A prominent area radio station is setting up at the Margaret Harwell Art Museum from 12:30-3 p.m. Saturday, July 23, to record stories from everyday Missourians.
KBIA, a branch of NPR based out of Columbia, will set up their mobile recording booths in the museum. Patrons and visitors are invited to stop and join “Missouri on Mic,” an oral history and journalism project honoring the 200th anniversary of Missouri’s statehood. The project is spearheaded by KBIA staff and students.
All interviews and stories collected will be archived at the State Historical Society of Missouri as part of Missouri’s 200th anniversary of Statehood, and a selection of them will be edited by the KBIA team and aired. For examples of what those conversations sound like, check out https://www.kbia.org/podcast/missouri-on-mic.
New episodes of “Missouri on Mic” air Mondays at 8:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. on KBIA 91.3. They are also available at KBIA.org.
— Willie’s Redneck Rodeo VBS, 9 a.m.-12:15 p.m. July 21-23. WHERE First Baptist Church Poplar Bluff. COST Free. WHAT During this VBS adventure, children will learn about the love of Jesus Christ through bible study, music, missions, crafts, games and snacks. All children K-6th grade are invited. Register on FBCPB’s event page on Facebook.
— Teen Night swimming, 7-10 p.m. July 21. WHERE Black River Coliseum Aquatic and Fitness Center. COST $3 WHAT Teens 13-19 are invited to hang out and swim. They can purchase snacks and drinks from the lobby vending machines.
— Intro to Fly Fishing July 22 at 2 p.m. and July 23 at 11 a.m. the Main Branch. WHERE Poplar Bluff Municipal Library Main Branch. COST Free. WHAT Learn hands on basics for Fly Fishing from Sam Stewart with the Missouri Conservation Department. Designed for ages 6-12. Register at poplarbluff.org/classes
— Dickerson Park Zoo Live Animal Program, first presentation at 10:30 a.m., second at 1 p.m., July 23. WHERE Black River Coliseum. COST Free. WHAT Dickerson Park Zoo volunteers and animals are coming to teach visitors about the interconnectedness of nature and the food chain.
— “Missouri on Mic” by KBIA, 12:30-3 p.m. July 23. WHERE Margaret Harwell Art Museum. COST Free. WHAT KBIA, the region’s NPR station, will be recording stories from Missourians of all stripes for the ongoing “Missouri on Mic” journalism project. The series is airing in honor of Missouri’s 200th statehood anniversary. Select interviews will be aired on KBIA 91.3. Previous interviews can be found at https://www.kbia.org/podcast/missouri-on-mic.
— Open Mic Night, 7-11 p.m. July 23. WHERE Forum Fifty Fifty. COST Free. WHAT All acts welcome as Community Open Mic returns.
— Babysitting and Child Care Training, 8 a.m.-noon July 25-28. WHERE R.W. Huntington Municipal Pool. COST $50, or $125 to combine with Junior Lifeguard Course. WHAT This program teaches youth to care for children of all ages. It will help participants develop leadership skills, keep themselves and others safe, learn basic child care and first aid, and more! Registration forms are available at pbparks.org on the “The Pool” page under the “Aquatics” tab, and at the Parks & Recreation office at 430 N. Second St.
— Junior Lifeguard Course, 1-5 p.m. July 25-28. WHERE R.W. Huntington Municipal Pool. COST $50, or $125 to combine with Babysitting and Child Care Training. WHAT The course builds the knowledge, attitudes and skills of future lifeguards. Participants learn first aid, CPR, AED and in-water skills. Registration forms are available at pbparks.org on the “The Pool” page under the “Aquatics” tab, and at the Parks & Recreation office at 430 N. Second St.
— OB Health Lunch & Learn, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. July 27. WHERE Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, Main Campus, Classroom #3. COST Free. WHAT Join PBRMC for a free lunch and presentations by OB/GYN experts. The hospital’s own Farrah McSpadden, MD, FACOG, and Jenna Buchanan, RN, will be presenting wellness education and tips for OB health, the importance of prenatal care and overall women’s wellness.
— Make DIY Dog Toys, 6 p.m. July 27. WHERE Downtown Dog Park. COST Free. WHAT Materials and demonstrations are provided to help you make a new toy for man’s best friend.
