Drag City Cruise-In
Saturday, April 25, 2026 | Starts at 12 PM
Sparta Historic District | 217 Division St, Sparta, MO

Sparta Historic District presents Drag City Cruise-In, bringing classic cars and small-town charm together in the heart of Sparta. With oldies music and a community fish fry, it’s an easygoing afternoon built around cars and connection.

What to expect:
• Classic cars on display
• Oldies music throughout the event
• Fish fry and fixins’
• Main Street cruise through downtown (2 PM)
Free to attend | Donations welcome

Nixa Suckerdays
Friday, May 15 | 5 PM – 10:30 PM
Saturday, May 16 | 9 AM – 10:30 PM
Downtown Nixa | 109 S Main St, Nixa, MO

A tradition more than six decades in the making, Nixa Suckerdays returns for its 68th year. Known for its famous fried suckerfish and strong community roots, this two-day festival is packed with things to see, do, and taste.

Schedule Highlights

Friday, May 15:
• Festival opens | 5:00 PM
• Parade | 6:00 PM – 6:30 PM
The parade begins at Nixa Junior High and loops around Rotary Park.

Live Music:
• The Pretty Lonesome | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
• Isaac Kenneth Band ft. Chelsey James | 8:30 PM – 10:30 PM

Beer Garden:
• 5:00 PM – 10:30 PM

Saturday, May 16:
• Festival opens | 9:00 AM
• Sucker fish samples | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Live Music:
• Easton Beasley | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• Chris May | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
• Riley Braker | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• The New Waves | 8:30 PM – 10:30 PM

Beer Garden:
• 12:00 PM – 10:30 PM

Ride Information

Unlimited ride wristbands provide access to rides, bounce houses, and pony rides all weekend.

• $10 each or 2 for $15
• Available in advance at Arris’ Pizza in Springfield and Republic
• Single ride tickets will also be available at the event

Key Highlights

• Arts and craft vendors
• Live music both days
• Kid rides, bounce houses, and pony rides
• Sucker fish fry and samples on Saturday
• Friday evening parade kickoff
• Beer garden on-site

Free to attend

Chadwick Railroad Days
June 6 | 9AM–4PM
122 E. Oriole Dr., Chadwick, MO

Celebrate small-town tradition at Chadwick Railroad Days, a family-friendly community event honoring Chadwick’s railroad heritage and local history.

The event began in 1983 as Chadwick’s Centennial Celebration and continues today as a way to bring the community together, celebrate local traditions, and share Chadwick’s history with future generations.

Enjoy a full day of fun featuring a parade, car show, kids games and contests, turtle racing, food, vendors, live music, and more. Bring a lawn chair and settle in for the day!

Event Highlights:
• Car Show Parade at 10AM
• Costume and Pie Baking Contest at 10:45AM
• Grilled pork lunch with all the trimmings at 12PM
• Vendor and community booths
• Kids games and contests
• Turtle racing
• Live music and more

Nixa Cultural Festival
June 6, 2026 | 10 AM – 4 PM
Downtown Nixa | 109 S Main St, Nixa, MO

Experience cultures from around the world right in the heart of Nixa. The Nixa Cultural Festival features live performances, global cuisine, and local vendors for a day full of connection and community.
Free to attend

Sunset on the Square 
Get ready for a season of live music in the heart of downtown Ozark! The first annual Ozark Summer Concert Series brings free performances to the Historic Ozark Square on the second Friday of each month from June through September.

Grab a lawn chair or picnic blanket, gather some friends, and enjoy an evening of music under the summer sky. Come hungry too—local food trucks will be on-site serving a variety of options, from pizza to Thai and more.

2026 Lineup (All shows begin at 6 PM):
• June 12 – Buff Lamb Band
• July 10 – Waffle The Band
• August 14 – Dallas Jones & Molly Healey
• September 11 – Tom Petty Tribute featuring Dallas Jones & The A Team

This is a great way to experience downtown Ozark, support local vendors, and enjoy a laid-back summer night filled with music and community.

Historic Ozark Square, Ozark, Missouri
Free to attend

Sparta Roller Park Firework Festival 
Saturday, June 13, 2026 | Starts at 4 PM | Fireworks after dark
Sparta Roller Park | 837 Division St, Sparta, MO 65753

Join Sparta Parks & Recreation for a full day of summer fun at Sparta Roller Park. This family-friendly festival brings the community together with activities, entertainment, and a fireworks finale to end the night.

What to expect:
• Food vendors
• Craft vendors
• Live music
• Kids activities and expanded kids zone with Midwest Timber
• Pie eating contest (time TBA)
• Cornhole tournament (teams of 2, time TBA)

Free to attend

Sertoma Duck Race Festival & Balloon Glow
Friday, June 19 & Saturday, June 20, 2026
Finley River Park | 891 N Riverside Rd, Ozark, MO

10,000+ rubber ducks. One river. A whole lot of excitement. This unique summer event supports local children’s charities and brings a full weekend of activities to Ozark.

Event highlights:
Duck Race (Saturday at 7 PM)
Hot Air Balloon Glow (Friday at 9 PM)
Fireworks on the Finley (Saturday at 10:15 PM)
250+ craft and food vendors
Live music both nights
Food truck park
Beer garden
Duck Waddle 5K + pancakes in the park
Cornhole tournament
Car, truck, and bike show
Pie eating contest

Clever Freedom Celebration
Saturday, June 27, 2026 | Starts at 6 PM
6800 W Veterans Blvd, Clever, MO

Celebrate summer with one of the area’s favorite traditions. Clever’s Freedom Celebration brings together food, entertainment, vendors, and a fireworks finale to close out the night.

🎉 Sparta Founders Day Celebration
🗓 Saturday, July 4, 2026 | 9 AM – 2 PM
📍 Main Street, Sparta, MO

Sparta is celebrating 150 years of history with its first-ever Founders Day Celebration. Founded by J. J. Bruton 150 years ago, this small town has become home to generations of families, businesses, traditions, memories, and stories.

Celebrate the milestone in Downtown Sparta with vendors, food, music, pie, a parade, and plenty of community pride.

Event Highlights:
• Vendors
• Food
• Music
• Pie
• Community celebration
• Parade begins at 10:30 AM

Because 150 years only happens once, this is a special way to celebrate Sparta’s history in the heart of Christian County.

Ozark Boosters Club Rodeo
July 17–18, 2026
1200 N Riverside Rd, Ozark, MO

A summer tradition with a little western flair, the Ozark Boosters Club Rodeo returns for its 71st year with two nights of rodeo action and classic summer energy under the lights.

Ozark Market Days
First Saturday of the month (May–October) | 9 AM – 3 PM
Downtown Ozark Square | E Church St, Ozark, MO

A monthly favorite, Ozark Market Days brings together local vendors, handmade goods, food, and more on the historic square.