WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND TOWN........
NOTICE: The walking/bike path is now available for use. Thank you and enjoy! |
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As Mayor of Chester, Illinois, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to our city. I hope you find this website helpful and inviting. Please explore our site and contact us if you have any questions, or better yet, visit us in person. But please be patient as we are in the process of revising our site. Chester is known for its rolling hills, beautiful scenery and rich history. We are also very fortunate to have many historic sites in short driving distance. Please learn more as you browse our website. Chester's current population is 8378 and is located approximately 65 miles south of St. Louis, Missouri. Chester is a small town located on the bluffs of the Mississippi River in Randolph County, Illinois. In January 2006, Progressive Farmer selected Randolph County as the third best place to live in rural America.Chester, Illinois, is the "Home of Popeye" where a six-foot, 900 lb. bronze statue of Popeye stands in Elzie C. Segar Memorial Park, which also honors Popeye's creator Elzie Segar. The park is located next to the Chester Bridge. Several of Mr. Segar's characters were created from experiences with people of Chester. Chester's big event is its annual Popeye picnic and parade, held the weekend after Labor Day. Dates this year are September 7, 8 & 9, and will be the 28th year for the picnic. Popeye fans travel from all over the United States to partake in the weekend activities. In the summer of 2006, the World Shooting Complex opened in the nearby town of Sparta, Illinois, and is expected to bring further economic development to the region. |



