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.
Iron County, Missouri - The Iron County Sheriff's Office has issued an endangered SILVER Advisory for a missing man.
According to the sheriff's office, Cecil Irvin Hedricks, 77, was last seen at the Zepher Station 147 Route Y in Viburnum, Mo. at 9 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 28.
He is described as a white male, 5' 8", 166 pounds, with gray hair and blue eyes.
They say he is known to have a heart condition and seizures. He recently suffered memory loss, confusion and has been without his heart medication since he went missing.
His vehicle is described as a 2003 Dodge pickup with Missouri license 9DV304.
Deputies say they're not sure what direction he went after he left the Zepher Station.
Anyone with any information should immediately call 911. You can also call the Iron County Sheriff's Office at 573-546-7051.
National VFW Day is observed annually on September 29. This day is devoted to the VFW organization and those members who have served our nation.
OBSERVE
Honor the VFW members and veterans in your community. Let them know that you appreciate the sacrifices they have made for all of us. We truly are the land of the free because of the brave. Use #NationalVFWDay to post on social media.
HISTORY
The VFW was established on September 29, 1899 by a group of veterans from the Spanish-American war. It has since grown to be the nation’s largest group of combat veterans. They continue “to honor the dead by helping the living.” The VFW promote patriotism, good will and youth scholarships. They also provide military assistance and community service programs, promote youth activities and volunteer many hours in their local communities.
Dexter, Missouri - Please join First Midwest Bank of Dexter to celebrate Mark Snider’s retirement of 33 years in the banking business.
Mark has spent the last 14 years with First Midwest Bank.
A special reception will be Friday, September 25th from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Please stop by 819 W. Business Hwy 60 and wish Mark a happy retirement!
Puxico, Missouri - The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has installed a new accessible hunting blind at Duck Creek Conservation Area (CA) for waterfowl hunters with disabilities. The blind, which is ready for use in the upcoming waterfowl seasons, is a final piece of renovations to the area.
“We want to help all people discover nature and this accessible duck blind is part of making that happen,” said Keith Cordell, manager of Duck Creek CA.
The ADA blind is in the south central corner of position 16 in Unit A. A paved walkway starts at a parking pad and descends toward the blind, which reaches out into the pool. The structure took an MDC construction crew about six weeks to build.
To make a reservation to use the blind, hunters may call the Southeast Regional Office at (573)290-5730 on or after Oct. 1. Once the season starts, the Duck Creek Office will manage availability of the blind and can be reached at (573)222-3337.
During the waterfowl season, if the blind isn't reserved by a hunter with disabilities, the position/blind will go into the morning draw and may be used by other hunters.
More information on accessible conservation and hunting areas can be found online at mdc.mo.gov or by calling the MDC’s Southeast Regional Office at (573)290-5730.
