NTSD still has plenty to offer

Credit the Hannibal Jaycees and city of Hannibal for working to make lemonade out of potential lemons.
With water filling Nipper Park, where Tanyard Gardens and other food vendors were located last year during National Tom Sawyer Days, the Jaycees were forced to go with Plan B for this year’s event. Driving downtown it’s hard to miss that Plan B entails moving the carnival a couple of blocks further west on Broadway and the placement of Tanyard Gardens in the vacant lot at Main Street and Broadway, which by this time next year will hopefully be the site of a new B&B Theatres building.
While the annual mud volleyball tournament has been postponed until August, the Hannibal Cannibal scaled back and a flood wall that’s been deemed off limits to most foot traffic, there is still much to enjoy during this year’s event.
Steps have been taken by the Jaycees and Hannibal Police Department to further ensure the safety of parade participants and spectators. By prohibiting parking along Broadway prior to and during the parade, the surge of people into the street during the parade should be reduced, which has been a concern of the police, public and Jaycees for several years.
Because the flood wall will not be available for people to watch the July 4 fireworks from, city fathers Tuesday night OK’d a Jaycees’ request to close South Main Street and make it available to spectators during the fireworks. This should provide a wonderful vantage point, especially since the fireworks show will be based atop Lover’s Leap this year.
This year’s National Tom Sawyer Days will definitely have a different look in terms where some amenities are located, but the overall celebration will retain the wholesome family atmosphere which has made it a national icon.