Rend Lake Fireworks: THANK YOU!

State Senator Dale Fowler is partnering with the Southern Illinois Chambers of
Commerce to host the first-ever Southern Illinois Made Expo. This event will bring together 130 different business vendors from across the region to showcase the impressive products made and destinations available in Southern Illinois. The public is invited to attend the event and explore what is being made, produced and offered right here in their own backyards. Free tastings, samples and giveaways will be offered by various vendors throughout the Expo.

Several different entertainment options will be available for attendees, including the
opportunity to take immersive virtual reality tours, a designated “Kids Corner” for children to
create arts and crafts project to be given to veterans boarding the next Southern Illinois Honor Flight and various performances scheduled throughout the weekend. Attendees will also have the chance to enter a raffle for a one-of-a-kind prize.

Senator Fowler will also be hosting traveling legislative office hours throughout the
event. This will give area constituents the opportunity to speak with staff, ask their questions and get helpful resources from state government. Office hours will run throughout the event just outside the Pavilion.

While the event is free to the public, a suggested $5 entrance donation is being accepted
with all funds going toward the Veterans Honor Flights of Southern Illinois. This is an
organization that works to honor and thank veterans by providing them a free-of-charge trip to Washington, D.C. to see the monuments constructed in honor of their service and sacrifice. The Expo will also be partnering with the Veterans Honor Flights of Southern Illinois to host a ceremony honoring local veterans on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Kids will have the opportunity to meet and thank many of Southern Illinois’s very own superheroes – our veterans.

Proceeds from a silent auction featuring donated goods from participating vendors will
also benefit Veterans Honor Flights of Southern Illinois.

The public can get more information on this event by visiting simade.org or emailing
info@simade.org.