This weekend, locals can enjoy arts and culture of any kind in Poplar Bluff.
SEMOcon begins Friday afternoon at the Black River Coliseum. The gathering brings together pop culture and anime enthusiasts from across the region, as well as artists and vendors, with cosplay contests, game rooms, a silent charity auction and much more. For the first time this year SEMOcon will feature a carnival midway of fairground games. Doors are open 1-8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. Passes are available at semocon.com.
A local artist and her newest mural will be celebrated Saturday evening with a dual dedication and gallery opening at the Poplar Bluff Municipal Library and Margaret Harwell Art Museum. Mattilyn Grace Stacy’s “Familiar Wonders” mural depicts Missouri’s natural wonders in the library’s garden. The gallery reception begins after the ceremony, just up the street at MHAM. A complementary shuttle between events is available.
Other upcoming events include:
— SEMO Con, Sept. 15-17 WHERE Black River Coliseum COST Tickets vary WHAT Celebration of anime, gaming, sci-fi, fantasy and more.
— “Familiar Wonders” dedication and gallery opening, 5 p.m. Sept. 16. WHERE Poplar Bluff Municipal Library and the Margaret Harwell Art Museum. COST Free. WHAT The library is celebrating its new garden mural with a dedication ceremony at the Main Branch. The “Familiar Wonders” mural by Mattilyn Grace Stacy depicts Missouri’s natural wonders in whimsical detail. Following the ceremony, the nearby Margaret Harwell Art Museum will hold a gallery opening for Stacy’s show.
— 91st Annual Missouri Mid-South Gospel Music Singing Convention, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 15, Sept. 16 WHERE New Covenant Fellowship Church, 3396 Kanell Blvd. COST Free, donations accepted WHAT Eight special guest performers will appear each night.
— Three Rivers Shrine Club Poker Run, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 16 WHERE Starts at Shrine Club, 3102 Kennedy Lane COST $15 per hand, $10 per hand after WHAT All proceeds benefit the Shrine Club, no ATVs, Registration 8-10 a.m., last card by 4 p.m., auction 5 p.m. 1st place, $300, 2nd place, $200, third place, $100. Contact: 573-429-7269, 573-718-1532
— Old Greenville Days, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 16 WHERE Old Greenville Recreation Area WHAT Crafters and presentations, stagecoach rides
— Eric Simmons FosterAdopt Connect 2nd Annual Golf Tournament, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 16. WHERE Ozark Ridge Golf Course. COST $260 per four-person team. WHAT A golf competition to benefit foster an adoptive children in Poplar Bluff. Sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Dairian Lovell at 573-552-4338 or dairian.lovell@fosteradopt.org.
— Walk to End Alzheimer’s, 10 a.m. Sept. 16 WHERE Poplar Bluff High School WHAT Fundraiser for Alzheimer’s research.
— Constitution Day recognition, all day Sept. 18 WHERE Three Rivers College Rutland Library WHAT Documentary on the constitution
— Lego Challenge, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sept. 18. WHERE Poplar Bluff Municipal Library, Main Branch. COST Free. WHAT If you are a homeschooler or do not have school on Mondays, come to the library for a Lego Challenge and see who can build the fastest Lego car.
— September Storytime, 10:30 a.m. Sept. 19. WHERE Poplar Bluff Municipal Library, Main Branch. COST Free. WHAT Storytime for children at the library.
— Ribbon cutting, Three Rivers College manufacturing tech lab, 11:30 a.m. Sept. 19 WHERE TRC=Sikeston,1400 S. Main St., Sikeston WHAT The Manufacturing Tech Lab will host all Manufacturing Tech programming and workforce customized training, which includes robotics, AC/DC training, programmable logistics, and more.
— 36th Annual Women Aware Conference, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sept. 21 WHERE Black River Coliseum COST $55 WHAT Event offers a full day of learning, motivation, and networking for women.
— Poplar Bluff High School Homecoming, 6 p.m. Sept. 22 WHERE PBHS
— BARK Ranger Hike, 9 a.m. Sept. 23. WHERE Big Spring, Ozark National Scenic Riverways. COST Free. WHAT Bring your four-legged friends and join a Park Ranger for a short hike around Big Spring. Following the hike, all dogs will be officially sworn in as Ozark National Scenic Riverways “Bark Rangers” and given exclusive memorabilia. Dogs must be on a six-foot leash at all times. Meet at the parking lot next to the spring.
