🌱 What Centralia residents need to know about Balloon Fest’s big park move

Good morning Centralia! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• What Centralia residents need to know about Balloon Fest’s big park move
• How the Orphan Annies turned one big inning into a statement win
• Centralia-born Ronald “Ronnie” J. Sears remembered by family and friends

Today's riddle: What did the inventor of the knock-knock joke win? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

• Friday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 82 and low of 51 degrees.
• Saturday: Showers and a heavier t-storm, temps: high: 61, low: 38.
• Sunday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 64 and low of 43 degrees.

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📰 News we're reading

1. Balloon Fest officially moving to Fairview Park for 2026 (morningsentinel.com) — Centralia’s Balloon Fest is officially moving to Fairview Park for 2026, with the festival set for August 21–23 and free entry into the city park. Organizers outline parking at Fairview Park Plaza, road closures on Broadway, safety and security plans, and note the move stems partly from electrical issues at Foundation Park while leaving the door open for a possible return there.
   

2. Annies score road win over Comets (morningsentinel.com) — Centralia High School’s Orphan Annies softball team picked up a 9-6 road win over highly ranked Greenville, marking their ninth victory in eleven games. The story highlights key hits, smart base running, and strong pitching, plus previews upcoming matchups against Cahokia, Carlyle, O’Fallon, Carbondale, and Triad that local fans may want to follow.
   

3. Ronald 'Ronnie' J. Sears (updated) (wmix94.com) — Family and friends are mourning Ronald “Ronnie” J. Sears, born in Centralia and longtime resident of Salem, who passed away at age 77. Loved for his steady presence, work ethic, and devotion to family, he will be honored at a memorial service in Salem, with memorials suggested to the Centralia Humane Society.
   

4. Steven Andrew Headley, 76, of West Salem (wfiwradio.com) — A longtime pipefitter with Local 653 in Centralia, Steven Andrew Headley of West Salem has passed away at age 76. Family and friends can pay their respects at visitation on Sunday, April 19, with funeral services Monday, April 20, both at Ingram Meridith Funeral Home in West Salem.
   

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📸 Around Centralia

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Centralia

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday April 18

• RAIL April Market — The Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce
  RAIL Coffee Room, 216 E Broadway, Centralia
  9:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

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Other local events

Monday April 20

• V Baeball vs BEast
  Centralia High School Centralia, IL 62801
  4:30 pm
• Softball vs O'Fallon
  Centralia High School Centralia, IL 62801
  4:30 pm
• V & JV Soccer @Greenville
  Centralia High School Centralia, IL 62801
  4:30 pm

Tuesday April 21

• Tennis vs Carbondale
  Centralia High School Centralia, IL 62801
  4:00 pm
• V Annie Track @ Mattoon
  Centralia High School Centralia, IL 62801
  4:30 pm
• V &JV Soccer vs Marion
  Centralia High School Centralia, IL 62801
  4:30 pm

Wednesday April 22

• V Baseball vs Mt Carmel
  Centralia High School Centralia, IL 62801
  4:30 pm

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📣 Centralia Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Friday April 17

• Softball vs Carlyle
  Centralia High School Centralia, IL 62801
  4:30 pm
• F/S Baseball @ MtV
  Centralia High School Centralia, IL 62801
  4:30 pm

Monday April 20

• Softball vs O'Fallon
  Centralia High School Centralia, IL 62801
  4:30 pm
• V Baeball vs BEast
  Centralia High School Centralia, IL 62801
  4:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Wal-Mart posted a job opening for Janitorial Associate in Centralia. Apply here.
• Huck's Market posted a job opening for Store - Huck's Assistant Manager in Centralia. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Centralia here.

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Ok Centralia! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: The NO-BELL prize (Thank you Gina M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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