BENTON, Mo. — The annual Benton Neighbor-Day event returned Thursday, promising attendees three days packed of carnival rides, games, live music, pageants, a parade, races and refreshments.
Set for 5 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday at Benton City Park, organizers say the longtime annual event often serves as reunion for friends old and new.
Throughout the three-day event, carnival rides will be provided by PBJ Happee Day Shows with $20-armbands (noon to 11 p.m. Saturday), and food and games will also be on hand. Attendees can register for free prizes at the Chamber of Commerce booth each day of the event.
Scheduled for Friday night are the Neighbor Day pageants. The Tiny Mr. and Miss contest for boys and girls ages 1 to 2 years starts at 6 p.m at the Benton Ballpark followed by the Little Mr. and Miss Neighbor Day for boys and girls ages 3 to 5 years, Junior Miss for girls in sixth to eighth grades and Miss Neighbor Day for girls in ninth through 12th grades (estimated to begin around 8:15 p.m.).
On Friday, a greased pole climb is scheduled for 8 p.m. with live entertainment by “Keith Morrison” planned for 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
A 5K run and kids color run kicks off Saturday’s events with all proceeds going to the Benton Volunteer Fire Department. The 5K starts at 7:15 a.m., and the kids color run will follow at approximately 8:30 a.m. Races begin and end at the Benton Post office. Medals will be awarded to winners.
Check-in/packet pickup is from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday at the post office or from 6 a.m. to the start of the race Saturday, also at the post office. Registration for the 5K on the day of the race is $30 and for the kids color run is $20.
Once the races are over, lineup for the parade begins at 10 a.m. Saturday on Missouri Street at the T-ball Field. There is no need to register. Prizes for the first, second and third place floats will be awarded. The parade starts at 10:30 a.m. on East Missouri Street, crossing Winchester/Highway 61 to North Street, St. Mary’s Street, Tywappity Street, New Madrid Street and East South Street before ending on Cottage Street and back at the ball fields.
The midway opens at 11 a.m. Saturday. Photo exhibits will be available for viewing and voting in the former Benton High School building on park grounds. Registration for the double-elimination cornhole tournament also starts at the Chamber of Commerce booth, and cost is $40 per team. The actual tournament starts at 6:30 p.m. on the ball diamond.
At noon free games for all ages such as nail driving, water balloon toss and egg toss begin on the ball diamond. A kiddie tractor pull for children weighing between 30 and 90 pounds will be at 4 p.m. in front of the midway stage. The greased pole climb will be at 7 p.m. near the Chamber of Commerce booth.
Gates for the 13th annual mud races will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. behind the former high school building. Registration is from noon until 1:30 p.m. The actual race starts at 2 p.m. Categories include: stock, altered stock, super stock and outlaw. Entry is $25 per truck with 100% payback in each class.
Rounding out Saturday’s events are Heartland Idol at 7 p.m. on the Midway stage followed by live entertainment by “Keith Morrison” from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.