Festivals

Children and their four-legged friends (small dogs less than 20 pounds) are invited to put on their costumes and join in the parade from City Hall Plaza to Howard Station Park. After the parade, children are welcome to trick-or-treat at participating downtown businesses. Awards will be given out for the best costumes. Check-in at 9 a.m. and line-up at 9:45 a.m.

Headed by the Carthage High School SkillsUSA group, the Christmas Parade starts at the Carthage Junior High School on Main Street, travels north and around the Square and ends behind the junior high at the tennis courts. Santa Claus will be a part of the parade.

Enjoy and celebrate in the festivies and sparkle of the bright lights in the Salem Christmas Parade of Lights. Parade begins at the corner of South Grand and Franklin streets at 5:30 p.m. and ends at the courthouse. More information will be available at www.salemmo.com.

Celebrate our nation's Independence Day in the heart of Salem. Parade begins at 6 p.m. The parade route runs from the old fairgrounds to the Historic Dent County Courthouse. Fireworks begin at dark; the location of the fireworks will be determined closer to July 4.

Enjoy the Laurie Christmas Parade, starting at Central Bank and parading to the Laurie Terrace Mall. For more information, contact the West Side Chamber at 573-374-5500.

The grand finale of the annual Maple Leaf Festival and the biggest parade in Southwest Missouri; begins on the Historic Carthage Square and ends at Carthage Middle School. Past events have featured Willie Arthur Smith's Marching Cobras and the magnificent Clydesdale horses. The Maple Leaf Parade is followed by a battle of the bands, which requires an admission fee and takes place in the middle school football field.

Join the fun as we pay tribute to the 60th Annual Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo's royalty, cowgirls, cowboys and clowns. The parade route follows the tree-lined streets of Sikeston's Historic Home District (N. Kinghshighway) to the Depot Musuem downtown.

While downtown, enjoy the Cowboy Up! Arts Festival, offering pony rides, music, crafts and concessions.

Join us for the annual Winter Wonderland Parade on Washington Street in Cuba; the event includes the opportunity for pictures with Santa. Hot chocolate will be served at the Lion's Den.