Poplar Bluff, Missouri - If you are looking for something fun to do then check out the numerous activities planned for the Iron Horse Festival on Saturday in Poplar Bluff including the Iron Mountain Rendezvous hosted by Dee Loflin, Two Feathers Trading from Dexter, Missouri.
The festival will officially begin at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday and conclude at 5:00 p.m.; however the old fashioned encampment will be there Friday, Saturday, and Sunday!
Penny McGath, executive director of Downtown Poplar Bluff, Inc. has worked many hours along side the DPB board members, and volunteers to plan this fantastic event.
Nearly 7,000 people attended the event last year and this year looks to be even larger. Section of Main Street and Vine Streets will be closed from midnight Friday until 6:00 p.m. Saturday. Vendors will line South Main Street with a variety of foods, arts, crafts, and information.
BREAKFAST on Saturday will be served at the Historic Depot with pancakes, sausage, and a drink from 6:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. in the 105 year old train station. Tickets are $5.00 and all proceeds will benefit the reconstruction of the historic staircase at the depot.
The Iron Horse Depot is also sponsoring the Iron Mountain Rendezvous pre-1880’s encampment. Participants will be camped in Wiseman park along the Black River from noon – 5 p.m. on Friday, all day Saturday and Sunday. They will have delicious kettle corn, primitive demonstrators, traders, fire start demonstrations, flintknapping, hands-on learning center with furs, skulls, and live turtles. Try your hand at throwing a tomahawk or atlatl or even shoot a primitive long bow.
There will also be a 5k Run at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday morning, 20-mile River Race on the Black River from Hendrickson Access to Wiseman Park at 9:00 a.m.
A Veterans celebration will be provided by John J. Pershing VA Medical Center at 10:00 a.m. at the Butler County Courthouse gazebo. The event will honor the veterans and USA patriotism.
Performing on the Main Street stage will be Tori Travers, Black River Blues, Charlie Grubb, and the Iron Horse Express, Millstones, Thin Blue Line, Swamp Whiskey, Gary Garner Jazz Band, Kyle Richards. Jim Hager will provide the sound system. There will also be comedy acts between the music shows.
A Car Show will begin at 9:00 a.m. Three trophies in each of the 20 classes will be presented at 4:00 p.m. at the Courthouse gazebo.
A special Kids Zone will be at Wiseman Park next to the encampment from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. There will be four bounce houses supervised by Sears youth center students. The Boys and Girls clubs will provide kids games, craft projects, and face painting.
The Three Rivers College Forestry Club will host forestry competitions beginning at 10:00 a.m. Saturday morning.
The Three Rivers College Rodeo Team will do roping demonstrations at 11:00 a.m.
There will be a Dog Show at 1:00 p.m. in the Kids Zone. Prizes will be awarded for most appealing large dog, best looking medium dog, cutest small dog, cutest puppy, best dressed and best in show.
Four demonstrations will precede the dog show. They include the K9 drug dog at 10:30 a.m., Linda Kush of Sit and Stay Training and Boarding at 11:00 a.m., Doggie Designs grooming tips at 11:30 a.m. and the SEMO Dog Trainers at noon.
If you love trains, this is the place to be! Union Pacific Railroad’s Mini Train will provide rides for the children on the Black River Coliseum parking lot during the festival. The MOARk Regional Railroad Museum in front of the coliseum will be open from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
A colorful Hot Air Balloon will be on display from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. weather permitting. There will be an opportunity to purchase raffle tickets with the winner receiving a free hot air balloon ride for two. Winner will be drawn at 5 p.m. Saturday.
There will be plenty of vendors on hand including sand art, t-shirts, scarves, necklaces, coasters, table runners, hand-crafted wood utensils, earrings, key chains, rustic décor, kids face painting, handmade doll clothes, belts, Mules gear, wood crafts, trains, tractors, trucks, pop guns, rubber band guns, gourd art, baby quilts, baby blankets, potholders, oven mitts, aprons, mesh wreaths, décor, grapevine wreaths, and more!
For more information call McGath at (573) 714-5742.
