BETHALTO - The Bethalto Fire Department will once again host its annual homecoming carnival, and they encourage people to mark their calendars now for a fun weekend.
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On Sept. 4–7, 2026, Labor Day weekend, community members can enjoy carnival rides and games, live music, food, vendors, and more fun at Bethalto City Park. Derek Mormino, president of the volunteers for the Bethalto Fire Department, shared that this year marks the 107th anniversary of the homecoming tradition, and he hopes many people come out to enjoy it.
“It’s always fun to go there,” he said. “It’s a lot of work that we do, but by the time it gets here, I’m excited.”
The Bethalto Fire Department has partnered with Luehrs’ Ideal Rides to bring the carnival games and rides to Bethalto City Park. Community members can enjoy their favorite carnival experiences throughout the weekend.
Starting June 8, you can purchase 22 ride tickets for $20, saving $10 if you buy ahead of time by purchasing tickets at Bethalto Village Hall or the fire department. Otherwise, you can buy tickets during the homecoming festivities in September.
Local vendors will be onsite with their crafts and wares. There will also be several food trucks and small businesses at the park offering their products.
Live music starts on Friday, Sept. 4, with Steve Ewing scheduled from 6-10 p.m. This will be followed by Soulshine Groove from 1–5 p.m. and Up All Night STL from 6–10 p.m. on Saturday. Shotgun Creek takes the stage from 1–5 p.m. on Sunday and Superjam follows them from 6–10 p.m. John Stimac rounds out the weekend from 12–4 p.m. on Monday.
The homecoming festival started as a way to welcome soldiers arriving home from World War I in Bethalto. The Bethalto Fire Department took over the event a few years later.
Today, the homecoming serves as the fire department’s only fundraiser of the year. The firefighters will be operating the fish stand throughout the weekend. All proceeds from the event will go toward helping the department pay for equipment and other necessary items.
“We don’t do any other fundraising throughout the year. This is our one and only thing, usually. So this helps us buy equipment and other things for the fire department,” Mormino said. “Everything that we make goes towards bettering the lives of the fire department volunteers.”
You can be a part of that mission and have a fun weekend in Bethalto during the Labor Day homecoming event. For more information about the Bethalto homecoming, including updates, visit the official Bethalto Fire Department Facebook page.
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