"There is so much history in our area of the state," observed Stars and Stripes Museum curator Laura Meyer, "particularly in the fact that the first edition of The Stars and Stripes military newspaper was printed here in Bloomfield in 1861. Liberty Days is our attempt to, not only showcase the museum, but to make history come alive in exciting and different ways."
Oct. 5-7 will mark the sixth year the museum has sponsored this interactive event that focuses on various periods in history.
"This year's timeline begins in the pre-Colonial era and goes through the Bosnia/Kosovo/Iraq conflicts of the late 1980s," explained Meyer. "Visitors will walk through history as they follow the timeline--viewing displays, watching demonstrations, listening to short historical presentations, and asking questions of veterans about their experiences."
Meyer continued, "In addition to period exhibitions on rope making, fire starting and bead work (among others), there will also be local information stations provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Mingo Wildlife Refuge."
In keeping with the historical theme, period crafts will be available for purchase throughout the weekend.
"Some of the more popular items include soap, leather work, dream catchers, toys and wooden furniture," Meyer said, "but there will be a wide variety of items for those looking to take a bit of history back home with them, and Stars and Stripes Museum souvenirs will also be displayed."
Entertainment Saturday, Oct. 6 will feature a WWII battle reenactment, a black powder Woods Walk with the Mountain Men group, Kentucky Bluegrass music from the band Old Highway, and the locally popular country/classic rock duo Just E Nuff from Poplar Bluff. A candy cannon will shoot out sweet treats for the kids throughout the day.
"We are excited to announce that the special guest at Saturday's festivities will be former baseball major league pitcher Mark Littell, who will be on hand to sign autographs and pose for photos," Meyer added.
Littell, originally from Gideon, played for Kansas City and St. Louis, before ending his major league career in 1982. He has recently published two books about his baseball experiences.
For those who have never visited The Stars and Stripes Museum, it will be open for tours during the day.
Food and beverages will be available from various vendors including hot dogs, french fries, hamburgers, Mexican and Irish cuisine, funnel cakes and shaved ice.
"Friday's events are closed to the public," explained Meyer. "Friday is Education Day, so for the safety of the children, no one else is allowed in."
Meyer said that last year, 750 children from 10 schools, including Perryville, East Prairie and New Madrid, visited the event.
"The vendors offer special pricing on Friday, so the students can purchase a meal for about $5," Meyer explained, "although, some schools choose to provide sack lunches."
Even though Education Day is well attended, that has not been the case for the rest of the weekend.
"We try different things every year to raise awareness and increase attendance," reflected Meyer, "but so far it has been pretty disappointing."
Meyer said the date seemed to be a problem every year, with some sort of conflict, so this year it has been moved to the first weekend in October.
"So far, that seems to have been a good change," she observed.
"In the past we have had beauty pageants, but we did not have many entries, so we discontinued that this year," she said. "We moved the parade from Friday night to Saturday morning at 9, hoping that more bands will be able to participate since there won't be the Friday football conflict.
"However," she added, "we have learned that we really need to send the band invitations in January or February so that the date can be placed on the school calendar for the next year."
While the talent show has not been a big draw in the past, with the elimination of the pageants, they are able to hold the talent competition during Saturday afternoon, beginning at 1 p.m.
"We hope that the earlier time slot and the $100 cash prize for first place will encourage more entrants," Meyer said.
The entry fee for the talent contest is $10 and may be paid at the time of the event, if the participant has pre-registered. To register call the museum during their regular hours at 573-568-2055. The museum is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Festivities Saturday, Oct. 6, kick-off at 9 a.m. with the Liberty Days Parade. The parade will begin at the Bloomfield school campus and proceed to the Bloomfield City Park. Following the parade, the Liberty Days activities will commence on the Stars and Stripes grounds until 6 p.m.
Activities Sunday, Oct. 7 will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. will include the living history displays and black powder events. Food vendors will also return on Sunday.
All Liberty Days events are free of charge, except the black powder Woods Walk, which will cost $10.
"Plenty of parking is available at the museum and we have a limited number of picnic tables for eating," explained Meyer. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for viewing the musical entertainment and talent show because no public seating is provided.
"It is not uncommon for folks from Southeast Missouri to travel nearly five hours to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, to see 'The Great Passion Play,' or drive four hours to Branson for a production of 'The Shepherd of the Hills,'" Meyer reflected, "while right down the road off Highway 25 at Bloomfield, Liberty Days has gone virtually unnoticed."