Harrisburg/Gallatin briefs: Monument honoring John Dell will be dedicated Aug. 13; Cobden Peach Fest coming up

<b>River-to-River Trail monument to be dedicated</b>

The River-to-River Trail Society and the Saline County Tourism Board are inviting the public to the unveiling and dedication of a monument to John O'Dell and the River-to-River Trail, at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 13. A brief ceremony will be held on the grounds of Herod Springs Baptist Church, on Route 34 in Herod. The River-to-River Trail was only a dream until the 1990s, when O'Dell set out on foot to blaze a trail from the Ohio River to the Mississippi River, enlisting help from the U.S. Forest Service, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and many private citizens. Today the trail stretches 159 miles from Elizabethtown and Battery Rock on the Ohio River to Grand Tower on the Mississippi. Questions can be directed to Society President Bill Gilmour at (270) 331-1553.

<b>Cobden Peach Fest to be held Aug. 12, 13</b>

Cobden's annual Peach Festival will be celebrated Friday and Saturday, Aug. 12 and 13 at Cobden Community Park on Locust Street. Most of the activities begin at 5 p.m. both days. Carnival, parade, 5K, games, a festival queen contest, bingo, raffle, and a "spin and win" for peaches, Food for sale includes peach cobbler. Entertainment for Friday will be Party Express Karaoke, and on Saturday it will be the band Diamond Dog. Fest sponsored by the Cobden Lions Club. Proceeds go to community and charitable projects. The annual 5K Run/Walk and 1-Mile Fun Run starts at 7:30 a.m. Saturday at Cobden Community Park. The Peach Festival Parade steps off at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, through downtown Cobden. The Union County Museum, 117 S. Appleknocker, will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Info: (618) 893-2425.

<b>Registration open for SI Made Expo</b>

Registration is now available for businesses and employers to sign up to become a vendor for the Southern Illinois Made Expo. The Southern Illinois Made Expo was created to highlight businesses and destinations operating throughout the region. This year's event is set to take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 15 and 16 at the Marion Pavilion. Businesses based in southern Illinois can visit simade.org to learn more. The deadline to register is Sept. 14.