1. Oktoberfest Eckert’S Country Store And Farms
City: Belleville, IL
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (618) 233-0513
Address: 951 Green Mount Road
Description: Activities at this German festival include a ride on a wagon to the pumpkin patch to search for the “secret” pumpkin, along with country music, pony rides, and more. Eckert’s orchards are home to a lot more than just trees in October, as gaggles of ghouls and goblins show up to greet visitors who venture into the orchards after dark. The 20-minute ride isn’t too scary, so younger children should be able to enjoy it. If not, they’ll just have to amuse themselves with some of the other festivities, including live entertainment and pig racing. Haunted hayrides take place on Friday and Saturday nights at the Millstadt and Grafton farms. The cost is $7.
2. Way Of Lights Christmas Display
City: Belleville, IL
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (618) 397-6700
Address: 442 DeMazenod Drive
Description: From 5:00 to 10 p.m. each night from late November to early January, the shrine is aglow with more than one million white lights along a mile-and-a-half stretch that winds through the grounds. Visitors can drive through a collection of electro-art sculptures and life-size figures depicting the Christmas story, then stop off at the visitor center for a look at the Christmas tree display. The Christmas Village features plenty of things to see and do, including storytelling, coloring, and face painting, along with activities at the Children’s Theatre, caroling, and a live animal display. Free admission, but donations are appreciated.
3. Belleville News Democrat
City: Belleville, IL
Category: Media
Telephone: (314) 241-4098
Address: 120 South Illinois Street
Description: Founded in 1858, the Belleville News Democrat (BND) was a family-owned newspaper from 1891 to 1972, when it was purchased by Capital Cities/ABC, Inc. In 1997 the paper was acquired by Knight Ridder. The paper serves the second-largest metropolitan area in Illinois, a bustling, fast-growing, and diverse region located just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis. Readership is estimated to be 150,000 daily and 185,000 on Sunday, with a circulation of 53,387 daily, and 65,760 on Sunday. The paper serves eight Illinois counties, with delivery primarily to St. Clair and southern Madison Counties. The News Democrat’s main office houses editorial, advertising, and administration staff, and its focus is on local, regional, and national stories, along with Illinois state politics, sports, and features. The Web site features news, columns, and information for and about the southern Illinois and St. Louis metro areas. Subscriptions are $18 per month, and daily copies are 50 cents (weekdays) and $1.25 (Sunday) each.
4. Eckert’S Country Store And Farms
City: Belleville, IL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (618) 233-0513
Address: 951 South Greenmount Road
Description: Started as a simple roadside stand in 1910, Eckert’s is the largest pick-your-own orchard operation in the United States. The combination fruit orchards/family entertainment centers feature a variety of family-friendly activities and special events throughout the year. In addition to riding the wagons out into the fields to pick your own fruits, vegetables, or Christmas tree, seasonal activities include hayrides, craft making, wreath making, and photo contests. Open February through December; hours vary by season. Prices vary by activity.
5. National Shrine Of Our Lady Of The Snows
City: Belleville, IL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (314) 241-3400, (618) 367-6700
Address: 442 South DeMazenod Drive
Description: The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows is one of the largest outdoor shrines in North America. Owned and operated by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, the shrine blends spirituality, unique architecture, and imaginative landscaping to create a serene setting. In addition to offering daily masses, there are nine devotional areas throughout the grounds for all faiths and denominations. Each year, between Thanksgiving Day and January 6, the shrine comes alive with more than one million white lights along a mile-and-a-half stretch that winds through the grounds. Visitors drive through a collection of electro-art sculptures and life-size figures depicting the Christmas story, then can stop at the visitor center and Christmas Village for storytelling, coloring, and face painting, along with activities at the Children’s Theatre, caroling, and a live-animal display. The shrine is open year-round and has a restaurant, gift shop, and motel on-site as well.
6. Eckert’S Country Store And Farms
City: Belleville, IL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (618) 233-0513
Address: 951 South Greenmount Road
Description: The Eckert family has turned its three area farms into entertainment centers that feature special children’s activities, annual events, festivals, and the Eckert’s Country Store and Restaurant. You can get a real farmhand experience as you ride the wagons out to pick your own seasonal fruits and vegetables or take part in the live entertainment. Pig racing is a popular sport around these parts, and Eckert’s has it. There are three locations in Illinois, including two farms (in Millstadt and Grafton) and one country store (in Belleville), and all offer various special events and activities throughout the year, such as haunted hayrides, pumpkin bashing, and other events tied to seasonal harvests. Open February through December. Special event admission fees vary.