Festivals draw big crowds

Good weather and a variety of activities during the Grande Levée and Corn Day attracted big crowds to downtown Vandalia throughout the day on Saturday.

The 42nd Grande Levée was moved from Father's Day weekend, and it seemed to not have an affect on participants and vendors. In the first photo, the Illinois Society War of 1812 kicks off this year's period celebration on the Vandalia Statehouse grounds with a program featuring this country's flags over the years. In the second photo, Dr. Roger Grimmett, pastor of First United Methodist Church, serves ham and beans on Friday evening. The Vandalia Ministerial Alliance brought ham and beans back to the Friday evening Grande Levée schedule after a two-year absence. More photos from the Grande Levée and Corn Day will appear online later this week in a photo gallery.