Downtown Poplar Bluff was awash with people over the weekend for the annual Iron Horse Festival’s roster of events, vendors, and activities. Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce Director of Downtown Development Morgan McIntosh said the festival, now in its 15th year, is a huge booster for the area.
She recalled last year’s event brought 8,000 people. While the data is yet unavailable for this year, McIntosh said the crowd was much larger.
Sections of Main, Vine, and Broadway streets were blocked off to accommodate the heavy foot traffic. One hundred and twenty vendors from around the region lined the streets with colorful booths and hand-made crafts, 30 more than last year, according to McIntosh.
A band played live music at the pavilion next to Haffy’s Sports Bar and Grill.
Visitor Fred Librier said she comes out to the festival every year.
“I just wanted to see everything,” she affirmed.
Her son was operating one of the booths.
“The vendors are really good this year,” Librier added.
Every spot for vendors was sold out, McIntosh informed, “It’s the largest ever.”
The festival also featured a car show in the parking area across from the Black River Coliseum hosted by the Historic Train Depot. The lot was packed with classic muscle cars, imports, and hot-rods.
The Mo-Ark Train Museum beckoned visitors with the cheerful whistle of a custom steam-powered automobile built by museum board member A.J. White. Board member Dave Silverberg said 286 came to see the exhibits.
“It’s the largest turnout we’ve had in several years,” he noted.
Two retired train engineers handed out literature from Operation Lifesaver, an organization that promotes railroad safety.
“Everybody enjoyed it, especially the kids,” Silverberg said.
On Broadway where the demolished parking garage once stood, the Poplar Bluff Fire Department set up an obstacle course for kids. Firefighters guided participants around cones while they used hammers, ran with gear, and knocked down a water jug with the fire hose.
Fire Chief Mike Moffitt said this was the department’s third year doing the course at the festival.The money raised goes toward putting an individual through the fire science program at Three Rivers College.
“When we have openings come up, we hope to fill them with local people,” he stated.
Moffitt added the obstacle course was one of several fundraisers PBFD would be holding this year including a bingo night at Haffy’s.
“We want to support the program at Three Rivers,” he clarified.
While the forecast menaced showers, the event was unaffected.
“We were very fortunate we missed the rain,” McIntosh said.
She emphasized the importance of events like the Iron Horse Festival to the community.
“It’s something for families to get out and do together,” she expressed, “I just want to thank everybody for coming out and supporting it.”