Would you rather support charities by roller skating or eating chili? If your answer to this very specific question is “both,” then this is the MAIN EVENT for you.
Starting at 6 p.m. Thursday night, Oak Grove Elementary is hosting the St. Jude Skate City Night. The $3 entrance fee will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
On Saturday, visit the Black River Coliseum for the 18th Annual Chili Cook Off from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Test chili from the best cooks in Poplar Bluff and vote with your dollars for the People's Choice winners. This fundraiser supports the United Gospel Rescue Mission.
Other upcoming events include:
— St. Jude Skate City Night, 6-8 p.m. Feb. 22 WHERE 1403 Vine St. COST $3 WHAT Hosted by Oak Grove Elementary School, this event helps support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
— A night with BlackHawk, 5-11 p.m. Feb. 23 WHERE Three Rivers Shrine Club, The Grotto COST $125 per person, or $1,000 per table of eight. WHAT A limited number of tickets are being sold for this fundraiser event. It includes dinner from Big Whiskeys, music from BlackHawk and special guest Megan Johnson and Justin Heskett. Tickets 573-712-3956
— February Kids Day at the Museum: WWII Navajo Code Talkers, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 24. WHERE Stars and Stripes National Museum and Library. COST Free. WHAT Join the museum for an exciting journey through history and honor the remarkable contributions of Navajo Code Talkers during World War II. Designed for middle school learners, this educational and interactive day will delve into the unique language used to create an unbreakable code, keeping vital communications safe from enemy interception.
— 18th Annual Chili Cook Off, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 24 WHERE Black River Coliseum COST Free, donations appreciated. WHAT Hosted by the Mason-Dixon Chili Society, this event benefits the United Gospel Rescue Mission. Awards will be given for first, second and third place.
— Tall & Small Ball, 5-8 p.m. Feb. 24 WHERE Westwood Event Center WHAT This event benefits FosterAdopt Connect. It includes dinner and entertainment for adults and children.
— Allison Bruenger exhibit ends Feb. 25. WHERE Margaret Harwell Art Museum. COST Free. WHAT MHAM welcomes artist Allison Bruenger and her Wearable Art exhibit of mixed-media jewelry. Bruenger’s art is a combination of painting, collage, found objects and metal work focused on nature, abstraction and the beauty of the female image.
— Moon Crafting, 5 p.m. Feb. 26. WHERE Poplar Bluff Municipal Library, Main Branch. COST Free. WHAT Create your own lighted moon wall hanging! Spots available while supplies last.
— Missouri Rice Research Council 40th anniversary celebration, 5-8 p.m. Feb. 27 WHERE Holiday Inn Poplar Bluff WHAT The annual meeting of council will be held, along with an anniversary celebration.
— Victory Garden Workshop 6 p.m. Feb. 29. WHERE Stars and Stripes National Museum and Library, Bloomfield. COST Free, but registration is required. WHAT When the United States entered the First and Second World Wars, Americans turned to gardening for self-sufficiency. This interactive session will equip you with the know-how to start your own garden. The guest speaker will be Donna Aufdenberg, field specialist in horticulture for MU Extension.. Call 573-568-2055 or email info@nssml.org to reserve a spot.
— Countryside Chevrolet Championship Rodeo, 7-9:45 p.m. March 1 and 2. WHERE Black River Coliseum. WHAT A two-night pro rodeo show, presented by Farm Credit Southeast Missouri. Tickets available at TicketMaster.
— Mustard Seed Artisan Market Grand Opening, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. March 2. COST Free. WHERE 416 Vine St. WHAT Meet local artists and craftsmen, see handmade creations and explore Downtown’s newest shopping destination.
— Plant Swap 5-8 p.m. March 8 WHERE Archer Gift Co., 1939 N. Westwood Blvd. WHAT Swap, shop, and save money. BYOP (bring your own plant) for a fun swap with one another. Every $100 purchase at Archer will get $20 off and a free monstera start.
— Pop Up Shop, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. March 9. WHERE Archer Gift Co., 1939 N. Westwood Blvd. WHAT A pop up shop with Nancy’s Fancys featuring Easter pretties, doll clothes, children’s clothes, and custom orders.
— 7th Annual Trivia Night Fundraiser, 5 p.m. March 9. WHERE Lair Event Center in Dexter. COST $125 for a table of eight individuals, or $20 per person. Concessions available. WHAT The proceeds from this fundraiser go to support The Stars and Stripes National Museum and Library’s educational programs and exhibits. The event will feature 10 rounds of questions with 10 questions per round. Doors open at 5 p.m., the game begins at 6 p.m. Participants will have the opportunity to purchase mulligans (free spaces) and balloons for the bonus round. Prizes will be awarded to the first, second, and third-place winners. Concessions provided by Family Matters Dayhab, and the proceeds from their sales go to help their organization. For more information or to reserve a table, stop by the Museum or call 573-568-2055.
— Textured Hair Tutorial Night, 6 p.m. March 15. WHERE FosterAdopt Connect, 2198 N. Westwood Blvd. WHAT Foster parents who are not used to styling textured hair can find it challenging or intimidating. Join FosterAdopt Connect for a night of learning on how to take care of your children’s textured hair. Sign up through the link on the FosterAdopt Connect Facebook event page.
— Total Cleanup of the Bluff, March 23. WHERE Convenes at the Black River Coliseum. WHAT Beautify Poplar Bluff before the eclipse, and be entered in prize drawings. Breakfast and coffee are provided at the Black River Coliseum from 7-8 a.m. before cleanup supplies are handed out and cleanup areas assigned. Lunch will be provided at noon. All participants will automatically be entered into prize drawings and a 48/48 drawing. For any inquiries, please contact Morgan or Maci at the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce at 573-785-7761.
— Free Medical Clinic, 8 a.m. March 23. WHERE Westwood Baptist Church. COST Free. WHAT Footsteps Medical Missions, Inc. in cooperation with Westwood Baptist will be providing a free medical clinic. Services provided are medical services, diabetic foot care, wound care, hearing exam, hair care and hearing aids/if available, reading glasses. Walk-ins welcome,pre-registration is encouraged at footstepsmedicalmissions.org.
— Mouse Races, 6 p.m. March 23. WHERE The Grotto, 3102 Kennedy Lane/Aad Grotto Road. COST Tickets are $20 at the door, or reserve an eight-person table for $125. WHAT A night of fun and betting at the mouse races. Contact Shawn Hanley for reservations or sponsorship opportunities at (573) 718-1532.
Don’t see your event? Let us know what you’ve got coming up and we’ll add it. Just email dailyamericanrepublic@darnews.com