Weekend events offer fun for families, pets in region

Four-legged friends are at the forefront of this week’s MAIN EVENT.

The Animal Welfare Alliance No-Kill Shelter will have a community yard sale Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Key Drugs parking lot to raise money for the shelter and its and its programs. Sale items will include clothing, dishware, furniture, pet supplies and much more.

For those looking to enjoy an activity with their dog, Big Spring at Van Buren will host the BARK Ranger Hike at 9 a.m. Saturday. People are encouraged to bring their dogs to this free event and join a park ranger for a short hike around Big Spring. Following the hike, all dogs will be officially sworn in as Ozark National Scenic Riverways “Bark Rangers” and given exclusive memorabilia. Dogs must be on a six-foot leash at all times.

Other upcoming events include:

— 36th Annual Women Aware Conference, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sept. 21 WHERE Black River Coliseum COST $55 WHAT Event offers a full day of learning, motivation, and networking for women.

— Poplar Bluff High School Homecoming, 6 p.m. Sept. 22 WHERE PBHS

— BARK Ranger Hike, 9 a.m. Sept. 23. WHERE Big Spring, Ozark National Scenic Riverways. COST Free. WHAT Bring your four-legged friends and join a Park Ranger for a short hike around Big Spring. Following the hike, all dogs will be officially sworn in as Ozark National Scenic Riverways “Bark Rangers” and given exclusive memorabilia. Dogs must be on a six-foot leash at all times. Meet at the parking lot next to the spring.

— AWA Yard Sale 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 23. WHERE Key Drugs parking lot, 910 N. Westwood Blvd. WHAT A community yard sale benefiting the Animal Welfare Alliance No-Kill Shelter and its programs. Sale items include clothing, dishware, furniture, pet supplies and much more.

— Storys Creek School improvement project, 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. Sept. 23 WHERE Alley Spring WHAT Volunteers will gather to clean and improve a one-room school house built in 1896 as part the 2023 National Public Lands Day.

— Ian Munsick, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23. WHERE Black River Coliseum. WHAT Ian Munsick performs with special guests Chancey Williams and Palmer Anthony. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available online at ticketmaster.com or in person at the Coliseum box office..

— Science Sunday, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Sept. 24. WHERE Poplar Bluff Municipal Library, Main Branch. COST Free. WHAT Come explore and learn about comets on Science Sunday.

— Lunch and Learn, suicide prevention, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 25 WHERE Holiday Inn COST Free WHAT Poplar Bluff Regional Medical invites the public to hear from speakers on suicide prevention. Lunch is provided.

— Book signing, 10 a.m. Sept. 26 WHERE Rutland Library at Three Rivers College WHAT Three Rivers College Professor Mark Sanders will hold a book signing and public reading of his latest book, “Siannon’s Promise.”

— 26th Annual Senior Health Fair, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 26 WHERE Twin Towers COST Free for seniors age 50+ WHAT More than 50 community businesses will proved services. Contact: 573-686-8624, alejandra.nobles@thecrc.org

— Book signing, “Siannon’s Promise,” 10 a.m. Sept. 26 WHERE Rutland Library, Three Rivers College WHAT TRC professor and author Mark Sanders presents the third installment of this series.

— September Storytime, 10:30 a.m. Sept. 26. WHERE Poplar Bluff Municipal Library, Main Branch. COST Free. WHAT Storytime for children at the library.

— Butler County Fair donkey races, 6 p.m. Sept. 28 WHERE Poplar Bluff Motorsports Park COST $10, under 5 free

— Community Outreach Day, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 29 WHERE First United Methodist Church COST Free WHAT Community Outreach Day is a one stop event where individuals and families in need can access free services and assistance. Services include housing, social services, employment, veteran services, medical and groceries. Contact: 573-778-4425, 573-772-9128

— Butler County Fair exhibits, 4-10 p.m. Sept. 29, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sept. 30 WHERE Black River Coliseum COST Free WHAT Exhibits include art, produce, quilts and more. A silent auction to support the event will also be held.

— Little Mister and Miss Butler County Fair pageant, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 29 WHERE Black River Coliseum COST $5 WHAT Awards given by age group and for special entries.

— Butler County Fair, opens 6 a.m. Sept. 30 WHERE Poplar Bluff Motorsports Park COST Varies WHAT 10 a.m. 4-H Archery Shoot Demonstration; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Top Shot Archery Time Challenge Event; 10 a.m.-1 p.m. poultry/rabbit/guinea pig demonstration/show; • Noon Area 51 Pullers LLC lawn and garden tractor pulling; 7 p.m. USA Pullers Association tractor and truck pull; Kids Zone, 10am – 2pm., includes bounce houses, mobile escape room, midway games, lawn games, rock painting, face painting and petting farm.

— Wayne County Outdoor Expo, 7 a.m. Sept. 30 WHERE Ash Street, McKenzie Cree Greenway, Piedmont WHAT Presented by the Piedmont Area Chamber of Commerce, this events offers trading and presentations related to the outdoors, as well as special competitions during the day. Contact: 573-223-4046, www.visitpiedmontmo.com

— 2nd Annual Mark Twain Hardwoods 8 Race, 9 a.m. Sept. 30. WHERE Victory Horse Trail. COST $35. WHAT Join the Poplar Bluff Trails Collation on September 30, 2023, for their 2nd Annual Mark Twain Hardwoods 8. Register online at ultrasignup.com until Sept. 27. Directions: From Poplar Bluff, take Hwy 60 West to right on CR 410 (Across from Scott Wood Products) to trailhead on the right.

— Birds over Baker, 9 a.m. Sept. 30 WHERE Sam A. Baker State Park COST Free WHAT This free birding festival features live bird presentations, guided bird watches, and activities for the entire family. Bird walk, 9 a.m.; Activities and crafts, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; Raptor Awareness Program, 1:30 p.m. at park amphitheater. Bird merchandise will be available for purchase throughout the day from the park concessionaire, GoexploreUS.

— Patrons of the Arts presents, “Mutts Gone Nuts,” 7 p.m. Oct. 3 WHERE Tinnin Fine Arts Center COST $15 WHAT Canines and comedy collide in a smash performance that’s sure to leave the whole family howling for more. It features nine canine partners, all adopted from animal shelters and rescues, that promise to unleash hilarity as the Houghtons attempt to match wits with their mischievous mutts.

— Shine A Light, Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Prevention Conference, 10:30 a.m.- 3:45 p.m. Oct. 6 WHERE Fellowship Church COST Free WHAT This free conference includes multiple speakers, including signs and symptoms and positive ways to intervene.

— Poplar Bluff Pickleball Tournament, 10 a.m. Oct. 7. WHERE Haff Whiskey Saloon. COST $100 per team. WHAT A tournament benefiting Boy and Girl Scouts, open to players of all skill levels. Winning team receives $500. To register, contact Tamara Persons at tamara.persons@scouting.org or 573-776-3484.

— Campbell Main Street Festival, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 7 WHERE Campbell Main Street WHAT Includes vendors, festival food, music and more.

— Riverfront Fall Festival, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 21 WHERE Kellerman Foundation Parking Lot, Water Street, Themis Street and Riverfront Park in Cape Girardeau WHAT Features a collection of artisan vendors from around the Southeast Missouri area, food vendors and kids’ activities. Website: https://www.visitcape.com/riverfront-fall-festival-2023.

Don’t see your event? Let us know what you’ve got coming up and we’ll add it. Just email dailyamericanrepublic@darnews.com.