International Mother Jones Festival

The International Mother Jones Festival returns to Mt. Olive on Sunday, April 30th at Union Miners Cemetery & Mother Jones Museum.

Union Miners Cemetery 12 pm to 1:30 pm
Join us a we commemorate Mother Jones Funeral with a reading of the magnificent eulogy written and delivered on December 8, 1930 by Father Robert Maguire, President of St. Viator College, fellow Irish immigrant and good friend of Mary Harris Jones, followed by classic labor songs, and tributes from the Irish Consul General at Chicago, and labor leaders from around America.

Speakers include Brother Jerome Lewnard of the Viatorians, who will read the eulogy, Irish Consul Kevin Byrne, and Tim Drea, president of the Illinois AFL/CIO. Music by WildFlower Conspiracy.

Mother Jones Museum, Main St., Mt. Olive 1:30 – 4 PM
The celebration continues with great food, music, children’s programs, museum tours, Mother Jones and General Bradley actors, tribute to local heroes, Elmer Milcic and his grandparents Matt and Anna Yurkovich.

Traditional and new labor songs performed by WildFlower Conspiracy, Nick Krumweide, Casting Runes, and Kelley Hatlee. Food from Fema catering Benld and traditional cabbage rolls by Melinda Zippay. Mother Jones Hellraiser coffee, a special blend from Kazoo Coffee Roasters, will be for sale.

Macoupin Art Collective staff will present children’s activities at their Art Bus. Magician Randy Thompson will perform.

Actor Loretta Williams will present Mother Jones’ story and read the March of the Mill Children.

Dale Hawkins will portray General Bradley, hero of the great Battle of Virden.

Local Boy Scouts will have lemonade for sale. Friends of the Mother Jones Museum will have commemorative and souvenir items for sale, including travel mugs, tee shirts, books, and magnets.

Admission is free to all events. The food, coffee and souvenirs are for sale.
For more information call 618-659-8759