Plans have come together and a schedule of events is now ready for the 2011 Ozark Ham and Turkey Festival to be held Saturday, Sept. 17, in California. Throughout the day OATS will be offering a shuttle service for a donation. The shuttle will run from the courthouse, to the fairgrounds with other stops around town. Riders of all ages are welcome. The day will start with a 5K Walk/Run held at the Village Green Shopping Center. Registration is at 6:45 a.m. with the walkers beginning at 7:30 a.m. and runners starting at 7:45 a.m. Winners will be announced immediately following the walk/run.
The Kiwanis Ham Breakfast will be served from 7-9 a.m. on Main Street. Burgers' Smokehouse will be providing tours of the "Country Ham Capitol of the World" from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are located three miles south of California on Highway 87.
The "Anything Goes Parade" will start with lineup at 8:30 a.m. on Smith Street, near Moniteau Ready Mix. The parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Smith Street progressing down until turning right on Oak Street, going down Oak Street, turning right on East South Street and ending after a right turn at Cargill Inc. Judging will be done in four categories: automobiles and trucks, tractors, bands/drill teams and floats.
The Car Show and Swap Meet will be located at the Moniteau County Fairgrounds with registration at 7 a.m. and the show running from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Craft Booths will be open starting at 9 a.m. and running until 5 p.m. Kids' Corner, sponsored by Commerce Bank, will be open to children 10 and under from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on the Post Office lawn. Kids' Corner will feature two bounce houses, free balloons and a corn toss game.
Children's Barnyard, sponsored by the California FFA Chapter, runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on East Madison Street near the Post Office lawn.
Ann Grotjan will be giving pottery demonstrations at 10:30 a.m., 12 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., at the corner of North High and East Main streets in front of People's Bank.
Cargill Inc., will once again be building the World's Largest Sandwich. Building time will be from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., with serving starting at 11:30 a.m.
The Diaper Derby, hosted by Preferred Land Title, is located at Kids' Corner, on the Post Office lawn. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m., with the race starting at 11 a.m.
The Flag Raising will take place at 11 a.m., with Master of Ceremonies Mayor Norris Gerhart. Vocalist will be Erin Cary. Boy Scout Troop 120, California, will perform the raising of the flag.
The Washerboard Tournament will be located on Third Street with registration at 11 a.m., and the tournament beginning at 12 p.m.
Curtis Drinkard will be giving chainsaw art demonstrations at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1 p.m., and 3:30 p.m., at North High Street in the parking lot behind booth space 154.
Carriage Rides provided by Bill and Elsie Meyer will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Board on the southeast corner of the Courthouse Square.
Annunciation Catholic Church, California, Knights of Columbus present Bingo from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the Courthouse lawn.
CenturyLink Barbecue Contest begins at 11 a.m., with judging at 4 p.m. The contest is located behind Commerce Bank on Third Street. Stage entertainment will be provided by 100 Proof.
The Figure 8 Scramble and Tuff Truck Challenge will be located at the Moniteau County Fairgrounds. Gates open at 5 p.m., with the event beginning at 7 p.m. Admission is $6 per person with children under 12 entering for free. There will be free parking and concessions on grounds.
There will also be a special tribute to veterans presented by the Moniteau County Historical Society at the Cultural Heritage Center located at the corner of E. South and High streets.
The California Area Chamber of Commerce will also have a booth throughout the day which will provide information plus brochures and will be selling festival t-shirts and 2010 Christmas Ornaments with the Eitzen Mansion and the "Glance at the Past" motto on them. Festival events and attractions are handicapped accessible.
Stage Entertainment is as follows:
North Stage (Located on the northwest corner of the Courthouse Square. Entertainment provided by California Middle and High School students.)
Offering a full day of entertainment. Check at stage for schedule.
South Stage (Located on High Street south of the Post Office)
11:30 a.m. Caitlin Woods
12 p.m. Beth Schoeneberg
12:30 p.m. Debbie and Kelsey Bias
1 p.m. Kassi Meisenheimer
1:30-2:30 p.m. G3 Worship Team/First Baptist
2:30 p.m. Ruth Ellis
3 p.m. Mike Dean
3:30 p.m. Kael Upschulte
4 p.m. Bill Stahl and Art Williams
4:30 p.m. TBA
Finke Theatre (Located inside the newly renovated Finke Theatre, across from Eagles Aerie 4027)
12 p.m. Community Band
1 p.m. Mechelle Matthews - Ventriloquist
2 p.m. Boy Scouts Indian Dance
3 p.m. Phil Lewis and Music Students
4 p.m. Raffle Drawing
For more information about the 2011 Ozark Ham and Turkey Festival, visit the California Area Chamber of Commerce office located at 500 South Oak Street, Suite A (office hours 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday), call 573-796-3040, email [email protected] or visit www.calmo.com.
Look for future issues of the California Democrat for coverage of the 2011 Ozark Ham and Turkey Festival.