Puxico marks 73 years of homecoming

Every year, community members and thousands of visitors come to the small town of Puxico to celebrate Puxico Homecoming. Carnival rides, corndogs and goat burgers are just a few of the staples that put this event in the spotlight for so many.

The Puxico Homecoming started in 1937 by the mayor at the time. The event’s purpose was to bring the community members of Puxico and those who once were community members together for a week of fun and enjoyment. The municipal administration would send out invitations to the community members and those who had moved away to formally welcome them to the annual celebration.

Coming off the strenuous Second World War, the Puxico V.F.W. Memorial Post 7822 took over the Homecoming festivities in 1947 to welcome home the veterans who had served. Since 1947, the Puxico V.F.W. has sponsored the event every year to current day.

Thousands of individuals circulate through the downtown portion of Puxico each day of the event, to have fun and catch up with others. With so many people coming through Puxico in a five day period, there is much planning to be done before the commencement of the grand event.

Patti McLean, a Puxico schools retired teacher, president of the Puxico V.F.W. Auxiliary and member for approximately 50 years, explains the process that takes place to make the event happen.

“We really start just weeks after the Puxico Homecoming festivities end,” McLean explained. “We begin by looking back on the previous Homecoming and see what we did right and what wasn’t so good. At the beginning of the year we start to seek out sponsors for the annual Homecoming book and really jump into the planning process around April or May.”

McLean continues by explaining the different steps taken to prepare for the annual event.

“We have a lot to plan for to make everything go smoothly throughout event,” McLean said. “This consists of preparing for the Queen Contest, contacting distributors like Pepsi for the appropriate supplies we need, and the biggest and most important task, obtaining the goats.”

In the early years of the Puxico Homecoming, the choice meat for the sandwiches to be sold was goat because of how cheap the meat was compared to other products.

“We first purchase the goats from an individual from Dexter,” McLean said. “After purchasing the goats, we then have them taken to Cape Girardeau to be processed.”

McLean then continued on what she believed to be one of the most important aspects of the Puxico Homecoming.

“I believe the most important part about Homecoming is visiting all of the community members and those who have moved away,” McLean explained. “Quite a few years ago, I was diagnosed with melanoma on my face. I had to have surgery the week of Homecoming and didn’t get to make it until the end.

“With this scare in my life, I decided to start taking photos of the event. As time has passed, the photos have turned into a necessity because we don’t know if some of our community members will be able to be here with us at the next Homecoming.”

McLean continued by expressing the loss she has had and how important the photographs are to her and many others.

“This year has been a rough year,” McLean stated. “I unexpectedly lost my mom and my sister. Having these photos taken by so many and preserved in our Homecoming book keeps the memories alive of those who once enjoyed Homecoming alongside us.”

The festivities at the Puxico Homecoming are welcome to anyone to enjoy. The events takes place each night from 6:30-11:00 p.m. On Saturday, the last night of the festivities, a parade will take place at 1 p.m. and the Homecoming festivities will be open until 11 p.m.

“Come and see a community come together as a team to make a beautiful event happen,” McLean said. “Everyone is welcome to experience a lot of family fun.”

Children wait in line for a carnival ride during events at the 73rd Annual Puxico Homecoming. DAR/Caleb H. Swallows