Virden Historical Society

10/07/2026

🚨🗺️ BIG MAP ALERT! 🗺️🚨
A FEW LAST-MINUTE CHANGES HAVE HAPPENED! 👀

Okay, vendors… STOP THE SCROLL! 😂📢

We’ve had some MUCH-NEEDED last-minute upgrades, additions, and adjustments come together for the weekend, which means…

🗺️ THE MAP HAS CHANGED!

We’ve had to make some adjustments to accommodate the new additions and make the event layout work as smoothly as possible. ❤️

So if you’ve already looked at the map…

LOOK AGAIN. 👀😂

⚠️ VENDOR IMPORTANT INFO ⚠️

PLEASE DO NOT RELY ON THE MAP AS YOUR FINAL placement!

The map is a planning guide, but with last-minute changes, additions, safety needs, traffic flow, accessibility, and event logistics, things can still shift.

📍 WHEN YOU ARRIVE:

✅ CHECK IN WITH US FIRST
✅ Confirm your assigned location
✅ Follow staff directions
✅ DO NOT assume your map location is where you should set up
✅ If something looks different than expected — ASK US!

We would MUCH rather have you stop and ask than have 15 vendors standing around saying:

“Well… the map said I go HERE.” 😂😂😂

Our goal is to get everyone where they need to be and make the weekend run as smoothly as possible — and sometimes that means making a few adjustments right up until event day!

Thank you for your patience, flexibility, and understanding! ❤️

We promise the changes are being made to make this weekend BETTER, BIGGER & MORE FUN! 🎃🛣️👻

🚨 VENDORS: CHECK THE UPDATED MAP.
📍 THEN CHECK IN WITH US ON EVENT DAY.
🗺️ THE DAY-OF INSTRUCTIONS ARE THE FINAL WORD!

Now… back to making this monster of a weekend happen. 😂🎃

10/04/2026

🎃👻 TRICK OR TREAT ON MAIN STREET! 👻🎃

Get those costumes ready because Main Street is getting SPOOKY! 🕷️🕸️

As part of our Main Street Monster Mash — Route 66 Centennial Weekend, we're inviting all our little ghosts, goblins, witches, superheroes, princesses, monsters, and everything in between to come TRICK OR TREAT ON THE SQUARE! 🍬🎃

🍭 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10TH & SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11TH

📍 Virden Town Square — Old Route 66
⏰ Trick-or-Treating begins at 11:00 AM BOTH DAYS!

Look for the participating vendors and booths around the square and stop by for some Halloween treats! 🍬👻

So come dressed up, bring your treat bags, and make a day of it!

🎃👻 AND WHY STOP AT CANDY?!

There will be FREE games, activities, vendors, contests, and plenty of Monster Mash fun happening throughout the weekend!

And if you're already dressed up…

👀 WHY NOT STICK AROUND FOR A COSTUME CONTEST SATURDAY THE 10TH?!

🐾 1:00 PM — PET COSTUME CONTEST
Bring your best-dressed furry friend! 🐶🐱🎃

🎃 1:30 PM — ALL-AGES COSTUME CONTEST
Kids, teens, adults — EVERYONE is welcome!

So start planning those costumes now because we're ready to see what you've got! 👻🏆

🛣️🎃 100 YEARS OF ROUTE 66 + HALLOWEEN FUN = ONE BIG WEEKEND!

Come celebrate Route 66's Centennial while enjoying all the spooky fun of the Main Street Monster Mash!

🛍️ Vendors
🍬 Trick-or-Treating
🎲 FREE Games
💀 Skeleton Scavenger Hunt
🐾 Pet Costume Contest
🎃 All-Ages Costume Contest
🧀 North Mac & Cheese Championship
🏛️ History & Route 66 activities
🎉 And MORE!

And just when you think you've seen everything…

👀🦆 LET'S JUST SAY… THE FIRE DEPARTMENT MAY HAVE A LITTLE SOMETHING UP THEIR SLEEVES.

