Greene towns celebrate sense of community

ROODHOUSE – Organizers of Greene County Days could not have asked for better weather for a parade and the revival of a Roodhouse tradition.

Saturday's events in Roodhouse began with a Salute to Veterans parade that stepped off with a heavy emphasis on flags and Greene County royalty. Each branch of the military was represented. The North Greene FFA had a parade of flags and a float that honored veterans. Of course, queens and princesses representing the Greene County Fair and Greene County Days, past and present, were in the procession.

"This was our best weekend in at least five years," Roodhouse Police Chief Kyle Robison said. "It was tough in 2020 and 2021 because of COVID, and weather was a problem before that. But the weather this weekend has been great, and people have been turning out to enjoy the fun."

The parade was for the veterans because 9/11 fell during the festival, Robison said.

"A lot of people have died so we have the freedom to do this. Our overall theme is to have everyone come down and enjoy themselves," he said.

Robison, who also serves as chief volunteer for the Roodhouse portion of the festival, said volunteers from all city departments and the community are doing everything.

"We started planning in early July because we already know what it's going to be like and what we are going to be doing," Robison said. "But we kick it into high gear about three weeks away from the event. Then we are operating on coffee."

The chief volunteer spoke as he was working a paddle and stirring one of several large pots of burgoo that were to be served during Saturday's dinner hour.

"Roodhouse used to have a burgoo until about five years ago. Now we're trying to bring it back. This is the first time for many of us making it. We are learning some from the old-timers who used to cook it, but they hold on to some of their secrets pretty hard," Robison said.

"We have the original Roodhouse recipe. I'm not sure how old it is, but I'm 36 and it was around way before that," Robison said. "We’re cooking it during the day because we decided to suffer in the heat."

The burgoo was sold by the bowl, quart or gallon with proceeds going to the Roodhouse Police Department Youth Fund. Robison said the fund buys things for the kids, such as the new movie screen for outdoor shows, and events such as Chill'n with the Police where they serve kids snacks and drinks.

Robison said one of the highlights for him was the music in the park on Friday night.

"It was a neat thing because people were sitting on benches or at tables, listening to music and talking. No cellphones, just people talking to each other. Kids were running around. It was great," Robison said.

Roodhouse was not the only community celebrating Greene County Days.

In Carrollton, the Greene County Historical and Genealogical Society held tours of the historic Lee-Baker-Hodges building, showcasing the 1820s. It houses a genealogy library, museum rooms and artifacts from the earliest days of Greene County.

In Eldred, the Illinois Valley Cultural Heritage Association hosted tours of the James J. Eldred House.