By David A. Wilson
California's Ozark Ham and Turkey Festival is Saturday, Sept. 20. The festival, which is in its 24th year, is along the lines of a street fair. Events and activities will be held at the Village Green Shopping Center, the downtown area of the city and the Moniteau County Fairgrounds.
The day starts at 7 a.m. with the Kiwanis ham breakfast at the Commerce Bank parking lot. Breakfast tickets can be purchased on location for $9, or for $8 prior to the event from a local Kiwanis member. Children under six, no costs and from six-12, $5. Next on festival agenda is the 5K Walk/Run in the area of Village Green Shopping Center. The event will begin at 7:30 a.m. for walkers and 7:45 a.m. for runners. The route will go through streets south of the shopping center.
The festival parade is set to begin lining up at 8:30 a.m. near the concrete company on Smith Street. It will begin at 9:30 a.m., starting on Smith Street at Industrial Drive, turn north (right) on Oak Street and turn east (right) when it reaches East South Street turning right and ending at Cargill. The festival committee and the California Police Department requests that parade-watchers be considerate of others avoid parking along Oak Street. Parade awards and prizes will be presented following the 11 a.m. flag raising ceremony at the Moniteau County Courthouse. There will be a live broadcast of the parade on KRLL 1420 AM from a location along the parade route following The Garden Spot with Alice Longfellow.
At the courthouse, the flag-raising ceremony performed by Boy Scout Troop 120 is at 11 a.m. on the south steps of the courthouse with California Kids singing the national anthem. South of the courthouse, Cargill will build a 72 foot submarine sandwich. Serving will begin at 11:30 p.m. Bingo will be from noon to 4 p.m. on the Courthouse lawn. A washerboard tournament, located on Third Street, begins at noon. Registration is at 11 a.m.
There will be nearly two dozen food booths and scores of other vendor booths. There will be a Barbecue Tournament at the Commerce Bank parking lot. Kid's Corner will be by the post office from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
At the Village Green Shopping Center, Mayor Gerhart will present the Village Green with a plaque at 12:30 p.m., at 1 p.m., a C&R Cakewalk and the Oscar Meyer Weinermobile will begin. Also at 1, Wyatt and Rex Martensen will be on stage providing entertainment. The ever popular Diaper Derby begins at 2 p.m. On display will be the 1954 fire truck, the 1964 Ford "Andy Griffith Show squad car" of Dr. Mike Lutz and a beehive belonging to Mike and Jane Robertson. The McGruff Crime Dog and "seat belt convincer" demonstration will be at the shopping center. The Missouri National Guard fitness competition will California Extreme Fitness.
There are three stages with a variety of entertainment. The north stage entertainment is provided by the students of the California Middle School and High School students. On the South Stage, entertainment includes Andrea LaRay, the California Chorus with its performance of "Celebrate America" and a number of local performers. The historic Finke Theatre serves as the third stage with performances by the California Community Ensemble and other groups. The Friends of the Finke is also holding a fundraiser raffle with drawing to be at 4 p.m. the day of the festival.
The Ozark Ham and Turkey Festival Car Show will be at the Moniteau County Fairgrounds. Registration begins at 8 a.m. with the show running to 3 p.m. An Antique Tractor Show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. will also be at the fairgrounds.
Last, but not least, are the Tuff Truck Scramble and Compact Figure 8 Challenge at the Moniteau County Fairgrounds. Gates open at 4 p.m. The event begins at 7 p.m. with admission $5. Children under 12 are free.
For information about the festival, call California Area Chamber of Commerce at 573-796-3040.