Maple Leaf Nights Out

By now, you know the Maple Leaf Festival includes a parade, an art and craft show, a car show and fair food. You know these things all fall on the third Saturday of October. And you know after the morning and early afternoon festivities on festival day, there will be lots of people to gab with on the square. But, check out all the things with which to fill your evenings leading up to the festival!

Saturday, October 13, home-town boy and current professional comedian, magician and juggler Mike Bliss returns for an amazing show at 7 pm at the Carthage R-9 Auditorium. Advance tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for kids.

On Sunday, the 14th, you’ll want to head over to the R-9 Auditorium to cheer on your favorite Maple Leaf Queen candidate. The pageant begins at 7 pm, and there’s no admission fee. Starting on Wednesday, the 17th, and running through Saturday, the 20th, the carnival is back behind the Y. Come by the Chamber at 4th and Garrison before the 17th to score discount armband cards.

Wednesday, the 17th, you can also enjoy a free night of worship at Carthage Nazarene led by area worship leaders. Thursday night, the 18th, cheer on your favorite “singers” at the 3 Minutes of Fame competition. It’ll cost a buck to get in, and you’ll want to get tickets early because it’s a sell out every year!

Friday night, the 19th, head up to the square for a brat and then stick around for the car show. If brats and cars aren’t your thing, the Y is hosting a 5k twilight race that night including music, food and fun. If dodgeball sounds more like your speed, Game On is hosting a tournament Friday night with youth and adult divisions.

The Saturday evening of festival day, head to the stadium to see some amazing area bands give it their all to win the 53rd Annual Marching Band Festival. Of course, these are just a few of the many goings on you will want to take advantage of during festival season. Check out Maple Leaf on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more information!