2015 Summer Events Guide for the Quincy / Hannibal Area

The Gus Macker 3-on-3 basketball tournament returns to Washington Park May 23 - 24, 2015. This year marks the 25th anniversary of Gus Macker basketball in Quincy, presented by the Quincy Exchange Club.

Twain on Main takes place during Memorial Day Weekend, May 23 - 24, 2015. Hours are 10 - 5 on Saturday, and 10 - 4 on Sunday. The Historic Hannibal Marketing Council presents Twain on Main as a celebration of Mark Twain, his literary works, and the cultural and historical heritage of Hannibal. The festival features crafts, entertainment, events, specialty vendors, and food vendors.

The Quincy Gems' home opener will be on Thursday, May 28 at Q.U. Stadium. The Hannibal Cavemen will host an exhibition game against the Hannibal Senior American Legion Team at 6:35 on Memorial Day, and will then have their regular season home opener against Terre Haute on Saturday, May 30. Quincy and Hannibal will play each other 10 times in the 2015 season.

The fifth annual Fishing for Freedom event will take place June 5 - June 7. There will be five divisions in the 2015 Fishing for Freedom: Staff Sgt. Matt Weichert Memorial Bass Division (Mississippi River), Staff Sgt. Matt Weichert Memorial Bass Division (Mark Twain Lake), Allie Lymenstull Catfish Division, Crappie Division, Hannibal Division (Mississippi River Pool 22 only). Fishing for Freedom is designed to give Global War on Terrorism veterans, as well as active duty troops, a weekend of events including fish frys and trapshooting, a Heroes Banquet, and fishing on the mighty Mississippi River or Mark Twain Lake.

New London Park Days will return to the Ralls County Courthouse grounds for two days, June 5 - 6, 2015. Pageants, a car show, food, crafts, games, live entertainment, rides and a 5K race are all a part of New London Park Days festivities.

Lake Pittsfield is the site of the annual Lincoln Days Civil War Re-enactment, which will take place June 6 - 8. This event includes Union and Confederate encampments; artillery, cavalry, infantry and naval drills; vendors, food, music and blacksmithing; scavenger hunts for kids; and many more activities.

Blues in the District begins its 2015 season on June 12. June 26, July 10, July 24, August 14, and August 28 are also Blues in the District dates in 2015. Blues in the District concerts are free to attend in Washington Park.

Fair dates for Griggsville's Western Illinois Fair are June 24 - 28, 2015. The Queen Pageant is scheduled for June 25, the School Bus Demolition Derby and Team Derby Preliminaries are on June 26, Compact, Stock and Team Derby Finals on June 27, and the UPA Tractor Pull will be at 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 28. Wednesday and Friday the ticket price is $10, and that includes rides. Thursday, Saturday and Sunday tickets are $8 without rides, or $15 with rides. Season passes without rides are $30, and $50 with rides. Parking is free.

Washington Park will be filled with works of fine art, live entertainment, food vendors, and family activities June 26 - 28 during the annual Midsummer Arts Faire.

Fiesta del Sol will be back for its second year in Hannibal's Central Park on June 27. Hours are from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.  Featuring music, food, art and a home brew festival. This event is for all ages. It is presented by the Rotary Club of Hannibal.

The Adams County Fair in Mendon is bringing country music's Eric Paslay to their stage in 2015, and Craig Wayne Boyd, who won The Voice on NBC. Fair dates this year are July 29-August 4. Paslay and Boyd will perform on Saturday, August 1.

The Pike County Fair in Bowling Green will be bringing the Swon Brothers and the Cadillac Three to the fair in 2015. Fair dates are July 28-August 1. Concert night is Saturday, August 1. The Swon Brothers are also a former act from The Voice.

The Mark Twain Lake Rodeo is a July 4 tradition. This year, the rodeo dates are July 2-July 4 at the Warren G. See South Spillway Recreation Area below Clarence Cannon Dam. The rodeo is at 8 p.m. each night. Tickets in advance are $12, the price is $15 at the gate. Kids 6 and under get in for free.

Hannibal's biggest celebration is always on Fourth of July Weekend. In 2015, National Tom Sawyer Days will be July 2, 3, 4. Visit downtown Hannibal for fence painting, frog jumping, crafts, a parade, carnival, and live music! The naming of the official Tom and Becky ambassadors is also an annual tradition during National Tom Sawyer Days. This year, country music up-and-coming star Jon Pardi will headline the live entertainment at Tanyard Gardens on July 3. Regional favorites Madd Hoss Jackson will perform on July 2.

The Hannibal Cannibal is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2015. The race will be held downtown on the Fourth of July. The Hannibal Cannibal annually draws thousands of participants from all over the world. Proceeds benefit the Hannibal Regional Hospital Foundation.

The annual K of C BBQ will bring a carnival, games, food and drink, and great times to the Knights of Columbus grounds on 36th Street in Quincy. The 2015 K of C BBQ will take place August 13-August 16.

Hannibal will host the second annual Big River Steampunk Festival on Labor Day Weekend. This year, the festival is being expanded to cover the entirety of the holiday weekend, Friday night through Monday. Organizer Lisa Marks explained that midway will be larger than last year, and some new events are being planned, "We’re going to add a parade on Saturday morning to begin our Opening Ceremonies and there will be additional contests such as a Weird Science Fair for inventors and gadget-makers. Probably the biggest change will be the number of special events and entertainers."