Past: Cobden Ill. Peach Fetival

The 85th Peach Festival will be celebrated in Cobden, Illinois on Friday and Saturday, August 11 and 12 at the Cobden Community Park on Locust Street. Most of the activities begin at 5p.m. both days. The festival features a carnival, games, queen contest, delicious food, peach cobbler, bingo, raffle, and spin&win for peaches. The musical entertainment for Friday will be the Brian Pender Trio and on Saturday it will be Swamp Tigers.

A special event is planned for the festivities. Around fifty former Peach Queens will be present on Saturday night for the pageant. The event is sponsored by the Cobden Lions Club and proceeds go to community and charitable projects.

The Cobden Runner’s/Walker’s Club will sponsor its annual Cobden Peach Festival 5K Run/Walk and 1-Mile Fun Run starting at 7:30a.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. The event is scheduled to begin at the Cobden Community Park on Locust Street. For information on the run call (618) 713-4245.

A Peach Festival parade is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 12 beginning at 4:30p.m. The parade route will be through downtown Cobden. Entries are currently being accepted by the Village of Cobden (618/893-2425).

The Union County Museum, 117 S. Appleknocker will operate special hours and will be open Friday/Saturday, 10a.m.-5p.m. The museum will conduct an exhibit featuring photos of railroad depots from the Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad, items from the Foreman Drugstore in Cobden and other special exhibits. The museum features exhibits on Anna Pottery, Native American artifacts, and local history. The Shop for the Benefit of the Museum will be open offering collectibles, fall decorations, and other items.

An art exhibit featuring the works of Cobden native, Austin Dent, will be conducted at the Union County Historical Society Resource Center, 103 N. Appleknocker. Dent is a former art teacher. Hours are Friday, Aug. 11, 1-5p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 12, 10a.m.-4p.m.; and Sunday, Aug. 13, 1-4p.m.

Music will be conducted at the downtown park shelter on Saturday, August 12. The Big Muddy River Boys will play from noon to 4p.m.

The Cobden High School English as a Second Language Dance Team will perform on Saturday, Aug. 12 at 1p.m. in the downtown park. Their performance is very entertaining and culturally informative.

Visitors are welcomed to come to Cobden and experience our unique shops, eating establishments, and nearby wineries.

An informational flyer detailing the Peach Festival activities, along with other places to visit in Cobden, will be available at most of the participating establishments. For more information contact the Village of Cobden at 618/893-2425.