Keep watching for the upcoming announcements! 🦆🚒

🎃 SO GRAB YOUR COSTUME + YOUR TREAT BAG…

Bring the whole family, come hungry, come ready to play, and COME GET YOUR SPOOKY ON! 👻🍬

📅 October 10th & 11th
📍 Virden Town Square — Old Route 66
⏰ Trick-or-Treating begins at 11 AM BOTH DAYS

WE'LL SEE YOU ON MAIN STREET! 🛣️🎃👻

10/03/2026

🏆😂 VIRDEN FAMILY OLYMPICS IS COMING! 😂🏆
THE 1ST ANNUAL VIRDEN OLYMPICS!
Think your family, friends, coworkers, or neighbors have what it takes to become Virden’s FIRST-EVER Olympics Champions?! 👀🏆
Forget serious athletics… this is about TEAMWORK, LAUGHTER, COMMUNITY SPIRIT, and some good old-fashioned friendly competition! 😂
📅 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2026
⏰ 12:00 PM–3:00 PM
📍 Virden Town Square • Old Route 66
🎃 Part of Main Street Monster Mash – Route 66 Centennial Weekend
🏅 HERE'S THE CHALLENGE!
👥 BUILD YOUR TEAM!
Teams can be 2–6+ people! Grab your family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, or whoever you think can handle the challenge!
Then get ready for 5 fun and slightly ridiculous events! 😂
👖 12:00 PM — GRANNY PANTS
Get those giant pants ready! Teamwork and throwing skills are about to collide!
🦵 12:30 PM — 3-LEGGED RACE
Two people. Three legs. One finish line. What could possibly go wrong?! 😂
🥄 1:00 PM — SPOON & GOLF BALL RELAY
Steady hands, quick feet, and hopefully NO DROPPED BALLS!
🕺 1:30 PM — LIMBO
How low can you go?! Flexibility may be helpful… questionable dance moves are encouraged. 😂
💪 2:00 PM — TUG-OF-WAR
Bring the muscle. Bring the strategy. Bring the team spirit!
🏆 WANT A SHOT AT THE CHAMPIONSHIP?
You don't have to compete in every single event—but teams must participate in at least 4 of the 5 events to qualify for the overall championship!
Points will be earned throughout the day, and when the final event is over, we'll crown:
🥇 THE 1ST ANNUAL VIRDEN OLYMPICS CHAMPIONS! 🏆
And yes… they get the most important prize of all:
😎 BRAGGING RIGHTS UNTIL NEXT YEAR!
🎟️ FREE TO JOIN • FREE TO ATTEND!
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families
👯 Friends
🏘️ Neighbors
💼 Coworkers
❤️ Community Groups
Come compete. Come cheer. Come laugh. Come make some memories!
📝 TEAM REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED!
🔗 REGISTER YOUR TEAM HERE:
https://airtable.com/appeBnr3hlWDc0vNh/shrMR0QYD6rB54Xqg
OR Scan QR CODE (BELOW)
📅 Registration Deadline: September 21, 2026
🙌 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
We’ll need help with check-in, games, timing, scoring, supervision, and keeping the Olympic chaos under control! 😂
📧 Interested in volunteering?
[email protected]
🏆 1ST ANNUAL VIRDEN OLYMPICS
🛣️ 100 YEARS OF ROUTE 66.
❤️ ONE AMAZING COMMUNITY.
COME PLAY. COME CHEER. COME MAKE HISTORY!
🔥 WHO'S BRINGING HOME THE GOLD?! 🔥

10/03/2026

💀🦴 THE SKELETONS ARE HIDING… CAN YOU FIND THEM?! 🦴💀
Something spooky has made its way to Old Route 66 in Virden… and we need YOUR help finding it! 👀
🔎 FREE SKELETON SCAVENGER HUNT
📅 Saturday & Sunday • October 10–11, 2026
⏰ 11 AM–2 PM BOTH DAYS
📍 Virden Town Square • Old Route 66
🎃 Part of Main Street Monster Mash – Route 66 Centennial Weekend!
The skeletons have been scattered around the square, and it’s your job to track them down! 🦴💀
Grab your scavenger hunt sheet, search the area, find the hidden skeleton pieces and bring your completed hunt back to claim your prize! 🎁
✨ FREE TO PLAY!
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 ALL AGES WELCOME!
🏃 No need to race — go at your own pace!
🎁 Prizes available while supplies last!
Bring the kids, bring your friends, bring the whole family… and see who has what it takes to find them all! 👀
💀 THEY’RE HIDDEN.
🔎 YOU’RE HUNTING.
🎃 LET’S SEE WHO FINDS THEM FIRST!
And remember… this is just ONE of the many things happening during Main Street Monster Mash – Route 66 Centennial Weekend! 👻🎃🛣️
📅 October 10–11, 2026
📍 Old Route 66 • Virden Town Square
100 Years of Route 66. One Monster Weekend. One Amazing Community. ❤️🖤

10/02/2026

🎀🏛️ SOMETHING SPECIAL IS HAPPENING ON MAIN STREET! 🏛️🎀

GRAND OPENING & RIBBON CUTTING
THE ROUTE 66 VIRDEN HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM

Saturday, October 10 • 10:00 AM

📍 153 E. Jackson Street • Virden, Illinois

As Virden celebrates 100 YEARS OF ROUTE 66, we're also celebrating something that has been a long time coming…

🏛️ THE OPENING OF THE VIRDEN HISTORICAL MUSEUM!

