KEARNEY — Registrations for events in the annual Jesse James Festival in Kearney are open. The annual festival will take place this year Sept. 14 and 20 through 22.
For a full rundown of all this year’s fun, be sure to get your copy of the Sept. 12 Courier-Tribune as it includes a special guide to the festival. The guide will also be available online at MyCourierTribune.
com/special_sections/festival_guides . Parade Entries for the festival parade are being accepted through Saturday, Aug. 31.
“There is a patriotic theme for the parade to commemorate 53 years strong in Kearney so let your imagination go wild and creative,” states the event’s webpage. Categories judged include floats, nonmotorized, motorized, equestrian and crowd pleaser. “Categories with winners in first- through third-places will be rewarded with ribbons or plaques with the ultimate prize being given with the traveling trophy for the year,” states the site.
“The contestant that best represents the 2024 patriotic theme will be rewarded with this trophy for the year.” The parade, which snakes its way through downtown Kearney, will start at 10 a.m.
Saturday, Sept. 21. Learn how to register at jessejamesfestival.
com/events/parade . Bill James Classic Runners who seek to participate in the Bill James Classic 5/10K races can register online at jessejamesfestival.com/events/5k-10k .
The races will start at 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept.
14, in Jesse James Park, 3001 N. Missouri Highway 33. Fees are discounted for early registrations complete by midnight Tuesday, Sept.
5. Those who register before Wednesday, Aug 28 receive a T-shirt. Awards will be given to top male and female finishers and in age categories.
Those with strollers and walkers are welcome. For more details, email [email protected] .
Arts & Crafts Alley Those who wish to be vendors in Arts & Crafts Alley during the second weekend of the festival can register up to Sunday, Sept. 15. Hours for booths during the festival will be 11 a.
m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 21 and 11 a.m.
to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept.
22, in the park. Vendors must be present both days. Learn more and find registration forms at jessejamesfestival.
com/events/craft-fair . BBQ contest The 36th Annual Jesse James Barbeque Cook-Out, also the 34th Annual Show-Me State Championship, will be held during the festival Friday and Saturday, Sept. 20 and 21, with check in time open 8 a.
m. to 7 p.m.
Friday. “The contest will again be sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society and their judging procedures will be used,” states the festival site. “.
.. The four basic categories are: beef brisket, pork ribs, chicken and pork shoulder/Boston butt.
The two ancillary categories are pork chops from a top loin, and new for this year, tenderloin. A top loin of approximately 4 pounds. and a 2-pound tenderloin will be provided by Red Top Farms at the cooks meeting.
Judging will begin at noon Saturday, Sept. 21.” Only the four basic categories will count toward reserve and grand champion.
Thousands of dollars in prize money will be awarded. Learn more and register at jessejamesfestival.com/events/bbq .
Little Mr. and Miss Tots and their families wanting to compete in the Little Mr. and Miss contest on Sept.
21 can sign up through Saturday, Sept. 14. Registration forms and related instructions are online at jessejamesfestival.
com/events/little-miss-mr . Age ranges are 1 to 2, 3 to 4 and 5 to 7. First and second place in each gender and age range will be awarded.
All entrants get something for competing. The contest will take place at 8:15 a.m.
Saturday, Sept. 21, at Kearney Feed Store, located in downtown Kearney off Washington Street. “All entrants are encouraged and welcome to ride our parade trailer after contest commences.
Our parade trailer needs everyone ready to ride by 9:45 a.m.,” states the event webpage.
Mud volleyball For the mud volleyball tournament of Jesse James Festival, co-ed teams can register up to Sept. 14. Games will be held at 1 p.
m. Saturday, Sept. 21, in Jesse James Park.
“Captains are responsible for turning in the entire team’s registration forms, fees and waivers,” states the event webpage. “Forms are available online and at Kearney Trust Co.” Teams must have a minimum of six players and a maximum of nine.
There must be at least two men and two women on each team. Learn more and find registration forms at jessejamesfestival.com/events/volleyball .
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