Patriotic spirit will be on full display across Clinton County in the coming weeks as communities, organizations and local volunteers host a variety of events celebrating America’s 250th birthday.
From parades and fireworks to historical exhibits, veterans tributes and community festivals, residents will have numerous opportunities to commemorate the nation’s semiquincentennial.
Albers
Celebrating America250 ... fallen local heroes Coxswain Harold Stukenberg and PFC Alphonse Eilermann are the grand marshals at the 2026 Albers Blast-Off Parade on July 3. Pictured are (above, from left) Jenna Kueper, Albers Commercial Club president; with Jim Stukenberg, nephew of Harold Stukenberg and Jim Lampe and Jerry Lampe, nephews of Alphonse Eilermann; and Steve Schomaker, Albers Village president. The Albers Blastoff Parade and Fireworks will be on July 3. The parade begins at 6:30 p.m. Fireworks will be at 9 p.m.
Food and drinks at the Albers American Legion begin at 4 p.m. Music by The Buzzards will be from 7:30 to 11 p.m.
The Village of Albers and Albers Commercial Club proudly announce fallen local heroes Coxswain Harold Stukenberg and PFC Alphonse Eilermann as their 2026 Albers Blast-Off Parade grand marshals.
The families of Stukenberg and Eilermann accepted the honor on behalf of the men at Stukenberg-Eilermann American Legion Post 1026.
“There is no one more deserving of this privilege on America’s 250th anniversary,” Albers Village President Steve Schomaker said. “The Village of Albers is very honored to recognize the outstanding service of these hometown heroes.”
Everyone is invited to the Blast-Off Parade and Fireworks! in Albers on Friday, July 3.
Members of the Stukenberg and Eilermann families will be leading the Blast-Off Parade, starting at 6:30 p.m.
Prizes will be awarded to the best entry in the following categories: Overall, Family, Business/Organization, Tractor, Vehicle and Mayor’s Choice.
Contact Gina at 618-567-4349 or email:
Keep up on all the news about Albers on Facebook at www.facebook.com/villageofalbers.
There also are America250 banners hung throughout the Village of Albers to get into the patriotic spirit.
Aviston
The Clinton County Celebrates Freedom event will be July 5 at Aviston American Legion Post 1239. Doors open at 2 p.m. The ceremony honoring the heroes begins at 6 p.m. and will last about an hour.
Members from American Legions throughout the county have been planning the event and they hope to make it a county-wide event. They are sending invitations to all of the towns.
Ivan Markus, Bob Ottensmeier and Dale Rakers from the Aviston American Legion and Joe Langenhorst from the Germantown American Legion, along with others, are spearheading the event. Bob Eversgerd also has been key in providing displays and information for the event.
They are going to be placing 250 flags, about 10 feet apart, up and down Aviston/Albers Road. During the ceremony, they are going to be talking about LeRoy Raeber and Vince Rolves. At 105 years old, Raeber is a World War II veteran and is believed to be the oldest living male in Breese. Rolves is a former World War II prisoner of war and is thought to be the only surviving World War II prisoner of war in Illinois.
They are unsure if Raeber or Rolves will be able to attend the ceremony on July 5, but they will still recognize them.
There will be posters listing all of the Clinton County soldiers who died during World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Civil War and the Middle East wars. Names were found at the Clinton County Courthouse and online. All of the posters will be put in frames and they are looking for tripods to stand them on.
Members will be speaking about the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Black Hawk War, Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and major U.S. wars, conflicts and interventions since 1989.
There will be framed maps of the different wars. They are going to fire three canons off and there will be a 21-gun salute. The canons will be back in the trees behind the Legion, and there will be a path that people can follow to look at the canons.
Military items and uniforms will be on display. They are hoping to get a lot of items on display so people can walk around and look at them.
Father Von C. Deeke from St. Francis Church in Aviston will give the opening prayer.
“Taps” will be played following the gun and canon salute.
Two America 250 quilts will be raffled off at the event.
The Sons of the American Legion is taking care of all the food outside. The bar at the Legion will be open.
The event also will feature a 50/50 raffle and a band/DJ.
Those attending are asked to bring lawn chairs.
