Why We Help the Relay for Life

Do you need ideas for spring activities near Mt. Vernon, IL that the whole family will enjoy? Whether you're looking for park adventures in the sun, a fun educational experience, or a great playground, check out some of our favorite local attractions where you can celebrate the warmer seasons. more 5 Family-Friendly Spring Activities Near Mt. Vernon, IL 1. Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area There's no shortage of fun activities for families who love the outdoors at Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area at 11094 Ranger Road in Whittington. The 3,300-acre state park is a great place to have a picnic, hike, or bike. Horseback riding is also available, and you can pack all your camping gear in the spacious cargo area of the Toyota RAV4 to spend the night immersed in nature. 2. Jefferson County Historical Village If you're looking for an activity where you and your kids can all learn about local history, check out Jefferson County Historical Village at 1411 North 27th Street in Mt. Vernon. Enjoy the spring weather while you walk through a pioneer village that includes authentic log cabins and a one-room schoolhouse. Admission is free, and there are also several exhibits and events held throughout the year that you can explore. 3. Veterans Memorial Park Located near the heart of Mt Vernon at 800 South 27th Street, Veterans Memorial Park, also known as Mt. Vernon City Park, is a great place to honor the brave veterans who served in the military while your family enjoys a wide range of recreational activities. You can take a casual stroll around the lake, let the kids play on the multiple playgrounds, or play sports like basketball or tennis together. 4. Cedarhurst Center for the Arts Cedarhurst, which sits on an 85-acre estate at 2600 Richview Road in Mt. Vernon, is home to an art center, the Mitchell Museum, and an outdoor sculpture park. They offer concerts and a choral project, plus plenty of family events, including First Friday Story Time at the museum, where your kids can learn about cultural traditions, nature, and more through age-appropriate books. 5. Mt. Vernon Aquatic Zoo Waterpark For a day of family fun in the warmer days of spring, the Mt. Vernon Aquatic Zoo Waterpark at 1700 South 24th Street features multiple water slides, including a 266-foot dual rider tube slide. There are also two diving boards, a splash pad for kids, and more to provide an unforgettable time for your whole family. Spring is also a great time to give your Toyota some love after a rough winter or find your next family-friendly ride. Call us or visit Monken Toyota of Mt. Vernon in Mt. Vernon, IL for all your automotive needs, and let us know if we can offer more recommendations for fun things to do with your family this spring!

If you are a Centralia High School alumni or had a child attend Centralia High School, then you are familiar with the Centralia May Fete tradition that has existed for over 100 years.  The Monken Family has been proud to be a part of this tradition and all family members have participated in the dances and/or court during their high school years. Jan Monken's mother, Dorothy Rixmann Miller, was the 25th May Fete Queen.  At that time May Fete was held outdoors and Dorothy made her own dress and train.  Her daughters, Jan, Melissa, and Wendy, were all attendants their junior year. Kim Monken McMillian's daughter, Megan Marcum, was a flower girl for Stacey Smudrick, a freshman attendant and May Fete Queen.  Her sister, Andrea Walton, was a freshman attendant the same year that Megan was queen. Both girls were involved with dances when they weren't on the court.  Lance and Megan’s kids, Hadley and Eli Marcum, served as scepter bearer and crown bearer. Shawn Monken Hartmann, was a flower girl for Carol Jo Vaccaro and an attendant her senior year.  Her children, Bredesen Hartmann and Katie Hartmann, along with their cousin, Will Miller, served as the trainbearers and flower girl for Megan Marcum.  Bredesen Hartmann participated in the couples dance every year and became a May Fete escort during his junior year.  Katie choreographed and participated in multiple dances all four years. Wes Monken, was the trainbearer for Jan Johnson when he was seven.  He wore the first white tuxedo ever used in May Fete and participated in the dance. Wes's older daughter, Jalyn Monken, participated in dances all four years. This year Wes's daughter, Addison Monken, will wind the senior maypole for her last year at Centralia High School. She has participated in dances every year.  Addison is the last Monken grandchild to participate in May Fete.  We look forward to all the great-grandchildren participating!

Guest Blogger - Jan Monken Monken Automotive and the Monken family  have been involved with the Centralia Balloon Fest since its inception over 25 years ago. The Balloon Fest, held every year in August, has become a huge event since the first one that was held at Kaskaskia College.  Balloon Fest later moved to Foundation Park, east of Centralia, where it is still held today.  The Balloon Fest offers entertainment for all ages with the balloon glow and balloon races as the biggest events. Originally, the balloons only glowed Saturday evening, but now following the Friday night balloon race, the pilots will come back into the park and glow around the pond. We have always sponsored a balloon, and as sponsors for the Balloon Fest, we get the opportunity to crew at each event.  Crewing a balloon can be hard work.  We recruit family, friends and employees to be our crew members/chase team.  Our crew members help set up the balloon for the race, chase the ballon, and help with the landing and packing it up.  Glowing is also hard work as the crew members hold on to ropes to help keep the balloon from going  up into the air. Our first grandchildren to crew were Megan and Andrea, Kim( Monken) McMillan's girls. I remember the first time they were old enough to fly with our pilot. The girls had so much fun the first time they rode in a hot air balloon, we could see their happy faces as they flew up over the fields and trees. Then our grandchildren,  Katie Hartmann, Jalyn and Addison Monken became part of the Monken Chase Team.  They loved to get up at 5:00am to meet at the Bell Tower Inn for the pilot meeting. This is when the pilots are informed if the balloons will fly and where they will depart. The girls have all had the opportunity to fly up in a hot air balloon and loved every minute. This year, Megan and her family will be crewing. We are now starting the next generation to crew and fly! In the past, Monken's have also sponsored the pilot dinner.  One year Monken Automotive hosted the Friday evening dinner for all pilots, crew members, and sponsors.  Wearing his cowboy hat, Harold Monken, directed traffic on his horse. Some of the pilots remember that event well. I also remember on one of the windiest evening while we were trying to hold onto the balloon during Balloon Glow, a large gust of wind came up.  We yelled for help and here came the “cowboy,” Harold, to help.  Well, Harold always thought ballooning was a piece of cake, but he found out real quick that it wasn’t as he was flipped on his back side real quick! We have had the pleasure of having the balloonist, Bob Boswell, for many years. Bob was a paratrooper before he began ballooning. He has quit coming to our event, but he still has a balloon repair shop. Our next pilot Ken was a Fed Ex pilot, and flew balloons as a hobby. For the past 4 years our pilot has been Jared Miller. Jared is a nurse anesthetist. We enjoy meeting and getting to know our pilots and their families. Thanks to everyone that puts this event on every year. Happy ballooning to everyone!