TEBBETTS - Though Missouri 94 has been claimed by the Missouri River, the Tebbetts Picnic and Fiddler Contest is still on.
"Even in 1993 when the river reached 39 feet, Tebbetts did not flood," said Sam Richards, event organizer and long-time Tebbetts resident.
Getting there requires a slightly unconventional route, however. From Fulton, picnickers should head down U.S. 54 West to the Route AA/OO exit, then take Route AA until it intersects with Missouri 94.
Turn left onto Missouri 94 heading east. While the MoDOT traveler advisory page says the stretch of 94 is closed due to flooding, a visual inspection of the road Friday afternoon showed the 2-mile segment between AA and Tebbetts is open.
This is the Tebbetts Picnic's 71st year.
Aside from the long list of scheduled activities below, those who make the trek may enjoy concessions - including the classic mutton - gun and quilt raffles, children's games, a rummage sale, a silent auction and more.
The weekend's highlight is the fiddler contest, this year scheduled at noon on the Sunday of the festival. Sign-ups to participate begins at 11 a.m. June 30. Every fiddler will receive a $10 food voucher, and there's $1,600 in prize money on the line.
Schedule
There's a full weekend of good, old-fashioned fun planned. Here's when it all happens.
June 28
5 p.m. - Classic and muscle car show; beer stand opens
5-9 p.m. - Bingo
5:30 p.m. - Cunningham Girls
6:30 p.m. - Cloggers
7:30 p.m. - Watermelon-eating contest
8 p.m.-midnight - Music by Prairie Moon
June 29
7 a.m. - Registration for 5K
8 a.m. - "Travel the Gravel" 5K walk/run
Noon - Flag ceremony by Mokane Girl Scouts; beer stand opens
Noon-1:30 p.m. - Entry window for fruit pie contest
12:30 p.m. - Turtle races
1:30 p.m. - Simon Says game
2-9 p.m. - Bingo
2 p.m. - Fruit pie contest judging
3:30-7:30 p.m. - Antique tractor show
3:30-5:30 p.m. - Bluegrass music by Spiritual Strings
5:30 p.m. - Pie auction
6 p.m. - Kiddie tractor pull
7:30 p.m. - Simon Says game
8 p.m.-midnight - Music by Desperate Times
June 30
10 a.m. - Church service
11 a.m. - Beer stand opens; fiddle contest registration
11-11:30 a.m. - Mid-Mo Conservatory of Dance
11:30-11:50 a.m. - Mid-Mo Conservatory of Dog Training
Noon - Fiddler contest