Carlyle
For America250, Carlyle in Bloom is having a Carlyle Blooms in Red, White & Blue Contest available to all Carlyle residents and businesses. Carlyle in Bloom is having a Carlyle Blooms in Red, White and Blue contest.
Carlyle in Bloom is inviting all residents and businesses to celebrate America250 by decorating their front porch, yard, and/or storefront.
Those participating are encouraged to decorate a spot in their yard using live plants or flowers and a United States flag. They are to display a provided yard sign for judging.
Registration forms are available at Carlyle City Hall or Case-Halstead Public Library.
One participant each week will be recognized as the “250 Bloomer of the Week.”
Weekly winners will be entered into an end-of-the-summer drawing for prizes.
Carlyle Lake
Carlyle Lake will celebrate the annual Carlyle Lake Dam Jam on Saturday, June 27, from 1-9 p.m. at Dam West Recreation Area.
The annual music festival celebrates America’s 250th birthday with all-day events and fireworks at night. Bring your coolers, lawn chairs and swim suits and enjoy the whole day at the beach. Music with live bands starts at 1 p.m. and continues until the fireworks around 9 p.m.
Clinton County Fair
The Clinton County Fair parade showcases agriculture, the reigning Clinton County Fair Queen Amanda Brink, queen contestants, Little Miss participants, local school bands, organizations, and many local businesses with a fun theme every year!
This year’s theme is “A Star-Spangled Salute.”
The Clinton County Fair is held July 13 to 18, with the annual parade kicking off the fair Monday, July 13, at 6 p.m. in Carlyle. The parade route begins on Fairfax Street, near the Clinton County Courthouse, and travels south on 17th Street, then west on Methodist Street, ending at the Clinton County Fairgrounds.
Saturday, July 18, is the annual Clinton County Fair Queen pageant, held at 1 p.m. at Kaskaskia College in Centralia, where the new fair queen will be crowned and will be featured at the annual Demolition Derby that evening.
Concessions, vendors and a carnival will be held every day of fair week, beginning at 6 p.m. There also will be numerous exhibits and 4-H judging throughout the day.
For more information, check out https://clincofair.org.
Clinton County Historical Society
The Clinton County Historical Society is hosting a historical site crawl through July 18.
Residents can travel across Clinton County and visit 13 historical sites to celebrate America250 by learning more about local history.
Sites are William J. Lehrter Community Park in Albers; Vintage Village Hall in Aviston; Standin’ Proud Veterans Tribute in Bartelso; Coal Miners Monument in Beckemeyer; Historical Park and Garden in Breese; General Dean suspension bridge in Carlyle; St. Damian Church and Schoolhouse in Damiansville; Lake Park Memorial in Germantown; Veterans Memorial in Hoffman; Old School in Keyesport; Village Hall in New Baden; Wessel’s Corner Market in St. Rose; and Sun Newspaper in Trenton.
Passports can be picked up at local libraries or at the Clinton County Historical Society Museum. There will be an America250 birthday bash at the Clinton County Historical Society Museum (1091 Franklin Street, Carlyle) on July 18 and those with completed passports will get entered for the chance to win a $100 gift card.
New Baden
The city of Trenton is hosting an America250 Bash on Friday, June 26. America250 signs are showcased throughout Trenton. In New Baden, come celebrate America 250 with the annual June Jamboree, held Friday and Saturday, June 19 and 20.
The festival will feature carnival rides, games, food, beverages, live bands and other family activities both evenings.
The annual June Jamboree parade will begin at 5 p.m. on June 20, along Hanover Street in New Baden, and end at New Baden Community Park.
Trenton
The City of Trenton will host an America250 Bash on Friday, June 26.
The celebration begins with a parade at 6 p.m., starting at North Main and East Third streets before proceeding to Trenton City Park.
The patriotic evening will feature live entertainment, food vendors, and family-friendly activities celebrating the nation’s milestone anniversary.
The City of Trenton has embraced the patriotic spirit with a community-wide display of red, white and blue. Local businesses along Old Route 50/Broadway Street have decorated storefronts and windows with patriotic themes, creating a festive atmosphere throughout the downtown area.
American flags line the streets, while red, white and blue bicycles have been placed around town as unique decorative displays, adding to the community’s celebration of the nation’s milestone anniversary.
