The Maple Leaf Festival in Carthage is quickly approaching
CARTHAGE, Mo. — As the leaves begin their annual transformation into a kaleidoscope of crimson and gold, the historic streets of Carthage are gearing up for a splash of whimsy and wonder.
The 59th Annual Maple Leaf Festival, set for October 10–19, promises to whisk visitors away to “A City of Pure Imagination” — a theme drawn from the timeless magic of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Organizers with the Carthage Chamber of Commerce say this year’s celebration will blend small-town charm with fantastical flair, drawing tens of thousands to Southwest Missouri’s crown jewel of fall festivities.
“There is so much to do,” Carthage Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Julie Reams said. “Every single day there’s something to do. … There’s just something fun for everyone. And the majority of the things are free with the exception if you want to enter a contest or something like that. But everything’s free. We have a huge band on Saturday afternoon after the parade that will be playing on the square all day. There’s lots of food vendors. We’re packed with food vendors and arts and crafts all around the square on Saturday.”
What started in 1966 as a modest marching band competition has blossomed into one of the region’s largest events, attracting over 65,000 attendees each year to honor the city’s nickname: America’s Maple Leaf City. There is an expected attendance of more than 80,000 people this year.
The 10-day extravaganza kicks off Friday, October 10, with the adrenaline-pumping Maple Leaf Rodeo at the Carthage Saddle Club Arena, where locals and out-of-towners alike can cheer on riders under the twilight sky. The weekend unfurls with a symphony of savory and spirited events: a Bikes, BBQ & Toy Run motorcycle show and cookoff in Central Park on October 11, complete with live tunes from local favorite Big Smitty; a chili cookoff and the quirky Chicken Pageant the following day; and dachshund races that never fail to steal the show.
Midweek brings a mix of heartwarming and high-energy happenings. On October 15, families can dive into Taco Tuesday specials and guided walking tours of Carthage’s Victorian-era treasures. Thursday’s Night of Praise offers a soul-stirring evening of music and reflection, while Friday, October 17, heats up with the Carthage Rotary Brats on the Square — a midday feast of grilled sausages — followed by the Maple Leaf 5K run at Fair Acres Family YMCA and a free concert featuring the band “Members Only” on the historic square. Don’t forget your lawn chair; Cherry’s Beer Garden opens at 7 p.m. for craft brews and toe-tapping vibes.
But the true crescendo arrives on Saturday, October 18 — the festival’s grand finale and a day etched in local lore. At 9 a.m., the nearly two-mile Maple Leaf Parade rolls out from the Carthage Historic Square, snaking down Grand Avenue to Carthage Junior High School.
“I can’t say enough how many volunteers that we need,” Reams said. “One of our biggest calls that we get all the time—the parade was delayed or there’s gaps, or there’s this. Come and be a parade marshal. Call us and sign up. We’ll have an informational meeting. … We’re not asking to be taken away from your family or anything like that. Stand on a corner, stand in front of your yard, wear an orange vest to your official and carry an orange flag and help us keep the flag going because there’s only three of us in our office and we have a small, very small volunteer group. But if we could just get volunteers that could line the parade route and just help us keep it going, it would just be more effective and efficient.”
For a full schedule and list of events, visit https://carthagechamber.com/maple-leaf/.