Plenty of fun to fill your calendar.

Mattoon Tourism and Arts March 26,2025

This week:

March 27 The Potted Cat Pottery Class at Warren James Winery, 6-7:30pm

Enjoy an evening of using your creative side while sipping your drink and trying sourdough treats. You will be guided using a template to create our own berry baskets and have the option to use decorative tools, add handles, as well as pick your own glaze color. $65 includes: one glass of wine, sourdough treats from Rise & Shine micro-bakery, class fee, all materials, and firing. Register at: calendly.com/thepottedcat2020/pottery-at-the-winery-berry-baskets

March 27 Book Buzz: Monthly Literary Meet-up at the Mattoon Library 5:30-6:15pm

Join Mattoon Library staff member, Lou Ann Shoultz, for a monthly book recommendation + discussion meeting. Journey across genres and talk about popular reads of the day with good stories, good tea, and good company. There is no pressure or expectations, anyone can participate, or simply enjoy a relaxing atmosphere in the beautiful Mattoon Library Reading Room. Copies of the monthly selection are available at the Main Circulation Desk on the First Floor.

March 28-29 Car Show at the Cross County Mall

Attention Drivers and Fans! The Cross County Mall is hosting the Coles County Speedway cars show this weekend. Donations will be taken for The Shiner's Hospital for Children throughout the weekend. Pre-registration required, call 217-663-5243. Friday and Saturday 9am-9pm, Sunday noon-5pm.

March 29 Back to the 80's Glo-bingo at McKenna-Yost Convention Center, Mattoon Hilton Garden Inn

Registration is NOW open with Pre-Sales: $25/person and at the Door: $30/person. Doors open at 6pm - Bingo begins at 7pm. Come dressed in your Best 80's Attire. House of Brisket will have food for purchase. Event includes a cash bar, 50/50 raffle and silent auction. For more info check out: (www.trojanboosterclub.org/globingo.html)

March 29 STEM College 2025: Lake Land Community College Cub Scout College program

The STEM College 2025 event will take place at Lake Land Community College on March 29. The college is located at 5001 Lake Land Blvd. in Mattoon and the cost to attend is $17 per student. Those interested in participating can sign up at scoutingevent.com. Tenured Professors from Lake Land College are acting as the Merit Badge Counselors and will give an in-depth expertise look at each badge!

March 29-30 3rd Annual March Mayhem Basketball Tourney at Emerald Acres

This weekend Emerald Acres Sports Connection is hosting the 3rd Annual March Mayhem Basketball Tournament, organized by the U.S. Junior Nationals (USJN). This high-energy event will feature 14U-17U teams from across the region competing in two days of thrilling basketball action at our state-of-the-art facility with eight hardwood courts. Highlights include Scouting Opportunities. National evaluators and regional non-Division I colleges will be in attendance. All-Star Recognition: Pool and event All-Stars announced within 48 hours post-event. Join for a weekend of elite competition and exciting basketball action.

Local Tunes

March 28 Sound City Music at the Mattoon Moose, 7-10pm
March 29 Jared Chambers & Whiskey Weekend at Warren James Winery, 7pm
March 29 Colt Ball and Friends at the Uptowner, 9pm
March 29 Gran bailazo estilo Tierras calientes: Grupo Pacifico, Sisco's Bar, Suite Dreams Hotel, 9pm

Looking ahead:

April 4-6 Sports Card Show at the Cross County Mall
April 5 Mattoon Public Library Spring Book Sale, 7am-12:30pm
April 5 Mars Super Late Model Race, Charleston Speedway, 3pm
April 5 Mattoon Chamber of Commerce Dinner, Emerald Acres 5pm
April 10 One Stop Community Christmas meeting at the Salvation Army, noon
April 11 Mattoon Eagles Club Annual Glo Bingo Fundraiser, 7pm
April 11 Crusin' Downtown Mattoon 6-10pm
April 12 Easter Egg Hunt at the Cross County Mall
April 12-13 Mattoon Midwest Spring Shootout at Emerald Acres
April 15 Art Blooms in the Garden: World Art Day Competition at The Whiteside Garden 9am-3pm
April 17 Family Library Night at the Mattoon Library, 4-5:45pm
April 19-21 Sports Card Show at the Cross County Mall
April 24 Book Buzz: Monthly Literary Meet-up at the Mattoon Library 5:30-6:15pm
April 24-26 Spring Fest 2025 at EIU
April 26 EIU Panther Fund Run 5K/Mile
April 26 2025 Seeds Gala hosted by Maranatha Christian Academy, keynote speaker Kayleigh McEnany
April 26-27 Mattoon Pride Edie Wittenberg Memorial Tournament
April 26-27 Mattoon Pride Leather & Laces Baseball Tournament
April 26 Shou Sugi Ban, Japanese method of wood preservation, U of I Extension
April 26 Festival of the Young Child, Cross County Mall
April 30 Coles County Entrepreneurship Class "ClassE" Trade Show @ Emerald Acres
May 1 ClassE Community Leaders Breakfast @ Emerald Acres
May 2 Bagel Bites & Mattoon Made, Heritage Park
May 2-4 Mother's Day Gift and Craft Show, Cross County Mall
May 3 Mattoon YMCA May Merriment
May 6 Garden Walk at Whiteside Garden
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 10 Gardenfest at Lytle Park
May 15 Family Library Night at the Mattoon Library, 4-5:45pm
May 16 Mattoon Lake Land College Commencement, at LLC
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 Flea Market at the Cross County Mall
June 7 SBLHC Races for all Paces at EIU O'Brien Stadium
June 13 SBL Golf Benefit, Meadowview Golf Course
June 13 Bagel Bites & Mattoon Made, Heritage Park
June 13 Crusin' Downtown Mattoon 6-10pm
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
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 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 Train Show in the Rural King Event Center
September 19-20 CIL-Con Front Street Event Center in Gays
September 20 June 14 Coles County Memorial Airport Young Eagles, free flights for kids
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 Local Tunes

April 3 Spring Bird Walks at Douglas Hart Nature Center, 8am
April 4 The Chandeliers at the Uptowner, 6-9pm
April 4 Black Vinyl at the Mattoon Moose Lodge, 7pm
April 5 Chanticleer performs at Doudna Fine Arts Center, EIU at 7:30pm
April 11 West End Boogie at the Mattoon Moose,7pm
April 12 Raegan Sims Live at Warren James Winery, 6pm
April 19 Tyjon Charlie at Warren James Winery, 6pm
April 19 Ciraxis, Cause of Ruin, Gonzo Diablo at The Uptowner, 9pm
April 25 Black Vinyl at the Uptowner, 6pm
April 25 Sound City Music at the Mattoon Moose, 7pm
April 26 Jacob Kuhns Experience at the Uptowner, 9pm
April 26 Andy Rueter Live at Warren James Winery, 6pm
April 27 The Chandeliers at Warren James Winery, 2pm
April 26 VA at Lefty's Holler, 8pm
May 2 Black Vinyl at Ike's, 7pm
May 2 Karaoke with Jim McBride, Rookies, 8pm-Midnight
May 3 Klincher performs at the Uptowner, 8pm
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 23 Richard Goodal live at House Brothers, 6pm
May 24 Black Vinyl at Mattoon VFW, 7pm
June 20 X-Krush at House Brothers Tavern, 8pm
June 20 Karaoke with The Jim McBride at Rookies Sports Bar
June 28 Absent Ground at WB's Pub and Grub, 8pm
July 12 Gypsy Soul Revival LIVE at Rookies, 8pm
July 26 Absent Ground at Warren James Winery, 2pm
November 26 Absent Ground at Warren James Winery, 6pm