For the second year in a row, Community Partnership of the Ozarks and the NAACP of Springfield are hosting a weekend full of Juneteenth activities in Springfield.
This year's festivities kick off Friday, June 14 with the Turnt Up Tour at the Gillioz Theatre. The concert will feature the Ying Yang Twins, Twista and Paul Wall. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the concert starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are available on the Gillioz website, ranging from $25 to $30.
A Juneteenth Community Celebration will be held at the Springfield Expo Center from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 15, followed by a film screening and Q&A hosted by The Milly Project at the Springfield Art Museum at 6 p.m.
Then on Sunday, June 16, Silver Springs Park will host program and projects tours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and a Juneteenth gospel choir celebration will be held at Washington Avenue Baptist Church at 4 p.m. More information about Springfield's Juneteenth activities can be found on the SGF Juneteenth website at sgfjuneteenth.com.
Held this year on June 19, Juneteenth is a national holiday celebrating the day all enslaved people learned of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth became an official national holiday in 2021.
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In addition to Springfield's Juneteenth activities, the News-Leader compiled a list of more than 20 activities worth exploring in the Ozarks this June.
This list of events is not comprehensive for the month of June, as there are countless activities going on around the Ozarks. If you would like your event to be considered for the month of July, email event information to trending topics reporter Greta Cross at gcross@gannett.com by June 15. Events can also be self-listed on the News-Leader's Things to Do webpage year-round atnews-leader.com/things-to-do/events.
Springfield Little Theatre's 'Guys and Dolls'
When: June 1-16
Where: The Landers Theatre at 311 E. Walnut St.
Springfield Little Theatre's final production of the season is "Guys and Dolls," a classic Broadway musical.
Set in 1950s Manhattan, "Guys and Dolls" is an "oddball romantic comedy," following gambler Nathan Detroit, who is determined to set up the largest crabs game in town. All the while, Detroit's long-time girlfriend Adelaide laments that the two have been engaged for 14 years with no marriage in sight. To get the money for both his game and marriage, Detroit turns to fellow gambler Sky Materson. The musical takes audiences through Times Square, Havana, Cuba and into the sewers of New York City.
Tickets are available on the Springfield Little Theatre website.
C-Street Art Market
When: Sunday, June 2 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Commercial Street
More than 40 vendors, artists and street food vendors will be set up for C-Street's Art Market. Businesses along Commercial Street will be participating with specials.
Candlelight Tribute Concerts
When: Thursday, June 6
Where: The Old Glass Place at 521 E. Saint Louis St.
If you've happened to miss one of Candlelight's unique concert experiences, no need to fret. The live, multi-sensory concerts featuring music performed by the Listeso String Quartet is back.
This month, Candlelight is hosting a tribute to The Beatles at June 6 at 6:45 p.m. and a tribute to Beyoncé on June 6 at 9 p.m. Both concerts will feature more than 15 top songs from The Beatles and Beyoncé.
Tickets are available on the fever website, ranging between $36-52.50.
The Great Elixir Mixer
When: Friday, June 7 from 7-10 p.m.
Where: The Old Glass Place at 521 E. St. Louis St.
The Boys & Girls Club of Springfield is hosting its third annual Great Elixir Mixer, a craft co*cktail competition among local bars and restaurants. Attendees will be able to sample different co*cktails, enjoy appetizers and dance to live music provided by 90s cover band The Mixtapes.
Tickets are available on Eventbrite for $50. All proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Springfield.
Missouri State University's Tent Theatre
When: Various dates
Where: John Goodman Amphitheatre at 901 S. National Ave.
Missouri State University's Tent Theatre is kicking off its 62nd season this summer with three productions, the first of which is "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical." The production runs June 6-8 and June 10-15. It follows the life of Carole King, from pitching her first original song to music publisher and producer Donnie Kirshner in 1958 to becoming a chart-topping artist.
Tickets for the musical and Tent Theatre's other two summer productions are available on the Missouri State Tent Theatre website.
More:Here are the 3 shows set for this season of Missouri State's Tent Theatre
Ozarks Pridefest
When: Saturday, June 8
Where: Downtown Springfield
Ozarks Pridefest's theme this year is, "It's Giving: Revolution."
The day-long, rain-or-shine event kicks off at 11:30 a.m. with the annual Pride Parade. The parade will start at the Springfield Municipal Court parking lot on the corner of Chestnut Expressway and Benton Avenue. It will conclude at Park Central Square, where the festivities will start at noon.
