Murphysboro Chamber of Commerce

06/18/2026

We can't wait for this one! 👌 Comedian Dale Jones - Saturday June 20th! With 33 years in the making - Dale accentuates his machine gun style delivery with a healthy dose of animated faces and then combines that with quick improvisations and well placed physical comedy. Basically he leaves the audience wishing they had his energy. His shows are always a night you won't soon forget. Dale has several viral videos on social media and over 1.5 million followers and counting. In addition to his training at the world famous Second City he has appeared on TBS - The Very Funny Show, Last Comic Standing, 30 Seconds to Fame and most recently on Stand Up Live Nashville seasons 1 and 2. If you don’t blink you might see him in the 2003 MGM movie "Out Of Time" with Denzel Washington. In 2017 he was invited to perform on two episodes of “The Comedy All Stars” which led to acting roles on “Malibu Dan the Family Man” and the movie “Banking on Christmas”. Winner of the Comedy 10K, Laughlin, San Diego and Antelope Valley Comedy Festivals, Dale’s album "I'm Not Well" debuted in the top three on iTunes and Amazon. His new comedy special “Say It Ain’t So!” is now streaming on Youtube. Social media - TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/?_t=8pnfelqDAdP&_r=1 IG - https://www.instagram.com/dalejonescomic... Fbook- https://www.facebook.com/share/2Jrs1CCp5WitUkye/?mibextid=LQQJ4d YouTube - https://youtube.com/?si=YX-PsXD78vk8iKyz See less

06/17/2026

The 2026 Big Muddy Monster Festival is THIS WEEKEND!
Visit us in Murphysboro and check out this event schedule:

𝔽𝕣𝕚𝕕𝕒𝕪, 𝕁𝕦𝕟𝕖 𝟙𝟡
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𝟳𝗽𝗺 BLOCK PARTY w/ Ivas John Band
@ Brews Brothers Taproom
*free to attend
Let's kick off the weekend with some live blues from Ivas John Band
Food available from Hamp's Smoke N Q & Cummare's

𝕊𝕒𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕕𝕒𝕪, 𝕁𝕦𝕟𝕖 𝟚𝟘
----------------------

𝟴𝗮𝗺 Big Muddy Monster 5K
@ The Old Depot
*$35, all proceeds benefit the ongoing Old Depot restoration efforts
Register starting at 7pm; sign up at runsignup.com

𝟵𝗮𝗺-𝟰𝗽𝗺 Craft & Vendor Market Opens
@ North 13th Street
Vendors include:
Big Muddy Monster Merch, Electric Unicorn, Tatted Souls, R 3-D, Crafted Murphysboro, Creations by Mama Kay, Pocket Change, Chicken Scratch Crafts, Savage, Sideshows, Crafts by Hayven, Purple Peony, offkilter, Mema‘s crafts, Mind on Fire books.

𝟵𝗮𝗺-𝟰𝗽𝗺 Food Vendors Open
@ North 13th Street
Food vendors will include:
Creekpaum Consessions, Amore Pizza, Bobfather’s Kettle Corn, Tropical Snow, Downtown Fizz

𝟵:𝟯𝟬𝗮𝗺 Historical Sign Unveiling
@ Big Muddy Monster Statue (IL-13 & 127 intersection)
Come see the official presentation of the new historical marker for the Big Muddy Monster

𝟭𝟬𝗮𝗺 Opening Remarks
@ The Liberty Theater

𝟭𝟬𝗮𝗺-𝟱𝗽𝗺 Downtown Shop Hop!
@ Walnut Street
Explore our main street for a variety of items!

𝟭𝟬𝗮𝗺-𝟰𝗽𝗺 Big Muddy Monster Search Party
@
Visit the IDNR booth to pick up your map and search for the monster all over town!

𝟭𝟬𝗮𝗺-𝟱𝗽𝗺 Arm Wrestle the Monster
@ The Soap Store & So Much More
You can challenge the Big Muddy Monster to an arm wrestling match!
First 50 kids to defeat the monster receive a keepsake!

𝟭𝟬:𝟭𝟱𝗮𝗺 Speakers Begin
@ The Liberty Theater
---𝟭𝟬:𝟭𝟱𝗮𝗺 Christian Baril
---𝟭𝟬:𝟯𝟬𝗮𝗺 Harold Benny
---𝟭𝟭:𝟭𝟱𝗮𝗺 The Squatchers
---𝟭𝟮:𝟭𝟱𝗮𝗺 Mike Scott
---𝟭:𝟭𝟱𝗽𝗺 Chad Lewis
---𝟮:𝟭𝟱𝗽𝗺 Bryce Edwards

𝟭𝟭𝗮𝗺-𝟮𝗽𝗺 Muddy Monster Mandala
Miranda's Loom Fine Craft Studio & Gallery
Make your own souvenir at Miranda's!

