The 618 Now

Hi Pointe restaurant, new construction updates, & busy weekend around town!

In this episode, we discuss:

• Hi Pointe, O'Fallon's newest burger and shake restaurant, broke ground this week!
• New construction updates- $54M of new/renovated construction has happened in O'Fallon through Aug 31st! 
• Friday, Oct 15th at 7:30pm, final movie in the park, Jumanji II: The Next level 
• Friday, Oct 15th 6-8pm, O'Fallon YMCA's family fall festival
• Sat, Oct 16th, 8am-noon Vine Street Market (final one of the season!)
• Sat, Oct 16th, 4-8pm O'Fallon Fall Festival at Rock Springs Rotary Park
• Sat, Oct 16th 5-8pm, Witches and Wizards Night Out in Downtown District 
• Sat, Oct 16th 5:30-8:30pm Halloween Movie and Art Night at Art Gecko in downtown O'Fallon kids ages 6-14
• Thurs, Oct 21 4-8pm, BBQ, Blues and Brews at Keystone Place at Richland Creek- parking lot party fundraiser for the first responder Explorer programs in O'Fallon 

Follow us on Instagram @The618Now. Submit business updates, show ideas and events you'd like us to consider promoting to events@ofallonchamber.com. 

What exactly do we do? Plus Fall Festival and Witches and Wizards Night Out

In this episode, we discuss:

• What exactly does the Chamber of Commerce do? 
• Sat, Oct 9th @ 8am Vine Street Market at O'Fallon Station 
• Sat, Oct 16th 4-8pm, Fall Festival at Rock Springs Rotary Park - very family friendly event!
• Sat, Oct 16th 5-9pm Witches and Wizards Night Out (21+) in the Downtown District- halloween costumes, drink specials 
• Sat, Oct 16th 5:30-8:30pm Halloween movie and Art at Art Gecko (drop off event for kids ages 6-14) 

Follow us on Instagram @The618Now. Submit business updates, show ideas and events you'd like us to consider promoting to events@ofallonchamber.com. 

Metro East Literacy Project, BBQ and coffee, busy week ahead

In this episode, we discuss:

• Metro East Literacy Project helps get books into kids' and families' hands- they need volunteers!
• New BBQ restaurant and coffee shop coming to town?
• Fishing Derby @ O'Fallon Family Sports Park is Friday, Oct 1 @ 5:45pm
• The VFW's 0.1K fun run is Sat, Oct 2 @ 10am
• O'Fallon Police's Nite to Unite is Tuesday, Oct 5 from 6-8pm

Follow us on Instagram @The618Now. Submit business updates, show ideas and events you'd like us to consider promoting to events@ofallonchamber.com. 

Lead In, Blossom Play Cafe, Oktoberfest, and more

In this episode, we discuss:

• Lead In, the Chamber's Leadership Institute is wrapping up its 2021 class
• Blossom Play Cafe, a child friendly coffee shop coming to O'Fallon
• Pumpkin Decorating contest through Vine Street Market, $10, deadline to register is Oct 7th
• St Clare's Oktoberfest is Sat from 4-11pm
• Scrap Metal and Electronics Recycling event is Sat, from 9-noon @ Carriel Junior High
• Bike Surgeon's Rock'n'Roll Ride is Thursday @ 6pm
• Fishing Derby @ Family Sports Park is next Friday, Oct 1 @ 5:45pm, it's free! 
• John Wilt Foundation Honor Run is next Sat, Oct 2 @ 8am
• The VFW's 0.1K race is next Sat, Oct 2 @ 10am

Follow us on Instagram @The618Now. Submit business updates, show ideas and events you'd like us to consider promoting to events@ofallonchamber.com. 

Successful events, golf tourney, and upcoming events

In this episode, we discuss:

• Vine Street Market
• BaconFest raised thousands of dollars for local veterans
• Friday, Sept 17, movie in O'Fallon's community park, Raya and The Last Dragon starting at 7:30pm
• Thurs, Sept 23 is Ladies' Night with Courage & Grace and McKendree Metro RecPlex
• Sat, Oct 2nd is the John Wilt Honor Run 5k

Follow us on Instagram @The618Now. Submit business updates, show ideas and events you'd like us to consider promoting to events@ofallonchamber.com. 

Supply chain challenges, Shop Local Shop Early, Baconfest, 9/11 ceremonies

In this episode, we discuss:

• Global supply chain challenges that are impacting local businesses
• Shop Local and Shop early for the holidays! Ha!
• Shiloh Homecoming and 9/11 ceremony
• VFW Baconfest
• VFW 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
• Metro East Marching Classic is Sat, 2pm 
• Touch-A-Truck event is Sat 9am-1pm in the O'Fallon Community Park
• Ladies' Night with Courage & Grace at the McKendree Metro RecPlex, Thurs, Sept 23

Follow us on Instagram @The618Now. Submit business updates, show ideas and events you'd like us to consider promoting to events@ofallonchamber.com.  

Medical mile, healthcare highway, Shiloh Homecoming

In this episode, we discuss:

• the "medical mile" and how it developed over the last 5 years
• Vine Street market is accepting vendors for the Dec 11 Winter Market. Deadline is Oct 5th. Details can be found here
• Birch Market's grand opening is Sat, Sept 4th with specials all day
• Shiloh Homecoming is next Friday and Sat, Sept 10th and 11th 
• 9/11 Memorial Ceremony at Shiloh Community Park, Sat, Sept 11th at 5pm
• Baconfest in the Downtown District is next Sat, Sept 10th from 10am-5pm
• 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at the VFW, Sat, Sept 10th at 10am

Follow us on Instagram @The618Now. Submit business updates, show ideas and events you'd like us to consider promoting to events@ofallonchamber.com. 

Birch Market, Lead In, Rehab Hospital, Weekend plans

In this episode, we discuss:

• Birch Market is OPEN in the Downtown District! Grand Opening is scheduled for Sat, Sept 4th
• The Chamber's Leadership Institute is wrapping up it's current year. Stay tuned for applications for next year's class which will be released mid-October.
• The Rehabilitation Institute of Southern IL in Shiloh is nearly built!
• Sat, Aug 28th O'Fallon-Shiloh EMS is hosting a BBQ fundraiser to support their Christmas for Kids campaign.
• Sat, Aug 28th is O'Fallon's Biggest Yard Sale to support the OTHS Marching Panthers!
• Mark your calendars for Shiloh's Homecoming Sept 10-11th. 

Follow us on Instagram @The618Now. Submit business updates, show ideas and events you'd like us to consider promoting to events@ofallonchamber.com. 

Census data, Construction updates, Marching Panthers, and CityFest

In this episode, we discuss:

• Census data showing O'Fallon and Shiloh increases of 14% and 11% respectively
• Construction updates
• Marching Panthers have a fun and busy weekend planned. The President of the Tournament of Roses is in town! Lots of opportunities to support our student musicians as they work towards their Rose Parade dreams! Blue and Gold Game, Band Alumni Dessert Party, and Everything's Coming Up Roses breakfast. 
• CityFest is this weekend! 

Follow us on Instagram @The618Now. Submit business updates, show ideas and events you'd like us to consider promoting to events@ofallonchamber.com. 

OFallon On Demand, Police Academy, City Fest!

In this episode, we discuss:

• O'Fallon On Demand app
• Citizen Police Academy is now accepting applications for their 8-week program. 
• City Fest is Friday Aug 20 and Sat Aug 21st. Schedule of events here. 

Follow us on Instagram @The618Now. Submit business updates, show ideas and events you'd like us to consider promoting to events@ofallonchamber.com.