Popeye
A week from Saturday (that is, September 12), the fine citizens of Chester, Illinois will unveil a new statue during Chester's annual Popye Picnic & Parade:
"Chester's pride is showing as we ceremonially reveal our latest cartoon statue featuring life-sized Castor Oyl & Bernice, the Whiffle Hen. The massive 5 and a half ton grey granite likenesses will eternally pay tribute to the duo that caused Popeye to be introduced in the Thimble Theatre comic strip! Don't wimp out!!!! Be sure to budget enough time in your day to be in attendance!"
The theme this year is "Popeye's Adventures in Little Egypt" (which sounds like a great title for a cartoon short to me). Chester will be whooping it up all weekend long, with events like the annual high school football showdown -- the Spinach Bowl -- and the Popeye Film Festival.
And lo, the very next weekend (September 26 & 27), Fort Kaskaskia State Historic site (which is just a stone's skip from Chester) host the 20th annual Traditional music festival. Sponsored by Save Illninois History (take that, Blago! Or do we mean Bluto?) there'll be 20 musical acts as well as food and crafts. The price is a measly $10 per vehicle, and you can camp out, provided you make a reservation while they still have reservations available. --Stefene Russell
