The Quad City Air Show is moving to new dates in 2012 to accommodate the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. All of the action flies on Labor Day Weekend on Sept. 1-2, from the Davenport Municipal Airport in Davenport, Iowa. The Quad City Air Show was just named the Best Civilian Air Show! Other demonstration teams include the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team, Hopper Flight Jet Demonstration Team, Iron Eagle Aerobatic Team, Red Bull Air Force Team, and the Red Bull Flying Winged Parachutists.
Experience the thrill of watching go-karts roar through the streets of downtown Rock Island, Illinois, at speeds up to 80 mph on Sept. 1-2. The Rock Island Grand Prix is the largest and safest go-kart street race in the world and is the only race in the U.S. that is sanctioned for International drivers. This is a free event and racing goes from 11:00 am-6:00 pm each day.
The new East West Riverfest is a new ten-day celebration of the arts, culture and heritage offerings that thrive in the Quad Cities along the Mississippi River. From September 7 to 16, 2012, over 300 events will take place at over 60 various theaters, music venues, galleries, historic sites, parks, libraries, and attractions on both sides of the river in the Quad Cities.
The entire event guide can be viewed online at East West Riverfest, or a printed guide can be requested through the website to be sent by mail or by calling the Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-747-7800.
Major event anchors for East West Riverfest on the first weekend (Sep. 7-9) include :
- Beaux Arts Fair with arts and crafts vendors
- Quad City Symphony's Riverfront Pops Concert with an ABBA tribute
- Viva Quad Cities celebrating Hispanic culture with food, music and dancing
- QCA Heritage Tractor Parade and Show featuring all brands/colors 1970 and older
- Wild Wild Wild West Weekend in LeClaire with a wild west show, activities and more
Major festivals the following weekend on Sep. 14-16 include :
- Celtic Festival and Highland Games with athletic events, step dancing, bagpipers, and more
- Riverssance Festival of Fine Art with a juried selection of 100 regional and national artists
- WQPT's Brew Ha Ha with more than 200 samples of domestic and imported brews
The Hot Air Balloon Festival is full of family fun and entertainment on Sept. 28-30 with kid's activities, food vendors, and many balloons to enjoy! It takes place at Kennedy Square in East Moline, Illinois. The event begins Friday with a balloon launch at 5 pm, followed by a Night Glow when the tethered balloons light up in the night. Saturday includes flights and another Night Glow.
More Events
Ringling Bros. Circle - i wireless Center, Fri, Aug 31 - Mon, Sep 3
Antique Motorcycle Swap Meet - Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds, Thu, Aug 30 - Sat, Sep 1
Barnes Family Bluegrass Festival - Mercer County Fairgrounds, Thu, Aug 30 - Sun, Sep 2
Milan Indian Summer Festival - Milan, Illinois, Fri, Aug 31 - Sun, Sep 2
Walnut Grove Pioneer Village Fall Festival - Walnut Grove Pioneer Village, Sun, Sep 2 - Mon, Sep 3
Labor Day Parade - Rock Island, Illinois, Mon, Sep 3
WWE Smackdown - i wireless Center, Tue, Sep 4
Chicago Tribute Band - Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center, Fri, Sep 7
BJ and Mabel Palmer Mansion Tours - BJ and Mabel Palmer Mansion, Fri, Sep 7 - Sun, Sep 16
Warren County Prime Beef Festival - Monmouth, Illinois, Wed, Sep 5 - Sat, Sep 8
Hairball 80s Tribute - Adler Theatre, Fri, Sep 7
Big Time Rush - i wireless Center, Tue, Sep 11
Taming of the Slough Adventure Race - Moline, Illinois, Sat, Sep 15
Buckskinners Rendezvous - Pine Creek Grist Mill, Sat, Sep 15
Tracy Lawrence - Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center, Fri, Sep 21
Quad Cities Marathon - Sun, Sep 23
Ballet Quad Cities' Dracula - Scottish Rite Cathedral, Fri, Sep 28 - Sat, Sep 29
Ghost Tales - Colonel Davenport House, Sat, Sep 29
Quad Cities Pumpkin Fest - Adventure Quest, Sat, Sep 29 - Sun, Sep 30
Matthew West - Adler Theatre, Sat, Sep 29
Jordbruksdagarna AG Days - Bishop Hill, Illinois, Sat, Sep 29 - Sun, Sep 30
NASA | Art Exhibit - Figge Art Museum
River Music Experience - Live music
Design Studio Exhibit - Family Museum
Grimm Fairy Tales Exhibit - German American Heritage Center
The Dixie Swim Club - Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse
Dinosaurs Unearthed Exhibit - Putnam Museum
Bike Rentals in the Quad Cities
ComedySportz Quad Cities - The Establishment Theatre
Stock Car Races - Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds
Backwater Gamblers Water Ski Show - Rock River
River Bandits Baseball (Farm Team of the St. Louis Cardinals) - Modern Woodmen Park
