. For more information, call (618) 883-2524.

Underground Railroad Shuttle Tour
Saturday, March 7
10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m.
Alton Visitor Center
200 Piasa St.
Alton, IL 62002
For more information on the Underground Railroad shuttle tours or to make advance registrations, contact the Alton Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau at (800) 258-6645.
Admission, $25

Greater Alton Concert Association – Voices in Harmony
Saturday, March 7
Starts at 7:30 p.m.
Lewis and Clark Community College
5800 Godfrey Road
Godfrey, IL 62035
The Ambassadors of Harmony is the St. Louis area’s premier men’s a cappella chorus of more than 130 voices known for powerful and musically masterful performances. Its repertoire includes Broadway classics, barbershop, jazz, pop and wide selection of holiday favorites. For more information, call (618) 468-4222.
Admission, Adults: $25 (advance), $27 (door)
Children (12 and under): $10

Pere Marquette Wine Club Get Together
Saturday, March 14
2 to 5 p.m.
Pere Marquette Lodge and Conference Center
13653 Lodge Blvd.
Grafton, IL 62037
Join the lodge in the Mary Michelle Winery Tasting Room the second Saturday of each month and enjoy appetizers and wine tasting. For more info, call (618) 786-2331.
Admission
Free for Wine Club Members

ALT: Shenandoah (Musical)
Thursday, March 19 – Sunday, March 22
Thursday, March 26 – Sunday, March 29
Starts at 7: 30 p.m. (2 p.m. Sunday matinee)
Alton Little Theater
2450 N. Henry St.
Alton, IL 62002
This colorful and dramatic saga is based on the 1965 film, “Shenandoah,” a story about a widower, who lives with his large family in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia during the American Civil War.
Admission, Adults: $15; Students: $8
Call for group discounts

Annual Alton Half Marathon and 5K
Saturday, March 21
Starts at 8 a.m.
Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater
1 Riverfront Drive
Alton, IL 62002
Jog or walk into spring by participating in the 4th Annual Alton Half Marathon. Find more information on the event’s Facebook page.

Folk Festival
Sunday, March 22
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Pere Marquette Lodge and Conference Center
13653 Lodge Blvd.
Grafton, IL 62037
Family event, an authentic dance group, demonstrations, live music, children’s activities, restaurant specials and craft and art vendors. For more information, call (618) 786-2331.

Underground Railroad Shuttle Tour
Saturday, March 28
10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m.
Alton Visitor Center
200 Piasa St.
Alton, IL 62002
For more information on the Underground Railroad shuttle tours or to make advance registrations, contact the Alton Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau at (800) 258-6645.
Admission, $25

APRIL

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny at The Nature Institute
Friday, April 03
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
The Nature Institute
2213 S. Levis Lane
Godfrey, IL 62035
Come to The Nature Institute’s Talahi Lodge to bring in Easter with the Easter Bunny. Eat breakfast with our furry friend at 9 a.m. and hunt for eggs at 10 a.m. This event is open to children up to 9 years of age. For more information, call Patti Brown at (618) 467-2521 or email her at pbrown@TheNatureInstitute.org.
Admission
$5/child
$3/adult

Easter Brunch and Easter Egg Hunt
Sunday, April 05
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Pere Marquette Lodge and Conference Center
13653 Lodge Blvd.
Grafton, IL 62037
The Easter Bunny will be conducting free Easter Egg Hunts at noon and 2 p.m. For more information, call (618) 786-2331.
Admission
Adults 12 and Up: $28.95
Children 4 – 11: $10.95
Children 0 – 3: Free

Pere Marquette Wine Club Get Together
Saturday, April 11
2 to 5 p.m.
Pere Marquette Lodge and Conference Center
13653 Lodge Blvd.
Grafton, IL 62037
Join the lodge in the Mary Michelle Winery Tasting Room the second Saturday of each month and enjoy appetizers and wine tasting. For more info, call (618) 786-2331.
Admission
Free for Wine Club Members

Riverbend Earth Day Festival
Saturday, April 18
Noon to 6 p.m.
Piasa Harbor
10815 Lockhaven Road
Godfrey, IL 62035
The Fourth annual Riverbend Earth Day Festival will be at Piasa Harbor located off of the Great River Road. This event will be held, rain or shine. The Nature Institute, along with the Sierra Club, Great Rivers Land Trust, The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center and the Green Business Alliance, will again bring the Riverbend community together for this celebration of nature, music, food, and the arts. A range of sponsorship levels for the event are available to interested vendors, organizations, and businesses. For more information on sponsorship or to request a vendor/participant registration form, contact TNI at (618) 466-9930 or info@thenatureinstitute.org.

Alton Symphony Orchestra: Seventy and Solos
Saturday, April 18
Starts at 7 p.m.
Lewis and Clark Community College
5800 Godfrey Road
Godfrey, IL 62035
For more information, call (618) 467-2326.
Admission: $10/adults; $5/seniors (62+); Free/students (K-12)

Greater Alton Concert Association – Dean Christopher
Sunday, April 19
Starts at 3 p.m.
Lewis and Clark Community College
5800 Godfrey Road
Godfrey, IL 62035
Performance of an actor, singer, comedian and impressionist who has opened for Don Rickles, as well as Frank Sinatra, Jr.
For more information, call (618) 468-4222.
Admission, Adults: $25 (advance), $27 (door)
Children (12 and under): $10