12 MONTHS of Festivals
O Sarah Haas
ne of the attractions of living in the Parkland is a vibe that’s distinctly “chill” - when it’s not throwing a party, that is. And many of these towns know how to throw a party. In addition to special civic events, festivals and fairs, almost every town has at least one big, annual party – or more— and they love to have guests. Every Christmas brings parades and merchant-organized, fun shopping weekends that stretch from early November up to the night Santa Claus goes chimney-sliding. In springtime, you can count on Easter egg hunts that bring out little bunnies and chicks seeking eggs, candy and treasures in many cities’ parks. But some events require teamwork and hard work that are the hallmark of rural towns. Here are the highlights, the bigger events annually taking place around the Parkland. Caveat: This list of free fairs and festivals isn’t exhaustive, though, because creative fun-seekers who live here are always dreaming up new, bigger and better events.
54 | ParklandLiving | June 2022
Arcadia Valley
Occurring every spring and fall, thousands flock to the Arcadia Valley Mountain Music Festival around the Iron County Courthouse Square in Ironton. Missouri bluegrass, old-time mountain and Americana music is played by a series of bands over the course of two days. There are vendors, crafters, kids’ activities and dancing in the street. There’s even an area set
aside for pickers, so bring along your guitar, banjo, harmonica or washboard. The next festival is Oct. 7-8.
Bonne Terre
During the Big River Chautauqua, held annually in July over the course of three days, hundreds flock to Veterans Park behind Bonne Terre City Hall to watch and listen to scholars offer fascinating, impersonating interpretations of
