Calendar of Events

10 | www.columbiatribune.com | OUR TOWN 2020

Editor’s note: These events typically take place in Mid-Missouri on an annual basis. COVID-19 has greatly altered the landscape of live events; check event websites for info on what is or isn’t being held, and what is being moved to virtual venues.

JANUARY

Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Through art, music, dance, awards, discussion and food, residents celebrate diversity and the memory of Martin Luther King Jr. www.gocolumbiamo.com.

North Village Arts District First Fridays The first Friday of each month, venues in the North Village Arts District host a crawl with entertainment and educational opportunities. www.facebook.com/ NorthVillageArts-District.

FEBRUARY

Black History Month Art and film events, community conversations and celebrations featuring food and gospel music gather residents to celebrate Black History Month. www.gocolumbiamo. com.

MARCH

True/False Film Fest Drawing in documentary filmmakers and fans from across the country, the annual event features some films discovered at Sundance, Toronto and other festivals as well as world premieres. Attendees watch screenings, talk with directors, listen to buskers and celebrate at parties. www. truefalse.org.

Missouri Beer Festival At this festival held sometime each spring, attendees sample various microbrews and craft beers, including a number of selections from Missouri breweries. Local vendors create a food court, and live music is performed. www.missouribeerfestival. com.

APRIL

Unbound Book Festival A free book festival celebrating literature and bringing in authors across a number of different genres, including fiction, nonfiction, children’s literature and poetry. The event features author interviews, panels on a range of book-related subjects and writing contests. www.unboundbookfestival. com.

Earth Day Hosted by the Columbia Earth Day Coalition, the event features music, games, workshops and displays on going green. It takes place in MU’s Peace Park and on surrounding streets. www.columbiaearthday.org.

MAY

Bike, Walk & Wheel Week The week of events promoting non-motorized transportation includes a focus on bicycle commuting, safety, trail riding and more. www.gocolumbiamo.com.

Movies in the Park Family-friendly films are screened outdoors in Flat Branch Park on Friday evenings, once a month, May through September. www. gocolumbiamo.com.

Family Fun Fest Held the third Wednesday of every month from May through September. Located at Cosmo Park, the event features a new theme each month and provides familyfocused entertainment through music, performances, art activities and more. www.gocolumbiamo.com.

Stephens Lake Park Amphitheater Concert Series This series of free musical performances runs from May through September featuring local acts in an outdoor setting. www. gocolumbiamo.com.

Pedaler’s Jamboree Held each Memorial Day weekend, this event combines a music festival and trail ride with stops along the Katy Trail. www. pedalersjamboree.com.

Centralia Anchor Fest A part of life in Centralia since 1987, this family-friendly festival features live music, food, sports, car and tractor shows and more. Traditionally held the weekend after Memorial Day. www.centraliamochamber. com/anchor-festival.html.

JUNE

Columbia Art League’s Art in the Park During this weekend of June, this free-entry, family-oriented event celebrates art by bringing in artists from across the country. This year’s physical event was canceled, but CAL featured exhibiting artists in a virtual fashion. www.artintheparkcolumbia.org.

Shelter Gardens Concert Series Columbia ensembles perform free Sundayevening concerts, typically in June and July in this pastoral setting. Styles and performers range from community bands and classical music to bluegrass and Cajun bands. www.shelterinsurance.com/ aboutshelter/companyevents.

Juneteenth Black heritage is celebrated at Douglass Park with bands, choirs, speakers, games and food. www.gocolumbiamo.com.

Hot Summer Nights A six-week lineup of musical performances ranges from classical to pop. The event, featuring the Missouri Symphony Orchestra, provides entertainment to all ages. This year, in lieu of a physical festival, the MOSY presented a “Greatest Hits” festival online, drawing from performance archives. www. themosy.org.

OUR TOWN 2020 | www.columbiatribune.com | 11

JULY

Fire in the Sky Annual free fireworks celebration of the Fourth of July takes place in downtown Columbia. www.gocolumbiamo.com

Show-Me State Games This Olympic-style sports event hosts competitors in approximately 40 sports, including judo, tennis, golf and soccer, to promote healthy competition and sportsmanship. www.smsg.org.

