Perryville mud festival aimed at keeping Mo. clean

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Local residents will have the chance to learn about keeping Missouri clean while getting dirty at the third annual "Let's Keep it Clean" Mud Festival.

The event, which is organized by Image Maker Marketing of Farmington, Mo., will take place July 14 at Perryville City Park. The goal of the festival is to promote recycling and discourage roadside littering.

"It is a community event to bring awareness to people throwing trash out their windows," creative director Tom Smugala said. "Missouri is so beautiful it makes me ill looking at trash out the windows."

Perryville city administrator Brent Buerck said there is a focus on recycling in Perryville, which went along with the mission of the event.

"One fit nicely with the other," Buerck said.

The festival begins at 9 a.m. and will last for five hours. Activities will include mud volleyball for ages 16 and up, an adult obstacle course, a children's course, a mud pie contest and a mud fashion show.

"It just makes sense to get a bunch of people muddy to keep the state clean," Smugala said.

The first festival was held in Farmington, and Smugala said they had about 800 children in the obstacle course that year. The second year the event was held in Desloge, Mo., and attracted about 1,400 attendees. This year, the event will take place in Perryville, and Smugala hopes to get 2,000 people to attend.

"There are not very many opportunities where families get to do something at no cost," Buerck said. "It looks like it's going to be a fun family event for our community."

Everyone is required to have a permission slip to enter the event. They are available at 573mag.com or will be available at the event for 25 cents per participant. Those in attendance are also asked to wear lace-up shoes.

According to Smugala, the event is not money-driven. Participation in the event is free, and all funds given by sponsors go toward organizing the event.

"We want to make sure this doesn't turn into an event where we are making money," he said.

Image Maker Marketing partners with the local community to organize the event. For the most part, the festival is run by volunteers.

"We collect up a bunch of volunteers and it becomes a community event," he said. "A lot of people show up for the day."

According to Buerck, state Sen. Kevin Engler and his wife have signed on as sponsors and plan to participate in the volleyball tournament.

Buerck also said Desloge city manager Greg Camp got married in the mud pit at last year's festival.

"It is neat that these public officials come out and play," Buerck said.

There will be a few vendors present selling items such as food. Those interested in becoming a vendor may submit an application online. Food vendors must have proof of insurance.

For more information or to become a sponsor or vendor, visit 573mag.com or call 573-756-9933.

ajones@semissourian.com

388-3654

Pertinent address:

City Park. Perryville, MO