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Summer’s winding down fast but there are still a few days to grab a deal and cool off at Raging Rivers. Located in
Grafton, Ill., Raging Rivers is an easy drive from St. Louis
The 20-acre water park features Runaway Rafts; a Body Flume; a beach with a four-foot wave pool and “Endless River” where you can float along at a leisurely two and a half miles an hour.
Pick up a discount coupon at any Schnucks Supermarket and save $3 on an adult or child admission to the water park.
The coupon’s good through Sept. 3, 2012 but you can’t combine it with other discounts.
Parking at Raging Rivers is $5 per car.
Skip the lines at the park and purchase your tickets online.
The trip to the park takes you along the beautiful Great River Road in Illinois to Grafton at the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway along the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers.
Grafton features in interesting Main Street filled with antique shops, gift shops and a variety of restaurants.
Visitors from St. Charles, can take the Grafton Ferry or the Golden Eagle Ferry and the Brussels Ferry for a unique trip across the rivers.
 The final Alton Block Party takes place Saturday night in our favorite river town. Street food will be available for purchase at 6 p.m.The music starts at 6:30 p.m. It’s free–and so is the parking!
Street Beat will be the featured band at the
According to the Alton CVB website:
“Restaurants along the street will offer some of their best dishes and drinks at affordable prices. The party will move inside the local establishments at 10:30 p.m. So, make sure that you plan to pull up a stool at your favorite watering hole.”
The Alton Block Parties continue on the last Saturday of each month through September.
It’s the monthly Alton Block Party tomorrow night in our favorite river town. The music starts at 6:30 p.m. It’s free–and so is the parking!
This month’s concert is for Parrotheads!
Jimmy Buffet fans will want to be there for the annual Jimmy Buffet Tribute Party. The Phins will take you away to Margaritaville.
According to the Alton CVB website:
“Restaurants along the street will offer some of their best dishes and drinks at affordable prices. The party will move inside the local establishments at 10:30 p.m. So, make sure that you plan to pull up a stool at your favorite watering hole.”
The Alton Block Parties continue on the last Saturday of each month through September.
 Papa Murphy’s has some tantalizing coupons that you can download from the company’s website.
The coupons will get you a large pepperoni pizza for $7; a large bacon-artichoke deLITE ® pizza for $8 or a large Murphy’s combo pizza for $10.
And, you can get a “family-sized” pizza for $2 more. The website says it’s 30 percent more pizza than a large.
The coupons expire Aug. 31, 2011, are good at participating locations and are not valid with other offers.
There are eight Papa Murphy’s locations in the St. Louis area. They are in Florissant, St. Charles, St. Louis, Wildwood, St. Peters, O’Fallon (two locations) and Edwardsville, Ill.
Thanks to Julie at Kansas City On The Cheap for the tip.
 Yes, that quirky oversized catsup bottle has a festival all of its own.
In fact, it’s also the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle‘s birthday. (It’s turning 62 if you must know.) Join in singing “Happy Birthday” at 12:15 p.m. and enjoy a free birthday cupcake (while supplies last).
In case you don’t know, the water tower is 170 feet tall and was built in 1949 by the W.E. Caldwell Company for the G.S. Suppiger Catsup Bottling Plant, bottlers of Brooks Catsup.
The Catsup Bottle Preservation Group saved the bottle from demolition in 1995 and restored to its original appearance.
In August of 2002 the bottle was named to the National Register of Historic Places.
The festival takes place Sunday, July 10, 2011 at American Legion Post 365, 1022 Vandalia (on Rt 159) in Collinsville, Ill., starting with Trailnet’s Big Bottle Bike Ride at 7:30 a.m. Collinsville is 10 miles east of downtown St. Louis.
The 11 a.m. opening ceremony will feature American Legion Post 365 Color Guard with Jesse Hoskin singing the National Anthem at the Radio Disney Big Tomato Main Stage.
Among the other activities of the day:
 It’s a block party on Saturday in our favorite river town–Alton, Ill. The music starts at 6:30 p.m. It’ll be Miles Station performing country rock. It’s free–and so is the parking!
According to the Alton CVB website:
“Restaurants along the street will offer some of their best dishes and drinks at affordable prices. The party will move inside the local establishments at 10:30 p.m. So, make sure that you plan to pull up a stool at your favorite watering hole.”
