WILLIAMSVILLE — At long last, a cherished Southeast Missouri tradition will return to feed and entertain area residents.
The 36th annual Williamsville/Black River Fire Department Picnic will take place from 5-10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3, and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 4.
Everyone is tired of the words, “pandemic,” and “distancing,” and nothing represents rural community togetherness quite as well as the annual picnic, according to organizers.
The event will offer family-friendly activities and games, entertainment and food.
Proceeds from the picnic, sponsored each year by the Williamsville Lions Club, go to local volunteer fire departments and other worthy causes.
Located at the picnic grounds next to the school on A Highway in Williamsville, the event will kick off with entertainment by Jeff Hovis and Cole Wallace from Poplar Bluff at 5 p.m., followed by Jeff and Micah Crandell from Piedmont at 5:45 p.m. At 6:30 p.m., Bryan Kirkman of Williamsville will take the stage, followed at 7 p.m. by Ellsinore’s Country Fire Cloggers. Cade and Raeley White of Greenville will round things out at 8:15 p.m. and square dancing will begin at 9:15 p.m.
Food will include BBQ sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers, fried pies, shaved ice, funnel cakes, and more will be available. Serving starts at 5 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday.
Craft booths, games for children, Bingo and other attractions will entertain visitors throughout the two-day event, with free prize drawings every hour, on the hour, for those who purchased meal tickets.
Saturday’s festivities will begin with a parade. Lineup begins at 9:30 a.m. and the parade begins at 10 a.m.
Entertainment on Saturday will begin at 11 a.m., with Little Creek Gospel from Marquand, followed at noon by Morgan Kirkman of Williamsville. At 12:45 p.m., Brandon Bates of Poplar Bluff will take the stage, Buzzard Run of Naylor will play at 4 p.m. and Mckenzie Miller of Piedmont will perform at 5:15 p.m. At 6:15 p.m., Jeff Hovis and Cole Wallace will return, followed at 7 p.m. by Brad O’Dell and Lost Country from Greenville. Square dancing will begin at 9:15 p.m.
Through it all, Will Dougherty III will continue his longtime family tradition as emcee.
No alcohol or drugs are permitted on the picnic or school premises.
Contact Darrell Atchison at 573-300-6672 or Gene Bilbrey at 573-998-2434 for more information.