Benefit planned for Marble Hill's Magnolia Park

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- A musical fundraiser to put a stage in Marble Hill's Magnolia Park includes ears of fresh sweet corn for $4 a dozen, ice cream and plenty of free music. The party runs from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday.

Bluegrass, gospel and country bands are booked: Acoustic Crossroads of Poplar Bluff, Mo., at 1:15 p.m.: The Tuckers of Jackson at 2 p.m.; Arlington of Marquand, Mo., at 3:15 p.m.; The Gipsons of Marquand at 4:15 p.m.; Saved by Grace of Advance, Mo., at 5 p.m.; and The Ezells of Grassy, Mo., at 5:45 p.m.

Organizer Jack Watt said the goal is to raise $7,000 to build an entertainment stage for Magnolia Park.

It's a bring-your-own-picnic affair, and Watts said he's hoping the low concession prices encourage people to drop donations in barrels set up at the park.

"I do not believe in pressuring people into giving their money and don't like cranking up a candy bar to $5," he said.

Watt built a model of the proposed stage and plans to launch it Saturday using helium balloons. He's selling $1 tickets for a chance to accurately guess how high the stage, which he said weighs "between 7 and 8 pounds," will rise.

Magnolia Park is in downtown Marble Hill at Main and Magnolia streets on the south side of Crooked Creek. For more information, call 573-238-3053.