Independence, Missouri, Queen City of the Trails, will be the starting line for Mule Power to Horse Power: 2021 American Solar Challenge. This year, the course will follow the Santa Fe Trail route (200th anniversary) to Santa Fe, New Mexico. This is an annual competition for university students to design, build, and drive solar-powered cars in a time/travel rally. Join us on August 3, 2021, for Display Day, on the Historic Independence Square, to take a close look at the cars and talk with the design and build teams.  We will also be celebrating Missouri’s bicentennial with a look back at transportation then and now. This event will celebrate Missouri’s role in the westward exploration and expansion of the country. In addition to the solar cars, we will have covered wagon rides (pulled by Missouri mules) and exhibits of other transportation (Steamboat Arabia for example). This is a free event on and around the historic downtown in Independence. It is provided with cooperation from Independence Parks and Rec, the Independence Square Association, and Innovators Educational Foundation.