Join the Madison County Historical Society as they participate in the 28th Annual Leclaire Parkfest on Sunday, October 20, from Noon to 5 p.m. at Leclaire Park on Hale Avenue in Edwardsville, IL. The festival features three bands: Dixieland Jazz by the Riverside Jazz Trio (Noon – 2:30 pm), followed by Bluegrass and other old-time folk music from the Lodge Brothers (2:30 pm-5 pm) at the bandstand. On the east side of the park, Greg Silsby & Friends will play Americana music (1 pm-3:30 pm). A Wine and Beer Garden is complimented by a wide variety of delicious festival food provided by local non-profit organizations and food vendors. Local artisans and crafters will have their work on display and available for purchase. Games, pet adoptions, vintage cars and tractors and other family activities provide something for every age. The St. Andrew’s Relay for Life Team will host the annual Leclaire Parkfest book sale with thousands of books available at bargain prices, all to benefit the American Cancer Society
Leclaire Parkfest celebrates the history and heritage of the Leclaire National Historic District, a neighborhood in Edwardsville that from 1890-1934 for a separate village founded by a St. Louis manufacturer who wanted to create a better work/home environment for his employees. It was an experiment in cooperative living that succeeded until the Great Depression made it necessary for the village to be annexed to the City of Edwardsville.
The village’s former N. O. Nelson Manufacturing Company buildings are now the Historic N. O. Nelson Campus of Lewis and Clark Community College. The Leclaire Schoolhouse is a children’s museum and baseball has been played at Leclaire Field since 1890. Leclaire Park, where thousands came by train from St. Louis on hot summer days a century ago to spend a day in the country, still welcomes visitors for a quiet respite, although swimming and boating are no longer permitted on the lake. The historic neighborhood has over 400 homes and an incredible story. Exhibits of historic photos and narrated trolley tours tell the unique story of Leclaire at the festival.
At the Society’s booth you’ll find exhibits on Madison County history, a few sale items, a Madison County Trivia game and much more. Stop by to renew your membership for 2020, to play the game, or just to say “Hi!”
No admission is charged for the festival which, in the tradition of the former Village of Leclaire, is free and open to all. For additional information, call 618-656-1294, visit the Friends of Leclaire web site at http://www.historic-leclaire.org/ or visit the festival’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/LeclaireParkfest/ 2019 festival sponsors include Busey Bank, Attorney Keith Short, Cassens (Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Ram), Creative Options Graphic Design, Taqueria Z, and Krause Properties.