The Alton Block Parties will continue the last Saturday of each month through September.
It’s May and time for those delicious strawberries. Not only is Pick-Your-Own Strawberries now open at Eckert’s Belleville farm (9 a.m.-6 p.m) but this weekend and next is Eckert’s Strawberry Festival. Strawberry treats will be available for purchase in the bakery, custard shop and restaurant. There’s free wagon rides and live music from noon-5 p.m. each day. Kid’s activities include pony rides, children’s play area, petting farm, carnival rides, and inflatable. A fee is charged for some activities.
For more information call 618-233-0513 or click here.
 Looking for something free and fun to do this weekend? Head on over to Belleville, Ill. for the 10th annual Art on the Square. It’s been named top art festival for 2011, an honor bestowed on the fair for the third time in the last four years by Art Fair Source Book.
There’s plenty to see and do with Artist Guild Demonstration, two entertainment areas and special entertainment for the kids. Entry is free.
Save gas and go to the Fair via MetroLink. Take the train to the Scheel Street Station. Shuttles run to the Square every 15 minutes.
Here’s the schedule of demonstrations:
Friday, May 13
| 5 to 9 p.m. |
| Lois Holthaus |
Artist trading cards |
| Carolyn Karasek |
Pastel painting |
| Maribeth Clancy |
Handpainted books |
Saturday, May 14
| 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. |
| Tom Wodarczyk |
Oil painting |
| Alan Rhodes |
Clay |
| Chuck Ridler |
Cartooning |
| 1 to 4 p.m. |
| Marty Spears |
Watercolor |
| Brenda Frazier |
Oil painting |
| Ramah Alberts |
Oil painting |
| 4 to 8 p.m. |
| Terri Isenhart |
Stained glass |
| Kathy Gomric |
Graphite drawing |
| Kathy Hardin |
Watercolor painting |
Sunday, May 15
| 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. |
| Joyce Wells |
Pencil Drawing |
| Rebecca McDannold |
Drawing |
| David Cornell |
Plein air oil painting |
| 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Kathryn Thomas |
Graphite figure drawing |
| Suzanne Lowry |
Soldered copper sculpture |
| Loris Butterfield |
Watermedia
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For further information on other activities during the fair, go to www.artonthesquare.com
 Today’s Deal Hop On It is $15 worth of food and drink at Caffe Avanti for $15.
According to the website, Caffe Avanti offers “fast casual” concept, all items are delivered to your table using real plates, bowls and utensils – no plastic . . .Order the complete menu in the comfort of your vehicle at the drive-thru window with menu board and speaker. Orders can also be called in ahead of time and picked up at the drive-thru window, cutting down your wait time even further.” The menu includes “unique breakfast items, grilled sandwiches, quesadillas, wraps, salads, soups, pizza and gourmet coffee.”
Caffe Avanti is located at 217 East Vandalia in Edwardsville, Ill.
You have a day and a half to buy the deal.
The fine print: Activated 24 hours after purchase and valid until March 31, 2012. Limit one (1) coupon per visit. Not valid for delivery. No cash back for unused portion. No cash value. Not valid with other promotions or discount offers. Tax not included. All sales final. No refunds. For additional restrictions, see below for The Fine Print
 Did Cinco de Mayo fly right past you? Worry not. You can celebrate on Saturday at the Block Party on Third Street in downtown Alton.
The event kicks off with street food at 6 p.m. and live music by the Phins beginning on the Main Stage a half hour later.
Restaurants along the street will offer food and drink. The action moves into the local establishments at 10:30 p.m.
The Saturday party is just the first of a summer full of block parties in downtown Alton, a scenic river town north of St. Louis. The parties are held the last Saturday of the month through September.
Here’s the schedule for the rest of 2011:
May 28, Miles Station (Country Rock)
June 25, Glendale Riders (Classic Rock, New Rock, Southern Rock)
July 30, The Phins Band (Jimmy Buffet Tribute Band)
Aug. 27, Hicktown (Country & Southern Rock)
Sept. 24,
Street Beat
The block parties are sponsored by Downtown Alton Inc. and Donnewald Distributing Company. There are no parking or admission fees.
For more information, call 1-800-258-664 or click here.
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