Calendar of Events
The Jarrot Mansion is opened only periodically for special events due to current restoration projects.
Special Cahokia Courthouse Event
- The Old Time Music Fete is being 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 are available
for purchase, and there's 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, contact the Cahokia Courthouse at 618-332-1782. - Players in last years festival included Taum Sauk, a riveting St. Louis group of nine who will play the Star Spangled Banner at noon on a musical saw to start things off. Following Taum Sauk was the Country Folk Quartet, audience favorite Roscoe Beano & the Beantones. Up next was Dudley's Rush with blue grass and old time gospel. At 3 pm The Thunder and Lightning Cloggers of Southern Illinois returned to present an old time dance demonstration. Then, the Celtica group performed on the porch with their special brand of Celtic folk music. Last to take the stage was fan favorite O'Fallon Folk, who provided a rousing end to this year fete. Please check back with us for more information about this year's entertainment.
- 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 Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.
Past Highlights
- 22nd Annual Fete du Bon Vieux Temps - Saturday, February 2, 2008
“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 Fa
mily
Parish Log Church, and at the 1810 Jarrot Mansion where
String
Connection, a youth string music group dressed in French
Colonial costume, will serenade visitors at the mansion. (See
photo at right) 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, Wednesday through Sunday.
- 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.
