September Events for the Quincy, Illinois and Hannibal, Missouri Area

Probably the only local festival the has hot air balloon rides, tea with Queen Victoria, and Nerf dueling. The second annual Big River Steampunk Festival takes place Labor Day Weekend, September 5-7. Many of the events being held on all three days are free, no tickets are required. Tickets for Premium Events can be purchased on the official Big River Steampunk Festival website.

Labor Day Weekend will also be busy in Nauvoo during the Nauvoo Grape Festival. The main location is Nauvoo State Park. Activities include competitive events, parades, entertainment and the Festival on Wheels Car Show. The Nauvoo Grape Festival is September 4-6.

Tickets are on sale now for Quincy Community Theatre's production of Lend Me a Tenor, September 10-13 and September 18-20. "Lend Me a Tenor is a zany farce, complete with mistaken identities, misunderstandings, mixed signals, and doors…lots of doors! This raucous comedy, set in the 1930s, follows the fiery-tempered, world famous Italian superstar Tito Merelli as he arrives in Cleveland, OH to make his debut with the local opera company; then promptly goes missing. When the show’s producer conspires to cover for Tito’s absence, placate his hot-blooded wife, and distract his most passionate fans, these unsuspecting Ohioans realize just how many things can go wrong in one brief but action-packed evening!"

Ft. Madison's Tri-State Rodeo dates back to the late 1940s! This year's rodeo is September 9-12. Country music's Chase Rice will perform at the rodeo on Friday, September 11. Brett Eldredge will be the entertainer on Saturday, September 12.

A country music legend is headlining this year's Concert in the Cornfield in South Jacksonville, Illinois. The Charlie Daniels Band is coming to central Illinois on Saturday, September 12. Showtime is 7 p.m. Tickets are available online. The price is $20.

The Hannibal Jaycees have announced the 2nd Annual Mighty Mudder Dash-n-Bash. Proceeds will benefit children and youth in the community who are in need, with a focus on those in foster care and Christmas gifts for needy families. You can register a team online at www.mightymudder.net. The Mighty Mudder Dash-n-Bash takes place Saturday, September 12.

Every September the Tri-State Lugnuts Car Club brings their Endless Summer Car Show to the grounds of the Illinois Veterans Home. September 13 is the date for the 2015 car show. The Lugnuts will also host their  monthly car cruise at the Quincy Mall on the night before the car show, beginning at 6:30.

The annual Quincy Classic Boat & Outboard Show is September 18-20. Over the weekend there will be in-water and static boat displays, a swap meet, and a River Run from Hannibal to Quincy.

The Quincy Art Center's Art Fest is September 19 from noon to 5 p.m. and will feature activities for all ages, including a clay competition for kids and adults, an art exhibit scavenger hunt, live animal drawing, figure drawing, a collaborative mural, live music and several games and contests.

The Quincy Museum is having its Folk Life Festival on September 19 from noon to 5 p.m. There will be a variety of demonstrators, crafters and activities for children. The museum will be serving Buffalo sandwiches. There will also be a bake sale booth, caramel apples and old fashioned bottled soda. Admission is $2.

Clat Adams Park along Quincy's riverfront is the setting of the annual Great River Grape Escape, which features 12 Illinois wineries complimented by local chefs' pairings. There will also be live music throughout the weekend, September 26-27. Entry into the wine festival is $10.00. A commemorative Great River Grape Escape wine glass and 5 tasting tickets are included in your entry fee. Tasting tickets are redeemable for a one ounce taste of wine. Additional tasting tickets can be purchased for $1.00 each.

The Harvest Hootenanny is bringing music, food, games and fun to the Mark Twain Cave Complex September 25-27. Several local bands will perform, including: Old Salt Union, Dirty River Ramblers, The Twains. Outlaw Country Rock n Roll, The Faretheewells, Avenue Beat, Mike Moore + Seth Wade, Time Hart, and Zeke Cernea. A fun run, pumpkin carving contest, petting zoo, grape stomp, and plenty more activities will also be a part of this year's Harvest Hootenanny.