Chillicothe Chatauqua Is Sept. 8-9

The 29th Annual Chautauqua in the Park will be held Sept. 7-8 at Simpson Park in Chillicothe.
This annual event, sponsored by the Chillicothe Area Chamber of Commerce and the Chillicothe Area Arts Council, and presented by Hedrick Medical Center, has a wide variety of entertainment, activities, artists, crafts and food.
According to Lindy Chapman, executive director of the Chillicothe Area Chamber of Commerce, there are several new booths from throughout Missouri and the Midwest, with over 100 craft, food and children’s booths having already registered. Wood crafts, clothing, accessories, jewelry, photography, ceramics/pottery, painting and many other types of fine arts and crafts are all represented throughout the festival.
The Traditional Arts area showcases the talents of spinners, weavers, broom makers and many others who take a craft back to its roots, and demonstrate at the festival. This area will again have demonstrators and vendors including a new “Llama to Loom” exhibit and demonstration throughout the weekend, as well as “The Magic of Indigo Dyeing” on Saturday afternoon.
There will also be many activities for kids during the festival, especially in the Children’s Area, which will include a petting zoo and park-wide scavenger hunt presented by the Chillicothe FFA, face painting, a dunking booth and inflatable games and activities. Music will also take place at various sites throughout the park, featuring a wide range of performers. Food vendors will be located in the food court and throughout the park on the trails, offering a variety of items.
Simpson Park is closed for the festival from Friday afternoon through Sunday evening. No car or truck traffic, golf carts, bicycles, rollerblades, skateboards, recreational scooters, etc. owned by the general public are allowed in or through the park for the safety of all participants. Vendor set up time is provided on Friday afternoon and evening and on Saturday morning and vendor vehicles will be allowed during those times.
Parking for attendees is available in and around the park, with a limited number of handicapped spaces available for those individuals with a handicapped license plate or official handicapped permit. Those needing handicapped parking for assistance should enter through the Walnut Street gate of Simpson Park.
A shuttle service is being provided this year. Made possible this year by Calvary Baptist Church, Free Methodist Church and the Salvation Army, the shuttle will be available from 9:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. between Citizens Bank & Trust downtown parking lot and the east Washington Street entrance of the park.
For more information, persons can call the Chillicothe Area Chamber at 660-646-4050. The entertainment schedule can also be found online at www.chillicothemo.com, then click on the Chautauqua link on the home page.