Connect

Connect Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Connect, Nonprofit Organization, 101 West 3rd, Beardstown, IL.

05/09/2026

🔥 Meet me in Virginia. 🔥

Summer starts here at the 2026 Virginia Bbq, and this year’s lineup is packed with everything that makes this small-town festival unforgettable— smoky BBQ, carnival rides, live entertainment, fireworks, family fun, and community tradition all weekend long. 🎡🎆🍔

Join us June 5–7 in Virginia for three days of food, music, contests, rides, and hometown memories.

Highlights include:
🎠 Carnival rides
🏃 Redbird 5K Run
👑 Little Miss, Jr. Miss & Queen Pageant
🎈 Baby Contest
🥩 Virginia BBQ Parade
🫧 Foam Party
🎶 Live music & entertainment
🎇 Red, White & Blue Fireworks Show
🤼 Pinfall Wrestling
🎟️ Raffle Drawing
…and more all weekend long!

Bring your friends, bring the kids, and come hungry— because the Virginia BBQ is more than an event… it’s a summer tradition. ❤️💙

05/09/2026

THIS DAY IN LINCOLN HISTORY On May 7, 1858, Abraham Lincoln uses an almanac to discredit the state’s star witness, and clears Duff Armstrong of a murder charge in Cass County circuit court, Beardstown.

The courthouse where this trial happened is one of only a few Lincoln courtrooms still in use today, and is open as a museum.

Witness Charles Allen testified that he saw Duff Armstrong strike Metzker with a slungshot. Under cross-examination, Lincoln pushed for further detail and Charles Allen testified that he was at a distance of 150 feet, but could clearly see the act by the light of the moon.

Abraham Lincoln used judicial notice, then a very uncommon tactic, to show Allen lied on the stand when he claimed he had witnessed the crime in the moonlight. Lincoln produced an almanac to show that the moon on that date would not have provided enough light for the witness to see anything clearly.

Visitors can experience the site in Beardstown, Illinois, and learn more of the story.

Learn about the Lincoln courtroom and attached museum at:
https://lincolninbeardstown.org/
or at
http://www.beardstownil.org/old-lincoln-courtroom-and.../

05/09/2026

🎉 Cass County Events | May 2026 🎉
Here’s what’s coming up around the county this month:

⸻

🔎 Murder Mystery Dinner
📅 Friday, May 1
🕠 Doors: 5:30 PM | Show: 6:30 PM
📍 The Roundhouse – Beardstown
🎟 $50 per person | $75 per couple
🍽 Dinner included (charcuterie, salad, ribs or chicken, sides & dessert)
📲 Venmo: -BeardstownFFF
📞 Contact Sadie Courson: 217-248-7289
🕵️ Alumni-themed night—come ready to solve a mystery!

⸻

🛍 Community-Wide Yard Sale
📅 Saturday, May 2
⏰ 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Virginia, Illinois

⸻

🎪 Family Friday: Carnival Night (Beardstown Connect)
📅 Friday, May 8
⏰ 6:00 – 8:00 PM
📍 Art Zeeck Park – Beardstown
🎟 FREE
🎈 Games, bounce houses & family fun

⸻

🏃‍♀️ 13th Annual 5K Run & Walk
📅 Saturday, May 9
⏰ Race starts at 8:00 AM (registration at 7:00 AM)
📍 Mile 88 Park – Beardstown
💵 $20 early | $25 day-of
🎗 Community Hope & Recovery Center

⸻

⛳ Beardstown Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing
📅 Friday, May 15
⏰ 12:00 PM
📍 Scripps Park – Rushville, IL
👥 4-person best ball scramble
💵 $75 per person | $300 per team
➡️ Register now : [email protected]
⸻

🚗💥 2026 Cass County Carnage
📅 Saturday, May 23
⏰ 5:00 – 10:00 PM
📍 Virginia, Illinois
🏁 Demo derby + multiple classes + power wheels races

⸻

🏓 Local Pickleball Nights
📅 Every Wednesday (weather permitting)
📍 Dunaway Park Courts • Virginia, Illinois
⏰ 5:30 - 7:30 PM

⸻

📍 There’s something happening all month long across Cass County—get out and enjoy it!

