Leclaire Parkfest Promises Another Year of History and Community Fun
One of Edwardsville’s longest-running traditions is set for another year as the 34th annual Leclaire Parkfest plans a full afternoon of history, food and community fun.
EDWARDSVILLE - One of Edwardsville’s longest-running traditions, Leclaire Parkfest, will return this October.
From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, the community is invited to Leclaire Park for a day of vendors, live music, food, trolley tours, vintage cars and tractors, and more fun. Cindy Reinhardt, one of the organizers with Friends of Leclaire, noted that the event is a fun chance to engage with the community while learning more about the area’s history.
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“Mostly, the reason to come is just because you want to have a good time,” she said. “It’s a great place to meet and greet your neighbors. We encourage people to bring a blanket or a lawn chair and just settle in for the afternoon.”
Reinhardt promises vendors, children’s activities and plenty of great food, including the famous chicken and dumplings from a local nursing home, curly fries from the Glen Carbon VFW, Italian beef from the Knights of Columbus, beer and wine and other festival food.
Four bands will play throughout the day. There will be a display of vintage cars and tractors. A used book sale by St. Andrew’s Church will raise money for the American Cancer Society. Other proceeds from the day go back to the maintenance of Leclaire Park.
A trolley will offer guided tours of the Leclaire neighborhood to educate people of the area’s history. Reinhardt explained that Leclaire was once an independent cooperative village built by N.O. Nelson for his workers to provide educational and recreational opportunities.
“He wanted to create a better environment and a better life for his workers,” Reinhardt explained. “I like to say we were the village founded on kindness.”
Today’s Lewis and Clark Community College N.O. Nelson campus was previously where Nelson’s factory was located. The Edwardsville Children’s Museum was once the Leclaire schoolhouse. The Leclaire neighborhood was adopted by Edwardsville during the Great Depression.
This year will mark the 34th annual Leclaire Parkfest. The event started in the 1990s as a way to celebrate this history and bring people together.
Today, Leclaire Parkfest is a beloved tradition. The Friends of Leclaire organization welcomes nearly 5,000 people every year to the event. Reinhardt can’t wait for another exciting festival that combines history with community.
“It’s just fun. I mean, people love it,” she added. “It’s wonderful every year.”
For more information about Leclaire Parkfest and the Friends of Leclaire, check out their official website or the official Facebook page.
This featured article is sponsored by Friends of Leclaire. To get your business or organization featured on www.RiverBender.com, contact us at sales@riverbender.com.
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