Salute to America Event Coordinator Penny Smith joked if she has a "normal year," something must be wrong.
The last two years have been a whirlwind of activity for Smith, but she is excited to continue learning and planning two of Jefferson City's largest community events.
As the event coordinator for the nonprofit corporation, Smith works with the city, county, state, Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce, and Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau to organize the annual Salute to America festivities in downtown Jefferson City and Concert Inside the Walls at the Missouri State Penitentiary. That includes organizing street vendors and entertainment for all stages, booking the carnival and brainstorming event improvements.
"It's a lot of different moving parts, but when I took this on, there were a lot of people who came with it so I had help," said Smith, who took over the position in October 2018 after former event coordinator Jill Snodgrass moved.
Smith's first couple of years as event coordinator haven't been a breeze, making that support system instrumental.
Less than two weeks before last year's Concert Inside the Walls, an EF-3 tornado swept through Jefferson City, damaging the Missouri State Penitentiary. Smith moved the concert to the Jefferson City Jaycees Fairground, but a storm forced organizers to cancel the concert early.
At the same time last year, Jefferson City experienced historic flooding. With Salute to America's July 4 fireworks stationed near the river, Smith continuously monitored the situation. If the water was too high, she said, organizers wouldn't have been allowed to shoot off fireworks.
Luckily the flood waters stayed at bay and organizers were able to fire off fireworks.
Things couldn't get any worse than that year, Smith remembers telling herself.
Then the coronavirus pandemic erupted this year.
Salute to America organizers postponed Concert Inside the Walls, originally scheduled this month, to Sept. 12. They are still monitoring the pandemic and will decide what precautions to take when the date is closer, Smith said.
After chatting with the Cole County Health Department, Salute to America organizers implemented changes for this year's July 4 celebration because of the coronavirus. This includes reducing hours, canceling various activities, providing more hand-washing stations, and expanding the parade route to encourage social distancing.
"I'm definitely going to feel like if I have a normal year, something is going to be wrong," Smith said with a chuckle.
While those situations have been challenging, the organization has also had to work around construction on the Capitol, which began in March 2018 and won't be completed until December.
"Not having that main stage in the right location kind of gives it separation from the event and that separation causes it not to be as noticeable or loses its grandiose - just stick it on a corner somewhere," Smith said, adding organizers will move the Capitol Main Stage to the press parking lot this year so it is closer to the Capitol.
Whether it's working around construction, natural disasters or a pandemic, adaptation is key, Smith said.
"If you've been in business, you know that you've got to roll with the punches," she said. "Curveballs are constantly coming your way, and you've got to be able to quickly come up with answers."
Smith credited her flexibility to her two decades as an office manager for C&S Business Services, where she oversaw two branches. She retired from C&S Business Services in 2010.
Despite the challenges, Smith said she is "thrilled and humbled" to organize two large community events.
Smith's favorite part of the job is meeting new people.
"In this business, you've got to be able to work with people and be compassionate and understand other situations. That's what I love," she said.
A Jefferson City native, Smith remembers attending July 4 celebrations in downtown when she was a child. Back then, downtown businesses put on the festivities, Smith said.
Even as a child, Smith was fascinated by the inner workings of planning events.
Smith got a small taste of event planning while serving on the Downtown Association, but it was more of a hobby at the time because of her full-time job at C&S Business Services, she said.
Between working with community organizations and working for C&S Business Services, Smith already knew several individuals on the Salute to America board of directors and committees.
"It's intimidating to begin with because this is a humongous event, but knowing the people I was going to work with made it so much easier," Smith said.
Since stepping into her new role, Smith's goal has been ensuring the festival is a fun time for the whole family and includes several children's activities.
Smith wants to continue adding new activities and entertainment.
This year, Salute to America will offer a new performing arts stage on Madison Street, where different performers like dance and karate groups can perform and canine demonstrators can show off their talents.
"It brings families out, and it's a natural attraction, and that's what this event is for - for families and communities - so that was kind of a no-brainer that we have to do that," Smith said.
Smith's drive to try new things expands to Concert Inside the Walls, too.
The concert's first three shows featured country bands. When Smith became event coordinator, she went a different direction by booking classic rock band Dennis DeYoung and the Music of Styx.
Rock band Smash Mouth will headline this year's Concert Inside the Walls.
To continue expanding Salute to America and Concert Inside the Walls, Smith encouraged residents to join the organization's committees or contact her at [email protected] with ideas.