April 30 Coles County Entrepreneurship Class "ClassE" Trade Show @ Emerald Acres 5-7pm

• Check out the annual ClassE trade show- open tonight 5-7pm

May 1 Spring Bird Walks at Douglas Hart Nature Center, 8-10am

• Grab a camera or pair of binoculars and set out on trails to identify backyard birds, waterfowl, migratory birds, and more. All experience levels welcome. Meet outside the visitor center at 8am to depart on the walk. Refreshments are served at the conclusion of the walk. Registration is not required. Want to enjoy more birding experiences? Join the Bird Club!  www.dhnature.org/birdclub

May 1 St. Jude Skate Night at Silver Star Skate Center, 5:30-8pm

• Roller skate for the children at St Jude. At just $5 per person (includes skate rental) enjoy a night of skating, mini golf, and play area. All proceeds go to St Jude Children's Research Hospital. (Laser tag extra) The Silver Star Skate Center is located at 1505 North Rt. 45 in Mattoon.

May 1 ClassE Community Leaders Breakfast @ Emerald Acres, 7am

• Tickets are still on sale for tomorrow morning's breakfast featuring speaker Will Leitch, MHS alum and 20 under 40 nominees. For tickets go to bit.ly/20under40-2025.

May 2 Bagel Bites & Mattoon Made, Heritage Park with The Brat Pack

• Kick off the summer in Heritage Park at Bagel Bites – Mattoon Made! Enjoy a evening of live music from The Brat Pack, plus local artisans and delicious food vendors. Bring your friends, your appetite, and your lawn chairs — it's going to be a great time! Note that alcohol from local restaurants: Little Mexico, Hunan, Luigi's and La Luna are available for purchase and carry to the event.

May 2-4 Mother's Day Gift and Craft Show, Cross County Mall

• Vendors will be selling various handmade, homemade and gift items in time for Mother's Day! Open during Mall hours at the Cross County Mall located at 700 Broadway Ave. East in Mattoon.

Play Ball! All the following Mattoon Hit-men tourneys are this weekend in Mattoon. For more information go to www.mattoonhitmen.com

• May 2-4 14u Hit-Men Baseball Tournament
• May 2-4 Hit-Men Mattoon Invitational
• May 3-4 Hit-Men 8u Tournament

May 3 Camp New Hope clean-up day, 8am-2pm

• Help clean the camp grounds to be ready for summer campers. Needs include painting, trash pick up and cleaning cabins. Lunch will be provided for all volunteers. For more information call 217-895-2341.

May 3 Children's Story Time at Lincoln Log Cabin, 10am

• Join at 10 a.m. on the first Saturday of every month for story time at Lincoln Log Cabin. Featuring the reading of a historically-themed children's book followed by activities and crafts, this free program helps to engage youngsters ages 5-10 in American history and bring the stories to life. All youth must be accompanied by an adult. Please RSVP at https://lincolnlogcabin.app.neoncrm.com/event.jsp?event=280

May 3 Stewardship Saturday at Warbler Ridge, 9am

• Monthly Stewardship Day- First Saturday of Each Month at Warbler Ridge. Make new friends and help manage and protect Warbler Ridge. Need advice to become familiar with the preserve? Interested to learn new skills to manage your own property? Join fellow friends in conservation at this monthly get-together. All ages and abilities welcome. RSVP online, meeting site locations may occasionally change RSVP: https://www.grandprairiefriends.org/events-1

May 3 Mattoon YMCA May Merriment

• The 36th Annual May Merriment will be held at 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at the Mattoon Area Family YMCA. Join us for a delicious meal, the area’s premier silent & live auction, and live music by 90’s Daughter. NEW THIS YEAR- JOIN A KENTUCKY DERBY PRE-PARTY STARTING AT 4 P.M. Check-in and the silent auction will open at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m. The live auction will begin at 7 p.m., followed by live music by 90's Daughter. *Must be 21+ to attend. For more information call 217-234-9494. Get tickets at: maymerriment.cbo.io

May 3-4 Mattoon Midwest Showcase at Emerald Acres

• Join for the Mattoon Midwest Showcase—a weekend packed with competitive matchups and high-energy basketball action. Hosted at the state-of-the-art Emerald Acres Sports Connection, this tournament is open to boys and girls teams from 3rd through 8th grade. Register today at www.midwestpremierhoops.com to lock in your spot.

