55th Annual Jesse James Festival |
Reccap of Daily Events and Winners |
The 55th Annual Jesse James Festival brought thousands of residents and visitors to Kearney, Missouri, delivering two action-packed weekends of tradition, friendly competition, and community celebration. Held primarily at Jesse James Park, this milestone year blended time-honored frontier heritage with family-friendly entertainment across both weekends.
Opening Saturday: September 12
The festival kicked off its preliminary weekend with adrenaline-pumping horsepower and family motorsport fun:
Demolition Derby: Grandstand Attractions hosted the high-impact main event at the park arena.
Kids Power Wheels Derby: Young drivers showed off their skills in front of cheering crowds before the main crash heats.
Robinson Chainsaw Carvings: Festival-goers admired live timber carvings followed by an evening auction.
Friday: September 18
The festival's signature weekend launched with the arrival of smoke, music, and competitive cook teams:
Barbecue Cook-Off Setup: Pitmasters checked in to fire up smokers for the 38th Annual Jesse James BBQ Cook-Off (Show-Me State Championship), sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society. Teams like Weekend Bum BBQ later locked in top results, highlighted by their hard-fought 2nd Place Brisket finish.
Line Dancing at the Pavilion: Instructor Tami Davis led free group line-dancing lessons for dancers of all skill levels.
Park Festivities: Concessions, DJ entertainment, and evening socializing set the tone for the busy weekend ahead.
Saturday: September 19
Saturday served as the centerpiece of the celebration, filling downtown streets and park grounds from morning until night:
VFW Country Breakfast: E. Howard Porter Post 5717 served biscuits, gravy, and pancakes to kick off the day.
Little Mr. & Miss Contest: Local youngsters competed for festival royalty honors in front of Kearney Feed Supply.
Downtown Parade: Marching bands, local youth groups, equestrian units, and creative floats processed through the heart of Kearney. Celebrating local participants, The Animal Clinic of Kearney took home the coveted 1st Place Crowd Pleaser award.
Arts, Crafts & Carnival: Midwest Shows Carnival turned on the rides while dozens of makers opened shop in Arts & Crafts Alley.
Afternoon Sports & Pulls: Spectators cheered on the Bucket Brigade Garden Tractor Pull, disc golf competitors, and co-ed mud volleyball teams in the dirt pits.
Night Rodeo & Dance: The C.R. McKellips Rodeo Co. took over the arena with mutton busting, bareback riding, and a kids' boot scramble, capped by dancing under the pavilion with the band Pistol Creek.
Sunday: September 20
The festival concluded on a relaxed, family-focused note under sunny autumn skies:
Jesse James Open Car Show: Hot rods, custom trucks, and classic restorations lined the park to vie for top-30 honors and specialty plaques.
Cowboy Church: An outdoor morning worship service drew early-rising visitors near the rodeo grounds.
Kids' Fishing Tournament: Young anglers cast lines around the park pond for prizes.
Championship Rodeo Finale: The second performance of the URA/MRCA Rodeo concluded the weekend's festivities, highlighted by the annual hog raffle drawing. |
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