Photo Caption: Jungle Dogs will be taking the stage for their farewell show.
If you’re ready for a party, you won’t want to miss Southern Illinois University’s 2024 Homecoming in Carbondale on October 11 and 12.
The City of Carbondale, Carbondale Main Street, and the SIU Alumni Association are thrilled to announce that for the “Off The Rails Concert” on October 11, we are going to be shutting down The Strip to host this special SIU Homecoming edition concert in the very heart of downtown. The concert stage will be at the intersection of Illinois Avenue and Cherry Street!
Long-time local legends, Jungle Dogs, will be taking the stage for their farewell show. Opening for Jungle Dogs are another regional favorite, Modern Day Saints. The music will run from 7-10 PM. The emcee for the evening will be Steve Falat of River Radio, which is also a corporate sponsor for the concert.
For this special event to occur, Illinois Avenue will be closed from College to Elm Street from 11 a.m. on Friday, October 11 to 2 a.m. on Saturday, October 12.
Interim City Manager Stan Reno says, “The City is incredibly excited to host the ‘Off The Rails Concert’ in the heart of downtown Carbondale as part of SIU’s Homecoming weekend. Shutting down the Strip for this event allows us to bring together the rich history and vibrant present of our community. It’s not just a concert, it’s a celebration of what makes Carbondale special—a place where tradition meets new energy. We are thrilled to welcome alumni, students, visitors and residents for a night that will be remembered for years to come. This event showcases Carbondale’s strong musical history, our strong partnership with SIU and Carbondale Main Street, and we look forward to creating an unforgettable homecoming experience for everyone.”
This is an exciting opportunity that will bring the past and present together for a reminiscent evening in downtown Carbondale. This concert is open to every one of all ages in the Southern Illinois region and beyond! Alumni and current students of SIU celebrating Homecoming will get to enjoy what feels like a nostalgic yet exciting new iconic moment all in this present day together.
Molly Hudgins of the SIU Alumni Association says, “For this Homecoming, we don’t just want to bring alumni back to Carbondale, we want to bring them back to Carbondale the way they remember it. It’s a great time to be a Saluki, and there’s a lot of energy in the community. The Association is excited to partner with the City of Carbondale and River Radio to shut down The Strip and welcome alumni, students, and all of Southern Illinois to celebrate. And there’s no one better than the legendary Jungle Dogs to give us one last concert for a truly epic night. I promise anyone who attends this Homecoming will remember it! Go Dawgs!!”
“Businesses in the downtown entertainment district will have the opportunity to engage with concert goers directly outside of their establishments, and several of these venues will host after parties. Businesses wishing to highlight their specials and be featured on our collective social media channels can contact Director of Carbondale Main Street, Matt Collinsworth at info@carbondalemainstreet.com. Those looking to vend can contact Assistant Director of Carbondale Main Street, E’Seanti Johnson, at eseanti@carbondalemainstreet.com.
With our open container ordinance in the downtown entertainment district, visitors are welcome enjoy public consumption of alcohol in non-glass containers. Drinks may be purchased from bars and taken outside to enjoy the vibrant musical culture of Carbondale on the iconic strip (just as long as the drinks are in a plastic cup) between Jackson and Mill Street and University Ave and Washington. Carbondale Main Street will also be serving beer on site. Remember to bring your own chair and enjoy the food trucks and vendors as you take in the music and lively atmosphere.
For further details, please contact the City of Carbondale at 618-713-0711.
“Carbondale prides itself on providing its visitors, students, businesses and residents with a unique mix of edge and ease. It’s a cultural town, yet free of pretense, embracing the great outdoors as readily as urban sophistication. Here, we are open to new ideas, experiences and cultures, so you are encouraged to both express yourself and be yourself, in all ways. That’s Carbondale…All Ways Open… for family, fun, business, new ideas and a bright tomorrow.”