Bagelfest highlights weekend events in Coles County

Jehad Abbed, News Editor

The 30th annual Mattoon Bagelfest is set to open its carnival in Peterson Park along with vendors starting at 1 p.m. Friday.

The Mattoon Pride softball tournament will continue Friday at the Roundhouse Complex on Sixth Street as a part of the Bagelfest week of celebration.

The festival is offering a beer tent both Friday and Saturday night, beginning at 5 p.m. with live music starting at 7 p.m.

Switchfoot will be performing Friday inside the tent and the popular cover band X-Krush takes the stage for the adults Saturday.

The Bagelfest’s main stage entertainment includes Waterloo Revival on Friday evening and the popular country star Frankie Ballard headlining the whole festival.

Ballard’s hit single “Young & Crazy” is currently in the Billboard top-20 hot country songs.

Contestants can choose whether to compete in a 10k, 5k or one-mile long race in this year’s Run for the Bagel put on by the Mattoon Area Family YMCA.

The run on Saturday takes competitors through Lytle Park and costs $22 per participant.

Saturday also holds the monthly volunteer day at Whiteside Garden on Route 16 in Charleston. Volunteers take their time to help out at the “Botanical Treasure” every third Saturday of each month.

The group of volunteers will be working 1-3 p.m. and they accept additional help as well as provide transportation to the garden.

The Five Mile House southeast of Charleston will be hosting a program Sunday called “History Restored: Farm Wagons Reborn.”

The progam begins at 1 p.m. with music by Red Hills Dulcimer Society beginning at 2 p.m.

There will also be exhibits of white coopering, chair caning and Blacksmith demonstrations Sunday.

The Five Mile House is located five miles southeast of Charleston on Route 130.

Jehad Abbed can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected]