Friday, July 1st marks the kick off of the 2011 Tom Sawyer days in Hannibal, MO. As always, there will be a wide range of attractions and events for the whole family, including everything from a baby contest to live bands in Tanyard Gardens. The entire schedule of events can be found on www.hannibaljaycees.org, but here are the highlights from their website.
If you want to show off your pet, registration for the pet show is on Friday at 12:00pm at Central Park, followed by judging at 1:00pm. The local fence painting contest will also be on that day, with registration at 4:30pm at the Tom and Huck statue. The contest begins at 5:00pm, and will be followed by an “over 30” fence painting competition. For all the old car lovers out there, a car cruise in begins at 6:00pm at the Tanyard Gardens vendor area on North Main Street.
Saturday’s events include a children’s fun run starting at 9:00am at the Tom and Huck statue, a demonstrations by Cindy Powell’s black belt karate class at noon in front of Tanyard Gardens, and a frog jumping contest in the Tanyard Gardens vending area at 4:30pm. The state fence painting contest will also be held on Saturday, with registration at 4:30 pm at the Tom and Huck statue, followed by the contest at 5:00pm. Ringer Park will host a horseshoe tournament qualification at 9:00am, and Tanyard Gardens will host a washers tournament, with registration beginning at 10:30am. For the marathon runners out there, registration for the Hannibal Cannibal begins at 5:30am. The race begins at 7:00am.
On Sunday, arts and crafts will be featured in Central Park from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Those who qualified for the horseshoe tournament will be tossing shoes in Ringer Park at 11:00am. The Hannibal’s Got Talent show will showcase local talent inside Taynard Gardens at 12:30pm. A must see will be the national fence painting contest at the Tom and Huck Statue at 5:00pm. A musical celebration entitled “In God We Trust” will be presented at Hannibal LaGrange College at 6:00pm.
Monday the 4th will kick off with Boy Scout Troop #117’s Pancake break at the First United Methodist Church, followed by the “Let Freedom Ring” parade down Broadway. The Tom and Becky relay starts at 2:30pm at the Tanyard Gardens vending area. At 5:00pm, Mark Twain comes to life in “Mark Twain Himself” at the Planters Barn Theater downtown. The night will close with fireworks on the riverfront at dusk.
The Jones and Company Carnival will open at 5:00pm on Friday, and be open Saturday and Sunday at noon. The Y Men’s club will have mud volleyball both Saturday adnd Sunday at 7:00am at the intersection of Hill and Front streets. And for those who like live bands, Tanyard Gardens will have a different live band starting at 8:00pm and playing until 12:00 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.
Come to Hannibal MO over the 4th of July and enjoy the celebration! There’s something for everyone!
