Central

Activities Include: traditional tradesmen and artisans dressed in 19th century attire, demonstrating "lost arts"; entertainment on two stages; an 1859 town with reenactors; cowboy chuck wagon; Lewis & Clark outpost; “Fun for Young'uns Area” (stilts, paper pumpkins, milk the "cow," rope making, candle dipping, candy in the haystack, hayrides, and other activities); museum and village tours; great food. There are ghost stories, Saturday, 8 p.m.-9:30 p.m. This event is presented in Nifong Park.

For details and a full schedule, please see our website.

Heritage Days feature a parade; carnival; wine and beer gardens; craft, commercial, flea market and political booths; and food and drink vendors.

New events are added periodically to keep the festival fresh and to offer something for everyone, in a family friendly atmosphere. Activities that might be added, included: a classic car show; professional and amateur art show; karaoke contest; quilt show; Mutt Strut (dog show); Little Miss and Mister contest; tours of historic properties; free entertainment; static displays; 5K walk/run; and old timers baseball game.

Events take place downtown and in Kemper Park.

This event was voted as the Central Region's Best Festival by Rural Missouri Magazine.

Art in the Park is one of mid-Missouri's oldest and largest art festivals. It features 110 visual artists from around the country, displaying paintings, ceramics, metal sculpture, photography, jewelry, fiber arts, garden art, wood and mixed media.

Augmenting the event are dedicated children's activities; an Emerging Artist Pavilion, showcasing high school and undergraduate artists; an entertainment stage with a blend of magical and musical acts; and a Young Collectors Tent, for children aged 5-14.

The 54th annual Art in the Park takes place in Stephens Lake Park.

Family Fun Fest offers a different theme each month, complete with bounce house, hands on activities, face painting and fun for the entire family. Every third Wednesday, April thru September, in Flat Branch Park.

First Night-Columbia is an alcohol-free celebration of the New Year with music, art, ritual, and festivity. First Night takes place on New Year's Eve throughout 12 venues in downtown Columbia beginning with a USA certified 5K run/walk at 4 p.m. The performance venues open at 6:30 p.m. with entertainment starting at 7 p.m.

There is something for everyone with a special Teen Venue and lots of children's activities and entertainment. The purpose of the celebration is to recapture the symbolic significance of the passage from the old year to the new, to unite the community through a shared cultural celebration, to deepen and broaden the public’s appreciation of the visual and performing arts. Performances are accessible, multi-cultural and multi-generational. The genres that have been represented over the years are jazz, rock, classical, bluegrass, Cajun, Latin, world drumming.

There is performance dance, participatory dances, magic, puppetry, a children's procession, finale and fireworks, a people's procession with a grand finale and fireworks at midnight, and many other activities. Purchase a button at one of our button sales locations and this will get you into all venues all night. Join us on New Year's Eve in "The District" in downtown Columbia.

Activities include American Indian art and native food, raffles, Indian dancing and prize drawings. The featured guest is Larry Sellers, who played Cloud Dancing on the TV show Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. All drums are welcome.

The event is sponsored by The Society for the Preservation of Traditional Values. Held rain or shine, under a covered pavilion at Boone County Fairgrounds. Take your own chairs.

Admission: $3; school-aged children, $1; seniors and pre-school, free; three-day pass, $5. Camping: RVs, $20; tents, $10.

No guns, alcohol or drugs allowed.

The Odyssey Chamber Music Series is committed to presenting masterpieces of chamber music repertoire that span over four centuries, in mixed ensembles of all instruments. Odyssey hopes to cultivate interest in quality classical music performances through innovative programming involving professional local performers as well as guest artists from outside the community.

Performances are 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church, which features a sanctuary designed specifically with musical performances in mind.

The 2012-13 season begins Oct. 12 with Beethoven & Hanging Gardens. This special concert features Ludwig van Beethoven’s Violin and Piano Sonata No. 6 and Schoenberg’s stunning Hanging Gardens.

On Dec. 7, join us for Holiday Bells and Drums. Featured are colorful works and wide ranging repertoire that will include an arrangement of “12 Days of Christmas.” The Columbia Handbell Ensemble will play a featured role in this performance.

We cap the season Feb. 1 with Baroque Flamenco. This Baroque concert is the largest ensemble we have ever put together, to perform the popular Orchestral Suite No. 3 (tunes that everyone recognizes), coupled with Cantata BWV 119 that calls for four trumpets, three oboes, flutes, etc., and a virtuosic choir, too.

Visit our website for more information and to learn more about the Plowman Chamber Music Competition and Festival, held April 4-8, 2013.

On day one, the adventure starts at Shiloh Bar and Grill, in Columbia. Drop off your overnight packs at check-in and prepare for a weekend of relaxed bike riding, music and fun. The first day traverses 30 miles of the most scenic section of the Katy Trail State Park, on crushed limestone trails flanked by cliffs and the Missouri River. Stop at your convenience at a handful of locations to enjoy live music and entertainment, including shows by Dirtfoot, Carrie Nation and the Speakeasy.

Bands play throughout the day at staggered schedules. That day’s destination, Boonville's Kemper Park, hosts the feature event: an outdoor, professional stage with performances by The Hipnecks and Southern Culture on the Skids. Free camping is available at Kemper Park. Tickets for the festival area are available to the public. Riders’ overnight gear is dropped off at the park.

On day two, depart Boonville at your leisure and head east on the trail for the second day of fun. Stop at your convenience at a handful of locations to enjoy live music and entertainment by Noah Earle, the Ben Miller Band, and Dirtfoot.

At the end of that day, return to Columbia for the final events or camp at one of the many campsites along the route. Your overnight bags are waiting at Flat Branch Park at the end of the day on Sunday.

Entry fee: $30 in advance; $40 at the event. The Jamboree encourages family recreation. Riders younger than 16 ride for free.

An Olympic-style sports festival with more than 40 sports for all ages and ability levels.

For schedules and a list of sports, please visit our website.

Join park volunteer Randal Clark in his 30th year of leading groups in search of spring wildflowers. Hike various park trails, enjoy the different colors and shapes and learn each flower’s story. Meet at the Devil’s Icebox parking lot. Reservations are not required.

These walks are held every Wednesday March 28 through May 23, 2012.