LOHMAN, Mo. - The annual Lohman Festival & Lions BBQ is set to celebrate its 16th year of food, fireworks and history June 30.
Lohman Lions Club secretary Gary Zumwalt expects hundreds to attend the all-day event. The 9 p.m. fireworks display continues to grow, he added.
"We have a lot of people coming," Zumwalt said. "The interest has really increased in the last few years."
Most of the festivities take place at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 8618 Church Hill Drive, in Lohman, beginning with a 9 a.m. patriotic church service. A walk through the local antique shop, Corner Collectibles, is available 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Historic displays continue inside the community building. A two-floor setup of photos and artifacts from Millbrook, Stringtown and Lohman will be displayed 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Free guided tours of the Historic Lohman Mill will take place noon-3 p.m. at 8701 Front St. Owners Virginia and Raymond Lister purchased the mill and other buildings on the property around 1984 for Raymond's HVAC business.
"It's the only mill left in Cole County," Virginia said. "It's historical because years ago they had to mill wheat and corn to get their food. It served a lot of local people at the time."
Last year, more than 60 people toured the mill during the festival.
A barbecue meal of chicken, pork steak or bratwurst with sides will be available for $10 outside the community center. Proceeds go to the Lions Club mission of preventing avoidable blindness and scholarships for Russellville High School students.
Crowds typically gather with lawn chairs at about 6 p.m. for hot dogs, soda and ice cream before the fireworks, Zumwalt said.
For more information, contact Zumwalt at [email protected] or 573-782-3560.