Here are 20 activities to explore in the Ozarks in August, including the Route 66 Festival
The Birthplace of Route 66 Festival is keeping it classic, celebrating 11 years of honoring the Mother Road this August.
This year's Route 66 Festival is Thursday, Aug. 10 through Saturday, Aug. 12 with live music stages, car and motorcycle shows, and vendors scattered throughout downtown Springfield. The family-friendly festival is free.
New to this year's festival is the addition of the Great Route 66 Talent Competition, which will begin with singers, songwriters and dancers submitting audition videos prior to the three-day festival. Submitted videos will be submitted on the KY3 website for community voting and the top 20 contestants will perform live, in front of a panel of judges, at the festival.
The Kansas City Chiefs Champion Tour and the Lombardi Trophy will also be joining the festival on Friday, Aug. 11 between 4-6 p.m. at the Springfield Expo Center. Fans will have the opportunity to take photos with the trophy and mascot KC Wolf.
More: Listen up Chiefs fans: Lombardi Trophy is coming to Springfield to join Route 66 festival
Concerts kick off on Friday, Aug. 11 in Motorcycle Village, located along Jefferson Avenue between Trafficway Street and McDaniel Street. Friday night's headliners are Machine Gun Symphony and Sixwire. Nathan Bryce and the Loaded Dice, Red Light Runner, Damsel, Dirty Saint and Sixwire will take the stage on Saturday, Aug. 12.
The Birthplace of Route 66 Festival was founded 13 years ago as a grassroots effort to honor the history of Route 66 in Springfield. What started at the intersection of College Street and Grant Avenue in the West Central Neighborhood has grown to encompass all of downtown. The festival is the largest of its kind in the state.
In addition to the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival, the News-Leader compiled a list of 20 activities throughout the Ozarks in the month of August.
Ozark Empire Fair
When: July 27-Aug. 5
Where: Ozark Empire Fairgrounds at 3001 N. Grant Ave.
The 87th annual Ozark Empire Fair concludes this week. Colt Ford with Stoney LaRue headlines the KY3 Grandstand on Tuesday and the Hardee's Bull Riding Nationals will be held Aug. 4-5.
Fair admission is $15 for attendees 12 and up and $5 for children six through 11, during the fair. Parking passes are available for $5. The fair is open 11 a.m. to close Tuesday-Saturday.
Euphoria Hot Glow
When: Tuesday, Aug. 1 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Wellness Collective Studios at 401 W. McDaniel St.
Wellness Collective Studio is hosting a Euphoria-themed, black light yoga session. Participants are encouraged to wear neon and glow sticks will be provided. Tickets are available for $10 online at bit.ly/3Yc8ers.
Springfield native Lillian Stone's book tour at Pagination Bookshop
When: Friday, Aug. 4 at 6 p.m.
Where: Pagination Bookshop at 1150 E. Walnut St.
Springfield native Lillian Stone is returning to her hometown to discuss her new book, "Everybody's Favorite: Tales from the World's Worst Perfectionist" at Pagination Bookshop. The comedy book chronicles Stone's experiences growing up in the Ozarks, stepping away from the evangelical church and learning to manage her obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Stone will be discussing her book alongside Springfield author Nicole Chilton, who recently released her own book, "How Dreams Speak: An Interactive Journey into Your Subconscious." The two will discuss creativity, the publication process and answer questions from those in attendance.
More: Lillian Stone puts away her glitter gel pens and talks pursuit of perfection in first book
Springfield Little Theatre's 'Disney's Newsies, Jr.'
When: Aug. 4-5
Where: The Landers Theatre at 311 E. Walnut St.
Springfield Little Theatre's Education Department presents "Disney's Newsies, Jr." this summer. The production tells the story of newsboy Jack Kelly raising a strike against newspaper publishers in New York City. The production's runtime is one hour.
Tickets for Springfield Little Theatre's "Disney's Newsies, Jr." are available online at bit.ly/3QkmKLV. Shows run at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. both days.
Beehive workshops at Finley Farms
When: Aug. 6, 13 and 20
Where: Finley Farms at 802 Finley Farms Lane in Ozark
Finley Farms beekeeper Hannah is hosting multiple beekeeping workshops throughout the month of August. On Aug. 6 and 20, Hannah will be leading beehive checks, introducing participants to the different parts of the hive, how to handle hive frames and the different stages of bee development. Participants are encouraged to wear light-colored clothing. Beekeeper jackets and veils will be provided.
During the All About Bees workshop on Aug. 13, participants will also have the opportunity to look at the farm's active hive but will focus more on learning about the bee life cycle and how honey is made in a classroom setting.
Beehive checks are $35 per participant and the beehive workshop is $20 per participant. Tickets are available online at finleyfarmsmo.com/happenings/.
Free screening of 'Brick' at Moxie Cinema
When: Wednesday, Aug. 9 at 7 p.m.
Where: Moxie Cinema at 305 S. Campbell Ave. Suite 101
In partnership with the Friends of the Library, Moxie Cinema is hosting a free screening of the 2005 film "Brick." Directed by Rian Johnson, "Brick" tells the story of a teenage loner getting into a high school crime ring to investigate the disappearance of his ex-girlfriend. Following the screening, guests can hang around for a discussion about the film.
History Museum on the Square opens Route 66 exhibit
When: Aug. 9-Nov. 5
Where: History Museum on the Square at 154 Park Central Square
The History Museum on the Square opens "Service With a Smile: Rte. 66 Service Stations, Fueling America's Automotive Culture" on Aug. 9. The exhibition will share the history of service stations along Route 66. Visitors will have the chance to learn about who in Springfield kept cars running and how service stations served as communal hubs. "Service With a Smile" will feature interactive displays, original, archival documents and photographs. The exhibition is the museum's second of five total Route 66 exhibits in preparation for the Mother Road's 100th anniversary in 2026.
