Charles McPherson: The Journey Home
Charles McPherson: The Journey Home is the celebratory homecoming of acclaimed jazz musician Charles McPherson, who is from Joplin, Missouri and will be held July 23-25, 2021. Events include a free public performance featuring McPherson and his band; the establishment of a scholarship in McPherson’s name; and a public art piece featuring McPherson and other Black Americans influential in the performing and literary arts. The Minnie Hackney Community Service Center of Joplin is collaborating with several community stakeholders to organize this week-long celebration, including: Connect2Culture, George Washington Carver National Monument, Joplin Emancipation Park Days, Missouri Southern State University, Post Art Library, Pro Musica, Spiva Center for the Arts, and Visit Joplin.
Florissant Valley of Flowers Festival 2021
Spring marks the 59th celebration of the Valley of Flowers Festival. Scheduled for May 7-9, 2021, this Florissant family-oriented event, the North County’s “first festival of spring” features a variety of attractions, highlighted by the Grand Parade and by the crowning of Florissant’s Queen and Court. Activities during the three-day festivities will appeal to all ages. Carnival games, exciting rides as well as rides especially for the younger fans will be featured at the Duchesne Home Association Fairgrounds. At the James. J. Eagan Center fair-goes will find a flower and plant sale, culturally diverse performances, a vendor/craft fair, a pretty baby photo contest, and children’s activities. The Grade Parade leads to the crowning of the Valley of Flowers Queen and Court. The parade decorations and floats reflect the theme for that year, with more than 100 units participating.
Appleton City Sesquicentennial Celebration
Appleton City celebrates its sesquicentennial in 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, festivities have been postponed until June 2021. Additional information to follow.
The Appleton City Sesquicentennial Celebration will be a five-day event. Festivities will include a parade, displays of area artists, photos and much more! Food choices available daily. Souvenirs and a 506-page history book of the town and its families will be available for purchase.
Old-Time Music, Ozark Heritage Festival
The Old-Time Music, Ozark Heritage Festival in West Plains celebrates old-time music and the distinctive culture of the Ozark Highlands. Different from its rural counterparts, bluegrass and country, old-time music has its own distinctive sound that makes an important contribution to the complex palette of what we call indigenous American music. Demonstrating the spectrum of art forms from dance fiddling, local jig steps, and gospel singing, to the songs, narratives and ballads that tell the story of a place, to the occupational traditions of blacksmithing, log skidding, spinning and basket making, artists show how these arts are embedded in the experience of our daily lives and how they fit the functional and symbolic needs of our community. This will be our 26th celebration in Missouri’s Bicentennial year on June 4-5, 2021.
Springfield Legends at Maple Park Cemetery
Maple Park Cemetery Board of Directors presents Springfield Legends at Maple Park on Saturday, September 25, 2021. Wear your western duds and enjoy some boot-scootin’ fun in the saloon! There will be cemetery tours, free to the public from 2 pm to 4 pm, with limited seating. The evening event, tickets required, will include saloon-style drinks, dinner and dessert, western dancing, live and silent auctions, and a Showdown Poker hand for a prize! In addition, you’ll get to experience “The Legend of David Tutt” presented by the Wild West History Association. We expect tickets to sell out quickly! For complete event and ticket information, please contact the Maple Park office at 417-869-0217 or office@mapleparkcemetery.org.
Celebrate Wildwood
Celebrate Wildwood is the City of Wildwood’s annual celebration, held in commemoration of its anniversary of incorporation. This year the event (postponed from October 2020) marks the City’s 25th anniversary and will be held April 23-24, 2021. This is a large-scale public event with a parade, kids’ activities, local authors, live music, food and drinks, local organizations booths and demonstrations, Civil War reenactors, a Scouting area, and an art festival. The event is all about the community!
One of this year’s highlights is the City’s Historic Preservation Commission booth where current residents can learn about the area’s past and their heritage. The Commission has been working with a local author to compile a book on the history of Wildwood from pre-history through 2020. This year, the final chapter will be added and the book will be debuted at the festival
Stone County Courthouse 100th Birthday
Postponed due to COVID-19. Updates to come.
On March 27, 1920, a time capsule was put in the cornerstone of the newly built Stone County Courthouse. This capsule has been removed and opened. On March 28, 2020, new items will be placed in the capsule during a ceremony based on what was done in 1920. The items in the capsule show how much the area has changed from early pioneer days. The 100th “birthday” party, the brainchild of the advanced stretch class of Galena Elementary, is scheduled almost to the day 100 years later with the plans coinciding with what was done in 1920. Relatives of those present are being sought and the grandson of one of the lawyers is going to be the master of ceremonies. County officials and other dignitaries will speak, items in the original box will be on display and 21st century items placed inside for another 100 years, and a bluegrass band will play for entertainment.
Heritage Youth Day
The Aux Arcs Chapter Daughters of the American Colonists presents Heritage Youth Day in Buffalo on August 10, 2021. Costumed volunteers using stories, games and crafts from varied time periods will connect area youth to the history of their state, the Ozark region they call home, and the United States through the years.
Schuyler County History Tours
Schuyler County is home to many interesting historical sites that offer a picture of the past in our county. On September 18, 2021, the Schuyler County Historical Society will host a tour the of Blacksmith shop in Queen City, the Hall Museum in Lancaster, and the Downing Depot in Downing. There will be a place to make donations at each facility. Each of these historic places have an extensive history dealing with people that have lived and thrived in Schuyler County and all over the world. Lunch will be served after the tour at the Schuyler County Community Building in Glenwood. The address for the Schuyler County Historical Society is 125 Washington Street, Highway 136, Lancaster, Missouri.
Missouri Pacific / Burlington Route Historical Societies Joint Convention
The Missouri Pacific Historical Society and Burlington Route Historical Society, both non-profit and volunteer-run organizations, will hold a joint convention in 2021 to commemorate the 170th anniversary of the first two railroads to cross the State of Missouri – the Pacific Railroad of Missouri and the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad. The joint convention will be held October 7-10, 2021, at the historic St. Louis Union Station and will feature historical presentations, a train ride, tours, and more. While membership in one of the organizations is encouraged, the event is open to the public. More details will be posted as plans are finalized.