Join us Saturday morning for the official Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting of the Route 66 Virden Historical Society Museum! 🎀✂️

This isn't just the opening of a building.
It's the opening of a place where our stories have a home.

A place to remember the people who built Virden.

The families who planted their roots here.

The businesses that filled our streets.

The workers who shaped our community.

The memories passed down through generations.

And the history that made Virden what it is today.

The Historical Society describes the museum as “a place where memories live, and stories keep breathing.” And honestly, we can't think of a better way to describe what we're celebrating. ❤️

🛣️ PRESERVING OUR PAST.

❤️ STRENGTHENING OUR PRESENT.

🌟 INSPIRING OUR FUTURE.

And this is just the beginning.

The Historical Society is working toward more community history projects, educational opportunities, the upcoming Virden History Walk, Route 66 initiatives, and projects that connect our past with the future of our community.

So grab your family.
Bring your friends.
Bring your Virden pride. ❤️

Come be there for the moment the ribbon is cut and a new chapter in Virden's history officially begins.

🎀 BE THERE FOR THE BEGINNING.

📅 Saturday, October 10, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM
📍 153 E. Jackson Street, Virden, IL

🎃 Part of the Route 66 Centennial + Main Street Monster Mash Weekend
And once you've celebrated the ribbon cutting…

COME ON DOWN TO THE SQUARE! 🛣️🎃
The Main Street Monster Mash continues from 9 AM–3 PM with vendors, trick-or-treating, the Skeleton Scavenger Hunt, games, inflatables, crafts, food, music, contests, and MORE!

🧡 ONE WEEKEND.
🛣️ 100 YEARS OF THE MOTHER ROAD.
🏛️ A NEW HOME FOR OUR HISTORY.
❤️ ONE AMAZING COMMUNITY.

Let's show up for Virden and celebrate the people, stories, and history that got us here.

09/30/2026

🎃👻 HEY, VIRDEN… IT’S ALMOST TIME TO MONSTER MASH! 👻🎃
We’ve been telling you something BIG was coming…

Well… HERE IT IS! 👀

🛣️🎃 MAIN STREET MONSTER MASH 2026 IS TAKING OVER OLD ROUTE 66! 🎃🛣️
Join us October 10th & 11th from 9 AM–3 PM at the Virden Town Square as we celebrate the Route 66 Centennial with TWO DAYS of Halloween fun, family activities, food, shopping, games, contests and a whole lot more!

👻 AND WHEN WE SAY THERE’S A LOT GOING ON… WE MEAN IT!👻

🎈 FREE Inflatable Obstacle Course
🏆 Virden’s 1st Family Olympics
👻 Costume Contest
🐾 Pet Costume Contest
💀 FREE Skeleton Scavenger Hunt
🎨 FREE Crafts
🎯 FREE Games
🎈 FREE Balloon Animals
🎨 Face Painting
🍰 25¢ Cake Walk
🍬 Trick or Treating
🧀 North Mac & Cheese Championship
🛍️ Shopping
🍴 Food
🎃 AND MORE!
✨ FREE & FAMILY FRIENDLY! ✨

But Monster Mash weekend isn’t JUST about getting spooky…

✂️🏛️ WE’RE ALSO CELEBRATING A BIG MOMENT FOR VIRDEN! 🏛️✂️

The Virden Historical Society will be holding its Ribbon Cutting during Monster Mash weekend!

With Route 66 celebrating its 100th anniversary, we can’t think of a better weekend to celebrate Virden’s history AND the people working to preserve it for generations to come. ❤️

We’ll be sharing more details about the ribbon cutting soon, so KEEP WATCHING! 👀
Bring the kids. Bring the grandparents. Bring your friends. Heck, bring the dog in a costume because we’ve got a contest for them too! 😂🐾🎃
🛣️ ROUTE 66 IS TURNING 100! 🛣️

And we get to celebrate a piece of that history right here in Virden, Illinois.
We’re bringing people downtown, supporting our local businesses, celebrating our history and giving our families TWO DAYS to make some memories together on Old Route 66. ❤️

👀 AND WE’RE NOT DONE YET…

So keep watching…

Because there is a LOT more to come! 🎃👻

📍 Virden Town Square • Old Route 66

📅 October 10th & 11th
⏰ 9 AM–3 PM

🎟️ FREE ADMISSION • ALL AGES WELCOME

🎃 Grab your people. Pick your costume. Mark your calendar.
WE’LL SEE YOU AT THE MONSTER MASH! 👻🛣️🎃

09/11/2026

🌼 Huge Thank You to Our Pollinator Garden Heroes! 🌼

A massive shout out to Marc from A Marc Above, Virden Hardware, Monarch, Neatos Elements, and Green Thoughts Garden for your donations, contributions, and the time you poured into the Virden Pollinator Garden on the Virden Square.