The History Museum on the Square is open Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m. Admission is $16 for adults, $13 for seniors, military and students, $10 for children ages four through 12 and free for children under the age of three.
162nd Battle Anniversary at Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
When: Thursday, Aug. 10 at 10 a.m.
Where: Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Visitors Center at 6424 W. Farm Road 182 in Republic
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield is hosting its 162nd battle anniversary with guests speakers and interactive events for the family to learn about the events of the battle and impact on the soldiers and families. Several tours will be held throughout the park for folks to learn about war from both civilian and soldier perspectives. The anniversary activities are free.
Isabel's House THE Summer Party
When: Saturday, Aug. 12 from 6-10 p.m.
Where: Finley Farms at 802 Finley Farms Lane in Ozark
Isabel's House is hosting its summer party fundraiser this month, featuring living music from The Mixtapes. Tickets are available online at bit.ly/471kRcW. Individual tickets are $150 and couple tickets are $275. All proceeds benefit Isabel's House, a nonprofit dedicated to helping children in crisis.
Back to School event at Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park
When: Sunday, Aug. 13 from 5-8 p.m.
Where: Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park at 3825 W. Farm Road 146
Celebrate back to school at Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park with food trucks, bouncy houses, obstacle courses, hayrides and square dancing. Food trucks Tinga Tacos, The Chop Shop Burger and Tin Lizzie's Tonic Truck will be on site.
Pre-event tickets for $7 are available online at bit.ly/3KdDHUE. Day-of tickets are $8. Children under the age of four are free.
Alice Cooper at Missouri State
When: Tuesday, Aug. 15 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Juanita K. Hammons Hall for Performing Arts at 525 S. John Q Hammons Parkway
Rock and roll icon Alice Cooper is performing on Missouri State University's campus for his "Too Close to Comfort Tour." Tickets are available online at bit.ly/3ObJmf0. Tickets range between $42 and $727, for VIP tickets.
Free screening of 'The Super Mario Bros. Movie'
When: Friday, Aug. 18 at 8:30 p.m.
Where: Jordan Valley Park at 635 E. Trafficway St.
The Springfield-Greene County Park Board is hosting a free screening of "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" at Jordan Valley Park. Folks are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets. Concessions will be available for purchase, but no alcohol or tobacco is permitted.
Back 2 School Block Party
When: Saturday, Aug. 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Springfield Dream Center at 829 W. Atlantic St.
The annual Black 2 School Block Party is back with food, games, water inflatables, haircuts, assorted clothing items and more fun activities. The Springfield Fire Department will be on site for photos and fire truck tours.
My. Big. Fat. GREEK NIGHT!
When: Saturday, Aug. 19 from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Where: Greek Belly at 320 E. Walnut St.
Greek Belly is hosting its annual My. Big. Fat. GREEK NIGHT! this month. Three dinner shows will be held throughout the evening with belly dancers and specials. Reservations can be made my emailing Greek Belly at greekbelly@gmail.com, calling the restaurant at 417-597-3382 or messaging Greek Belly on Facebook.
Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Springfield Symphony Orchestra concert
When: Saturday, Aug. 19 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Mansion Theatre for the Performing Arts at 189 Expressway Lane in Branson
The Ozark Mountain Daredevils and Springfield Symphony Orchestra are performing together once again this summer. The two musical groups held their first collaborative concert last fall for Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts' 30th anniversary. Tickets are available online at bit.ly/456nf06.
'RuPaul's Drag Race' winner Sasha Colby at Martha's Vineyard
When: Thursday, Aug. 24 at 5 p.m.
Where: Martha's Vineyard at 219 W. Olive St.
2012 Miss Continental titleholder and "RuPaul's Drag Race" season 15 winner Sasha Colby will be performing at Martha's Vineyard in late August. Colby's performance is a part of the club's annual Back to School bash. Local performers Reggie So-Kold Markstone Carrington, Tania Carrington, 2022 Missouri Bearded Queen Natalia Masters, Miss Martha’s Vineyard Pride 2023 Penelope Booze Carrington will take the stage.
Tickets are available online at bit.ly/3QfYvyo. General admission tickets with early entry at $35 and general admission tickets are $25. Miss Continental is an annual drag queen pageantry system that was founded in 1980.
Christopher Titus at Blue Room Comedy Club
When: Aug. 24-26
Where: Blue Room Comedy Club at 420 W. College St.
American comedian, podcaster and actor Christopher Titus is visiting Springfield in late August. Titus is popularly known for his FOX series, "Titus" that was on air between 2000-2002.
Tickets are available online at blueroomcomedyclub.com/events/75722. Club seating is $35 and reserved seating is $40.
Got Mud? Run
When: Saturday, Aug. 26
Where: Brookline Park at 2696 E. Sawyer Road in Republic
The muddiest event of the year is the Got Mud? Run in Republic. Families, children and adults are welcome to participate in the mud run at Brookline Park. The two-mile course features log jumps, climbing nets, muddy hills, monkey bars, wet trenches, tire towers and more. Registration is available online at bit.ly/3YjCPDB.
The Fab Four at Gillioz Theatre
When: Thursday, Aug. 31 at 8 p.m.
Where: Gillioz Theatre at 325 Park Central East
Emmy-award winning Beatles tribute band The Fab Four is making its way to Springfield in late-August. The band's stage performance includes three costume changes that represent the different eras of the Beatles' career. Tickets are available online at bit.ly/3OytmFj.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: 20 activities to explore in the Ozarks this August
