An eagerly awaited autumnal tradition will get the blood pumping on September 23 and 24, as the weekend brings with it the Vibrant Arena at the MARK's Active Endeavors Health & Fitness Expo on Saturday followed by the 26th Quad Cities Marathon, presented by TBK Bank, on Sunday, the latter a Boston Marathon qualifier and the only such event in the country to incorporate five races, four cities, three bridges, two states, and one island.

Following the success of last year's inaugural event, the Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat in Wheatland, Iowa invites enjoy an afternoon of music and family fun in the second-annual PrairieFest, the September 24 happening that boasts a quartet of live-music acts within the bucolic splendor of these grounds located a mere 40 miles from Davenport.

One of the most significant events in the history of American travel will, on September 19, be explored at the Rock Island Public Library's Watts-Midtown Branch when the venue hosts a special free screening of the documentary East Meets West: The First Railroad Bridge to Cross the Mississippi, an event in the library's Rock Island History series exploring the construction and legacy of the first bridge to connect the city with Davenport, Iowa in 1856.

Original works from more than 80 juried regional and national artists will be on hand at the September 16 and 17 Riverssance Festival of Fine Art, with the 35th Lindsay Park event, hosted by Quad City Arts, boasting a children’s art-activity tent, a wine tasting, artist-painted wine glasses, food vendors, live music, and the presentation of the prestigious Harley Award to Dee Schricker, the honor given to an individual whose affected the arts and artists in the Quad Cities during their lifetime.