Heartland Weekend

Dogwood-Azalea Festival returns to Charleston, Mo. April 16-19

You can head out to explore the six-mile Dogwood-Azalea Trail and take part in plenty of activities during the 58th year of the festival.

By Rachel GrubbsApril 08, 2026 at 5:03 pm EDT

Things to Do

More than 100 boats expected to participate in bass fishing tournament at Rend Lake

More than 100 boats are expected to participate in a bass fishing tournament at Rend Lake on Saturday, April 11.

Things to Do

SIUC’s Great Cardboard Boat Regatta returns April 18

Southern Illinois University’s Great Cardboard Boat Regatta will return for its 51st event.

Things to Do

Cape Girardeau’s city-wide Juneteenth Celebration set for June 20

VisitCape will host its 5th annual Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 20.

Things to Do

Tickets available for Mt. Vernon Brewers Festival

Tickets are on sale for the Mt. Vernon Brewers Festival in June.

April 07, 2026 at 2:52 pm EDT

Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site to host programs on food traditions, American folk music in Ill.

The Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site will host two events in April to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.

By Amber Ruch

‘Thrifted and Thriving’ fashion show to benefit Salvation Army thrift store in Marion, Ill.

The Salvation Army of Southern Illinois will host a fashion show fundraiser to benefit the Marion Thrift Store.

By Amber Ruch

Groundbreaking ceremony set for SEMO’s newest health professions hall

Leaders at Southeast Missouri State University will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the Roy Blunt Health Professions Hall on Thursday, April 9.

By Amber Ruch

Things to Do

Dogwood-Azalea Festival returns to Charleston, Mo. April 16-19

You can head out to explore the six-mile Dogwood-Azalea Trail and take part in plenty of activities during the 58th year of the festival.

Things to Do

More than 100 boats expected to participate in bass fishing tournament at Rend Lake

More than 100 boats are expected to participate in a bass fishing tournament at Rend Lake on Saturday, April 11.

Things to Do

SIUC’s Great Cardboard Boat Regatta returns April 18

Southern Illinois University’s Great Cardboard Boat Regatta will return for its 51st event.

Things to Do

Cape Girardeau’s city-wide Juneteenth Celebration set for June 20

VisitCape will host its 5th annual Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 20.

Things to Do

Tickets available for Mt. Vernon Brewers Festival

Tickets are on sale for the Mt. Vernon Brewers Festival in June.

Things to Do

Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site to host programs on food traditions, American folk music in Ill.

The Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site will host two events in April to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.

Things to Do

Purchase Area Coffee and Chocolate Festival happening this weekend

The Purchase Area Coffee and Chocolate Festival is set to take place the first weekend of March.

Food

Three fall-inspired cocktails you can make this season

Fall is in the air and there’s so much to love about the season – including fall-inspired cocktails!

Things to Do

Chuck E. Cheese brings back ‘Sensory Sensitive Sundays’ for kids with autism, special needs

Chuck E. Cheese marks Autism Awareness Month with the return of its program for children with autism and other sensory sensitivity needs.

Food

Healthy Halloween snack recipe: Ghost Bananas

Halloween is the holiday where the candy calories and sugar don’t count, right? Right?? As much as we can wish that was the case, it is not true. There are healthy alternatives to serve at your Halloween party or gathering, though.

Food

Add a dash of TWIX® to your food

That’s right! You can now sprinkle a little chocolatey, caramel, cookie goodness on all your food.

Food

3 Chick-Fil-A hacks you need to know about

Check out these 3 Chick-fil-A hacks!

Latest Articles

Dogwood-Azalea Festival returns to Charleston, Mo. April 16-19

More than 100 boats expected to participate in bass fishing tournament at Rend Lake

SIUC’s Great Cardboard Boat Regatta returns April 18

Cape Girardeau’s city-wide Juneteenth Celebration set for June 20

Tickets available for Mt. Vernon Brewers Festival

Things to Do

Dogwood-Azalea Festival returns to Charleston, Mo. April 16-19

You can head out to explore the six-mile Dogwood-Azalea Trail and take part in plenty of activities during the 58th year of the festival.

Things to Do

More than 100 boats expected to participate in bass fishing tournament at Rend Lake

More than 100 boats are expected to participate in a bass fishing tournament at Rend Lake on Saturday, April 11.

Things to Do

SIUC’s Great Cardboard Boat Regatta returns April 18

Southern Illinois University’s Great Cardboard Boat Regatta will return for its 51st event.

Things to Do

Cape Girardeau’s city-wide Juneteenth Celebration set for June 20

VisitCape will host its 5th annual Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 20.

Things to Do

Tickets available for Mt. Vernon Brewers Festival

Tickets are on sale for the Mt. Vernon Brewers Festival in June.

Things to Do

Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site to host programs on food traditions, American folk music in Ill.

The Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site will host two events in April to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.

Things to Do

5th annual Cinco De Mayo Festival set for May 2 in Alto Pass, Ill.

Alto Proud will present its 5th annual Cinco De Mayo Festival on Saturday, May 2.

Things to Do

SIU Carbondale hosting annual chalk art event April 10

SIU Carbondale’s Art Education Nation is hosting its annual chalk art event, Rockalypse: Chalkapalooza on April 10.

Things to Do

Award winners announced at Old Town Cape, Inc. annual dinner

Award winners were announced at the Old Town Cape, Inc. annual dinner.

Things to Do

Founders Plaque dedicated at Mo. National Veterans Memorial

A special founders plaque was dedicated during a ceremony at Missouri’s National Veterans Memorial in Perryville.

Things to Do

Ted Nugent coming to Marion, Ill.

Ted Nugent will perform live in concert at the Marion Cultural & Civic Center in July.

Things to Do

Kameron Marlowe, Ashley Cooke to co-headline Grandstand Stage at Du Quoin State Fair

Organizers announced the headlines for the Du Quoin State Fair Grandstand Stage.

Things to Do

Registration open for Old King Coal 5K

Registration is open for the Old King Coal 5K on Saturday, May 9.

Things to Do

Rodeo Rundown happening at the Sikeston Rodeo Museum on April 11

A special event is happening at the Sikeston Rodeo Museum next month.

Things to Do

Inaugural Cobden Daffodil Festival set for April 25

The Inaugural Cobden Daffodil Festival will be Saturday, April 25.

Things to Do

The Chicks to play at Illinois State Fair

The Illinois State Fair announced another group for the Grandstand Stage in 2026.

Things to Do

SI Comic Con featured guest artists, cosplay and more

The SI Comic Con featured guest appearances by voice actors and filmmakers, a cosplay contest, video game tournaments, and unique vendors.

Things to Do

SIU’s Touch of Nature hosts Maple Syrup Festival

Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center will hosted the 2026 Maple Syrup Festival March 21-22.