Heartland Weekend

Murphysboro prepares for annual Big Muddy Monster Festival celebrating local legend

Downtown Murphysboro will once again embrace its most famous folklore legend when the annual Big Muddy Monster Festival returns on Saturday, June 20.

By Heartland NewsJune 15, 2026 at 9:11 am EDT

Things to Do

Music for the Mind music festival returns June 12-13

The seventh Music for the Mind Music Festival will take place at The Camp at Lake Wappapello, Missouri.

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Miss Illinois competition returns to Marion

The Miss Illinois Scholarship Competition is scheduled to return to Marion on Wednesday, June 10, at the Marion Cultural and Civic Center.

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Fort Massac State Park to host Jean Baptiste program, highlight importance of fort, bring 18th Century Illinois history to life

History enthusiasts will have an opportunity to step back in time, as Fort Massac State Park hosts a special living history presentation exploring the fascinating life of one of Illinois’ earliest witnesses to change.

Things to Do

Southern Ill. Pagan Alliance to hold its Summer Solstice ritual

The Southern Illinois Pagan Alliance will hold its Summer Solstice ritual on Sunday, June 21.

June 09, 2026 at 4:24 pm EDT

Band-a-Palooza at The Camp to benefit Animal Welfare Alliance of Southeast Missouri

An event featuring five live bands in southeast Missouri is raising money for a local organization.

By Olivia Tock

CarbonRail event to celebrate first train’s arrival in town in 1854 & America’s 250th anniversary

An upcoming event will honor the first train’s arrival in Carbondale, as well as America’s 250th anniversary.

By Amber Ruch

Some areas to close at Rend Lake for national archery tournament

The National Eastern Scholastic 3-D Archery (S3DA) Tournament returns to the Rend Lake North Marcum Day Use Area and Archery Complex June 11-14.

By Olivia Tock

Things to Do

‘Fun in the Sun’ community resource fair to be held at Sikeston park

A free community resource fair will be held at Lincoln Park in Sikeston on Thursday, June 18.

Things to Do

Jo Dee Messina to visit SEMO District Fair September 16

Country music star Jo Dee Messina will perform at the SEMO District Fair on Wednesday, September 16.

Things to Do

Pride in the Park 2026 wraps up

The annual Pride in the Park event is set for Sunday, June 14.

Things to Do

Music for the Mind music festival returns June 12-13

The seventh Music for the Mind Music Festival will take place at The Camp at Lake Wappapello, Missouri.

Things to Do

Stars and Stripes National Museum and Library to celebrate International Picnic Day

The community is invited to the Stars and Stripes National Museum and Library on June 18 to celebrate International Picnic Day.

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Pride on the Strip opens in downtown Carbondale June 13

Southern Illinois Pride Collective will host Pride on the Strip in downtown Carbondale on Saturday, June 13.

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

1

Murphysboro prepares for annual Big Muddy Monster Festival celebrating local legend

2

‘Fun in the Sun’ community resource fair to be held at Sikeston park

3

MSHP: Man falls overboard at Clearwater Lake, search underway

4

Kentucky Sheriffs’ Boys and Girls Ranch accepting applications

5

Power outages in northern Tennessee June 13

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Murphysboro prepares for annual Big Muddy Monster Festival celebrating local legend

Downtown Murphysboro will once again embrace its most famous folklore legend when the annual Big Muddy Monster Festival returns on Saturday, June 20.

Things to Do

‘Fun in the Sun’ community resource fair to be held at Sikeston park

A free community resource fair will be held at Lincoln Park in Sikeston on Thursday, June 18.

Home

MSHP: Man falls overboard at Clearwater Lake, search underway

A search is underway for a man who fell overboard off a pontoon on Clearwater Lake, the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop G said.

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Kentucky Sheriffs’ Boys and Girls Ranch accepting applications

The Livingston County Sheriff’s Department is looking for five boys and five girls to attend the Kentucky Sheriffs’ Boys and Girls Ranch.

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Power outages in northern Tennessee June 13

Gibson Electric announced power outages in northern Tennessee after storms on Saturday afternoon, June 13.

Things to Do

Jo Dee Messina to visit SEMO District Fair September 16

Country music star Jo Dee Messina will perform at the SEMO District Fair on Wednesday, September 16.

Things to Do

Purchase Dist. Health Dept.’s June Neighborhood Farmer’s Market focuses on fathers

A western Kentucky health department is inviting the public to its June Neighborhood Farmer’s Market.

Things to Do

Rend Lake Dog Park ribbon-cutting, dog adoption event happening June 12

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rend Lake Project is hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand opening of the Rend Lake Dog Park on Friday, June 12.

Things to Do

Vintage tea party celebrates 100-year-old coach cars at Iron Mountain Railway

You can attend a vintage tea party to celebrate the 100th birthday of two coach cars at Iron Mountain Railway.

Things to Do

‘Kitten Shower’ collects donations for Southeast Mo. Pets

A Heartland animal shelter is throwing a “Kitten Shower” to raise money and collect donations for their dozens of kittens.

Things to Do

Egypt Mills Antique Tractor Club hosts tractor pull

The Egypt Mills Antique Tractor Club will host a tractor pull on Sunday, June 7.

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Cape Folk Fest back for second year on June 6

An event highlighting Cape Girardeau history, culture and music returns for 2026.

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Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce to host ‘Bluff’s All American Weekend’ June 5-6

The Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce will host “Bluff’s All American Weekend” June 5 and 6.

Things to Do

‘Fun in the Sun’ community resource fair to be held at Sikeston park

A free community resource fair will be held at Lincoln Park in Sikeston on Thursday, June 18.

Things to Do

Country music’s Lonestar to perform in Marion

Country music stars Lonestar will be in southern Illinois in July.

Things to Do

Benton Speedway hosts 2026 Scott County Balloon & Summer Festival

Benton Speedway is set to host the 2026 Scott County Balloon & Summer Festival on July 9-12.

Things to Do

Super 5K set for June 11 at Fort Massac State Park

Registration is open for the Super 5K at Fort Massac State Park on Thursday, June 11.

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Cape Girardeau Municipal Band kicks off summer concert series at Capaha Park

The Cape Girardeau Municipal Band is set to perform a concert series at Capaha Park this summer.