Chamber Communications
2011 Champ Clark Heritage Festival and
Missouri State Show-Me Chili Cookoff Held
Sept 14, 2011...The Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce had a successful weekend, giving people plenty to do between the Carson and Barnes Circus, Heritage Festival and Missouri State Chili Cookoff.
Friday night, crowds came out to see the big top circus event. The circus started to set up early Friday morning and by 4:30 pm the first show started. Another show followed at 7:30 pm.
On Saturday, the Heritage Festival started off with a free breakfast offered by the First United Methodist Church from 7-9 a.m. An opening ceremony took place at 9 a.m. at the War Memorial on the Pike County Courthouse lawn with a flag-raising and welcome address by Chamber President Tom Thompson and Mayor Chad Perkins. Also at 9 a.m., the Twin Pike Family YMCA will hold their annual 5K Run.
Every year Community State Bank is host to the Pike/Lincoln Quilt Guild’s Heritage Quilt Show from 9 a.m. until noon. At 9:30 a.m., the festival parade lined up at Bowling Green High School. The theme of this year’s parade was “Celebrating Our Patriotism” and the Grand Marshal was Terry Fuerst. Fuerst is a lifelong resident of Bowling Green, graduating from Bowling Green High School in 1985. He is a first responder and volunteer firefighter. He also volunteers with 4-H and Girl Scouts.
The Show-Me Missouri Chili Cookoff was open to the public at 11 a.m. The event took place on East Main Street just off the square. The Stunning Cunning Band, straight from Beale Street in Memphis, Tenn., started their perfomance at 2 pm. The event concludes at 6 p.m.
A great variety of craft and food vendors, including many civic organizations, were open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The baby show, sponsored by MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers, was on the main stage at 11 a.m. followed by the Little Mr. Champ Clark and Little Miss Betsy from Pike contest. Alyssa Massman, daughter of Ron and Tara Massman, was crowned Little Miss Betsy from Pike and Cameron Michael Price, son of Casey and Keri Price was named as Little Mr. Champ Clark.
Antique quilts were on display throughout the day at the Champ Clark House, also known as Honeyshuck.
The car and truck show, sponsored by the Bowling Green Lions Club, always draws a large crowd. Vintage tractors, stationary motors and other items will also be on display.
A bouncy house and pedal tractor pull was held for the children.
The Heritage Festival is sponsored by the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce with the assistance of the Bowling Green Convention & Visitors Bureau and several local businesses.