ATKINSON, IL – Atkinson Community Festivals is proud to announce the 2025 Atkinson Heritage Days, a two-day community event packed with activities for all ages. The festivities will take place on Friday, August 22nd, and Saturday, August 23rd, 2025.
Friday, August 22, 2025
The weekend kicks off on Friday with "Paint the Park" from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm, where participants can paint squares of the park sidewalk, with supplies and prizes for both children and adults provided.
A Community Supper featuring pulled pork, hot dogs, potato salad, coleslaw, and cookies will be served by the Atkinson Fire Department from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the Veterans Park Shelter. Later that evening, the Little Miss Flame Pageant will be held at 6:30 pm at the Veterans Park Shelter, sponsored by the Atkinson Fire Department. In case of bad weather, both the supper and pageant will move to the school.
The night will conclude with a "Pyrotechnic Party" from 6:00 pm until dusk, featuring games, music, and the Flavor Train Food Truck, followed by fireworks at dusk.
Saturday, August 23, 2025
Saturday is a full day of events starting with the BBQ Rib Cook Off downtown, with set-up from 7:00 am to 8:00 am and judging at 4:00 pm. Attendees can also enjoy live music in the park by Shaun Easton from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and craft beer from Bent River Brewing Co. from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.
The Atkinson Firemen's Parade, with the theme "Hometown Heroes," will kick off at 1:00 pm. Registration is from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at the Atkinson Fire Department, and parade lineup begins at 12:00 pm on Main Street between Church and Washington Street.
The parade route can be found on the Atkinson Heritage Days Facebook page or at the Information Booth.
Other Saturday highlights include:
• Kid's Games & Activities: Inflatables, including The Ninja Meltdown and a bouncy house sponsored by Foster Hope, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. There will also be a Kid's Tractor Pull at 11:00 am for ages 5 to 12 and face painting from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.
• Pie Judging & Pie Auction: The Atkinson Women's Club will hold a contest for double-crust fruit pies, which must be brought to St. Anthony Church Hall by 11:00 am. Winners will be announced and the auction held at the park shelter at 2:00 pm.
• Vendors & Exhibits: Food vendors will be on Center Street and craft vendors in the park starting at 9:00 am. Bryner's Chainsaw Carving will be on display from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Attendees can also enjoy Miller's Petting Zoo from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm and Tiny Tails Reptiles from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Sol's Legacy Miniature Horses will also be returning.
• Bingo: Indoor bingo will be held at The Gathering Place from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm with cash prizes.
• Tournaments: A Rolle Bolle Tournament, hosted by the Atkinson Bolders Club, will start at 6:30 pm at the Exchange Street courts. The Cornhole/Bags Tournament, hosted by Geneseo 4 Baggers, will be downtown at 3:00 pm with cash prizes.
• Live Band & Street Dance: The popular Atkinson Heritage Days Street Dance featuring the band Code 415 will be held downtown from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm.
Enjoy refreshments from community organizations, including St. Anthony's Pie & Ice Cream at the park shelter. The Atkinson Booster Club will be selling pork chops, pulled pork, and hot dogs at the park shelter as well.
The progressive 50/50 raffle tickets will be sold at all Atkinson Community Festival events, with the winner being drawn at the 2025 Atkinson Christmas Festival. Raffle drawings for gift certificates and gift baskets will be held at the street dance. Tickets for both raffles are available at the Information Booth, located at the Pyrotechnics Party behind the school on Friday, and east of the Park Shelter on Saturday, which will also have a first-aid kit available.
For additional information about the BBQ Rib Cook Off, please email acf2025@myyahoo.com.
The Atkinson Community Festivals Committee hopes everyone finds something they can enjoy during the weekend.