Macomb’s Heritage Days festival on June 22-25 to salute higher education

MACOMB, Ill. — This year’s dates for Macomb’s Heritage Days are Thursday thru Sunday, June 22-25 in Macomb’s downtown square, historic Chandler Park and Municipal Airport. It will be the 41st year for the festival to be presented, with entertainment free to the citizens of Unforgettable Forgottonia.

This year’s theme, “Saluting Our Institutions of Higher Education,” is in recognition of Western Illinois University and Spoon River College.

The event features the traditional Bob Anstine Memorial Heritage Days parade, American Banner’s Big Carnival Midway, a cooled beer and cocktail tent, the annual classic car show, the Macomb Municipal Airport’s Sunday pancake breakfast fly-In and musical entertainment from across the country.

This year’s entertainment lineup includes the legendary classic country rock of Heartsfield!, Duke and The American Dream and the blues of Winn Noll and the Rockin’ Souls. Chicago’s Gerald “The Soul Keeper” McClendon and 40 Acre Mule from Dallas, Texas, will return to take the stage.

In a press release, Heritage Days co-chair Jock Hedblade said, “The all-volunteer Heritage Days committee works long and hard, year-round to bring Macomb, McDonough County and Unforgettable Forgottonia the best festival our budget allows. We believe this will be a Heritage Days that’s truly unforgettable.”

The popular Cinco de Pie-Yo! fundraiser will return on Friday, May 5. This pie and cake auction features pastry and dessert confections, generously donated from members of the community and auctioned to the highest bidder by auctioneers Kyle Kelso, Monte Lowderman and Scott Schwerer.

All proceeds go to the annual Macomb Heritage Days Fund. No local taxpayer dollars are used in funding Heritage Days. The event survives only by donations and support of businesses and citizens of the community.

To participate, information and registration forms can be found at MacombHeritageDays.com.