Ham and Turkey Festival is Saturday

The 25th anniversary of the California's Ozark Ham and Turkey Festival is coming up Saturday.

The festival will be for the most part in the downtown area of the city. Although it is along the lines of a street fair, some events are held elsewhere on a long day full of activities of all sorts from the parade, food, walk / run, disc golf, diaper derby and a Tuff Truck and Figure 8 competition.

The extremely busy day starts at 7 a.m. with the Kiwanis ham breakfast at the Commerce Bank parking lot, followed closely by the 5K Walk/Run, which starts at 7:30 a.m. for walkers and 7:45 a.m. for runners. The walk / run is in the area of Village Green Shopping Center with pre-registration or registration beginning at 6:45 a.m. on the day of the event.

Car show registration begins at 8 a.m. at the Moniteau County Fairgrounds, with the show running to 3 p.m.

The "Anything Goes" festival parade begins at 9:30 a.m. on Smith Street, going north on Oak Street, turning east on South Street and continues through the fairgrounds ending back at Cargill. Lineup is at 8:30 a.m. near the concrete company on Smith Street.

The flag-raising ceremony is at the Moniteau County Courthouse at 11 a.m.

The Disc Golf Tournament tee-off is at 10:05 a.m. Registration starts at 8 a.m. with a players meeting at 9:45, near the Scout House at Proctor Park.

There is the barbecue contest, beginning at 11 a.m., behind Commerce Bank on Third Street. Of course, there is the Barbecue Stage featuring "Bourbon Creek."

Also at 11 is the Diaper Derby, on the post office lawn. Just a few blocks north, serving begins at 11:30 a.m. for the Cargill 72.5 foot submarine sandwich south of the courthouse.

The washerboard tournament begins at noon on Third Street.

There are four stages with a variety of entertainment.

North Stage entertainment is provided by the students of the California Middle School and High School students. The South Stage entertainment includes a number of local performers. The historic Finke Theatre serves as the third stage with a performance by the California Community Ensemble at noon and a Power Point presentation throughout the day featuring the 130-year history of the theater. And, of course, there is the Barbecue Stage featuring "Bourbon Creek."

The last event of the day, begins at 7 p.m. Gates open at 5 p.m. for the Tuff Truck Challenge and Compact Figure 8 Scramble at the Moniteau County Fairgrounds. Admission is $5, children under 10 free. New for this year is a Power Wheels Figure 8 for youngsters, ages 2-10.

For information about the festival, call California Area Chamber of Commerce at 573-796-3040.