— Storys Creek School improvement project, 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. Sept. 23 WHERE Alley Spring WHAT Volunteers will gather to clean and improve a one-room school house built in 1896 as part the 2023 National Public Lands Day.
— Ian Munsick, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23. WHERE Black River Coliseum. WHAT Ian Munsick performs with special guests Chancey Williams and Palmer Anthony. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available online at ticketmaster.com or in person at the Coliseum box office..
— Science Sunday, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Sept. 24. WHERE Poplar Bluff Municipal Library, Main Branch. COST Free. WHAT Come explore and learn about comets on Science Sunday.
— Lunch and Learn, suicide prevention, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 25 WHERE Holiday Inn COST Free WHAT Poplar Bluff Regional Medical invites the public to hear from speakers on suicide prevention. Lunch is provided.
— Book signing, 10 a.m. Sept. 26 WHERE Rutland Library at Three Rivers College WHAT Three Rivers College Professor Mark Sanders will hold a book signing and public reading of his latest book, “Siannon’s Promise.”
— 26th Annual Senior Health Fair, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 26 WHERE Twin Towers COST Free for seniors age 50+ WHAT More than 50 community businesses will proved services. Contact: 573-686-8624, alejandra.nobles@thecrc.org
— Book signing, “Siannon’s Promise,” 10 a.m. Sept. 26 WHERE Rutland Library, Three Rivers College WHAT TRC professor and author Mark Sanders presents the third installment of this series.
— September Storytime, 10:30 a.m. Sept. 26. WHERE Poplar Bluff Municipal Library, Main Branch. COST Free. WHAT Storytime for children at the library.
— Community Outreach Day, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 29 WHERE First United Methodist Church COST Free WHAT Community Outreach Day is a one stop event where individuals and families in need can access free services and assistance. Services include housing, social services, employment, veteran services, medical and groceries. Contact: 573-778-4425, 573-772-9128
— Butler County Fair donkey races, 6 p.m. Sept. 28 WHERE Poplar Bluff Motorsports Park COST $10, under 5 free
— Butler County Fair exhibits, 4-10 p.m. Sept. 29, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sept. 30 WHERE Black River Coliseum COST Free WHAT Exhibits include art, produce, quilts and more. A silent auction to support the event will also be held.
— Little Mister and Miss Butler County Fair pageant, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 29 WHERE Black River Coliseum COST $5 WHAT Awards given by age group and for special entries.
— Butler County Fair, opens 6 a.m. Sept. 30 WHERE Poplar Bluff Motorsports Park COST Varies WHAT 10 a.m. 4-H Archery Shoot Demonstration; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Top Shot Archery Time Challenge Event; 10 a.m.-1 p.m. poultry/rabbit/guinea pig demonstration/show; • Noon Area 51 Pullers LLC lawn and garden tractor pulling; 7 p.m. USA Pullers Association tractor and truck pull; Kids Zone, 10am – 2pm., includes bounce houses, mobile escape room, midway games, lawn games, rock painting, face painting and petting farm.
— Wayne County Outdoor Expo, 7 a.m. Sept. 30 WHERE Ash Street, McKenzie Cree Greenway, Piedmont WHAT Presented by the Piedmont Area Chamber of Commerce, this events offers trading and presentations related to the outdoors, as well as special competitions during the day. Contact: 573-223-4046, www.visitpiedmontmo.com
— 2nd Annual Mark Twain Hardwoods 8 Race, 9 a.m. Sept. 30. WHERE Victory Horse Trail. COST $35. WHAT Join the Poplar Bluff Trails Collation on September 30, 2023, for their 2nd Annual Mark Twain Hardwoods 8. Register online at ultrasignup.com until Sept. 27. Directions: From Poplar Bluff, take Hwy 60 West to right on CR 410 (Across from Scott Wood Products) to trailhead on the right.
Don’t see your event? Let us know what you’ve got coming up and we’ll add it. Just email dailyamericanrepublic@darnews.com.