Mizzou International Composers Festival Audiences are exposed to world premieres during this festival, where established composers mingle with and coach emerging composers from across the globe. newmusic.missouri.edu.

AUGUST

MidMo Pridefest An annual celebration of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning and ally community in Mid-Missouri. This event features music, food, vendors, children’s activities and information on community organizers. www.midmopride. org.

Boone Dawdle The True/False Film Fest hosts this annual summer bike ride from Columbia to Rocheport, where a dinner is served and a film is screened. www.truefalse.org/dawdle.

SEPTEMBER

One Read Daniel Boone Regional Library patrons vote to select an annual One Read, a fiction or nonfiction title for the community to explore and emphasize. The book’s themes are then fleshed out through author talks, panel discussions, art exhibits and more. oneread.dbrl.org.

Boone County Heritage Festival and Craft Show The festival celebrates the history of Mid-Missouri by bringing in artisans and tradesmen to demonstrate their trades and sell their wares. The event also provides music, hay ride, children’s activities and more. www.gocolumbiamo.com.

OCTOBER

Roots N Blues festival Held in Stephens Lake Park, this large celebration features a variety of music, food and other entertainment, drawing in thousands of people from across the country. The 2020 edition is canceled, but the fest plans to return in September 2021. www. rootsnbluesfestival.com.

Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival Held the second full weekend in October in Hartsburg, the event features craft vendors and a variety of pumpkin-related activities, plus lots of pumpkins for sale. www.hartsburgpumpkinfest.com.

University of Missouri Homecoming Celebrate with a parade and tailgates, plus myriad campus activities over the preceding week, including extravagant Greektown house decorations. www.missouri.edu.

“We Always Swing” Jazz Series The jazz program brings in top talents to Columbia, offering an educational program and films to promote, preserve and celebrate jazz. Performances generally start in October and are scheduled through the following spring. www.wealwaysswing.org.

Odyssey Chamber Music Series This concert series presents intimate yet ambitious chamber music performances at First Baptist Church. The series consistently calls on local talent, yet mingles in guest performers from across the country and world. Concerts generally get underway in

October and run through May. Odyssey also works with a number of other cultural organizations to present The Plowman Chamber Music Competition and Festival during the spring of odd-number years. odysseymissouri.org.

Spooktacular This annual and free alternative to door-todoor trick-or-treating on Halloween night features games, activities and treats. www. gocolumbiamo.com.

NOVEMBER

Columbia Jaycees Holiday Parade On the Sunday before Thanksgiving, this kid-friendly event includes a parade with visits by Santa and Mrs. Claus. www.columbiamojaycees.com. Black Culture Awareness Week Centered on the mission of the Gaines/ Oldham Black Culture Center at MU, the weeklong event features a soul food dinner, musical performances, guest speakers and discussions. diversity.missouri.edu.

DECEMBER

Living Windows Festival On the first Friday in December, the downtown district hosts live window displays, strolling carolers, visits with Santa and more. www.discoverthedistrict.com.

Holiday Homes Tour Serving as the primary fundraiser for the Women’s Symphony League, the tour features some of Columbia’s most decorated homes to celebrate the holiday season. The event hosts a silent auction and bake sale. www.themosy.org.

City Kwanzaa Celebration This annual event celebrates the black holiday based around family and community. A free holiday feast, entertainment and community awards will be given at the event. www.gocolumbiamo.com.

2020-2021: Season 17

OdysseyMissouri.org (573) 825-0079

Denis Swope

MUSIC DIRECTOR

City of Columbia Office of Cultural Affairs

Since 1981

Founded in 1981, CCB performs year-round in a wide variety of concert venues. The band’s repertoire ranges from traditional marches, patriotic selections, and medleys of popular songs and show tunes to more modern compositions. The group also offers the Keith House Memorial Scholarship to local graduating high school musicians.

For more info, visit ccbonline.org or call 573-446-BAND (2263)