Annual Events

April

Cherry Blossom Festival

Started in 2005, the festival is an annual three-day event celebrating American history and culture. In the first year, Marshfield had the largest-ever assembly of presidential descendants as 26 presidential families were represented. In 2014, former first lady Laura Bush and her daughters, Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush, attended the festival along with James Gatchel, fifth great-grandson of President James Monroe. Other notable speakers in 2014 included Paul Burrell, Princess Diana's butler, and Kami Cotler who played Elizabeth, the youngest daughter from the classic TV show, "The Waltons."

The festival includes arts and crafts on display, historical museum exhibits and awards, notable speakers, an English tea, a buffet dinner, a cherry pie auction, and a formal State Dinner.

For more information on this year's event as well as past presidential descendants, celebrities, humanitarians, plus notable authors and speakers, visit the Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival website.

Cherry Blossoms

July

Independence Day Parade

Marshfield boasts the oldest, continuous Independence Day celebration west of the Mississippi River. In 1991, President George H.W. and first lady Barbara Bush participated in Marshfield's Independence Day Parade while campaigning for the presidency.

Little Girl on Toy Car with American Flags

Rodeo

The four-day Independence Day rodeo is held at the Ellis O. Jackson Park (Webster County Fairgrounds). Events include bareback bronc, saddle bronc, calf roping, ladies' breakaway, over-40 events, bulldogging, team roping, barrel racing, bull riding, and more. On the 4th, a large fireworks display follows the rodeo.

Image courtesy of Marshfield Mail

Bull Riding at Rodeo

Fair

The Webster County Annual Fair is the longest, continuous running county fair in Missouri, starting in 1938. The fair is held Wednesday through Saturday in the third week of July. Each day features one or more livestock shows, including beef, dairy, sheep, meat goat, dairy goat, and poultry. Each night Star Amusement provides rides and games on the Carnival Midway while the outdoor arena features different attractions such as tractor and truck pulls. Indoor activities include an art show, talent shows, a pie contest, and auction. In the Ellis Jackson and Centennial buildings, a variety of common goods (baking and canning, garden vegetables, horticulture, photography, crafts, antiques, and other categories) are on display.

Each night a different civic group provides a great selection of grill food in the kitchen building while funnel cakes, corn dogs, and shaved ice can be found on the Midway.

Image courtesy of His Fingerprint Photography

Young Boy with Calf

October

Harvest Days

Features many family-friendly activities including a car show, a variety of games for the kids, music, plenty of food, and vendor booths.

Image courtesy of His Fingerprint Photography

Two Men in Overalls and Cowboy Hats

Christmas Parade

Each year the Marshfield Chamber of Commerce hosts the annual Christmas Parade. The Kiwanis Club of Marshfield hosts the Children's Christmas Store.

People in Santa Hats Riding Horses