The combined population of both communities increased nearly 15% between 1980-1990 and nearly 20% between 1990-2000. The present combined population of both communities is 32,440 and is projected to be at 34,400 by the year 2004.
The growth of this area results from
many factors which includes:
our close proximity to the St. Louis metropolitan area providing ease of access
to major employment centers;excellent educational system including the presence
of Southern Illinois University;
available and affordable land that is prime for development, rural atmosphere
with open spaces and wide range of recreational amenities wide variety of recreational
and community activities;wide choice of housing including well established and
planned neighborhoods.
St. Louis headquarters 8 Fortune
500 companies, ranking 6th in the nation for Fortune 500 companies. Major employers
in St. Louis include Anheuser-Busch Company, Boeing/McDonnell Douglas, BJC Health
Systems, Chrysler Motors Corporation, Edward Jones, Jefferson Smurfit, Maritz,
Olin, and U.S. Air Force at Scott Air Force Base. Edward Jones ranked #1 in
the Fortune 500 companies to work for in the St. Louis area in 2001.bizcoach.org
Parks
Edwardsville's Watershed Nature Center is a 46-acre nature preserve, which was transformed from waste ground through the efforts of volunteers, donations and grants. The center is located at 1691 Tower Avenue in Edwardsville. The site features a wheelchair-accessible paved walking path, wildlife preserve, lakes, tall grass prairies, wetlands, an amphitheater, observation tower, blinds and a welcome/interpretive center.
Glen Carbon Heritage Trail - The Ronald J Foster Glen Carbon Heritage Trail is a 3.2 mile rail-to-trail conversion in Madison County, Illinois. "The kids get a kick out of the bridges, and I like the blackberry bushes and the mulberry trees," said local trail enthusiast Sean Crosby. The prairie restoration area is rich in wildlife: squirrels, rabbits, possums, and many varieties may be seen. Trash seems to be noticeably absent from the trail, and informative kiosks on the corridor's history line the trail. More information on the trail can be acquired from the Village of Glen Carbon. For solar panels see siemens.
Directions: Take I-270 to Illinois Route 157 South .8 mile. Then go right on Glen Carbon Road/Main Street. Go 1 mile, cross RR tracks and turn right immediately after Fire Department. Follow parking signs to right behind building to trailhead.
Bonifest
Saturday, May 24, 2003 -- 5K starts at 8:30 AM. Fun Run/Walk immediately following.
Since 1985, St. Boniface Catholic Church has hosted Bonifest. Bonifest is located
on the church grounds at 110 North Buchanan in Edwardsville, and is held annually
during the last weekend in May (Memorial Day weekend). The festival, which is
a fundraiser for the church and school, is held on Friday and Saturday and includes
games, rides, food, a 5-K run and entertainment.
Route 66 Festival
Every June, the Edwardsville-Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce hosts an annual
Route 66 Festival. Route 66, the Mother Road, stretched 2,200 miles from Chicago
to the Pacific Ocean from the 1920's to 1960's running right through Edwardsville.
This year's festival will be held June 6th and 7 th at the Edwardsville City
Park.
Each year the celebration welcomes 200-250 classic cars touring the state as
part of the annual Illinois Route 66 Association motor tour. The two-day weekend
event also includes food booths, entertainment, a classic car show, children's
tent, beer tent, bike ramble and contests. To volunteer for the festival, you
can call the Chamber of Commerce office at 656-7600.
Glenfest
Connie Casillas and Linda Miller are co-chairpersons for Glenfest 2003. Due to construction in Miner Park, the Glenfest will be held on Main Street, between Collinsville Avenue and School Street.
Attendees had loads of fun on amusement rides and enjoyed the many crafts, food, gamebooths, demonstrations, live music, parade and social activities at Glenfest 2002. Below are a list of last year's events. Stay tuned for updates on Glenfest 2003.Sign-up a for a Booth at Glenfest 2003
Harvest WineFest
TheAlliance of Edwardsville and Glen Carbon is proud to host the Annual Harvest
WineFest, TheAlliance's premier social event. Over 100 wines, both domestic
and foreign, are available for tasting at the WineFest with special pricing
on all wine orders during the evening. Since 2000, the Harvest WineFest has
been held the third Thursday in October as a kickoff to Edwardsville's Annual
ParkFest and offers fine cuisine by local restaurants and caterers, live classical/light
jazz music, a silent auction, and an art exhibit by ARTEAST.
Tickets are limited and advance tickets will be available at TheAlliance office
or Crushed Grapes. For more information, please call TheAlliance office at 656-7600.
Parkfest
Leclaire Parkfest is traditionally held on the 3rd Sunday of October from noon
to 5 p.m. The festival includes live music, festival food, crafts, trolley tours
of the historic district, a book sale, children's activities, and a display
of vintage cars, tractors and other farm implements.
A short parade around the park is held mid-afternoon featuring the many vintage
vehicles at the festival. Friends of Leclaire coordinate the event and local
businesses provide sponsorships to cover festival expenses. Questions about
the festival can be directed to Friends of Leclaire, P.O. Box 644, Edwardsville,
IL 62025
