Benton to host annual Neighbor Days festival Friday, Saturday

BENTON, Mo. -- For decades, Labor Day weekend has marked a time to meet new friends and reunite with old ones for Benton residents and those with connections to the small town.

This year is no exception as the annual Benton Neighbor Days will be celebrated Friday and Saturday.

"There's something fun for everyone there," said Barry Urhahn, chairman of the weekend's event, sponsored by the Benton Chamber of Commerce.

Several activities are planned for the two-day festival, which kicks off at 5 p.m. Friday. Rides and carnival games are offered both nights.

Neighbor Day royalty will be crowned on Friday. There are four pageants, which begin at 6:30 p.m. on the stage.

Also on Friday the band Nite Shift will play beginning at 9 p.m.

The midway opens at 10 a.m. Saturday and a parade that winds through the Benton streets begins at 10:30 a.m.

The parade has grown quite a bit over the last few years, Urhahn said.

"The parade starts at the ball diamond and travels up to the street beside the post office," Urhahn said. "When the parade gets to the post office, instead of going straight to the courthouse and bank, we're going to go down (U.S.) 61 to the main intersection, turn left and travel toward the (Scott County) jail," Urhahn said.

For those who want to line up along the streets where the parade begins, Urhahn recommended arriving about 30 minutes before it starts. However, there will be plenty of spots along the entire parade route, he said.

Once the parade begins, Urhahn said, U.S. 61 will be blocked off at the south end of town and at the town's main intersection.

Friday night's queen contestants will ride in the parade while other groups, such as the local Red Hat Society and Girl Scouts, plan to enter floats in the parade, Urhahn said. Prizes are awarded for the top three floats picked by judges.

Another favorite of festival attendees is viewing the home extension and agriculture exhibits, including 4-H exhibits. The public is allowed to view the exhibits, which are often craft- and agriculture-related, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday in the old Benton High School building.

Many other activities are offered Saturday, Urhahn said.

Registration for a family scavenger hunt begins at 11 a.m. Last year was the first for the hunt, which was enjoyed by several families, Urhahn said.

Games such as a water balloon toss, egg toss, tug of war and nail driving begin at 1 p.m.

Horseshoe and volleyball tournaments also begin at 1 p.m. A mud race near the old Benton High School building will begin at 2 p.m. Registration for the mud race and volleyball tournament starts at noon.

That night, the greased-pole climbing contest will be at 6 p.m. on the fairgrounds. There will also be a talent show at 6:30 p.m.

Returning after a hiatus from last year's festival are the lawn mower races set for 8:30 p.m. Saturday on the lower ball field.

The band Slight Return will perform from 9 p.m. to midnight.

Throughout the weekend, attendees can purchase 50/50 tickets and register for attendance prizes at the chamber of commerce stand, Urhahn said.

In addition to the entertainment on both days, visitors also enjoy the good food available, Urhahn said.

The Catholic church stand is known for its barbecue sandwiches while the fish sandwiches are at the Methodist church stand. The American Legion Auxiliary sells funnel cakes and candy bars dipped and fried in the funnel cake batter. This year the Kelly FFA Chapter will sell curly fried potatoes, Urhahn said.

Neighbor Days was started by the Scott County Farm Bureau in 1925, according to the festival's 2011 program book. The purpose was to bring the people of Scott County together for a closer understanding of the work being done by the Farm Bureau and getting better acquainted with neighbors.

The tradition of being neighborly continues to this day.

"At different times through the night, we'll have 'Howdy Neighbor,'" Urhahn said.

This is where the chamber picks someone from the crowd and gives them a special ticket, Urhahn said. When someone tells the designated person with the special ticket, "Howdy, neighbor" and shakes their hand, that person will win $5.

"It's just a little game we do. When the chamber announces someone in the crowd has the special ticket, the kids get excited and say 'Howdy, neighbor' to everyone they see," Urhahn laughed.

Old friends and classmates also use the weekend for reuniting with each other, Urhahn said.

"You see people you may only see once a year -- and it's because they come home specifically for that," Urhahn said.

Meanwhile, Urhahn said he's anticipating a beautiful weekend in Benton.

Pertinent address:

Benton, MO