CALENDAR OF EVENTS

CAHOKIA MOUNDS STATE HISTORIC SITE

30 Ramey Street, Collinsville, IL 62234

cahokia.mounds@sbcglobal.net       618-346-5160

This Calendar of Events represents activities scheduled as of this date but it is continually being updated with additional events, programs and workshops.  Please note that the Interpretive Center is open 9 am to 5 pm Wednesday through Sunday and closed Mondays and Tuesdays for all of 2008. We are closed most holidays except for Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, July 4, and Labor Day, unless otherwise noted. The grounds are open from 8 a.m. to dusk. There is no admission fee but a suggested donation of $4 for adults and $2 for children ($10 max. per family). Our events and programs are free, unless otherwise noted. Workshops and classes require pre-registration and fees paid to the instructors. For more information, call 618-346-5160.

JANUARY

1 Closed: New Year’s Day holiday.

17 Cahokia Archaeological Society Meeting, 7:30 pm

21 Closed: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday

20 Winter Lecture Series. Dr. Michael Wiant will present a program on Hopewell in Illinois. 2 p.m. Free.

26 Workshop: Beginning Flintknapping by Larry Kinsella. Noon to 4 pm. $25 for CMMS members, $30 for non-members

FEBRUARY

17 Winter Lecture Series: Dr. Bradley Lepper will present a program on “The Ohio Hopewell.” 2 p.m. Free

18 Closed: Presidents’ Day

21 Cahokia Archaeological Society Meeting, 7:30 pm

MARCH

5 Teachers Workshop, 9 am – Noon. Required for teachers wanting to bring students for an educational hands-on experience rather than just a field trip.

20 Cahokia Archaeological Society meeting, 7:30 pm

23 Spring Equinox Sunrise Observance, 6:45 am.  Meet at the reconstructed Woodhenge to hear an explanation of the discovery, form and function of this ancient sun calendar. No ceremonies performed.

30 Winter Lecture Series: Dr. Chip McGimsey, “Hopewell Way Down South in the Lower Mississippi Valley.” 2 p.m. Free

APRIL

4-6 Annual Meeting of the Illinois Association for Advancement of Archaeology (IAAA). Registration required. Contact us for meeting schedule and details.

12-13 Choctaw Art Show: Choctaw Indians will display and sell their arts and crafts. 9 am – 5 pm

17 Cahokia Archaeological Society Meeting, 7:30 pm

19 Raptor Awareness Day: Learn about native birds of prey through a live demonstration and flight show, by World Bird Sanctuary of St. Louis. 2:30 pm. Free.

26 Trivia Night Fundraiser: To benefit the Cahokia Mounds Museum Society and the Powell Archaeological Research Center. Silent Auction of great items. $10 per person, tables of 8 – 10. Call 618-344-7316 today – space is limited! Bring your own food, refreshments, beer and wine (no red wine). 7 – 10 pm. Doors open at 6:15, game starts at 7 pm sharp.

27 Winter Lecture Series: Joe Harl of the Archaeological Research Center of St. Louis, will present a program on “Missouri Hopewell.” 2 p.m. Free.

MAY

3 Storytelling Program.  Sponsored by the University of Missouri-St. Louis and the 27^th Annual St. Louis Storytelling Festival. 2 pm

10 powwow: Organized by “Natives for Life” to support the Long Walk 2 and commemorate Earth Day At the picnic grounds. Vendors, food, drumming & dancing. Activities held during the day only.

15 Cahokia Archaeological Society Meeting, 7:30 pm

18 Kids Day special event: lots of hands-on activities for children of all ages, including flintknapping, pottery making, Indian games, corn grinding, spear throwing, identifying animal tracks and pelts, and watching an Indian dance group.  Food and refreshments.  11 am to 4 pm.

24 Nature/Culture Hike: 3-mile hike with an archaeologist and naturalist who will explain what is known about various areas from archaeological work and also learn how the various plants were used for medicine, food, fiber, dyes, and shelter. 9:30 am to 1:00 pm. Cancel if raining.

