It’s Homecoming week in Carbon Hill

A tradition continues in the village of Carbon Hill this week as the town hosts its 72nd annual Homecoming.

As the summer festival gets underway this evening (Wednesday) organizers welcome people from across the area for five days of family fun.

The Homecoming, what started as a reunion of former mine workers in 1949, remains one of the most anticipated local events of the summer with thousands of people filling the town park on Lacey Street, between Third and Fifth streets, to take in the various activities including the crack of the bat to the boom of fireworks.

The festival will open this evening with a ceremony honoring the 2022 grand marshal, Gary Lissy, Sr. Village officials will gather near the entrance of the park at 6 p.m. to recognize Lissy’s dedicated service to Carbon Hill.

The carnival opens this evening at 6 p.m. Swyear Amusements, Inc., of New Athens, IL is providing the rides, games and concessions. The carnival opens at 6 p.m. each day with the exception of Saturday when rides open at noon and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Bingo is a festival tradition and organizers have lined up a host of prizes to be handed out to winners including specials from area businesses. The bingo stand, located at the entrance to the park, will open at 6 p.m. each evening with the exception of Saturday and Sunday when games will get started at 3 p.m.

The festival will also include three days of music with The Brat Pack performing from 8 p.m. to midnight on Friday, June 24. SunFallen will take the stage Saturday, June 25 from 8 p.m. to midnight and Sunday’s line up features BOGO performing from 3-9 p.m.

Homecoming Sunday wouldn’t be complete without a parade and this year’s will step-off from Carbon Hill Road and Seventh Street at 1 p.m. Lissy will lead the parade as grand marshal followed by a few of his John Deere tractors. The Lissy family has participated in the parade displaying its tractors since 1976.

The food stand—operated by Mustachio’s Bar & Grill— and beer garden will be open throughout the festival.

The softball field will be a busy place with the 10th Annual Josh Cumming Memorial Softball Tournament taking place, the winner to be crowned Sunday evening.

The festival will close with a fireworks display at the softball field beginning at 9:30 p.m. on Sunday.

The village relies on residents to donate a few hours to assist with the event including ticket sales, driving a golf cart from the handicapped parking area located at the village hall on Holcomb Street. The shuttle service is sponsored by D Construction.

Proceeds from the festival are put into the village’s general fund to support town operations.