— Josh Miller USA Archery Cookout, 6 p.m. July 28. WHERE Aad Grotto, Poplar Bluff. COST $40 per ticket. WHAT Support World Archer Josh Miller as he prepares to travel to Italy and compete for Team USA in the World Archery 3D Championships. Each ticket includes food and drink, plus a meet-and-greet with Miller. The event includes raffles, archery games, shooting demonstrations and a silent auction. More information is available at the Poplar Bluff Chamber or Legacy Farm & Land Specialist Facebook pages.
— 7th Grade Mule Camp, 10 a.m.-noon July 29. WHERE Upper Gym, Poplar Bluff Junior High. COST Free. WHAT All incoming 7th graders are inviting to get their schedule, tour the school learn what house they’ll be in and participate in the first house games of the year. The event is organized by PBJHS counselors.
— Yarnaholics, 1-3 p.m. July 29. 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.
— Monster Truckz Mayhem Tour, 7 p.m. July 29, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. July 30, 2 p.m. July 31. WHERE Poplar Bluff Motorsports Park. COST First 100 Adult Tickets online are only $16.50. Children 3-13 years old can receive a free ticket if accompanied by a paying adult. Children 2 and under are free. WHAT The Mayhem Tour brings the adrenaline with motocross, stunts and (of course) monster trucks. Doors open two hours before the show for kids’ attractions and a driver meet-and-greet. Tickets are required, but seating is on first come, first served.
— Princess Makeovers, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. July 30. WHERE The Discovery Playhouse, Cape Girardeau. COST $40, including hair, makeup, nail polish, photo ops and family admission. WHAT Make little ones feel magical and enjoy a day at the Discovery Playhouse children’s museum. RSVP on the Discovery Playhouse Facebook page.
— Bootheel Battleground 2, pre-registration for contestants 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., show runs 3:30-8 p.m. July 30. WHERE Black River Coliseum. COST $20 entry fee, kids 10 and under are free. Show dog entry is $50 per dog plus a $15 registration fee. WHAT Dog show for bully breeds including standard, Olde English Bulldogge, American Bulldog and American Pit Bull Terriers. For more information contact Lamondra Newson on Facebook or at 573-838-3442.
— Back to School Bash, 3-5 p.m. July 30. WHERE The Kindergarten Center. COST Free. WHAT Find free backpacks, kids haircuts, face painting, resources for parents and much more at this back-to-school event for ages Pre K-12th grade. No registration required. Contact Rosa Johnson for more information at 573-200-5926.
— Fundraising Mini Sessions by Briana Feverston Photography, 6-8 p.m. July 30. WHERE Hendrickson Park. COST $30. WHAT $10 of the proceeds from each photo session benefits the Foundation or Children’s Performing Arts of Southeast Missouri and their upcoming production of “The Wizard of Oz.” Sessions can be booked through Briana Feverston Photography on Facebook or brianafeverston@gmail.com.
—Urban Cowboy Throwback, 5 p.m. July 30. WHERE Southern Barrel, Puxico. COST No admission fees disclosed. WHAT Music, mechanical bull rides and a Dolly Parton lookalike contest.
— Ripley County Fair, Aug. 3-6. WHERE Ripley County Fairgrounds. COST No entree fee reported. WHAT Demolition derby, bull riding, pageants and more.
— Butler County WIC’s Family Day Out, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 5. WHERE Hendrickson Park. COST Free. WHAT A celebration of World Breastfeeding Week. For more information, contact the WIC office at 573-785-7044.
— Poplar Bluff Chamber Gun Slingers Tournament, 4-6 p.m. Aug. 18. WHERE Black River Shooting Supplies. COST $250 for a three-person team renting guns and ammunition, $150 for a three-person team bringing their own gun, and $150 for beginner/solo competitors. WHAT A competition to find the best gun slingers in town, and a gun raffle to boot. All experience levels are welcome but participants must be 18 or older. Only centerfire pistols with open sights are allowed. Register at info@pbchamber.org. More information available on the Poplar Bluff Chamber Facebook page.
Don’t see your event? Let us know what you’ve got coming up and we’ll add it. Just email dailyamericanrepublic@gmail.com.