May 4 Mattoon Arts Council reception for featured artist Jeannie Martinson, 1-3pm at the Cross County Mall

• Join the Mattoon Arts Council in celebration of art, community, and creativity at the Mattoon Art Council's Featured Artist Reception, showcasing the incredible work of Jeannie Martinson. Come celebrate local talent, mingle with fellow art lovers, and enjoy light refreshments as we highlight Jeannie's stunning creations. This is a great opportunity to support local artists and connect with the vibrant community of Mattoon.

May 6 Garden Walk at Whiteside Garden, 10am

• Join Master Gardener Diana Glosser for an enchanting tour of The Whiteside Garden. Discover the fascinating plants that were native to the 1700s or brought to America and learn how they were used. Conducted in collaboration with the Douglas Hart Foundation and the Illinois Extension. This event is free, registration appreciated: go.illinois.edu/WhitesideWalk.

Local Tunes

• May 2 Jake and Mikayla live at Taco Amigos for Cinco de Mayo, 5-8pm
• May 2 Razor Sharp at the Castle, 7pm
• May 2 Black Vinyl at Ike's, 7pm
• May 2 Absent Ground returns to Mattoon Moose, 7pm
• May 2 Karaoke with Jim McBride, Rookies, 8pm-Midnight
• May 3 Londyn Fultz live at Taco Amigos for Cinco de Mayo, 5-8pm
• May 3 Motherlode String Band at Warren James Winery, 6pm
• May 3 Klincher performs at the Uptowner, 8pm
• May 3 The Castle's Saturday Night Karaoke, 9pm

Looking ahead:

• May 8 One Stop Community Christmas meeting at the Salvation Army, noon
• May 9 April 11 Crusin' Downtown Mattoon 6-10pm
• May 9-10 Boutique Blvd in the Rural King Event Center
• May 9-10 Spring Vintage Market, Coles County Fair Grounds
• May 9-11 Hit-Men Mother's Day Tournament
• May 10 Gardenfest at Lytle Park, 9am
• May 10 Spring Market at Warren James Winery, 1pm
• May 11 Mother's Day Music Bingo at Warren James Winery, 2pm
• May 13 LIFT Birth to 3 program event at Heritage Park featuring musician Jim Gill
• May 15 Family Library Night at the Mattoon Library, 4-5:45pm
• May 16 Mattoon Lake Land College Commencement, at LLC
• May 16-18 Hit-Men Schools Out Slam
• May 17 Seed Swap: A Gardener's Get Together, Bloomfield Garden Center
• May 13 Tree ID Walk at EIU campus
• May 21-23 IHSA Girls State Track and Field, EIU
• May 22 Book Buzz: Monthly Literary Meet-up at the Mattoon Library 5:30-6:15pm
• May 23 Bagel Bites & Mattoon Made, Heritage Park
• May 29-31 IHSA Boys State Track and Field, EIU
• June 6-8 Lake Mattoon Riviera Regatta
• June 6-8 Flea Market at the Cross County Mall
• June 7 SBLHC Races for all Paces at EIU O'Brien Stadium
• June 7 St. Jude Moonshine Ride, 9am
• June 13 SBL Golf Benefit, Meadowview Golf Course
• June 13 Bagel Bites & Mattoon Made, Heritage Park
• June 13 Crusin' Downtown Mattoon 6-10pm
• June 13-15 Hit-Men 14u Summer Slam Tourney
• June 14 Coles County Memorial Airport Young Eagles, free flights for kids
• June 26 A Walk in the Woods, Walnut Point State Park, Oakland
• June 26 Book Buzz: Monthly Literary Meet-up at the Mattoon Library 5:30-6:15pm
• June 27-29 Mattoon Pride Summer Blast Softball Tournament,
• July 1 4-H Home and Family Show at the Cross County Mall
• July 4 Coles County Fireworks
• July 11 Crusin' Downtown Mattoon 6-10pm
• July 11-13 Sports Card Show at the Cross County Mall
• July 12 June 14 Coles County Memorial Airport Young Eagles, free flights for kids

