One month after Quad-Cities environmentalist Chad Pregracke announced his ambitious Bison Bridge plans, the creative concept has earned over 27,000 supporters online, an endorsement from The Chicago Tribune editorial board, and a strong social-media shoutout from TV’s Mike Rowe. “This is VERY cool. My old friend Chad Pregracke – whom many of you will remember as the self-appointed garbageman of America’s rivers – is on a mission to create a brand new National Park on the Mississippi River,” Rowe (well-known for cable’s “Dirty Jobs”) posted on Facebook late last month... Read More

Midwest Monster Fest 2021is proud to announce Mark Torgl adding him to the September 3rd-5th event at The Rust Belt in East Moline, Illinois! Mark Torgl is an American actor. Among Troma fans, he is best known for playing Melvin Ferd in The Toxic Avenger and has also appeared in The First Turn-On, Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV, Return of Nuke ‘Em High and Toxic Tutu. Mark is joining the kickass list of celebrities September 3rd-5th to come meet you, sign autographs and take pictures! You do not want to miss this great time in September! Get your tickets now at Co-Op Records... Read More

Living Lands and Waters’ Chad Pregracke talked at length with us about the new Bison Bridge project — a National Park slated for the old I-80 bridge, which is set to be replaced over the next six years. Pregracke told us about his ideas which led to the bridge, how the project got kicked off, and what comes next over the next 5-7 years of the project in the latest episode of our podcast QCUncut! Check out the link below and listen to the entire conversation to get the scoop! QC Uncut: Chad Pregracke (Episode #103)  Read More

The Bison Bridge Foundation debuted a new video today of the proposed site for the future National Park! The video displayed a panoramic view of the current bridge and the future spot for the National Park, as previously reported on QuadCities.com, which would include a bison crossing, breathtaking views and other amenities. The video can be seen here. The foundation also posted the following on its social media: What will be the location of the new I-80 Bridge? The Iowa and Illinois DOT is in the first phase of replacing the current I-80 Bridge, which includes an environmental study. They... Read More

The morning after he gave a visionary talk on repurposing the I-80 bridge across the Mississippi River, Chad Pregracke was back at the Rust Belt Friday to push the process of gathering public support for the planned Bison Bridge. Jake Ford, director of government affairs with the Quad Cities Chamber, led a morning legislative forum on the project with Pregracke, president/founder of Living Lands & Waters; Matthew Hughes, consultant with MRH Solutions, Kevin Marchek, retired engineer from the Illinois Department of Transportation, and Illinois state Sen. Neil Anderson. Before the meeting, Quad... Read More

The Rust Belt in East Moline is beginning to knock off the rust, so to speak, in opening up to more live shows — and audiences are responding with enthusiasm. Tickets to see Corey Taylor in concert at East Moline’s Rust Belt in June were to go on sale this morning (March 19) to the general public. But the June 12 limited capacity show sold out within a day of opening in pre-sale Wednesday, and they’ve added a second date for the frontman of Grammy-winning juggernaut Slipknot and platinum rock force Stone Sour on Sunday, June 13. The artist management and venue are limiting both shows... Read More

CMFT -Corey Taylor of Slipknot and Stone Sour is coming LIVE to The Rust Belt on June 12 and 13 w/ specials guest Cherry Bombs! Doors open at 7 for both shows. This socially distanced concert will be have EXTREMELY limited tickets and will be sold in a podded format in on order to keep proper distances & follow safety guidelines. – All Ages Event Saturday, June 12th is officially SOLD OUT! Tickets still available for Sunday, June 13 – to get them hit this link: https://bit.ly/TRBCoreyTaylor2  Read More

BREAKING NEWS/EXPANDED INFORMATION: As reported first earlier on QuadCities.com, Mississippi River cleanup champion Chad Pregracke and a newly formed foundation unveiled conceptual plans tonight (March 18) for repurposing the I-80 bridge over the Mississippi River into a wildlife crossing and pedestrian parkway called Bison Bridge. Pregracke, president/founder of Living Lands & Waters, joined fellow members of the new Bison Bridge Foundation at East Moline’s Rust Belt to announce the grassroots effort and professional concept for the existing Fred Schwengel Memorial Bridge. “I truly believe... Read More

Since national hero Chad Pregracke founded East Moline-based Living Lands & Waters in 1998, the nonprofit has worked on removing trash from 24 rivers in 21 states. With the help of more than 115,000 volunteers, it’s removed 10.5 million pounds of debris from U.S. waterways. On Thursday, March 18, Pregracke will announce formation of a major new effort in the Quad-Cities, Bison Bridge Foundation, and the 90-minute event will be livestreamed from The Rust Belt in East Moline. Starting at 6:30 p.m. March 18, tune in live at https://bisonbridge.org/live-stream, where he and his team will discuss... Read More

Tickets are on sale now for the Pop-Up Horror Market Presented by Midwest Monster Fest May 22 from noon – 7pm at Rock Island County Fairgrounds in East Moline! $6 in advance and $10 day of Great way to celebrate half way to Halloween! Guest announcements coming soon! Now taking vendor applications send an email to mwmonsterfest@gmail.com with all your info and what kind of items you sell. Click on the link here for tickets!  Read More