The winter
has been long in Southern Illinois but better weather and better times are on
the way. As a new season dawns, Makanda
Fest Events invites everyone to venture out to Makanda’s legendary downtown to
celebrate the coming of spring and the silver anniversary of one of Southern
Illinois’ most magical traditions. The
25th Annual Makanda Spring Fest will take place Saturday, May 4th
and Sunday, May 5th on and around the boardwalk in downtown Makanda.
Now
celebrating it’s 25th successful year, Makanda Spring Fest brings
together two days of the finest musicians, artisans and craftspeople that
Southern Illinois and the tri-state region have to offer, as well as the best
in down-home food, all in the name of providing fun and Spring enjoyment for
the entire family. For this year’s
silver anniversary celebration the festival pulls out all the stops, with
Makanda’s downtown outdoor stages coming alive with the music of a dozen
legendary local bands providing sounds for every musical taste.
From the jam rock sounds of Moving Mary, to
the swinging rockabilly and hillbilly tunes of the Swamp Tigers and the Whistle
Pigs, to the feel-good blues of such popular groups as Hobo Knife, The Merchant
Men, and Big Larry and Friends, to the infectious country/western of Ratliff
Dean, there is something for everyone.
In addition, fans of folk and acoustic music will be able to relax to
the softer sounds of singer/songwriter Chucky Waggs and Fiddle Rick.
International music fans can get back to
their Celtic Roots as Barry Cloyd brings the sounds of the Emerald Isle and the
Highlands, and those with New Orleans in their soul can get their toes tapping
with the sounds of the New Arts Jazz Quartet.
If all the music is not enough to bring a smile or lift the spirit,
comedians/musicians RognboB will be on hand to tickle the funny bone.
In addition to the very best in musical entertainment, the
two-day Spring Festival will be chocked full of the best arts and crafts
Southern Illinois has to offer, with a wide variety of artisans and vendors
offering the finest in hand-made jewelry, blown glass, yard art, woven fiber
finery, woodcrafts, and ceramics. In
addition to viewing the arts and wares, festival goers will have a chance to
witness hands-on demonstrations being offered in pottery and glass-blowing.
Music and art aren’t the only jewels in Spring Fest’s
crown. If all of the festivities make
you hungry, the boys from All-Good Grill and long-standing Mady’s Place will be
there along with our new addition -- down-home cooking from We B’ Smokin’ BBQ
who will be available to satisfy even the most ravenous appetite with the
award-winning ribs, barbequed chicken and mouth-watering sides. With all this, coupled with the quaint
picturesque landscape of the Makanda Boardwalk and surrounding hills, it’s no
wonder why generations of festival goers have been coming back again and again
for a quarter century. Don’t miss out!
