Community Calendar

The Springfield-Greene County Park Board will host Harvest Fest on weekends throughout October at Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park with hayrides, cow train, inflatables, horse rides, a corn maze, pumpkin patch, and more.

Admission is free, but most activities have a small fee. Parks concessions will be available.

Springfield Sister Cities Association's Gigs in the Garden concert series returns this year with performances at 2:00 pm Sundays through October at the Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park.

October 5: Johnnie Angelia King and the Blues Connection
October 12: Queen City Chorale
October 19: The Henderson Kids
October 26: Isaac Walker

Bring blankets or lawn chairs. In case of rain, the concerts will be moved into the Botanical Center.

Book by Thomas Meehan & Mark O’Donnell
Music by Marc Shaiman
Lyrics by Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman
Based on the New Line Cinema film, written and directed by John Waters

Presented by Mosaic Arts Collective

Welcome to the ’60s—where the hair is high and the stakes are even higher!

Winner of eight Tony Awards including Best Musical, Hairspray is a vibrant, feel-good celebration of individuality, love, and standing up for what’s right—set to an irresistible soundtrack of 1960s-style pop and soul.

It’s 1962 in Baltimore, and plus-size teen Tracy Turnblad dreams of dancing on The Corny Collins Show. When she finally makes it on air, Tracy becomes an overnight sensation—and uses her new fame to fight for integration, challenge the status quo, and bring people together through rhythm and rebellion.

Big hair, big dreams, and even bigger heart—Hairspray is a joyous musical comedy that will have you dancing in your seat.

Citizens Memorial Hospice will offer an eight-week bereavement support group series beginning Tuesday, September 16, at 10 am. 

The support group is open to anyone grieving the loss of a loved one and is free to attend. Sessions will be held in CMH Community Room 2 at Grand Missouri Bank, 1630 S Killingsworth Ave, in Bolivar.

The support group is designed to educate participants about grief and loss, help them develop coping and adapting skills, and provide emotional support.

The sessions will be led by CMH Hospice chaplains Austin McCrickard and Dustin Preston, along with counselors Terry Warren, LMSW; Angel Townsend, MSW; Kimberly Lannan, MSW; and hospice coordinator Connie Duryee.

Topics will include understanding the grief experience, managing complex emotions, coping with changes, preparing for holidays and special occasions, and finding meaning after loss.

Registration is required. For more information or to register, contact Duryee at 417-326-3585

Adults are invited to attend Internet Basics from 10 a.m.-noon on Tuesday, Oct. 14, in the Midtown Carnegie Branch Library Computer Training Center, 397 E. Central St.

Learn how to navigate the internet using your browser's menus and toolbars. Access websites by typing in a web address or using search engines. Learn how to change your home page, add a website to your favorites and create secure passwords.

For more information on this free program call 417-837-5011.

The Ozarks Genealogical Society will meet October 15 at the Library Center for a presentation on researching deed records.

Often overlooked, land records are a rich source of genealogical and biographical information. Patti Hobbs will show examples and explain how to access the records.

Patti will present in person. Attendance Options: In person at the Library Center, 4653 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield, MO or Zoom for OGS members. Members will receive a Zoom link by email or find the link at ozarksgs.org>programs. Members must login for access.

empower: abilities will host White Cane Awareness Day, a visual impairment advocacy walk and education day, October 15.

The event will promote safety, celebrate accessibility, and support the visually impaired community.

Adults are invited to attend Travelogue at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16, at the Schweitzer Brentwood Branch Library, 2214 Brentwood Blvd.

Library staff member Vickie Hicks will share highlights from her recent trip to the Grand Tetons and Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Also included was a side trip to Bannack, Montana, a ghost town and the site of the state's first major gold discovery, offering a taste of the Old West amid beautiful mountain scenery.

For more information on this free program call 417-883-1974.

Adults are invited to attend Spooky Treasures: A Look at Vintage Horror Memorabilia at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16, in the Library Station Frisco Room, 2535 N. Kansas Expressway.

From film posters to rare collectibles, collector Joe Morton explores vintage horror movie memorabilia, sharing highlights from his personal collection and the stories behind the spooky treasures.

Registration is underway for adults to attend Phone Apps for Astronomy from 7-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16, at the Schweitzer Brentwood Branch Library, 2214 Brentwood Blvd.

Join the Springfield Astronomical Society to explore phone apps for observing the night sky. We'll cast phones to the screen to show point-and-see, moon maps, moon phases, satellite passages, planets and more. Download the free Star Walk 2 app for a head start. Weather permitting, we'll go outside for hands-on practice.

For more information on this free program, or to register, call 417-616-0706.