Maple Leaf Festival 2025 provides something for everyone
The Maple Leaf Festival® is not just an event; it’s a testament to the spirit of our community. It began in 1966 as a marching band competition, and since then, volunteers have come together to organize an event that celebrates the beauty of maple-leaf trees’ fall foliage. The City of Carthage, known as America’s Maple Leaf City hosts one of the region’s biggest festivals, drawing over 65,000 visitors in October to pay homage to this historic festival.
Held the 3rd week in October, this festival hosts daily events for an entire week, starting with a BBQ cookoff and motorcycle show the Saturday before and ending with the biggest parade in Southwest Missouri. This nearly two-mile parade begins at 9 a.m. and encompasses the beautiful Historic Carthage Square, traveling down Grand Ave. and ending at the Carthage Jr. High School.
The square is a hub of excitement, filled with a diverse range of activities. There’s something for everyone; arts & crafts, food vendors, live entertainment, a quilt show, activities for kids, a petting zoo, and more.
Activities including Touch-a-Truck, Taco Tuesday, a Night of Praise, walking tours, a Friday night evening FREE concert on the square and other festivities for all ages fill the week. The Maple Leaf Festival® volunteers, the Carthage Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Carthage welcomes you to America’s Maple Leaf City this October.
For more information, contact the Carthage Chamber of Commerce at 417-358-2373 or email at info@carthagechamber.com.
OCTOBER 10th
• MAPLE LEAF RODEO – 6PM CARTHAGE SADDLE CLUB ARENA
OCTOBER 11th
• HALL OF HEROES – FAIR ACRES FAMILY YMCA 10AM
• BABY & TODDLER SHOW-10AM CENTRAL PARK
• BIKES, BBQ & TOY RUN – 11:30AM CENTRAL PARK LIVE MUSIC FROM “BIG SMITTY”, BBQ CONTEST, MOTORCYCLE SHOW, VENDORS & MORE
• MAPLE LEAF RODEO – 6PM CARTHAGE SADDLE CLUB ARENA
OCTOBER 12th
• CHILI COOK-OFF – 12PM-CENTRAL PARK
• CHICKEN PAGEANT – 1PM CENTRAL PARK
• DOG SHOW/DACHSHUND RACES – 3PM-CENTRAL PARK
• MAPLE LEAF FESTIVAL® PAGEANTS-4PM-CARTHAGE R-9 AUDITORIUM
OCTOBER 13th
• MAPLE LEAF TOUCH A TRUCK-5PM-7PM (QUIET HOUR 5PM-6PM) CARTHAGE HISTORIC SQUARE
• QUILT CRAWL (10/13 – 10/18)- CARTHAGE HISTORIC SQUARE & ARTCENTRAL, 1110 E. 13TH STREET
OCTOBER 14th
• TACO TUESDAY – 5PM-CENTRAL PARK
OCTOBER 15th
• NIGHT OF PRAISE – 6PM CENTRAL PARK, BRING YOUR OWN CHAIR
OCTOBER 16th
• THREE MINUTES OF FAME – 7PM CARTHAGE R-9 AUDITORIUM
OCTOBER 17th
• CARTHAGE ROTARY BRATS ON THE SQUARE-11AM-2PM –
CARTHAGE HISTORIC SQUARE, 4TH & GRANT
• MAPLE LEAF 5K-6PM – FAIR ACRES FAMILY YMCA
• FREE CONCERT ON THE SQUARE FEATURING THE BAND: “MEMBERS ONLY” –
8 PM-CARTHAGE SQUARE, BRING YOUR OWN CHAIR
CHERRY’S BEER GARDEN OPENS AT 7PM
OCTOBER 18th
• 59TH ANNUAL MAPLE LEAF FESTIVAL® PARADE, FOOD VENDORS, ARTS & CRAFTS, & KID ACTIVITIES 9AM-CARTHAGE HISTORIC SQUARE
• MAPLE LEAF CAR SHOW – 8AM – CMR ON GRAND, 1900 GRAND,
• MAPLE LEAF TRACTOR SHOW-8AM – CENTRAL PARK PM-6:30PM
• RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL – 12PM-6:30PM – FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH, 2134 GRAND AVE.
• FREE CONCERT ON THE SQUARE AFTER THE PARADE, FEATURING: THE BAKBEATZ-12:30PM-3:30PM BRING YOUR OWN CHAIR
• TOY CON – 10AM – 5PM, YMCA YOUTH CENTER, 400 S. MAPLE
OCTOBER 19th
• MAPLE LEAF RENAISSANCE PIPE ORGAN WORSHIP SERVICE & FREE MEDIEVAL LUNCH
10:30AM – FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH