Celebrating their Diamond Anniversary with 75 Years of Service as the I.V. Lions Club and “Celebrating Our Golden Jubilee” with 50 years as host for the Illinois Valley Labor Day Festival.
Over 75 years ago a group of men decided they needed to “do good” for their home valley. After much consideration and research, they became members of the Lions International and formed the Illinois Valley Lions Club, as we know it today. This year that club is celebrating its 75 years of service to the Valley with their Diamond Anniversary as well as its Golden Anniversary of hosting the Jubilee Festival that the Jubilee Association discontinued in 1972.
Through the years, this club has forged friendships and partnerships that have sustained it through even the most feared of disasters – the Covid quarantine. Although the world seemed to have come to a stop, the Illinois Valley Lions Club trudged on to do the work they were dedicated to doing – helping their friends and neighbors within the Illinois Valley.
On Labor Day this year, Illinois Valley Lions Club will once again host the Labor Day Festival at Jubilee Park continuing a long- lived tradition of the Illinois Valley. As in past years, there will be vendors with everything from crafty items to jewelry, demonstrations, free school supplies, carnival games and fun. Entertainers, Tuff Truck Events, Bingo, and a breakfast served by our very own I.V. Fire group with many other organizations represented over the weekend. It will end with a parade down Redwood Hwy on Monday at 10 a.m. and the Harley Davidson Raffle drawing on Monday at 6 p.m.
All proceeds earned by the I.V. Lions Club are used right here in the Valley to help our families and friends who are in need of assistance with eye glasses, hearing aids and hospital equipment. They also sponsor the annual American flag program and free vision screening at the elementary school. The I.V. Lions have sponsored education scholarships for many students graduating from the Valley through the years, as well as sponsoring many of the local sports programs through funds raised at I.V. Lions Club events.
I.V. Lions Labor Day Festival will officially open at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 2, with the National Anthem. Fun, fun, fun is sure to follow through the weekend. JOIN US in Celebrating our Golden Jubilee in honor of our Jubilee Association from years past.
The oldest business in the Illinois Valley. Independently published since 1937.