In Franklin County, and throughout Southern Illinois, it is a pleasure to celebrate the past, revel in the present, and look forward to the future. Residents and visitors alike enjoy excitement -- but perhaps at a more leisurely pace.
Franklin County
Franklin County is at the center of activity for area artisans. The Southern Illinois Art and Artisans Center, adjacent to the many facilities at Rend Lake, features more than 25 arts and crafts categories that represent the work of hundreds of the state's talented artists. 
Franklin County Tourism Bureau
Calendar of Events
Museums and History
Southern Illinois Art & Artisans Center
Sesser Opera House
For further information contact the Franklin County Tourism Bureau by writing or visiting at 209 W. Main St., Benton, IL 62812. Or, call 800-661-9998.
Southern Illinois
You won't even need a full tank of gas to enjoy Southern Illinois' full calendar of events. If it's happening anywhere in Southern Illinois, chances are good that the event is a short drive from Franklin County.
Life in the Midwest is celebrated at festivals, fairs, and farmers markets throughout the year. But rural life doesn't always mean life on the farm; it is greeting neighbors while shopping on historic town squares, listening to lecturers on college campuses, and cheering at prep sporting events.
From the bright lights of the midway at the Du Quoin State Fair to the crack of the bat at a Southern Illinois Miners game, the sights and sounds of life in this unique area are exhilarating.
Discover Southern Illinois Calendar
Discover Southern Illinois Web Portal
Touring Southern Illinois: The Ultimate Guide to Festivals and Fairs
Illinois Bureau of Tourism
Southern Illinois Tourism Development Office
Du Quoin State Fair
Shawnee Hills Wine Trail
Southern Illinois Wine Tasting Events
Southern Illinois Irish Festival
Southern Illinois Symphony Orchestra
Southern Illinois Miners
Southern Illinois Museums and Cultural History
SIU School of Music, Concerts and Events Calendar
SIU Athletics
For further information contact the Southern Illinois Tourism Development Office by writing or visiting at 14967 Gun Creek Trail, Whittington, IL 62897. Or, call 888-998-9397 or (618) 629-1819.