Your support is the reason this project is coming to life, and our community is better because of each of you.

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🌱 Special Thanks for the Mulch Crew!

A very special thank you to Marc & Cody, and of course Virden Hardware for donating all that mulch. Thank you Marc and Cody for installing it after the flowers were planted.

That was a daunting, heavy, time‑consuming task, and you tackled it in that heat with heart, grit, and zero hesitation.

Thank you for taking time out of your everyday lives to help make this project move from idea to reality.

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💛 Virden, This Is What Community Looks Like

Every shovel, every plant, every truck load of mulch is a step toward a healthier, more beautiful square — and a stronger Virden.

We appreciate you more than words can say.

09/05/2026

Virden — we’re on the move!
Murals are coming, the museum is growing, the History Walk is starting, and our beautification projects are already taking shape. And YOU can help keep the momentum going.

When you join the Virden Historical Society, your membership supports:
• Bright new murals and downtown pollinator garden
• Museum activation and historic displays
• History Walk markers and QR code trails
• Microfiche digitization to save our newspapers
• Heritage Foodways and community garden projects
• Route 66 Main Street Mingle
• Insurance, legal filings, and long‑term stability
• Member & donor plaques honoring those who help build Virden’s future

We fund this work through memberships, donations, sponsorships, sales, and grants — and every bit of support helps us make visible progress.

This is just the beginning.
Phase One is our foundation year, and we’d love for you to be part of it.
Join today and help us make Virden beautiful, vibrant, and proud.

Discover Virden's rich past with our Historical Society

09/02/2026

⭐ SEPTEMBER PASSPORT CRAWL — THIS THU–SAT!

Our September Passport Crawl kicks off this Thursday, Friday & Saturday (Sept 3–5) and we’ve got an amazing lineup of local businesses offering special perks all weekend long. You can download your Passport or pick one up at select locations around town. Follow the QR code for full details, participating businesses, and how to get involved.

✨ The Wildflower Patch is our $25 Gift Certificate Sponsor this month — one lucky Passport participant will win the prize, redeemable at any participating business.

Remember:
You can collect Passport stamps ALL MONTH LONG, but these extra discounts and perks are Sept 3–5 only.

🛍️ Participating Businesses & Their Specials (Sept 3–5 Only)

• The Wildflower Patch — 20% off (Vendor items excluded)
• Jamie’s Jewelry — 10% off a single item repair up to $500
• Doc’s Just Off 66 — 1 FREE Root B**r Float with food purchase
• Hangers of Hope — Free Shopping, donations appreciated
• Books on the Square — 20% off regular‑priced items, Virden location only
• Kaylee Café — 1 FREE fountain drink with purchase
• Rose Garden Salon — 2 FREE hair tinsel with purchase
• Silvernicks — 10% off regular‑priced items, cannot be combined with other offers
• Merrie Blossoms — FREE “A Bit of Vinyl” T‑shirt with $75+ purchase
• Route 66 Virden Historical Society — BONUS STAMP available at Books on the Square or Neatos Elements

🎉 How to Participate

• Grab your Passport (download or pick up locally)
• Shop at participating businesses
• Show your Passport to receive Sept 3–5 perks
• Keep collecting stamps all month long
• Turn in your Passport by the 10th
• Winner announced on the 15th for the $25 Gift Certificate sponsored by The Wildflower Patch

Let’s show up for our towns, support our small businesses, and make this Passport Crawl one of our best yet.

Discover Virden's rich past with our Historical Society

08/17/2026

🌼 Our Flowers Are Bouncing Back — Let’s Help Them Thrive! 🌼

The pollinator flowers in the Virden Square are finally starting to bounce back after the shock of planting and this intense heat. More flowers will be going in throughout the week, and the beds will continue filling out as we move toward fall.

As we build the official Virden Bee City site over the next three years, we kindly ask everyone for a little extra thoughtfulness:

• Please do not pick the flowers — they’re still establishing their roots.
• Please don’t drop trash or food in the flower beds.
• Please keep pets and foot traffic out of the beds so the plants can grow strong and healthy.

This is a work in progress, and every small act of care helps us transform the Square into a thriving pollinator habitat for our community. Thank you for your understanding, your patience, and your support as we make this beautiful change together.

Virden is growing — literally. 🌸💛