Sing, swim, celebrate Independence Day, join a grand opening ceremony or take in a free gun cleaning class with this week’s MAIN EVENT.
Area residents have a variety of activities open to them over the next week, with a little something for everyone.
At the top of the list is a family swim night at the Black River Coliseum pool and a Movie in the Park at Wappapello Lake, both Friday night.
Registration is open until Tuesday for the annual children’s drama camp at Three Rivers College. This weeklong workshop is for youth in grades second through eighth. At the end of the camp, which starts July 11, participants will put on a play for friends, family and the public.
The drama camp is in its 30th year. For more information, visit https://trcc.edu/events/30th-annual-childrens-theater-drama-camp/
Other events include:
— Kites in the Park, 1:30-2:30 p.m. June 30 WHERE Hendrickson Park. COST Free. WHAT Poplar Bluff Parks and Recreation is having a pop-up event where you can bring a kite or construct one of your own using supplies provided. All ages are welcome.
— Open Mic Night, 6-8 p.m. June 30 WHERE Foxtrot Coffee. COST Free. WHAT The Poplar Bluff Municipal Library will be holding an open mic night, allowing anyone and everyone to showcase their talents in music, comedy, poetry and more!
— Musical Bingo, 7 p.m. June 30 WHERE Haffy’s Sports Bar & Grill COST Free WHAT Prizes include gift certificates, free appetizers & Haffy’s merchandise.
— Yarnaholics, 1-3 p.m. July 1. WHERE Margaret Harwell Art Museum main building. COST Free. WHAT The Yarnaholics fiber arts and crafts group has moved from the Poplar Bluff Municipal Library to MHAM. Anyone who enjoys knitting, crocheting, embroidery, cross stitch or any other fiber art is welcome. All skill levels and ages are welcome and must bring their own supplies. The group meets every other Friday. For more information, contact Mairead Ryan-Anderson a maireadknits@gmail.com.
— Family Swim Night, 4-7 p.m. July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29. WHERE Black River Coliseum. COST $3 for individuals, $6 for groups of three to five. Groups larger than five add an additional $3 charge for each additional swimmer. WHAT Discounted swim nights every Friday night in July.
— Movie in the Park, 8 p.m. July 1. WHERE Spillway Recreation Area, Wappapello Lake. COST Free. WHAT “Sing 2” is showing outdoors, presented by the Wappapello Lake Area Association and Southern Bank. One free soda and popcorn per person provided. Bring your own chair or blanket and bug spray.
— “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Elvis,” 8:40 p.m. July 1 start WHERE Rock N Roll Drive In, Chaffee COST $30 per carload
— Ellsinore Bread Shed food distribution, 7 a.m.-noon July 2 WHERE Ellsinore General Baptist Church COST Free WHAT The Bread Shed will distribute food.
— Freedom Fest, starting 2 p.m. July 2. WHERE Ripley County Fairgrounds in Doniphan. COST Adult tickets $10, kids 12 and under are free. WHAT Food vendors, a petting zoo, pony rides, laser tag, a mobile game and photo truck, an escape room, mechanical bull, pageant and firework display. There will also be live music in the afternoon followed by a performance from country music legend Ronnie McDowell.
— Baker Family Concert, 6:30-8:30 p.m. July 2. WHERE On the banks of Alley Spring in front of the historic Alley Mill, 5 miles west of Eminence on State Route 106. COST Free WHAT A bluegrass concert to celebrate Independence Day. Attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic meal and chairs or blankets. Alley Mill will be open during the concert and a special tour will be held at 7:30 p.m. For more information, phone 573-226-3945, or visit the park’s Facebook page or website at www.nps.gov/ozar.
— Annual Wappapello Lake Fireworks Show, the evening of July 2. WHERE Redman Creek Recreation Area, Wappapello Lake. COST Free admission. WHAT Food vendors and fireworks on the lakeshore. Bring your own seating, watch from your car or enjoy the show in a boat.
— July 4th celebration with band Used & Refused, 7 p.m. July 2 WHERE The Camp, Wappapello COST See location for ticket costs
— Van Buren Fireworks, nightfall July 3. WHERE Fireworks will be shot from private property but visible from the riverfront. COST Free. WHAT Van Buren’s annual firework display. Bring your own chair and bug spray.
— Poplar Bluff Independence Day Celebration, July 4. WHERE Downtown Poplar Bluff. COST Free. WHAT Events begin at 9 a.m. July 4 with a parade. The firework display show will begin at 9 p.m. or dusk.
— Dexter Fireworks, 9 p.m. July 4. WHERE East City Park, Dexter. COST Free. WHAT The annual firework display in the city of Dexter. Bring your own chair and bug spray.
— Huntington Pool Grand Opening, 1-5 p.m. July 5. WHERE R.W. Huntington Municipal Pool. COST No admission cost listed. WHAT Grand opening to celebrate the completion and renovation of the pool. Event includes food trucks and concessions. All are welcome.
— Kids Storytime, 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and 2 p.m. Thursdays through July 7. WHERE Poplar Bluff Municipal Library Main Branch. COST Free.
— Teen Writing Workshop, 2-4 p.m. Wednesdays through July 6. WHERE Poplar Bluff Municipal Library Main Branch. COST Free. WHAT Learn more about the craft of fiction and share what you’re working on with your fellow writers. Open to grades 7-12.
— The Nuthin’ Fancy Band at PB Cruise-In Nights, 5-8 p.m. July 8. WHERE Black River Coliseum parking lot. COST Free. WHAT Park your car and listen to the Nuthin’ Fancy Band.
— Break and Make Kintsugi Art Program, at 4 p.m. July 9. WHERE Poplar Bluff Municipal Library Ridgel Branch. COST Free. WHAT Make broken things whole again using the Japanese art of Kintsugi.
— Live Animal Show with Bob Tarter, 4 p.m. July 9. WHERE Hendrickson Park. COST Free. WHAT Join Bob Tarter with NHECM: Animalogy to witness some of natures coolest animals! In case of inclement weather, the program will be moved inside to 1500 N. 13th Street, PB Parks and Recreation’s annex building.
— Free Handgun Cleaning Class, 9 a.m. July 9. WHERE Black Belt Academy of Poplar Bluff. COST Free. WHAT A handgun maintenance class. Attendees should bring their dirty handguns and any cleaning supplies they have. No ammunition allowed. For more information, contact Russ at 573-300-0138.
— 30th Annual Drama Camp, 9 p.m. July 11 through 1 p.m. July 15. Deadline for registration is July 5. WHERE Tinnin Fine Arts Center COST $75 fee includes T-shirt, scripts, notebook, daily snacks and drinks. WHAT A weeklong acting workshop for grades 2-8 taught by JoNell Seifert, plus TRC students and previous camp graduates.
— Marty the Magician, July 12 at 2 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and July 13 at 10 a.m. WHERE Poplar Bluff Municipal Library Main Branch. COST Free. WHAT Marty the Magician is returning this summer with an all new magic show.
Don’t see your event? Let us know what you’ve got coming up and we’ll add it. Just email dailyamericanrepublic@gmail.com.