Calendar of Events
The Jarrot Mansion is opened only periodically for special events due to current restoration projects.
Special Cahokia Courthouse Event
- 23rd annual Fete du Bon Vieux Temps - Saturday, February
13, 2010
“Festival of the Good Old Days” (Saturday prior to Ash Wednesday). The Fete is a colonial Mardi Gras with music and dancing reminiscent of the celebrations held by the area's French settlers more than 200 years ago. During the hours of 2pm to 5pm, multiple activities and demonstrations as well as tours will take place at the 1740 Cahokia Courthouse, 1790 Martin-Boismenue House, 1799 Holy Family
Parish Log Church, and at the 1810 Jarrot Mansion. The
Colonial Mardi Gras Ball will be held from 7pm to 11pm at the
Cahokia Knights of Columbus Hall located on Route 3 at 5th Street.
Period dances to old-time fiddle tunes will be performed, including
contra-dances, reels and waltzes. Attendees will participate
in the traditional method of selecting Mardi Gras royalty. All
sites are located near Route 3 and Hwy 157 in Cahokia, Illinois.
All activities from 2pm to 5pm are free and open to the public.
Tickets are $10 per person to the 18th century Mardi Gras Ball to
which all are invited. Period clothing is encouraged, but not
required. Food and drink will be available for purchase on
site. For additional information, please call 618-332-1782
from 9am to 5pm, Tuesday through Saturday.
Past Highlights - On October 3, 2009, from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm, a special presentation, "The Life and Times of Arthur St. Clair" was presented at the Old Courthouse. A discussion of his life, political and military career was featured. The event if free and open to the public. For more information call 618-322-1782.
- The 18th Annual Old Time Music Fete was held in Cahokia, Illinois on Sunday, September 20, 2009 at the Historic Cahokia Courthouse. Jam sessions under every tree, kids arts and crafts, and a professional sound system for the
main stage (the courthouse porch) for the enjoyment of all. Food and drink
were available
for purchase, and there was plenty of shade. Located one block south and one block west of the intersection of Illinois Rt 3 and Illinois Hwy 157. (Cahokia RV Park.) Noon to 5pm, rain or shine. For more information
about next year's event, contact the Cahokia Courthouse at 618-332-1782.
- Players in this years festival included Taum Sauk, a riveting St. Louis group of nine who will played the Star Spangled Banner at noon on a musical saw to start things off. Following Taum Sauk was the Country Folk Quartet then newcomers Black Mountain Fever. Up next was O'Fallon Folk, then the Celtica group performed on the porch with their special brand of Celtic folk music. Last to take the stage was another newcomer The Stephanie Brickey Band, who provided a rousing end to this year fete. Please check back with us for more information about this next year's event.
- Sponsored by: Fete du Bon Vieux Temps, Inc., KDHX FM88, and PepsiCo. This program is sponsored in part by a grant from the Madison County Arts Council and the Illinois Arts Council - a state agency. Additional funding provided by the www.saveIllinoishistory.com.
- On Saturday, September 12th, 2009, the public had a rare opportunity to tour the Jarrot Mansion. Visitors viewed the meticulous restoration of plaster and paint inside Illinois' oldest brick home.
- Partners in Pelts: The French Fur Trade in 18th-Century Illinois -
Saturday,
February 2, 2008 at 2:30pm, Holy Family Parish Log Church, Cahokia, Illinois
The Fur Trade was central to the economic and social development of French Creole colonies in the Illinois Country. Dr. Fred Fausz, history professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, will present an entertaining show-and-tell public lecture featuring his incomparable collection of furs and trade goods from the Voyageur Era. - French Colonial Fur Fashion Show follows Dr. Fausz's
Presentation:
Cahokia Courthouse at 4pm.
