By SUSAN CHISM
ADVOCATE NEWS STAFF
Cold weather is over. School is out.
Tomorrow is not the day to sleep in. Greenville invites all its residents to tour the city, Saturday, June 3, and see what things await. Bond County is small but mighty. Take a look. Admissions to all events are free, but museums appreciate donations to help with expenses. Some activities have a small fee.
8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Start your day with the Farmer’s Market on the square. It opens at 8 a.m. The Happy Beans children’s activity involves cheese tasting with six Marcoot varieties. Of course there are prizes. This time, the children can earn Beans Bucks and spend them at the market or at the Marcoot Cheesefest. Beauty and Raya, two well-known princesses, will be on hand to visit and pose for pictures with little ones. The market itself is expanded. Lizzie Bob’s Bakery will be here for the first time with baked goods for everyone, including gluten-free choices, special treats for dogs, as well as homemade ice cream. Sip and Scoot mobile coffee cafe will make its first appearance too, and Granny Rocks Kettled Pops will be back with new flavors.
8 a.m.-3 p.m.
While you’re at the market, check the other side of the street. The Fallen Officer’s Car Show honors the memory of law enforcement members around the county. You’ll see Stocks, Modifieds, and Rat Rods on display. A dunk tank and raffle will add to the fun. Registration, fees and other donations will go to support local law enforcement officers.
9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Museums officially open at 9 a.m. If you don’t want to drive to all the stops, you can park at the municipal lot at Second and South streets or at the Farm Heritage Museum and hop on the complimentary shuttle; it will drive all the locations and let people on and off.
Where to start with the museums? Go back to school at the Schoolhouse Museum, 601 E Beaumont Ave. This is a real school, moved from a location in the county. It has original desks and other artifacts. Visitors will also find a school marm to answer questions and give students a quick lesson.
The Bock Sculpture Museum, 219 E College Ave., houses the Richard Bock collection. Bock’s sculptures are large and impressive. He and Frank Lloyd Wright often worked together, and the museum has some Wright works too. Here kids can get their faces painted at a studio on the front porch until noon.
Head just a few blocks to the DeMoulin Museum, 203 S. Prairie St. Here, visitors learn about strange and wonderful lodge initiation devices as well as some of the most widely used band uniforms. A caricature artist will capture funny faces from 10 a.m. until noon; sewing experts will demonstrate vintage machines, and everyone can enjoy a BBQ sandwich and a lemon shakeup.
The Bond County Museum, 409 S. Fourth St., has the story of Bond County from before it was Bond County. Guides will explain the many artifacts throughout, and a modern-day Union Col. John B. Reid will discuss some of the Civil War items. A vintage fire truck will be outside with Sparky the Firehouse Dog, and Princess Elsa will be there too.
The visit to the American Farm Heritage Museum, just out of town at 1395 Museum Road, is actually three museums in one. Start with a ride on the Heritage Railroad, a one-mile trip on a 15” gauge train to see the grounds. Thacker Insurance has paid admission for the first 50 children who ride. Then go to Hill’s Fort, a replica of a fort found southeast of town built in the early 1800s. Working blacksmiths will showcase their crafts at the fort. Finally, the Little Red Barn shows interiors of various rooms, furnishings, clothing, and toys from the early nineteenth century.
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Finish your trip with a short drive to Marcoot Jersey Creamery Cheesefest on Dudleyville Road. Enjoy fried cheese curds and made-on-site ices; purchase some cheese and pasture-raised beef. Take time to see the cows and pet the calves.
12:30 p.m.
Here’s a chance to give back a bit and help others. More than 50 young dancers from Fusion Dance in Greenville, Vandalia Performing Arts Center, and Heavenly Rhythm in Collinsville will produce “Dancing for Doll,” a benefit performance to raise funds for Ambrea Doll. Ambrea, a 10-year Fusion dancer and recent Greenville Junior High graduate, has begun treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Donations are $5 (or more) and will go to her family to help with medical and personal expenses.
Sunday, 1:30 p.m.
After church on Sunday, be sure to hear Jamie Nattier, at 1:30 p.m., in concert at the DeMoulin Museum. You can find more about that elsewhere in this issue.
Every Greenville weekend isn’t this full. Enjoy the opportunities available for Bond County residents and guests.