Vendors, food and live performances will all be available at Park Central Square. This year's headliner is drag queen Daya Betty, who got her start in Springfield and completed on season 14 of "RuPaul's Drag Race." She will be joined by folk musician Crys Matthews, Missouri Bearded Queen Karmella Uchawi, former Springfield drag queen Lux Kween, '90s tribute band The Mixtapes and Chicago-based drag king Tenderoni.
More:Former Springfield drag queen, RuPaul contestant Daya Betty to headline Ozarks Pridefest
Pickwick Street Fair
When: Saturday, June 8 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Pickwick Street between Cherry Street and Monroe Street
The Pickwick Street Fair is back for its third year, featuring artists, craftsmen, musicians and local food. Businesses in the Rountree neighborhood will also be participating in the fair.
Springfield Nature Center's Introduction to Caving
When: Saturday, June 8 from noon to 5 p.m.
Where: Springfield Conservation Nature Center at 4601 S. Nature Center Way
Springfield Conservation Nature Center Naturalist Sam Grove is leading an afternoon program dedicated to exploring caves. The program will start inside the Springfield Nature Center. Then, folks will carpool to a cave near Springfield. Prior caving experience is not required, but folks should be prepared to climb and crawl.
The Introduction to Caving program is free, but registration is required. To register, visit mdc.mo.gov/SouthwestEvents or call 417-888-4237.
Concerts at The Shoe Tree Listening Room
Where:The Shoe Tree Listening Room at 1342 E. St. Louis St.
- Sunday, June 9 from 7-9:15 p.m.: Minor Gold ($20 admission)
- Sunday, June 23 from 7-9:20 p.m.: Aaron Smith ($20 admission)
Considered the "performance art division" of Arrow Creative Reuse on St. Louis Street, The Shoe Tree Listening Room hosts a variety of concerts and community-oriented events each month. Concert tickets are available on theArrow Creative Reuse website.
More:Shoe Tree Listening Room aims to be 'community place' with local music, pickin' jams
FilmStubs screening of 'Napoleon Dynamite'
When: Wednesday, June 12 at 7 p.m.
Where: Moxie Cinema at 305 S. Campbell Ave. Suite 101
A partnership between Moxie Cinema and the Springfield-Greene County Library, FilmStubs provides free monthly screenings of classic films. June's pick is the 2004 hit, "Napoleon Dynamite." Following the screening, folks are encouraged to stick around and participate in a Q&A about the film.
Fireflies at Farmers Park
When: Thursday, June 13 from 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Where: Farmers Park at 2144 E. Republic Road
The Springfield Conservation Nature Center is hosting an evening dedicated to one of Missouri's most magical insects: fireflies. Firefly crafts, games and resources will be available at the garden area at Farmers Park. Food trucks and live music will also be on-site throughout the evening. This free event is open to all ages. Registration is not required.
Inaugural Frisco Rail Fest
When: Saturday, June 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: C-Street City Market at 321 E. Commercial St.
The Ozarks Model Railroad Association's inaugural Frisco Rail Fest is an ode to the historical railroad. The festival aims to highlight the importance of railroad development in north Springfield, specifically along Commercial Street. The festival will feature several models, steel highway rail cameras and the Railway Historical Museum will have exhibits on display at the City Market. The festival is free and open to all ages.
Cats in Bloom CFA Midwest Spectacular Cat Show
When: June 15-16
Where: University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center at 333 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway
Feline lovers aren't going to want to miss the Cats in Bloom CFA Midwest Spectacular Cat Show. The family-friendly event will feature more than 140 cats of 35-plus breeds. Audience members are able to sit and watch cats be judged or walk around and visit with the cats ahead of judging time. Free cat coloring books and cat ears will be available for early guests both days. Cat-related vendors will also be posted up throughout the weekend show.
At-the-door admission is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and children 5-12 and free for children under four.
Taneycomo Festival Orchestra
When: June 16-28
Where: Fellowship at Cross Creek at 505 Cedar Park Road in Branson
The Taneycomo Festival Orchestra is kicking off its 13th season this summer. The season lineup is as follows:
- Tuesday, June 18 at 11 a.m.: Children's Concert with the Taneyhills Library
- Wednesday, June 19 at 7:30 p.m.: TFO All-Star Soloists
- Friday, June 21 at 7:30 p.m.: Anna Clyne's "The Midnight Hour," Antonin Dvorak's "The Noon Witch Op. 108" and Hector Brelioz's "Symphonie Fantastique"
- Wednesday, June 26 at 7:30 p.m.: Music by Living Composers
- Thursday, June 27 at 7:30 p.m.: Our Favorite Pieces
- Friday, June 28 at 7:30 p.m.: Vasily Kalinnikov's "Tsar Boris Overture," Polina Nazaykinskaya's "The Tales of Sorrow" and Sergei Prokofiev's "Selections from Romeo and Juliet"
All Taneycomo Festival Orchestra performances are free and open to the public.
