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Music for the Mind: Festival honors late Sikeston resident
SIKESTON — Plans are underway for next month’s Music for the Mind music and camping festival at The Camp at Lake Wappapello in honor of late Sikeston resident Josh Monroe.
Monroe’s widow, Stephanie Monroe, explained how the festival, which is a nonprofit organization, originated.
“‘Music for the Mind’ was started in honor of Josh; he passed away in 2018 and he owned a business in Sikeston for a few years, Monroe’s Landscaping and Lawn Care,” Monroe said. “He had a huge love for music.”
Monroe said her late husband died in a dirt bike accident, and therapy was extremely beneficial to her recovery.
“I just ended up starting a music festival in honor of him,” Monroe said. “All the proceeds go to those who have been through trauma or battle with their mental health.”
Monroe said this will be the festival’s fifth year, and they have been able to distribute $27,000 in love offerings throughout the area.
“That goes toward therapy sessions, victims of sexual assault, violence, we’ve been working with veterans and more,” Monroe said.
Monroe said music brought her and her late husband together, and that a music festival appeared to be the ideal way for her and her family to honor his legacy while also helping those in need.
This year’s festival will take place on Friday, Aug.16 and Saturday, Aug.17 at The Camp.
Monroe said all of the scheduled entertainers on this year’s lineup have performed at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. The festival lineup includes Drake White, Maggie Rose (both nights), Paul McDonald and the Mourning Doves, Brit Taylor, Adam Chaffins and Pyror Baird.
On Friday, the gates will open at 5 p.m. That night, Baird, Chaffins, and Rose will perform.
On Saturday, a yoga class will start at 9:30 a.m. followed by “Joy of Pancakes” at 10:30 a.m.
“The Joy of Pancakes is where we will have an artist who does pancake art,” Monroe said. “He is coming down from St. Louis and he makes pretty cool, artsy pancakes that you can eat.”
Monroe added a pontoon jam will take place at the sand bar on Saturday between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
On Saturday night, gates will reopen at 5 p.m. and at 6:15 p.m. Brit Taylor will perform first, followed by Paul McDonald and the Mourning Doves, then Maggie Rose, and lastly Drake White.
Monroe said all activities on Saturday are free, but tickets are required for the music on Friday and Saturday.
Tickets can be purchased through their website or at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/music-for-the-mind-music-camping-festival-august-16...
According to Monroe, tickets are $30 per day or $35 cash-only at the gate.
For more information, visit the festival website