05/09/2026

Family Fridays are almost back 🎉

Beardstown Connect is kicking things off with a FREE carnival-themed Family Friday on May 8 from 6–8PM at Art Zeeck Park 🎪

Bring the kids and enjoy an evening of games, activities, and fun—it’s a great way to start the season together in Beardstown!

05/08/2026

Family Fun Night...Carnival theme opens at 6pm...the rain is over, the sun is out and gonna be a great night!! Ring the kiddos and have some fun! 🎡

Tonight’s the night! 🎪🎉Join us for Family Friday at Art Zeeck Park in Beardstown from 6–8 PM for a fun-filled evening of...
05/08/2026

Tonight’s the night! 🎪🎉

Join us for Family Friday at Art Zeeck Park in Beardstown from 6–8 PM for a fun-filled evening of carnival games, bounce houses, laughter, and family fun for all ages.

A big thank you to Cass Communications and JBS for helping make tonight possible!

📍 Art Zeeck Park
⏰ 6:00–8:00 PM
🎟️ Free to attend

We hope to see you there! ❤️

Just a little reminder 🎡Family Friday Carnival is happening this Friday, May 8 from 6–8 PM at Art Zeeck Park in Beardsto...
05/05/2026

Just a little reminder 🎡

Family Friday Carnival is happening this Friday, May 8 from 6–8 PM at Art Zeeck Park in Beardstown.

This carnival-themed evening is a fun, family-friendly way to kick off the weekend—with games, bounce houses, and more.

🎟️ Admission is free (no ticket needed)
📍 Art Zeeck Park, Beardstown, IL
⏰ 6:00–8:00 PM

Special thanks to Cass Communications and JBS for helping make this event possible.

We’re officially in May, and the first Family Friday of 2026 is less than a week away 🎪Before the fun begins, we want to...
05/02/2026

We’re officially in May, and the first Family Friday of 2026 is less than a week away 🎪

Before the fun begins, we want to say a big thank you to our sponsors—Cass Communications and JBS—for helping make this carnival-themed night possible.

From games and laughter to bounce houses and family fun, it’s shaping up to be a great evening at Art Zeeck Park.

Join us Friday, May 8 from 6–8PM. It’s free, it’s for everyone, and we hope to see you there ❤️

Just in case you needed one more reason to come… 🎪Yes, there will be bounce houses at Family Friday 🎉Because what’s a ca...
04/30/2026

Just in case you needed one more reason to come… 🎪

Yes, there will be bounce houses at Family Friday 🎉

Because what’s a carnival night without a little jumping, sliding, and wearing the kids out before bedtime 😉

Join us May 8 from 6–8 PM at Art Zeeck Park for games, laughter, and a whole lot of family fun.

Still completely FREE ❤️

👏 A big thank you to our event sponsors—Cass Communications and JBS—for helping make this Family Friday possible!

It’s almost time—just a friendly reminder ☕️Vendor applications for the 2026 Beardstown Christkindlmarkt are due April 3...
04/25/2026

It’s almost time—just a friendly reminder ☕️

Vendor applications for the 2026 Beardstown Christkindlmarkt are due April 30 🎄

Our Christkindlmarkt has become a special holiday tradition, filled with unique vendors, craftsmanship, and a little bit of magic each year.

If you’ve been thinking about being part of it, now’s the time—apply at beardstownchristkindlmarkt.com

🎟️ Your “official” ticket to Family Friday…(just kidding — you don’t actually need one 😉)Join us for the first Family Fr...
04/23/2026

🎟️ Your “official” ticket to Family Friday…

(just kidding — you don’t actually need one 😉)

Join us for the first Family Friday of 2026 as we bring a carnival-themed night to Art Zeeck Park! Expect games, laughter, and a whole lot of family fun.

🗓 May 8, 2026
⏰ 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 Art Zeeck Park, Beardstown

Best part? It’s completely FREE and open to everyone. Just show up, bring your crew, and enjoy the evening together. ❤️

👏 A big thank you to our event sponsors—Cass Communications and JBS—for helping make this Family Friday possible!

Address

101 West 3rd
Beardstown, IL
62618

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