DIAMOND, Mo. —
The town of Diamond will be the host for two free, family-friendly events today.
The 20th annual Gem City Days kicks off with a parade through the town at 10 a.m., according to organizer Kyley Patterson.
A chicken dinner to support the Diamond Fire Department will begin at 11 a.m. and will last until food runs out. Children’s activities, including a bounce house, swings and a trampoline from Maccaroo Gym, will be available throughout the day.
The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks, which Patterson said is in particular need of type O-negative blood, will sponsor a blood drive from noon to 4 p.m. At about 1:30 p.m., there will be both an all-school reunion at Diamond High School and a fundraiser for Diamond natives Nathan Olson and Aaron Kimbrough.
Entertainment will feature the Cornerstones at 10:30 a.m., Duke Mason at 11 a.m., the Diamond High School jazz band at 1 p.m., a talent show at 1:30 p.m., Corky Long at 3:30 p.m., Torn at 5 p.m., and Big Smitty at 7 p.m.
Most of the festival will take place in the parking lot of Diamond Christian Church, at the corner of Market and Bobbie Smith streets.
Also scheduled for today is Prairie Day, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the George Washington Carver National Monument, just south of state Route V west of Diamond.
“It’s an annual event that talks about rural life here in Southwest Missouri back in the late 19th century,” park ranger Diane Eilenstein said. “That was the time period George Washington Carver lived here, so we’re going to have everything from entertainment to everyday skills that would have been needed on the farm.”
The event will feature demonstrations of woodcarving, banjo making, basket weaving, spinning, candle dipping, quilting and more. Visitors will be able to take a wagon ride through the prairie and learn about birds, bison and other prairie life from exhibits along the pond.
Entertainment will be storytelling by Dee Ban and Panhandle Slim, and musical performances by Hawthorne, Judy Domeny Bowen, Ripplin’ Creek and the Holmes Brigade Minstrels.
The Carver Birthplace Association will sell hamburgers and hot dogs for lunch.
Local News
Gem City Days, Prairie Day on tap in Diamond
- Local News
-
-
Farmers Insurance teams up with Rebuild Joplin
Farmers Insurance announced Tuesday that the company will team up with Rebuild Joplin for an initiative to help the community complete its recovery efforts. The company already has placed one of its executives in Joplin, and it is pledging additional funds and volunteer hours by company workers to go toward the city’s recovery.
-
SMB sets up fund for Moore, Okla., storm victims
Southwest Missouri Bank has set up an account so area residents can donate to storm victims in Moore, Okla., which was hit by an EF-5 tornado on May 20.
-
Farm Service Agency announces deadline
Patty Lambert, executive director of Jasper County USDA Farm Service Agency, said producers are required to report prevented planting acreage for FSA program eligibility.
-
Former IRS worker gets probation after guilty plea to theft of funds
Pittsburg resident and former Internal Revenue Service employee Becky L. Book received two years probation after pleading guilty earlier this year to the theft of $26,449.65 in public funds.
-
Joplin residents can sign Banner of Hope for Moore during anniversary event today
Joplin residents will be able to sign a 20-foot banner sending messages of hope and encouragement to the people of Moore, Okla., during the anniversary ceremony today in Cunningham Park.
-
Arma mother facing murder charge in sleeping baby’s death
Heather Buckalew fell asleep on a couch with her 4-month-old baby after a night last summer drinking beer with her boyfriend. The boyfriend, Donald Harvey, got up to go to work a few hours later and spotted his son, lying face down on a pillow between the back of the couch and his sleeping mother.
-
Joplin residents lend a hand in Moore
Joplin is paying it forward. The day before the two-year anniversary of an EF-5 tornado leveling one-third of Joplin, pastors from Ignite Church in Joplin were in Moore, where an EF-5 spent 40 minutes on the ground on Monday.
-
‘Letting Go Day’ planned to help clear the clutter
When Ann Leach lost most of her possessions in the tornado that struck Joplin on May 22, 2011, she realized that things don’t matter that much.
-
Monetary donations cited as best help for Moore
Financial support for organizations providing shelter and supplies to Oklahoma tornado survivors is recommended for people who want to help. Otherwise, the word is to wait for requests.
-
Joplin man continues struggle to recover two years after tornado
As the Joplin tornado passed overhead, sweeping the house at 2430 S. Pennsylvania Ave. away in its wake, there was a moment of calm. Delbert Mcguirk was on his back in the basement, where he had sought shelter along with his wife, daughter and two grandchildren. In that moment of relative quiet, he stared up into the eye of the tornado.
- More Local News Headlines
-
