53RD  Annual  Rend Lake
Water Festival

"sparkle & Splash

Parade - ​Saturday May 2nd, 2026  -  10:02 AM 

The Parade will begin at 10:02 am at Kirkpatrick Motors on East Main Street  and will end at Joplin St. on North Main .
Any businesses, groups, churches, or organizations that would like to participate in the parade are welcome to join in the fun.  This is a perfect opportunity to get your business or organization in front of a large audience.  You are welcome to hand out flyers or toss out candy and other promotional items.  There is not cost to register an entry into the parade, but registration is required. We ask that you please keep everything family friendly and nothing controversial or obscene.  Please click the link below to enter.

Vendor Fair

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Eco Rescues  -  Tiffany Capps Pink Zebra  -  Grey Coulter Candles for college
Christine Fenton Shades of Serendipity  -  Carolyn Ford Nature Transformed LLC
Karen Freeman Benton KOA  -  Louis Giroux The Makers Shack
Rhonda Hagston The Soapy Goat  -  Alyssa Hollenbeck AJKJCREATIONS
Rhonda Holman Mrs Rhonda's Crafty Corner  -  Kitty Johnson K&D WOODEN CREATIONS
 Tammy Jones Tumbler Fusion  -  Denise Longfellow D'Things
Melissa Manasco food vendor, The Donut Den -- Nadine Niemi Niemi Creations
Alan Odom Catered Impressions  -  Reba Palmer S. I. Fragrances  -  David Parker TJS THRIFT & ANTIQUES  -  Halley Rea Sisterly Creations  -  Callie Royster Simply Scooped & More
Robert Shelton Shelton Motors  -  Melody Smith    Mobile Bead Bar
Jonathon Walters Mr. Baldman Trivia  -  Joe Wilkerson Uncle Joe's Sauces
Victoria Woolum KB3D

2026  Carnival - ​egyptian exposition

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​
Wednesday - Friday
6pm  - 10 pm
Saturday  1 pm - 5 pm
Saturday 6 pm - 10 pm
Carnival is located in the
NE corner of the
​ Benton Public Square on the City Parking Lot behind Joe's Pizza.  Visit the facebook page to view video and more pictures of this fantastic new Carnival
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090752734010

Motorcycle show

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Registration $10 per entry Proceeds go to DAV Contestant Judging

Event Schedule
  • The Benton Square will be closed from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Saturday, May 2nd for this special event.
  • The parade will begin at 10:00 AM on East Main Street. All participants who wish to be part of the parade should line up on East Church Street at the designated staging area at the end of the parade route.
  • Event registration will take place immediately following the parade. Motorcycle participants will line up in the outer parking spaces around the square.
  • Registration and awards will be held on the front steps of the courthouse on the west side of the square. Judging for this event will be conducted by the participants
  • This is a rain or shine event, and no refunds will be issued.
  • $10 per entry - All proceeds will benefit Disabled American Veterans (DAV).
  • Registration will remain open up to and including the day of the event.

Veterans Resource Fair

Event Sponsors

This event would not be possible without the generous support of our local community sponsors.

Elite Spopnsor

Premier Sponsor

SIGNATURE

First Trust Home Loans, 618 Fix My RV, 
Rend Lake E-bikes powered by the Makers Shack,  Scooters Coffee,
 Trudee Wynn Country Financial  
Catered Impressions , Flowers by Dave
Benton American Legion/VFW, 
SCD Rea & Sons Insurance ,  

SPECIAL THANKS TO

THE CITY OF BENTON​
BENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
BENTON FIRE DEPARTMENT
REND LAKE TOURISM
​FRANKLIN COUNTY SHERIFF

ticket pricing

All Rides will be ONE ticket each
Single ticket - $4
Armbands - $25

order Water Festival  t-shirts

Orders must be placed by April 20th and paid in full before April 23rd.  Pick up at the Chamber of Commerce office Tuesday, April 28th - Saturday, May 2nd or at the Vendor Fair Saturday May 2nd following the parade at the Chamber Office
youth -XL  $20
2XL and larger  $25
Special thanks to The City of Benton, Benton Police Department,
​Benton Fire Department, Franklin County Sheriff's Office, and Rend Lake Area Tourism.

Parking Information

​Public parking lots are available on the west side of the Benton Public Square.  Parking is also available along the street.  Please follow any street signs regarding special parking zones!

More information

Please contact the chamber office for more information.  618-438-2121