The 23rd Annual Missouri Day Festival is fast approaching. The event will take place as on Oct. 20-21 as part of Trenton’s Sesquicentennial Year.
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The committee has selected the theme “Celebrating Historical Trenton,” It is hoped that those who have prepared historical floats, obtained historical clothing and are interested in celebrating our rich heritage will participate in activities beginning on Thursday, Oct. 18 with opening ceremonies, as well as the large parade which will be held on Saturday, Oct. 20.
Rosetta Marsh is organizing the opening ceremony program, which will be held at the First Baptist Church in Trenton. The Trenton Business Women will sponsor a soup supper prior to the ceremonies. A baby show will be held on Sunday, Oct. 21 at the Grundy County Senior Center and is sponsored by United Way. Organizers Donna Figg, Melissa Sims, and Jeannie Whitney are expecting a large number of entries this year. Farmers Bank of Northern Missouri will provide the trophies and savings bonds for winners.
Buddy and Karla Hannaford are organizing the band competition, which has drawn thousands of people to Trenton each fall. Larry McCollum is organizing a car show, which will be called “Rollin’ Relics” and will be held on Sunday, Oct, 21 at the C.F. Russell Stadium parking lot.
Chamber of Commerce President Terri Henderson, who is serving a festival chairperson, is organizing the vendors and concessions for the festival. Over 200 booths of crafts and food are expected. Booth spaces still remain. Applications are available for booths at the website, www. trentonmochamber.com or at the chamber office. They may also be e-mailed or mailed to interested persons.
Duane Simmons and the Whitewater Band will hold a dance at the senior center on Friday, Oct. 19 from 7 to 11 p.m. The information booth for the festival will be operated by Chamber of Commerce Board and Ambassadors. Any volunteers who wish to work in the information booth are asked to call Mrs. Henderson as soon as possible.
The parade will be held on Saturday, Oct. 20, beginning at 8:30 a.m. The lineup for judging begins at 7 a.m. The Trenton Rotary Club is sponsoring the parade. Persons may sign up for the parade by calling the Chamber of Commerce at 660-359-4324 after Oct. 1. Categories and a grand marshall will be announced later by the Rotary Club.
A quilt show will not be held this year. Members of the quilter’s guild organized a large, successful show as part of Trenton’s Sesquicentennial. The group has had difficulty during the Missouri Day festival each year in obtaining a suitable location for the show that is close to the festival. The quilter’s guild is in the process of planning to build hanging racks for quilts for future shows.
Russell Joiner plans to do historical tours again this year. Joiner had a sellout crowd for a total of four tours that were held during Trenton’s Sesquicentennial. Dates and times of tours will be announced later.
Marlisa Klinginsmith is organizing the window decorating contest this year. She hopes to expand the contest to include many business, organization, 4-H clubs, and individuals who wish to decorate vestibules, entrances, and windows throughout the area. Citizens Bank and Trust is sponsoring the window decorating contest.
Debbie Anderson, Barbara Todd and Barb Peterson are organizing the yard decorating contest. Participants throughout Grundy County are encouraged to participate. Details for entries will be announced later. Farmers State Bank is sponsoring the yard decorating contest.
Bonita Price and Linda Eads are in charge of the scarecrow contest. They, too, hope to grow the number of scarecrows entered in the competition this year. Persons are encouraged to begin planning their scarecrow designs soon.
Dave Woodson will be in charge of signage for Missouri Day this year. He will also help with facilities preparation. The Good Sams of Trenton will measure and mark the flea market area for their annual service project. They have provided this service free of charge to the festival for a number of years.
Jeannie Whitney is organizing a coloring contest that is open to preschoolers, grade school students, and home school students from throughout Grundy County. Coloring pages will be provided in keeping with the theme of Missouri Day. The coloring contest is sponsored by U.S. Bank of Trenton.
Rick Hull will organize a group to help with ground preparation and setting up the facilities. Phil Schlarb, Tom Mock, Gina Grime, and Terri Henderson will be in charge of vendor placement.
The Grundy County Museum will be open for guests during Missouri Day weekend. The Kiwanis Club will hold their “Great Tennis Ball Race” in the area of the Elks Club. Other activities will be added as the festival draws near. This could include various entertainers, artisans and games.
New activities are sought for the Missouri Day Festival. The committee hopes to find a Sunday activity that would bring thousands of people to Trenton similar to Saturday’s band festival. Organizers, financial sponsors and those wishing to implement additional activities are asked to contact the chamber. Corporate sponsorships for various contests remain available.
Persons with questions about the Missouri Day Festival are asked to call Mrs. Henderson at 660-359-4324. Anyone wishing to volunteer with the festival is strongly encouraged to call Mrs. Henderson as soon as possible.
The recent sesquicentennial saw over 400 volunteers coming together to organize over 50 events that drew thousands of guests to Trenton. Organizers of the Missouri Day Festival hope to keep that momentum going.