The granddaddy of all Fourth of July events takes place in America’s Hometown this weekend.
But there are a few changes, so don’t set off those firecrackers just yet.
The 54th annual National Tom Sawyer Days sponsored by the Hannibal Jaycees is July 1 to 5.
Some of the events, such as the Hannibal Cannibal and mud volleyball, are remaining downtown.
But many of the activities, including the fence-painting contest and frog jumping, will be along Warren Barrett Drive between Fourth and Sixth streets.
Here is a complete schedule for Tom Sawyer Days, followed by some of the other celebrations going on around the area:
Saturday:
6 a.m.: Hannibal Cannibal Pre-registration, Tom and Huck Statue, corner of Main and North streets.
7 a.m.: Mud Volleyball, Hill and Front streets.
7 a.m.: Hannibal Cannibal, Tom and Huck Statue.
9 a.m.: Children’s Fun Run, Tom and Huck Statue.
9 a.m.: “American Dreams” Parade Registration, Save A Lot Parking Lot, Grand and Broadway.
9 a.m.: Horseshoe Tournament Qualifying, Ringer Park, South Main and Warren Barrett Drive.
10 a.m.: “American Dreams” Parade, Broadway.
10 a.m.: Arts & Crafts, Central Park, until 6 p.m.
10 a.m.: Jones & Company Carnival opens, Fourth and Warren Barrett Drive. Armband hours are 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Noon: Tanyard Gardens Beer Tent opens, Sixth and Warren Barrett Drive.
Noon: Tom & Becky Contest Winners Announcement, Central Park.
12:30 p.m.: Tom & Becky Relay Registration, Tanyard Gardens.
1 p.m.: Tom & Becky Relay, Tanyard Gardens.
1:30 p.m.: Mighty “Miss” Raft Race Registration, Tanyard Gardens.
2 p.m.: Mighty “Miss” Raft Race, Tanyard Gardens.
2:30 p.m.: Back Seat Driver Contest Registration, Tanyard Gardens.
3 p.m.: Back Seat Driver Contest, Tanyard Gardens.
4:30 p.m.: National Fence Painting Contest Registration, Tanyard Gardens.
5 p.m.: National Fence Painting Contest, Tanyard Gardens.
8 p.m.: Tanyard Gardens Beer Tent, live entertainment by “Predawn Hour.” $3 cover, closes at 12:30 a.m.
Dusk: Fireworks on the riverfront.
Sunday:
7 a.m.: Mud Volleyball, Hill and Front streets.
10 a.m.: Arts & Crafts, Central Park, until 4 p.m.
11 a.m.: Horseshoe Tournament, Ringer Park, South Main and Warren Barrett Drive.
4 p.m.: Raffle Drawing for Ford Mustang, Kawasaki Mule or $15,000 Cash, Central Park.
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You’ll likely not find a celebration that’s been going on longer than the one in St. Patrick.
This is the 142nd year for the tiny community’s Independence Day festivities.
Father Paul Hartley will begin the day’s events by celebrating Mass at 10 a.m. in the magnificent Shrine of St Patrick Catholic church.
A chicken dinner will be served from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Shrine Hall.
There will be Shrine of St Patrick souvenirs, a country store, concession stand, Amish stands, vendors and games. The always-popular greased pig contest is at 2 p.m.
The Daughters of Isabella will have a drawing for a quilt at 3 p.m.
If you’d like to know more, visit www.mayo-ireland.ie.
Mark Twain Lake
The Mark Twain Lake Rodeo continues through July 5.
Rodeo event begin at 8 nightly at the Warren G. See South Spillway just below Clarence Cannon Dam on Route J south of Monroe City.
Fireworks will follow the rodeo on Saturday.
Advance tickets are $10 each and $12 at the door. Children six and under get in free.
For more information, log on to www.marktwainlakerodeo.org.
Monroe City
“Fourth of July Blast From the Past” is the theme of this year’s Independence Day parade in Monroe City.
The parade is at 10 a.m. Saturday. The theme is geared toward a 1950s theme.
After the parade, a baby contest will be held at North Park. Food vendors will be available.
Shelbina
The Chamber of Commerce pulls out all of the holiday favorites Saturday at Shelbina Lake.
The day starts with the fishing derby at 10 a.m., with the canoe races at 11.
A firefighter water barrel fight is at 2 p.m. and a dance performance is at 3:30.
Food will be available all day and fireworks will light up the sky at dusk.
Louisiana
Louisiana wraps up three days of fun Saturday.
Featured activities include a baby contest at 2 p.m., a deejay at 6 p.m. and fireworks at dusk.
Plus, there’ll be plenty of food and games,
Winfield
If you missed Friday’s fireworks, you’ll have another shot Saturday.
A flea market begins at 7 a.m. and other activities are from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday.
Treat your family to carnival rides, food, games, kids’ contests and softball tournaments.
Justin Gage of the Tennessee Titans and retired Cardinals third baseman Ken “The Zamboni Machine” Reitz are scheduled to make appearances.
Troy
What could be better than the Rotary Club Fourth?
The service group puts in all together for an evening of fun.
Gates open at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds off of Highway 47.
Fireworks will be set off around 9 p.m.
Quincy
The Riverfront Fourth has it all.
The Quincy Park Band will perform all of your favorite patriotic hits and there’ll be lots of food and fun.
The event takes place at Clat Adams Park along Front Street between the bridges.
Oh, and don’t forget the fireworks.