26 Open: Memorial Day

Summer excavations begin in late May and may be viewed, when in progress, until early August

JUNE

14 Wildlife Program: Discover the area’s diverse wildlife and wild places. Meet some animals that you might find in your own backyard. Become familiar with environmental issues affecting local animals and habitats. Presented by the St. Louis Zoo. Free. 2:30 p.m.

15 National Road Festival.  See activities at communities along the National Road (old US 40), including at Cahokia Mounds:  Tours of digs. 11 am - 4 pm

19 Cahokia Archaeological Society meeting and summer potluck. 7 pm

22 Summer Solstice Sunrise Observance, 5:20 a.m. Meet at the reconstructed Woodhenge to hear an explanation of the discovery, form and function of this ancient sun calendar. No ceremonies performed

JULY

4 Open:  4^th of July

11 Preview Party for the Contemporary Indian Art Show.  Mix & Mingle with the artists, be the first to view and purchase the work on display, and enjoy hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. Judging and awarding of prizes for artwork, and visitors vote for the People’s Choice Award. Cost, $15 per person. RSVP to 618-344-7316. 6:30-9 pm.

12-13  13^th Annual Contemporary Indian Art Show.  Exhibition and sale of fine art (painting, sculpture, pottery, jewelry, metalwork, etc) by more than 25 Indian artists from across the Nation.  9 am to 5 pm

17 Cahokia Archaeological Society meeting, 7:30 pm

26 Cahokia/Mississippian Conference. Twenty presentations by archaeologists doing current research on Mississippian sites and Cahokia archaeology. 8:30 a.m. registration; presentations from 9 am to 4:30 pm in the auditorium. $5.00 registration fee payable at the door. Lunch on your own.

AUGUST

2 Archaeology Day special event: demonstrations of ancient crafts, artifact washing and processing, hands-on activities, tours of excavations, storytelling, food & refreshments. 10 am to 4 pm

21 Cahokia Archaeological Society Meeting, 7:30 pm.

27 Teachers Workshop:  For teachers wanting to bring their students for an educational hands-on learning experience rather than just a field trip.  Preregistration required. 9 am to Noon

SEPTEMBER

1 Open: Labor Day

12-14 Powwow: This event has been cancelled.

13-14 The Missouri Atlatl Association will hold its annual competition and demonstration of the ancient spear throwing device behind the Interpretive Center. 10 am to 4 pm.

18 Cahokia Archaeological Society meeting, 7:30 pm

21 Fall Equinox Sunrise Observance, 6:30 am. Meet at the reconstructed Woodhenge to hear an explanation of the discovery, form and function of this ancient sun calendar. No ceremonies performed.

27 Nature/Culture Hike: 3-mile hike with an archaeologist and naturalist who will explain what is known about various areas from archaeological work and also learn how the various plants were used for medicine, food, fiber, dyes, and shelter. 9:30 am to 1:00 pm. Cancel if raining. 

28 Artifact Identification Day: 12 – 4 pm. Bring in artifacts for archaeologists to identify.

OCTOBER

1 Deadline for entering the North American Indian Photography Contest.

6 Closed: Columbus Day

16 Cahokia Archaeological Society meeting, 7:30 pm

18 Opening Reception and Judging: North American Indian Photography Contest.  6:30 to 9 pm. Wine & cheese. RSVP to 618-344-7316 

NOVEMBER

2 Raptor Awareness Day, 2:30 pm.:  Learn about native birds of prey through a live demonstration and flight show by the World Bird Sanctuary of St. Louis. 2:30 pm

10 Closed: Veterans Day

20 Cahokia Archaeological Society meeting, 7:30 pm.

27 Closed:  Thanksgiving Day

28 Open, day after Thanksgiving

28-30   6^th Annual Indian Market Days: Unique Shopping Experience! Native American artists and vendors will have jewelry, paintings, crafts, clothing, weavings, carvings, baskets, pottery, sculpture and more for sale. Friday, Noon to 5, Saturday, 9-5, Sunday, 9-4.

DECEMBER

18 Cahokia Archaeological Society Meeting, 7 pm. Christmas potluck.

21 Winter Solstice Sunrise Observance, 7 am.  Meet at the reconstructed Woodhenge to hear an explanation of the discovery, form and function of this ancient sun calendar. No ceremonies performed.

25 Closed: Christmas Day

8/14/2008