𝟭𝟮𝗽𝗺-𝟱𝗽𝗺 Sundae Challenge
@ Small Town Scoop & Eatery
$35
Limit 2 customers per hour
Finish in 30min and the sundae is free!

𝟯𝗽𝗺 "The Pond Creek Monster: Bigfoot Encounters & High Strangeness"
@ The Liberty Theater
A presentation of the documentary
*Suggested donation $3

𝟰𝗽𝗺 After-Party!
@ Big Muddy Brewing

** stay tuned for updates!

06/15/2026

A few of our Chamber members spent part of their day volunteering in the office, sorting through years of archived materials, and we came across this vintage “New Murphysboro Business Coming Soon” banner. We can only imagine how many exciting announcements this sign has seen over the years!

It’s always fun to look back and see the businesses, people, and community spirit that have helped shape Murphysboro into what it is today. As we celebrate our past, we’re also excited about the future and the new businesses, events, and opportunities still to come.

Whether you’re a business owner, community supporter, or someone who simply loves Murphysboro if you’ve ever thought about getting involved with the Chamber, we’d love to connect with you.

06/15/2026

Thank you Sallie Logan Public Library for asking the Chamber to participate in the summer reading program. Our board member Rikki Scott Cummare's Italian Restaurant will be reading a book at 10:30 on Wednesday and speaking to the kids about the importance of shopping local!

06/13/2026

🍎Please join us in welcoming Tonya Walker owner of The Poppy Barn to the Murphysboro Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors!🍎

Tonya was voted onto the board at our meeting Thursday, and we’re excited to have her leadership, passion, and local business experience helping guide the Chamber forward.

Interested in getting more involved in our community? We’d love to have you join us at an upcoming meeting!

Welcome to the board, Tonya! 🤝

06/13/2026

HISTORY IS
MAKING HISTORY
IN MURPHYSBORO!

June 1973: Glowing red eyes. Multiple sightings. A terrible odor. A massive, hairy creature lurking by the Big Muddy River... 👀

For decades, the lore of the Big Muddy Monster has captured the world's imagination. Now, it’s officially etched in bronze!

Join us for the official unveiling of a brand-new historic sign detailing Murphysboro’s favorite piece of folklore. Here is a little sneak peek:

"...THE FIRST ACCOUNT CAME ON JUNE 25, 1973, WHEN TWO INDIVIDUALS NEAR RIVERSIDE PARK DESCRIBED ENCOUNTERING A LARGE, HAIRY CREATURE THAT HAD GLOWING RED EYES..."

Want to read the rest of the story? You’ll have to come see it in person! 👣

📍 Where: Near the Big Muddy Monster Statue (100 Muddy Monster Road)
📅 When: Saturday, June 20, 2026
⏰ Time: 9:30 AM sharp!

Thank you to Murphysboro’s own Tourism Commission without your help amazing events like these couldn’t happen. Southern Illinois Tourism

Give us a 😉 if you plan on doing something fun after attending the 5k, the unveiling, and the festival on June 20th. Tell us what it’s going to be.

06/04/2026

📣Vogler invites all who appreciate cars and trucks to attend an event on June 27th from 11am to 4pm. Owners of classic and hot rods are encouraged to bring their vehicles for display, or attendees can come to view the assortment. This event is free and open to the public, with no admission or entry fees. Enjoy the company of fellow enthusiasts, impressive cars, Big Nate's BBQ food truck, and Peltzer Tropical Sno.
🚨Please tag those you know who would be interested in this event in the comments, or share this post.

06/04/2026

06/04/2026

It's right around the corner! June 6th! We can't wait! Sign up through the link for free kid’s fishing day!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSesYcroDvq96ZS1BGng0xi5wo1gN6FyA3bpOhbLkbAXxPeCGw/viewform

06/04/2026

🇺🇸I have a last-minute opening this weekend, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday if anyone has friends or family coming to town there's a lot going on this weekend in Murphysboro with the 200th Birthday Celebration also great location to watch the parade Saturday afternoon. 🇺🇸