Recent photo galleries

Fun was had during New Madrid’s Fall Festival and the Twisted Cat Tournament on Oct. 5, 2024.

The Little League Youth Football program, New Madrid War Eagles, continues to make memories for boys – and girls – in third through sixth grades. This year there are 70 youngsters from New Madrid, Parma, Matthews, Lilbourn and the surrounding area taking part in the league, which is fielding a third and fourth grade team and a team of fifth and sixth graders.

Rain held off for residents to enjoy the annual Sikeston American Legion Cotton Carnival which began at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, on Pine Street, then traveled north to Malone Avenue, west to Scott Street and then dispersed in vacant parking lots west of Scott Street. This year’s theme is “Eight Decades of Success.”

SIKESTON — Longtime photographer Jackie Calbert, Sikeston High School basketball standout Trey Jenkins and the state finalist 2018-2019 cheer team are this year's inductees of the Sikeston Public Schools’ Hall of Fame-Honor Wall. Calbert was selected for the Honor Wall while Trey Jenkins and the 2018-2019 cheer team were chosen for the Hall of Fame. The inductees were recognized at half time of the Sikeston High School Bulldogs football game versus Malden Green Wave Friday, Sept. 20 at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium. The Sikeston Hall of Fame recognizes athletes, coaches and teams who have received state honors or beyond. Honor Wall recognizes individuals and teams for their service and achievement to the district.

The Sikeston Professional Fire Fighting Association celebrated its Eighth Annual 9/11 memorial Walk Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. The event is held to never forget the victims and events of Sept. 11, 2001. Participants began at Fire Station 2, 506 North Main St. in Sikeston, and proceeded south on Main Street to Lowes Home improvement Store, where an emergency vehicle truck rally took place and was open to the public. All emergency service agency personnel and citizens were invited to participate.

NEW MADRID, Mo. — The Immaculate Conception Parish hosted its annual Riverfest on Sept. 7 to benefit the I.C. School in New Madrid.

Lilbourn was bustling with activity on Aug 31. In addition to the annual Fall Festival in the city park, former students returned to Lilbourn High School for a reunion.

An estimated 3,000 people filled Main Street for the first-ever Music on the Mississippi in New Madrid on the afternoon of Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, for the food truck rally then crossed the Mississippi River levee to listen to performances by local entertainers, Ol’ Rivertown and Double Take, and headliner, The Marshall Tucker Band.

The Sikeston High School Red Peppers celebrated their 96th year Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, with the annual Greenie Parade which began at the high school and ended at Legion Park in Historic Downtown Sikeston.

The 2024 Educator Prayer Breakfast for all Sikeston Public Schools’ staff, teachers, facility workers, etc., was at 7 a.m. Monday, Aug. 19 at the Tanner Street Church Gym in Sikeston. Breakfast, a coffee bar and giveaways were part of the festivities. Sikeston R-6 Athletic Director Frank Staple served as the guest speaker. (Rod Anderson/Standard Democrat)

Students in the Sikeston R-6 School District returned to the classroom Tuesday, Aug. 20 for the new school year. Here are some photos as students at Lee Hunter Elementary arrived for their first day of school.

Students in the New Madrid County R-1 School District returned to class on Monday, Aug. 19.

Photos from Night 4 of the 2024 Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo.

Photos from Night 3 of the 2024 Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo.

Photos from Night 1 of the 2024 Sikeston Jaycee Rodeo on Wednesday, August 8, 2024.

New Madrid County Central High School student volleyball athletes and their coaches used much of their summer to prepare for the upcoming fall athletic season. In addition to weight training and conditioning, athletes also gathered for camps to hone their skills.

Fireworks reflect in the waters of the Mississippi River along the New Madrid riverfront on Saturday, July 6. The city’s annual fireworks show draws hundreds of visitors to watch the spectacle. New Madrid County residents found a variety of ways to celebrate America’s birthday over the long Fourth of July holiday. weekend.

Gina Curtis/Standard Democrat The fireworks display sponsored by the Sikeston Elks is visible in the night sky Thursday, July 4 from the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo grounds. Donations for next year’s show can be mailed to: Sikeston Elks Fireworks; PO Box 931; Sikeston, MO 63801.

East Prairie hosted its annual Main Street Party on Friday, June 21 and Tour de Corn Bike Ride on Saturday, June 22. View the photo gallery at www.standard-democrat.com.

Volunteers for the Sikeston Trailer Brigade joined together for Serve Sikeston Sunday on June 2, 2024, to pick up and remove tree limbs, pass out care packages, toiletries, food, water and more following the EF3 tornado that went through Sikeston on May 26, 2024.

The New Madrid County Central Lady Eagles girls basketball camp brought together 21 girls entering first through sixth grade for three days of fun while learning basic skills May 29-31, 2024.

New Madrid Elementary celebrates the end of school with its annual Field Day featuring an array of fun. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

Severe thunderstorms and possible tornadoes pushed through the region early Sunday, May 26. There were reports of limbs down, structure damage and power outages in Sikeston, Miner and surrounding areas.

New Madrid County Central High School's Class of 2024 were awarded diplomas during graduation May 14, 2024, at the high school gymnasium.

The 48 members of Portageville High School's class of 2024 were awarded diplomas May 9 during the 106th commencement graduation ceremony concluded May 9.

