America’s 250th birthday is bringing communities across Clinton County together this summer as residents celebrate the nation’s semiquincentennial with parades, fireworks, live music, family activities and patriotic displays.
The county-wide celebration is already well underway. Festivities kicked off with the New Baden June Jamboree on June 19-20, followed by the Carlyle Lake Fireworks Spectacular and Trenton’s America250 celebration this past weekend.
The patriotic spirit continues this week with the Albers Blastoff Parade and Fireworks on July 3, Clinton County Celebrates Freedom in Aviston on July 5, and numerous other community events are planned throughout July as local towns and organizations commemorate America’s 250th birthday.
Albers
Albers Blast Off Parade and Fireworks! 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 7:30-11 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 the 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.”
Members of the Stukenberg and Eilermann families will be leading the Blast-Off Parade, starting at 6:30 p.m.
Same route, new direction: The parade route will be the same as always, however, the direction is reversed from previous years. The route will be leaving Memorial Dr. in Albers, head north on N. Franklin St., then east on Debra Dr., south on N. Commercial St., then west on W. Dwight St., north on N. Franklin St., and ending back at Memorial Dr. Follow the red, white and blue arrows on our Village of Albers streets! Call Brenda at 618-248-5154 at Albers Village Hall with any questions.
There will be no parking on N. Bertha St. on the day of the event.
Prizes will be awarded to the best entry in the parade for the following categories: Overall, Family, Business/Organization, Tractor, Vehicle and Mayor’s Choice.
Contact Gina (618-567-4349 or email:
Parade entries are asked to enter Albers from State Route 161 at N. Bertha St.; volunteers will be directing parade entries. All entries will line up at American Legion Post #1026.
Looking forward to seeing everyone at the “Albers Blast-Off Parade and Fireworks!” on Friday, July 3!
Keep up on all the news about Albers on Facebook at www.facebook.com/villageofalbers.
Aviston
A replica of soldiers and horses is featured outside of the Aviston American Legion. 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.
Ivan Markus, Bob Ottensmeier and Dale Rakers from Aviston American Legion and Joe Langenhorst from Germantown American Legion, along with others, are spearheading the event. Bob Eversgerd also has been key in providing displays and information for the event.
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.
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.
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.
Two America 250 quilts will be raffled off at the event.
The Sons of the American Legion are 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.
Clinton County Fair
The weather cooperated Friday evening for a wonderful, patriotic parade and event celebrating America250 in Trenton. The Miniature Ministers of Trenton First United Methodist Church brought smiles to the crowd during the Trenton America250 Parade with their patriotic puppet ministry. Renee Meinhardt drives a red, white and blue decorated golf cart while holding her grandson, Milo, as puppeteer Jenny Scheuchner waves a puppet to spectators along the parade route. 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 will be held July 13-18, with the annual parade kicking off the fair on 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.
A powerful display of patriotism and unity will kick off prior to the Clinton County Fair Parade on July 13 as the community comes together to honor America’s 250th birthday.
A special pre-parade tribute featuring Clinton County’s five local high schools. The tribute is about bringing people together in a meaningful way to honor our nation’s history and the veterans who made it possible.
The tribute will start no later than 5:45 p.m., beginning at the Clinton County Courthouse on Fairfax Street in Carlyle. Together, participants will travel through the parade route in a unified tribute to the nation’s 250 years of freedom, service, and sacrifice. The parade will then officially start at 6 p.m.
Participating schools include: Breese Central High School, Carlyle High School, Christ Our Rock Lutheran High School, Mater Dei Catholic High School and Wesclin High School.
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.
Uncle Sam adds a patriotic touch at the Trenton America250 parade Friday 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 their website, 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.
Passports can be picked up at local libraries or at the Clinton County Historical Society. There will be an America250 birthday bash at the Clinton County Historical Society (1091 Franklin St. in Carlyle) on July 18, and those with completed passports will get entered for the chance to win a $100 gift card.
