December 7th, Saturday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Take a step back in time this holiday season while strolling the historic streets of Elsah, Illinois. Visit what’s been called “the town that time forgot,” during Elsah’s annual Home for the Holidays House Tour from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, December 7. Many historic buildings will be open for the event, including private homes, the two room school house, Farley Music Hall, the Elsah Museum, the bed and breakfast inns, churches and villages shops. Tickets for the annual Holiday House Tour are $20 in advance or $25 on the day of the tour. Ticket prices include a tour booklet with a photo and description of each building, musical performances, and a self-guided walk thru the historic village filled with sounds of the season from local caroling groups. A limited number of box lunches will be available at Farley Music Hall. “Since the 1970’s, the Village of Elsah has offered house tours for visitors who can’t wait to get a look inside some of its beautiful historic homes and buildings,” said Blair Smith, one of the organizers of the event. Buy Tickets Proceeds from the tour benefit the Historic Elsah Foundation, a not-for-profit  organization, dedicated to historic preservation and education in the Village of Elsah.

The Village of Elsah Fall Festival will take place on Saturday, September 28, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors can enjoy live music, historic tours, local food, and artisan goods while exploring the charming village along the Mississippi River. All businesses and historic buildings will be open for the event, offering a perfect opportunity to experience the beauty of Elsah in the fall. For more details, click here to see the variety of entertainment, activities, artisans, food, and drink available at the festival.

The Elsah Museum is showcasing contemporary works from five local artists, including sculptor Danne Rhaesa, whose pieces feature rammed earth, steel, and found objects. The exhibit runs until October, with museum hours on Saturdays and Sundays from 1-4pm.

On August 24, Connie and Gary Davis, owners of the Green Tree Inn, successfully coordinated the Viking tourist arrivals with the Great River Routes and Tourism Bureau. Hosting 129 guests on three buses, the tour included a stop at Forest Park and the Chase Park Plaza Hotel.

Elsah's Rhonda Brown performed her one-woman play, Red Hot Patriot, to a sold-out crowd at the St. Louis Fringe Festival on August 13, marking the first in the festival's 14-year history. Her portrayal of journalist Molly Ivins received rave reviews from several outlets. Rhonda has been performing the play nationally since 2011, and talks are underway for a potential Riverbend production.

Elsah volunteers worked tirelessly to clean up the Historic Village after the July 16 storm and flash flooding. The team tackled debris, mud, and muck, even using heavy equipment to remove large logs and boulders. While storms like this are rare, it was a reminder of Mother Nature’s power. The clean-up effort highlighted the village's strong community spirit, proving that when the going gets muddy, the tough get going.

Award-winning stage actress Rhonda Brown, who moved to Elsah in 2022, stars in RED HOT PATRIOT: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins at the St. Louis Fringe Festival on August 13 & 14. Rhonda shines as Molly Ivins, the fiery Texas reporter known for her sharp political commentary. This acclaimed one-woman show combines Ivins' personal anecdotes with her vibrant political insights, celebrating her bold character and enduring relevance. Don't miss this captivating performance!

The annual hummingbird banding event in Elsah, hosted by Sally Horbelt and Kathy Baird on July 13th, was a huge success! Sally reported 19 new bandings and 15 recaptures, while Kathy reported 49 captures and 41 new bandings. This family-friendly event is both engaging and fascinating.

Elsah and Principia College are now premium excursions for Viking River Cruises! On July 4th, the Great Rivers and Routes Tourist Bureau partnered with Viking to bring hundreds of tourists to Elsah. Visitors were charmed, comparing Elsah to villages in England and Ireland. Discover how Connie and Gary Davis, along with volunteers, made this event a success!

The Village of Elsah’s 2024 Fall Festival is set for Saturday, September 28, from 11 am to 4 pm. The Tourism Committee still needs volunteers for planning and event day help. Join us in making this a successful event!