July 12, 16-19 Mattoon Bagelfest

• 15 Bagel Baby Contest at Cross County Mall
• July 24 Book Buzz: Monthly Literary Meet-up at the Mattoon Library 5:30-6:15pm
• July 26 One Stop Community Christmas Adult Prom, McKenna-Yost Convention Center
• August 1 Bagel Bites & Mattoon Made, Heritage Park
• August 1-3 Flea Market at the Cross County Mall
• August 8 Crusin' Downtown Mattoon 6-10pm
• August 8-9 Boutique Blvd at the Rural King Event Center
• August 9 Camp New Hope Benefit Run- all vehicles welcome.
• August 21 Book Buzz: Monthly Literary Meet-up at the Mattoon Library 5:30-6:15pm
• September 5-7 Sports Card Show at the Cross County Mall
• September 6 Boy Scout Clay Shoot Fundraiser to benefit scouting at Old Barne Clay Shoot in Oakland
• September 11 One Stop Community Christmas meeting at the Salvation Army, noon
• September 12 Crusin' Downtown Mattoon 5-9pm
• September 13 Mattoon Artisan Fair in Heritage Park
• September 13 Harvest of Hope Concert, Peterson Park
• September 13 Train Show in the Rural King Event Center
• September 19-20 CIL-Con Front Street Event Center in Gays
• September 20 Coles County Memorial Airport Young Eagles, free flights for kids
• September 20 Special Olympics Family Festival, LLC
• September 26-28 Flea Market at the Cross County Mall
• September 27 Tour de Charleston
• October 2 Mattoon Chamber of Commerce Business Expo and Taste of the Expo
• October 9 One Stop Community Christmas meeting at the Salvation Army, noon
• October 10 Crusin' Downtown Mattoon 5-9pm
• October 10-12 Mattoon Pride Field of Screams Halloween Tourney
• October 31 Trunk or Treat at the Cross County Mall
• October tbd Mattoon Trunk or Treat
• November 6 One Stop Community Christmas meeting at the Salvation Army, noon
• November 7-9 Sports Card Show at the Cross County Mall
• November 11 Veteran's Day Parade
• November 13 One Stop Community Christmas meeting at the Salvation Army, noon
• November 14-16 Christmas Gift and Craft Show at the Cross County Mall
• November 20 One Stop Community Christmas meeting at the Salvation Army, noon
• November 20 Mattoon Lightworks Walk Thru
• November 21 Mattoon Lightworks opening night for vehicles only
• November 29 Downtown Mattoon Cookie Walk, time tbd
• December 4 One Stop Community Christmas meeting at the Salvation Army, noon
• December 5 Mattoon Celebrate Downtown Christmas
• December 11 One Stop Community Christmas meeting at the Salvation Army, noon
• December 13 One Stop Community Christmas at Lake Land College
• December 25 Mattoon Lightworks last day

Future Tunes

• May 9 Dylan Raymond music at Warren James Winery, 6-9pm
• May 10 Whiskey Weekend, Juanito’s Mexican Cocina celebrating Cinco de Mayo
• May 16 Karaoke with Jim McBride, at Rookies, 8pm- midnight
• May 17 Absent Ground at Lefty's Holler, 7pm
• May 17 Andy Rueter Live at Warren James Winery, 6pm
• May 18 The Chandeliers at The Uptowner, 2pm
• May 23 Richard Goodal live at House Brothers, 6pm
• May 24 Black Vinyl at Mattoon VFW, 7pm
• May 24 Outlaw Country Tribute Show with Brian Schartzer at Warren James Winery, 6pm
• May 24 The Uptowner presents: iMortal at 9pm
• May 29 Absent Ground at Warren James Winery, 6pm
• May 30 Mid-October at Lefty's Holler, 7pm
• May 31 Rob Westcott live at Warren James Winery, 6pm
• June 1 Voodoo Exiles at the Mattoon VFW, 3pm
• June 6 Samuel Harness at Warren James Winery, 6pm
• June 6 Karaoke with The Jim McBride, 8pm
• June 7 Allie Keck Live at Warren James Winery, 6pm
• June 7 Black Vinyl at House Brothers, 7pm
• June 7 Klincher Live at Rookies, 8pm
• June 13 Abent Grounds at Bagel Bites, Heritage Park 6:30pm
• June 14 Gypsy Soul Revival at the Castle, 8pm
• June 20 X-Krush at House Brothers Tavern, 8pm
• June 20 Karaoke with The Jim McBride at Rookies Sports Bar
• June 21 Gypsy Soul Revival at Lefty's Holler, 8pm
• June 28 Absent Ground at WB's Pub and Grub, 8pm
• July 11 Lady Luck LIVE at House Brothers, 7pm
• July 12 Gypsy Soul Revival LIVE at Rookies, 8pm
• July 19 Klincher at House Brothers, 7pm
• July 26 Absent Ground at Warren James Winery, 2pm
• August 1 Captain Rat & the Blind Rivets LIVE at House Brothers, 7pm
• November 26 Absent Ground at Warren James Winery, 6pm