New Horizons High School hosted a special graduation ceremony Friday, May 10 for its class of 2024 at the Sikeston Alternative Education Center ahead of Sikeston High School's commencement slated for Monday, May 13.

Members of Sikeston High School’s class of 2024 participated in “Senior Decision Day” Friday, May 10, 2024, in the high school cafeteria, which also marked their last day of school. The event included several prize giveaways, activities and games as well as photo opportunities for the seniors to declare their decisions for life after high school — whether it be college, the workforce, trade school or the military.

Prayers were offered up for the schools, the communities, the churches and the leaders. There were prayers for America and the world. The National Day of Prayer service at the New Madrid County Courthouse on May 1 brought together all denominations as they offered prayers of hope, guidance, protection and intercession.

Children of all ages were invited to the Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site’s Children’s Day on May 4, 2024, in New Madrid to learn what life was like in the 1860s by participating in common chores and games of the time period.

Photos of the The Swamp East Missouri Truck Show and Convoy at the Complex on Saturday, April 20, 2024.

The 56th Annual Dogwood-Azalea Festival was held Thursday, April 18 through Sunday, April 21 in Charleston, Missouri.

As the total solar eclipse reached totality Monday, April 8, 2024, several guests and residents of the area watched from the "Total Eclipse of the Park" event at Sikeston Sports and Recreation Complex, Veterans Park in Sikeston, Legion Park in Historic Downtown Sikeston and other parts of town.

New Madrid, Missouri, drew visitors not just from across the country but around the world for the opportunity to view the total solar eclipse Monday, April 8, 2024, over the Mississippi River.

As the total solar eclipse reached totality Monday, April 8, 2024, several guests of Hampton Inn in Sikeston stayed put and watched from the parking lot while other residents and visitors gathered at Malone Park or Southeast Missouri State University in Sikeston. Students at St. Francis Xavier Catholic School in Sikeston hosted their own celebration from their playground.

An estimated 5,000 people gathered Monday, April 8 at the Sikeston Recreation Complex to view the Total Solar Eclipse. People from various states and countries traveled to Sikeston to witness the eclipse during the Sikeston Convention and Visitors Bureau’s “Total Eclipse of the Park.” They gathered at the complex for picnics, telescope viewings, food trucks, fishing, mini golf and other activities.

Sikeston Jaycees hosted a crawfish boil and music festival Saturday, April 6 at the rodeo grounds, and on Sunday, April 7, Sikeston Convention & Visitors Bureau hosted Movie in the Park featuring "E.T. the Extra-Terrestial" at Legion Park in Historic Downtown Sikeston.

The Bell City Cubs baseball team hosted an event to celebrate the life of Clayson Anderson during their game against Puxico Indians Friday, April 5 at the Bell City High School baseball field. There were burgers, hot dogs, raffles and more. All proceeds benefited the Clayson Anderson Memorial Scholarship Fund.

More than 100 children along with their families turned out on Saturday, March 30 for the annual Easter egg hunt at the Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site in New Madrid. While the staff at the site spent days filling 1,700 eggs with sweet treats, the youngsters swept across the ground gathering up the eggs in less than 10 minutes.

The annual Kenny Rogers Children’s Center Telethon was conducted Saturday, March 16, 2024, at the Sikeston Field House. There was a pancake breakfast; 5K run/walk; cornhole tournament; kids zone activities, an Easter egg hunt; and a silent auction. By the close of the telethon on Saturday, the total raised was $318,518.

Historic Downtown Sikeston’s Annual St. Patrick's Day Festival was celebrated Saturday, March 16 at American Legion Park. This year's event included a homebrew competition, 1K donut run, cornhole tournament, costume contest, craft vendors and food. Attendees also received a souvenir mug and sampled craft beer.

SEMO Christian Academy students, who range in ages from 3 to 5 years, have been learning about farm animals for the past two weeks, and on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, they got to meet some up close with the help of Jennifer and Nick Layton of Hearts With Hooves. The preschoolers were introduced to a miniature goat, two miniature horses and a steer. Hearts With Hooves facilitates equine-assisted learning with children to build life skills that can transfer into real life.

Kindergarten students at New Madrid Elementary School marked Dr. Seuss’s birthday by creating special hats and listening to guest readers. As part of Reading Across America on March 1, the school hosted a number of guest readers.

Fans of both the Sikeston Bulldogs and New Madrid County Central Eagles showed support for their teams during the matchup of the two top-ranked basketball teams Tuesday, Feb. 13 at the Sikeston Field House. Both sides had fun cheering for their teams. Sikeston went on to win, 90-76.

The Riverbend Regional Archery Tournament at New Madrid County Central High School and Middle School on Jan. 27, 2024, had more than 250 archers competing for honors. Schools taking part included Cambell, Gideon, New Madrid County, Notre Dame Regional High School, Portageville, St. Ambrose in Chaffee, St. Augustine in Kelso, Holcomb High School and Covington, Tennessee. Portageville earned first place in both bullseye and 3D while New Madrid County High School placed second in 3D and third in Bullseye.

Christmas Family Fun Night on Dec. 11, 2023, was filled with holiday activities for New Madrid Elementary students and their families to enjoy.

It was a full house for Lilbourn Elementary School’s annual Christmas Concert on Dec. 12.