The Mtn. View Chamber of Commerce will host the 36th annual Pioneer Days on Saturday in downtown Mtn. View, featuring live music, heritage demonstrations, contests, vendors, food and family activities.
The day will begin with a pancake breakfast from 7:30 to 10 a.m. at the Mtn. View Community Center. Tickets are $6 in advance or $8 at the door.
Activities at the gazebo main stage will begin at 8 a.m. with a welcome and announcements, followed by the national anthem at 8:15 a.m., performed by Brad and Richie Jester.
Entertainment will continue throughout the day with Music & Singing by Jesus in the Park at 9 a.m.; the Sassie Lassies at 10 a.m.; Victor Brown on piano at 10:45 a.m.; Cornerstone Dance Studio cloggers at 11 a.m.; Travis Mourick at noon; Rob Perkins at 1 p.m.; and Skarekrow at 1:30 p.m.
All-day activities will include food and craft vendors, a car show, quilt show, apple butter making, heritage demonstrations, a bounce house, train rides, ax throwing, a dunking booth, cake walk and face painting.
Special events will include the Mtn. View Police Department drunk driving simulator from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the laundromat lot; RH Gospel Dogs demonstrations at 9 and 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on the east side of the Community Center; a woodsman competition at 10 a.m. next to the Southwest Baptist University building; a Howell County Sheriff’s Department canine demonstration at 10:45 a.m. in front of the Community Center; and a Mtn. View Fire Department bucket brigade at 12:45 p.m.
Old-fashioned competitions will begin at 2 p.m. with the Pioneer Costume Contest at the gazebo, followed by the Beard & Mustache Competition at 2:15 p.m., calling contests at 2:30 p.m., tricycle races at 3 p.m. and bed races at 3:30 p.m.
The schedule of events is subject to change and competitions are dependent on participant registration. Those interested may register at the Chamber booth during the festival.
The Chamber booth will be located near the corner of First and Oak streets, adjacent to the gazebo. Visitors may register for contests, purchase Pioneer Days T-shirts and get event information there.
The food court will be located between the Community Center and the Southwest Baptist University lot. Craft vendors and other activities will be spread throughout downtown, including around the Community Center, Oak Street, Elm Street, First Street, Second Street and the gazebo.
Parking will be available at the football field, library through the back entrance, airport, Mtn. View Elementary School and on side streets around downtown. Accessible parking will be available in the Southwest Baptist University lot, with access from Highway 17. Visitors are asked not to park on the grass on university property.
Bathrooms inside the Community Center will be closed. Portable restrooms will be available behind and beside the Community Center, in the Southwest Baptist University lot with an accessible unit, next to the former Walgreens building and at the far end of the Community Center parking lot toward Elm Street.
The annual Pioneer Days parade has been canceled this year because of a lack of entries, organizers announced.
For more information or to volunteer, contact the Mtn. View Chamber of Commerce at 417-934-2794 or chambermvmo@gmail.com.
