Benton celebrates 50th Neighbor Days Fest this week

Benton, Missouri�s annual three-day Neighbor Days Festival originally debuted in 1925 and is back this week for its official 50-year celebration.

�Actually, this thing started back in the 1920s,� said Jim Wade, president of Benton Chamber of Commerce. �But during World War II, they stopped it, then didn�t start it back up again until 1969.�

The festival begins Thursday at Benton City Park near the Benton Community Building, Wade said, and has become an iconic event drawing a lot of attention.

Wade said the busiest time each day is usually around 7 p.m., �except on Saturday with the mud race.�

�That�s a busy time and draws a big crowd,� he said.

Trucks compete in a mud race Sept. 2 during Benton Neighbor Days in Benton, Missouri.Southeast Missourian file

The mud race � with an expected 25 vehicles � has been a core event for 10 years Wade said.

Admission and parking for the festival is free, Wade said, and Thursday�s special armband promotion allows unlimited amusement park rides for those who wish to �ride all night.�

Wade said there are probably 12 �big rides,� in addition to the children�s rides. And the typical fair food would be supplemented by food stands provided by local churches, he said.

�We have a ride company, PBJ Happee Days Shows, and I�d say they are comparable to that of the SEMO District Fair, as far as the quality of rides,� he said.

Saturday�s festivities kick off with a parade at 10:30 a.m. that �fills up the town,� Wade said, with an estimated attendance of nearly 3,500.

�We have to block Route 61 and Route 77 for that,� Wade said. �The whole parade route is just arm-in-arm.�

Heartland Idol is also scheduled for Saturday, as well as a cornhole tournament and various children�s games, he said.

Bands for the three-day event will be White Water Bluegrass on Thursday and Keith Morrison Band on Friday and Saturday, he said.

�Benton is a small town, but we get about three times the population that weekend,� Wade said. �It�s kind of like a big reunion.�

For first timers, Wade emphasized attendance prizes people can win by signing up at the festival�s chamber of commerce booth. Winners are drawn every 10 minutes, Wade said, with prizes donated by area businesses.

Other events for the festival include Tiny Mr. and Miss Neighbor Day Pageant, Little Mr. and Miss Neighbor Day Pageant and Junior Miss Neighbor Day Pageant.

A winner would be selected for the best picture from the restarted Benton Neighbor Day in 1969, receiving a $100 cash prize, Wade said.

�It�s a community thing; just friendly people getting together,� Wade said.

jhartwig@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3632

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Benton Neighbor Days Festival schedule

Day 1 | Thursday: Armband Night -- $15

• 5 p.m. -- midway opens and registration begins for prizes at the chamber of commerce booth
• 6 to 8 p.m. -- final registration for photo and 4-H exhibits at the Chamber of Commerce Building.

Day 2 | Friday

• 5 p.m. -- midway opens and registration begins for prizes at the chamber of commerce booth
• 5 to 6 p.m. -- last chance to submit photo and 4-H exhibits at the Chamber of Commerce Building
• 6 p.m. -- Tiny Mr. and Miss Neighbor Day Pageant, Little Mr. and Miss Neighbor Day Pageant and Junior Miss Neighbor Day Pageant
• 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. -- view photo and 4-H exhibits at the Chamber of Commerce Building and vote for the Neighbor's Choice award
• 7 p.m. -- greased-pole climb near the chamber of commerce booth
• 8:15 p.m. -- Miss Neighbor Day Pageant on the Midway Stage
• 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. -- live entertainment by Keith Morrison near the beer stand

Day 3 | Saturday

• 10:30 a.m. -- parade
• 11 a.m. -- midway opens and registration begins for prizes at the chamber of commerce booth
• 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. -- view photo and 4-H exhibits at the Chamber of Commerce Building and vote for the Neighbor's Choice award
• Noon -- registration for mud races behind the old high school
• Noon to 5 p.m. -- registration for the cornhole tournament at the chamber of commerce booth
• 2 p.m. -- mud races behind the old high school
• 3 p.m. -- free games: nail driving, water-balloon toss and egg toss near the chamber of commerce booth
• 6 p.m. -- Heartland Idol at the midway stage and cornhole tournament (double elimination) on the ballfield
• 7 p.m. -- greased-pole climb near the chamber of commerce booth
• 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. -- live entertainment by Keith Morrison near the beer stand