KAMPSVILLE - Old Settlers Days is going on as planned. Rising river levels are not going to end the event this year.   The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office distributed a message Friday morning that the festival will go on as planned for Saturday, Oct. 13, and Sunday, Oct. 14. “There have been some questions and concerns about high river levels causing the event to be canceled but that is not the case,” the sheriff’s office said.    

Kampsville Old Settlers Days is held each year on the Illinois River and features both Mountain Men and Civil War encampments and primitive skills demonstrations throughout the weekend. These demonstration include activities such as soap making, blacksmithing, woodworking, flint knapping, jewelry making, bow building and caramel corn cooking in an iron kettle.

There will be live entertainment each day from noon to 5:00 p.m., a fiddle contest and artisans and traders selling their wares.

The Kampsville Old Settlers Days includes activities for all ages. Children can enjoy the petting zoo, pony rides, jewelry making, face-painting, old time pedal cars, and play in the children’s area. Old Settlers Days offers festival favorites such as pork rinds, brats, and potato chips cooked in iron kettles. There will be plenty of delicious food from fish to French onion soup. Past favorites have included pork chops, chicken and dumplings, hot dogs, ham and beans, fried apples, fried pies, rib eyes, kabobs, biscuits and gravy, chili, ice cream, and lots of tasty baked goods with lemonade or homemade root beer – and don’t forget they always have turkey legs, buffalo burgers, Calhoun apples, homemade apple butter and jars of freshly made jams and jellies.