64th Annual Pope County Deer Festival.

Pageants, Parade, Food, Fun.

When your county is the 'Deer Capitol of Illinois' and the bucks are what legendary trophies are made from, you have to celebrate the opening day of deer season with a holiday. That’s right, celebrated on the Friday before Thanksgiving week, Pope County’s Deer Day is cause for school to let out and tree stands to fill as the quest for prize-winning bucks begins on the opening day of 1st shotgun season.

Prize-winning bucks abound in Pope County where the joke is, deer easily outnumber humans 10:1

At the Deer Festival
Our quintessential hometown Deer Festival Parade is cause to line Golconda’s Main Street as themed floats, classic cars, fire trucks, and marching bands put on a show and throw out tons of candy to the kiddos lining downtown sidewalks. This is a small town treat you don’t want to miss! Held on the Saturday of Deer Fest weekend with the parade starting at 2pm.

Shopping check out the Deer Fest Market starting at 10am and then stroll through the courtyard for a wide variety of arts and crafts vendors. Don’t forget the local shops in town too.

Activities Walk down Main Street toward the river and stop by the City Museum rich with local history. From the levee you can cross Lusk Creek on the footbridge to the Oasis on the Ohio marina.

Click here to Download Parade Application Form