UP & COMING
All outdoor prep sporting events are "weather permitting" and may be rescheduled.
Friday, May 4
• Du Quoin and Pinckneyville boys track: 4 p.m., the Du Quoin Classic.
• Du Quoin softball: Marissa Tournament, game times TBA.
• Du Quoin baseball & JV: 4:30 p.m. at Trico.
• Pinckneyville baseball & JV: 4:30 p.m. at Harrisburg.
• Pinckneyville softball: 4:30 p.m. home vs. Woodlawn.
• Hot Air Balloon Glow fundraiser: 6-10 p.m. Friday & Saturday, at Cannon Park, Carterville. Four hot air balloons will start to glow as it gets dark. Vendors, concessions, live entertainment. On Friday, The Deplorables rock band starts at 6 p.m. On Saturday, the Lord Have Mercy band starts at 6 p.m. 5K race starts at 3 p.m. Saturday; race fee is $20. Online registration closed, but runners can register at 1 p.m. Saturday. Admission to the festival: $10 per car; $30 per van (15 passengers); $50 per bus. Supports the Carterville Fire Department. No balloon rides at event, but balloon pilots will be there to talk to fest-goers. Tickets: www.eventbrite.com/e/carterville-fd-balloon-glow-tickets-42716743931?aff=es2.
Saturday, May 5
• Du Quoin Farmers Market: 7:30-11 a.m. in Keyes Park. Fresh fruits, homemade foods and vegetables, crafts, plants. Get updates on Twitter by following @DuQuoinFarmersMarket.
• Annual Du Quoin Garden Club plant sale: 8 a.m.-1 p.m., in front of the Shelter Insurance Agency on South Washington Street. Plants are homegrown in members' gardens, so are hardy for this region.
• The Really Close To 5K Color Run/Walk: 8 a.m.-noon, 1801 S. Carbon St., Marion. Sponsored by This Able Veteran and Rotary District 6510, who are trying to raise $25,000, enough to fund a PTSD service dog's training and the veteran's training with the dog. $25 registration, includes T-shirt. Goggles recommended for running through the color spray. Sign up at runsignup.com/Race/IL/Marion/5KColorRunforThisAbleVeteran.
• Rocky Ledges 5K Trail Run: 8 a.m. at SIU's Touch of Nature Environmental Center, 1206 Touch of Nature Road, Makanda. Event postponed from April 14. $20-$30, includes T-shirt. Register at rockyledges5k.siu.edu/ until April 27.
• Safe Sitter Class: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Pinckneyville Community Hospital, 5383 Illinois Route 154. $10; must register by noon on April 27. Young teens, grades 6-8 learn basic first aid, infant and child choking rescue and CPR, are instructed on how a child's age affects how to care for them, how to prevent problem behavior, and how to run their own babysitting business. Graduates will receive a card demonstrating the skills they have learned. Space is limited; register with Jennifer Barbour at (618) 357-8898.
• Du Quoin baseball & JV: 11 a.m. home vs. Carmi-White County.
• Du Quoin softball: Marissa Tournament, game times TBA.
• Pinckneyville softball: Time TBA, at Fairfield.
• District 300 Educational Foundation Dinner: 5:30 p.m. in the Du Quoin High School Hibbs Auditorium and Commons. More than 70 scholarships awarded to graduating seniors; also the Du Quoin High School art show. $15; buy tickets in the District 300 office.
• Scott Qualk: 7-10 p.m. St. Nicholas Brewing Company, 12 S. Oak St., Du Quoin. Classic rock. (618) 790-9212.
Sunday, May 6
• Birding Tour: 8:15 a.m., Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge Visitor's Center, 8588 Route 148, Marion. Free, but reservations are required by calling (618) 997-3344.
• Giant Flea Market: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Expo Hall, Du Quoin State Fairgrounds. $1.50 admission; 12-under free with adult. Info: John Crouch, (217) 529-6939 or jcflea.com.
• Du Quoin High School Band concert: 2 p.m. in the high school's Auxiliary Gym. Free.
• Du Quoin Middle School Spring Concert: 3:30 p.m. in the Du Quoin High School auditorium. Free.