From staff reports
news@joplinglobe.com
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If you’re interested in traveling the Katy Trail, you might want to time your visit to coincide with one of a number of activities that are taking place in towns along the trail. For those who want to stay closer to home, nearby hiking and biking opportunities are also listed.
June 24-26: Heritage Days Festival, Boonville. Discover Boonville with arts and crafts, historic tours, a Shriners parade, live music, and beer and wine gardens.
Admission: Free. Details: 660-882-2721 or boonvillemochamber.com.
June 26: Hiking club, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Springfield Conservation Nature Center. Hike five miles through Roaring River State Park. The hike is for those 18 and older.
Admission: Free. Details: 417-888-4237.
June 30: Nature Team, 1 to 4 p.m., Springfield Conservation Nature Center. Learn how to stay safe while hiking at the nature center. The program is for 12- through 17-year-olds.
Admission: Free. Details: 417-888-4237.
July 15: Nature Team, 9 a.m. to noon, Springfield Conservation Nature Center. Test your observation skills while hiking at the nature center. The program is for 12- through 17-year-olds.
Admission: Free. Details: 417-888-4237.
July 16-18: Robert Woolery Memorial Powwow, Sedalia. Featuring Native American culture, dancing, food, and arts and crafts such as silver jewelry, furs, pottery and paintings.
Details: 660-826-5608 or 660-826-4145.
July 24: Hiking club, 8 a.m. to noon, Springfield Conservation Nature Center. Hike four miles along trails in the Ozark Greenways. The program is for those 18 and older.
Admission: Free. Details: 417-888-4237.
Aug. 7: Wildflower hike, 10 to 11 a.m., Prairie State Park, Liberal. Learn to identify wildflowers.
Admission: Free. Details: 417-843-6711 or www.mostateparks.com/prairie.htm.
Aug. 12-22: Missouri State Fair, Sedalia. Wrap up the summer with live musical performances, rodeo activities and numerous competitions.
Admission: $8 for adults; $6 for seniors; $2 for children 6 through 12; free for children 5 and under. Details: mostatefair.com.
Sept. 4: Midsummer night’s hike, 8:30 to 10 p.m., Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center, Wildcat Park, Joplin. Participants will experience the wonders of the night during the hike.
Cost: $6. Details: 417-782-NATR.
Sept. 17-18: Swingin’ in the Vines/Harvest Festival, Augusta. Visit the Missouri River Valley with wine tastings and live music.
Details: 636-228-4005 or augusta-missouri.com.
Sept. 18: La Sportiva Katy Trail 50 ultramarathon, 7 a.m., Boonville. Participants will run along the Katy Trail from Boonville to McBaine and back again for a total of 50 miles.
Cost: $75 per person; $50 per person in a relay. Details: katytrail50.com.
Sept. 24-26: Stay and Ride Weekend, Wingate by Wyndham Hotel, Maryland Heights. This two-night stay at the hotel includes bike rental and shuttles to and from the Katy Trail.
Cost: $156 per person for a double-occupancy room; $234 for an individual room. Details: visitmonow.com.
Sept. 25 (tentative): Dedication of the Marthasville depot, with a bike ride to Augusta.
Details: mostateparks.com/katytrail.
Sept. 26-Oct. 2: Touring Cyclist Katy Trail Ride, Sedalia to St Charles. Participants will take the train from Kirkwood to Sedalia and bike back over six days.
Cost: $845 per person. Details: touringcyclist.com.
Oct. 9-10: Pumpkin Festival, Hartsburg. Celebrate the coming of Halloween with arts and crafts, entertainment, and tens of thousands of pumpkins.
Admission: Free. Details: hartsburgpumpkinfest.com.
Oct. 23 (tentative): Dedication of the new 12-mile section from St. Charles to Machens and the end of the trail’s 20th anniversary celebrations. At the St. Charles trail head.
Details: mostateparks.com/katytrail.