Riverside Symphony at Finley Farms
When: Wednesday, June 19 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: Finley Farms at 802 Finley Farms Lane in Ozark
During the 417 String Quartet's inaugural concert at Finley Farms, guests can expect to hear classic hits from pop artists like Michael Jackson, Beyoncé, Britney Spears and Taylor Swift. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the concert begins at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are available on the Finley Farms website, starting at $42.
Hot Air Balloon Glow
When: Friday, June 21 from 5-11 p.m.
Where: Finley River Park at 891-961 N. Riverside Road in Ozark
The Children's Smile Center is hosting its 18th annual Hot Air Balloon Glow this summer. Gates for the event open at 5 p.m. and the glow will start between 8-9 p.m., at dusk.
During the glow, folks will be able to witness the hot air balloon inflate and glow for about an hour. All balloons will be tethered to the ground. Rides will not be provided. The event is free and open to all ages.
The Art of Foraging with Ozarks Alive
When: Friday, June 21 at 7 p.m.
Where: The Kindall Store at 3499 State Highway Z in Fordland
Kaitlyn McConnell, founder of Ozarks Alive, an Ozarks preservation project, is hosting several cultural programs at The Kindall Store in Fordland this summer and fall. June's program is The Art of Foraging.
Eating the Ozarks founder Rachael West will lead the program, sharing insight on popular items to forage around the Ozarks in the summer months. If weather permits, participants will go on a short walk with West, looking for items to forage.
The Kindall Store in Fordland first opened in the 1920s. The rural Ozarks store offers made-to-order sandwiches, pastries, old-fashioned goodies and other wares. During the program, food and merchandise will be available for purchase.
Tickets are available on the Ozarks Alive website for $12.50.
Free screening of 'The Little Mermaid'
When: Friday, June 21 at 9 p.m.
Where: Jordan Valley Park at 635 E. Trafficway St.
The Springfield-Greene County Park Board is once again hosting its series of Free Movies in the Park downtown. The summer series kicks off with the live-action remake of "The Little Mermaid" starring Halle Bailey. The screening is free and folks are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for seating. Concessions will be available for purchase.
The Free Movies in the Park series will continue with "Barbie" on Friday, July 19 and "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem" on Friday, Aug. 16.
Taste of SoMo
When: Saturday, June 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Park Central Square
Taste of SoMo is Springfield's annual outdoor food sampling event that showcases an array of different restaurants and food trucks. Patrons are able to vote for their favorite restaurants in the following categories: Best of Fest, Best Entrée, Best Appetizer, Best Dessert and Best Booth. Patrons can purchase 10 Taste Tickets for $10. Each ticket can be used to purchase a sample from one booth.
of Montreal at The Regency Live
When: Thursday, June 27 at 8 p.m.
Where: The Regency Live at 307 Park Central East
Indie pop band of Montreal is performing at The Regency Live toward the end of June. The Athens, Georgia-based band will perform alongside local talent Tele Novella, Grady Philip Drug and The Kabong Band. of Montreal is known for singles like "Gronlandic Edit," "Wraith Pinned to the Mist and Other Games" and "Gallery Piece." Tickets are available on the SprinGood website for $30.
OACAC's Pickleball Tournament
When: Saturday, June 29 at 8 a.m.
Where: Paddlefield Courts at Cherokee Trail of Tears Park at 5434 Tower Drive in Battlefield
The Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation, or OACAC, is hosting a pickleball tournament to raise money for the organization, which aims to create solutions for communities in poverty in southwest Missouri.
Tickets are available on the OACAC website. Tickets are available for teams of two for $60. For more information, call 417-447-0554. The deadline to register is June 23.
Greta Cross is the trending topicsreporter for the SpringfieldNews-Leader. She has more than five years of journalism experience covering everything from Ozarks history to Springfield’s LGBTQIA+ community. Follow her onX and Instagram @gretacrossphoto. Story idea? Email her atgcross@news-leader.com.
