BENTON, Mo. -- An extra day of festivities and a new look to the midway are among the bright spots added to the 49th Annual Benton Neighbor Days.
Set to begin at 5 p.m. today at the city ball park, the Benton Chamber of Commerce-sponsored event promises once again to reunite old friends and provide entertainment for all ages.
"There will be a skyline like Benton, Missouri, has never seen," said Matt Richbourg, who co-chairs the Benton Chamber of Commerce event with David Wilhlem.
Celebrated since 1925, the festival also offers games, 4-H exhibits, greased-pole climb, sheep-riding contest and many other activities.
By increasing the event to three days, it's allowed organizers to spread out the weekend's activities, Richbourg said. For example, the popular Neighbor Day contests featuring children up to high school-aged young women will take place tonight instead of its usual Friday night, he siad.
Richbourg said pageant organizers were happy with the change.
"The last few years the pageants have competed with Friday night football so we're hoping more people can participate on Thursday," he said.
Pageants will begin at 6 p.m. today on the stage at the ballpark, beginning with the Tiny Mr. & Miss Neighbor Day Pageant followed by the Little Mr. & Miss Neighbor Day Pageant, Junior Miss Neighbor Day Pageant and Miss Neighbor Day Pageant.
Another change this year is the new vendor for rides. PBJ Happee Day Shows began setting up Monday at the ballpark in preparation for the three-day event.
"We're excited to be here. This is our first time at the Benton Neighbor Days and everyone has been extremely friendly and definitely excited to see us here," said Cayla Miller, acting manager for PBJ during Neighbor Days.
Miller said there will small rides, large rides and family-friendly rides.
"We literally have a ride for every age -- and the rides for the smaller kids have room for parents to ride with them," she said.
Armband night for $15 will also be tonight. Grounds close at 10 p.m. Thursday. Tickets for rides will be available all three nights.
The final registration for 4-H and photo exhibits is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at the Chamber of Commerce Building. Entries will be available for viewing and voting for the Neighbor Day Choice award from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
The fun continues at 5 p.m. Friday when the midway opens. Rides, concessions and other games will be open on the midway.
Registration for the cornhole tournament is from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday with the event beginning at 7 p.m. Friday on the upper ball field.
The greased-pole contest is planned for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday near the Chamber of Commerce booth. Keith Morrison will perform from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
On Saturday, the midway opens at 11 a.m. following the 10:30 a.m. parade that winds through the Benton streets.
Following the parade, registration begins at noon for the mud race, horseshoe tournament, which begins at 1 p.m.
Also on Saturday the annual mud races behind the former Benton High School building will begin at 2 p.m.
Games for children, such as water balloon toss, egg toss, water balloon skeeball and nail driving, begin at 4 p.m. Saturday near the Chamber of Commerce booth.
Contestants in the Heartland Idol will take the midway stage beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Returning for the fourth year is "mutton busting" which will begin at 9 p.m. Saturday The deadline to register is 8 p.m. that night.
The Chamber of Commerce booth will also award attendance prizes to those who sign up at its booth.
Craft vendors will also be set up by the old Benton High School throughout the three days. PBJ will sell carnival and fair food favorites while other entities will also have booths over the weekend.
For example, the Catholic Church stand is known for its barbecue sandwiches while the fish sandwiches are at the Methodist Church stand. The American Legion Auxiliary sells funnel cakes and candy bars dipped and fried in the funnel cake batter.
While the Neighbor Days have served as a reunion for many of the town's residents and former residents over the years, the event also draws people from surrounding communities, Richbourg said.
"Attending Neighbor Days is one of the best times you'll have while supporting your community," Richbourg said, adding the event and its offerings are comparable to some of the larger fairs in the area.
The event raises funds for the Benton Chamber of Commerce which awards scholarships to local students and gives back to the community in other ways.
Making the two-day event a three-day event is new for everyone involved as well as those who attend, Richbourg said. Organizers are learning as they go and ask for patience from the public as they perfect it, he said.
"We need community support," Richbourg said. "A lot of people we've talked to our excited about this year's event -- and we're excited, too."
For more information, visit the "Benton Chamber of Commerce" Facebook page or call city hall at (573) 545-3558.