Community Calendar

The 5th Annual Celebrate Springfield Event returns on Sunday, October 4th at Hammons Field! Join friends, neighbors, and visitors for a FREE, community-wide celebration honoring everything we love about Springfield.

This family-friendly event will feature live music, interactive activities for all ages, local food trucks, and fun surprises throughout the day. It’s the perfect chance to connect with the community, enjoy great entertainment, and experience some of the best things our city has to offer.

Learn more about the event:
https://celebratesgf.com/events/2026celebration/

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You can also visit https://celebratesgf.com/ to discover more fun things happening around Springfield all year long. 🎉

Get ready for an amazing experience full of passion and creativity in the form of uncensored, original poetry.

Doors open @ 6:00; show starts around 6:30. Sign up sheet is pulled at 6:30 pm, so arrive before 6 to sign up! Show is capped at 12 performers.
$7 entry fee for audience;
$5 entrance fee for performers and judges.

$50 cash prize for first place winner!
$20 cash prize for second place winner!
18+ only.

Attendees will have the opportunity to compete, to judge, or to just relax and listen.

Randy will share stories ranging from his poor childhood near Eldorado Springs, to his journeys on the road, and all over the country. Going so far as from Canada to the stage of the venerated Grand Ole Opry. And, along the way, tales of getting to work with many of the old Country artists who were his heroes when he was a child. Heroes like: Mel Tillis, Ray Price, Roy Clark, Porter Wagoner, and others.

Rachael West, owner and founder of Eating the Ozarks, explores how to forage responsibly and confidently throughout the year by focusing on seasonal cycles and the edible plants that emerge in each season. Learn to identify common, safe-to-harvest wild foods such as greens, berries, roots, and flowers, while gaining an understanding of plant life cycles, habitats, and ethical harvesting practices. West will also discuss ways to incorporate wild foods into everyday meals and build a deeper relationship with the land through observation and seasonal awareness. This presentation is perfect for beginners and those looking to deepen their connection to place. West is the owner, lead instructor, and founder of Eating the Ozarks, which offers foraging classes, wild-infused meals, and special event catering in southwest Missouri. Ages 12 and up. Registration required. Register online at mdc.mo.gov/SouthwestEvents or call 417-888-4237 for more information.

This Iranian thriller, shot in secret, is set during the Woman Life Freedom uprising in 2022, a protest sparked by the death of a young woman, Mahsa Jina Amini, after her arrest by the morality police for "improper" hijab. Thousands since have been arrested and killed in the streets, yet young Iranians continue to struggle for the right to live a 'normal' life. This intense film is set in the early waves of the protest.

This Meet 'n Greet with the White River Group of the Sierra Club is a great opportunity to learn about the organization and what we do in and around Springfield.

-Admission to the History Museum on the Square

-Conversations and Questions about Life in Springfield in 1876 with John Sellars, Executive Director Emeritus of the History Museum on the Square

-A video tour of Maple Park with Larry Ollis and Jeff Houghton (Living Displays of Life in 1876 portrayed by actors from D.O.T.S. — Devising Original Theatre Springfield)

-Drinks and hors d'oeuvres

The first 25 guests to make an additional gift of $100 will receive a thank you gift: To Die For: A Cookbook of Gravestone Recipes by Rosie Grant is an inspiring collection of recipes preserved on gravestones, celebrating the fascinating interviews from the families, celebrating the beloved food legacies of their dearly departed.

The Springfield Art Museum, in partnership with the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, is excited to host monthly Fassnight Creek Cleanups. These volunteer-driven efforts play a vital role in maintaining the health and beauty of the creek while fostering community engagement in conservation efforts.

Volunteer Clean-Ups are held the second Saturday of each month from March through October, weather permitting. Volunteers should wear clothes and shoes they don't mind getting dirty, and bring sunscreen, bug spray, water, and a hat if desired. This is a family friendly opportunity, but children under 16 years old should be accompanied by a caregiver.

Learn more and preregister at https://sgfmuseum.org/291/Fassnight-Creek

Having a baby can be a fun and exciting time, and yet for many moms and dads, it can also be a stressful experience. Jordan Valley Health is dedicated to supporting mothers and families in our community by ensuring they have access to the healthcare they need to have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

To invite more families to learn about what we do and how we support a new addition to the family, Jordan Valley Health is proud to host our second annual Baby Steps, Prep for Parenthood, a free community baby shower event designed to celebrate and empower moms-to-be.

Attendees will enjoy expert advice on prenatal care, fun games and giveaways, and essential baby items, ensuring that each mother leaves feeling supported and prepared for the arrival of her little one.

Joplin Chapter of the NAACP's Annual Freedom Fund Banquet fundraiser. This year's banquet will be a Jazz Brunch style affair. Theme will be"Moving Forward Together w/ Courage & Strength, the fight continues." We will have guest speakers and also after banquet affair(s) for the fellas and the ladies