Rend Lake Area Tourism Council

05/22/2026

05/19/2026

Save the dates!

Check https://cityofchristopher.org/homecoming periodically to see added bands and/or activities as we post them.

05/18/2026

📅 Mark your calendars! The 70th Annual "Rend Lake Days" Sesser Homecoming runs from June 17th–20th, 2026 at Miner's Memorial Park in Sesser, IL.

Enjoy food, carnival rides, and live performances all weekend long! Saturday also brings a 5K race, a car show, a Main Street parade, and the Crowning of Queen, Princess, and Prince, plus a Drawing for a Hawaii Trip for Two to close out the night! 🎡

Daily ride wristbands are available!

5K Race Registration: Register at http://bit.ly/4d1J208. The race begins at 8:00AM on Saturday, June 20th starting at the Custard Stand.

Car Show Registration: Opens at 9:30AM and closes at 1:30PM on Saturday, June 20th. For more info, call Jamie Jones at (618) 204-6899 or Terry Dees at (618) 246-8732.

Parade Registration: To register for the Main Street Parade on Saturday, June 20th, email Rachel Lewis at [email protected].

Follow our page for more details and updates!

05/17/2026

We are excited to announce an effort to encourage visits to local businesses during an upcoming national event at Rend Lake!

The S3DA Eastern National Tournament will return to Rend Lake June 11–14, and we are planning a promotion that invites visitors to stop at participating businesses, post a photo and tag the business, and receive a stamp on their stamp card. Once a participant collects five stamps, they will be entered into a drawing for a voucher toward a stay at the Franklin County lodging of their choice!

Here are a few key details for interested businesses:
😎Must be located within Franklin County.
😎Must be locally owned.
😎Must be of interest to non-local visitors.
😎Must be family friendly.
😎Must have a store front.

If you or anyone you know are interested in more information, please contact us at 618 435-4000, via Messenger, or via email at [email protected] by no later than Sunday, May 24th.

Also, please share to help make this event a success!

05/12/2026

BENTON, Ill. (WSIL) -- The Franklin County Sheriff's Office is teaming up with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake for a community bike safety event. The second

05/12/2026

05/07/2026

05/06/2026

Warmer days are coming and the countdown to beach season is on! Both South Sandusky Beach and North Marcum Beach are set to open May 15th!

🌞$5 parking fee per vehicle. Automated credit/debit fee machines are located at each beach.

🌞Life jackets save lives! Free loaner life jackets are available at both beaches and the Rend Lake Project Office/ Visitor Center.

🌞No alcohol or glass containers allowed.

🌞Leashed dogs are allowed at North Marcum Beach. (Leash must be no longer than six feet.)

🌞Shower and restroom facilities are located at both beaches. Please respect the facilities and others.

04/30/2026

🐾Opening day for the Rend Lake Dog Park is tomorrow May 1!

🐾Bring your dogs out to enjoy the safe fenced-in, off-leash play area, pond, and the beautiful weather! 🌞

The Rend Lake Dog Park features:
🐶Safe, fully fenced area for off-leash play
🐶Pond for dogs to swim, cool off, and practice retrieval skills
🐶Restroom facilities
🐶Fresh water stations for people and pooches
🐶Waste bag stations
🐶 Large, paved parking lot

📍 Located at:
8004 South Rend City Road, Sesser, IL
Accessible at the Blackberry Nature Trail parking lot
Hours of Operation
May 1 - November 16
8 a.m. - Dusk