WEEKEND: Things to Do

<p class="p1">AUTO RACING AT THE FAIR

<p class="p1">The Du Quoin State Fair has a weekend of racing on tap starting with the USAC Silver Crown and UMP Modified stock cars on Saturday.

<p class="p1">Modified hot laps start at 6:10 p.m., with Silver Crown qualifying at 6:30 p.m. Modified heats start at 7 p.m., with the featured race at 8 p.m.

<p class="p1">On Sunday, the ARCA Racing Series' General Tire Grabber 100 will take place at the fair.

<p class="p1">An autograph session with the drivers will take place from 7:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., with the national anthem at 7:55 p.m. The race will begin at 8 p.m.

<p class="p1">Advanced tickets for both days are $25 for adults and $10 for children 11 and under. On the day of the race, tickets are $30 for adults and those 12-and-older and $10 for children 11 and under.

<p class="p1">Pit passes are sold only on the day of the race and are $35 and $20 for children 11 and under.

<p class="p1">For more information, or to purchase tickets, call the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds Ticket Office at 618-542-1535.

<p class="p1">MIDWEST WINGFEST

<p class="p1">The Midwest Wingfest will take place Friday and Saturday at St. Clair Square Mall in Fairview Heights.

<p class="p1">A car cruise, sponsored by Dandy Inn, is scheduled for noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Dash plaques will be handed out to the first 100 cars that arrive.

<p class="p1">The Steel Creek Band, Jon Pardi, Nick Bifano & The Innocents and The Ultraviolets are scheduled to perform.

<p class="p1">A wing-eating contest and the Midwest Wingfest 5K will also take place. For more information, visit www.midwestwingfest.com.

<p class="p1">FALL FESTIVAL

<p class="p1">The 11th annual Fall Festival will take place at Lake Camp-A-Lot on Saturday south of the junction of state routes 150 and 4.

<p class="p1">A craft fair will take place starting at 8:30 a.m., with free 10x15 vendor spaces. The Great American Turtle Race will take place at 3 p.m., with signups at 2:30 p.m.

<p class="p1">Participants must bring their own turtle, with a cash prize for the top turtle. For more information, call Chris at 618-317-8579.

<p class="p2">KASKASKIA CHURCH PICNIC

<p class="p2">The annual Kaskaskia Church Picnic will take place on Sunday, Sept. 4, on Kaskaskia Island.

<p class="p2">A new event this year is the Liberty Bell of the West 5K FUN run/walk, with medallions and T-shirts to participants.

<p class="p2">A static World War II exhibit will feature military vehicles from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the picnic raffle drawing scheduled for 7 p.m.

<p class="p2">The River Hills Tractor Club will also have skill games, plants and crafts, drinks, food, a country store and other items.

<p class="p2">A tractor pull and truck pull will also take place.

<p class="p2">For more information, contact Russell Brandes at 573-788-2370 or 573-517-3296.