Entertainment guaranteed
What does barbecue, softball, African art, jazz, mariachi bands, reenactments, blues music, funnel cakes, pumpkins, sugarplums and twinkle lights have in common? Well, each year, St. Joseph plays host to 12 annual festivals that feature these very things and much, much more.
MAY:
Staring off the year is the Apple Blossom Festival, the first weekend in May. Along with the Apple Blossom Pageant on April 2, the annual parade on May 6th, the Apple Blossom Festival also includes the Apple Blossom Barbecue contest May 6 and 7.
Also on the 3rd weekend, the Northside Association of St. Joseph hosts the Northend Spring Festival, which includes a soft-ball tournament, a 5K run, a parade, craft vendors, games, rides, food and a baby show.
JUNE:
In early summer, two festivals occur which celebrate our black culture in St. Joseph. The second weekend in June is Juneteenth. It commemorates the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation with a parade, art show, reenactments, music and food.
The other festival celebrates one of our musical natives, Coleman Hawkins. At the Coleman Hawkins Jazz Festival various talented musicians from the region come together to perform day and night at Coleman Hawkins Park in downtown St. Joseph.
AUGUST:
There are two more festivals rounding out the summertime; The St. Patrick's Mexican Festival which celebrates the Hispanic culture with variety shows, great food, carnival rides and live music on the 2nd weekend of the month.
Then Trails West!® the largest arts festival in Northwest Missouri features 3 full days of fine art, craft booth,reenactments, children’s activities, a wide range of festival food, and live music on 3 different stages.
SEPTEMBER:
Coleman Hawkins is again celebrated in the early fall with a Blues Festival on the first weekend. This two-day festival features various blues artists and great food.
On the Southside of St. Joseph, the annual Southside Fall Festival is dedicated to family entrainment with craft and food booths, kiddie rides, a parade and fireworks.
OCTOBER:
To usher in the fall season, Pony Express Museum hosts PumpkinFest on the 2nd weekend in October. This free family arts festival includes all the regular festival fare, including a Children’s Costume parade and the lighting of Great Pumpkin Mountain, hundreds of carved and electrically lit pumpkins wired together to light up on cue Friday night.
NOVEMBER:
Finishing out the festival season are two holiday events. The Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art sponsors the Sugarplum Festival on the 2nd weekend, which is a holiday gift mart that includes gourmet food and wine tasting.
Last but certainly not least, on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, downtown St. Joseph transforms into a winter wonderland with the City Lights Festival. This holiday tradition includes live music, carriage rides, hot chocolate and cookies, as well as a visit from the one and only Mr. & Mrs. Claus.