Graduation season begins this weekend

This weekend kicks off the first of four Butler County graduations.

Both Twin Rivers High School and Neelyville High School will celebrate the Class of 2024 on Saturday. Twin Rivers commencement will begin at 3 p.m. at the Black River Coliseum, while Neelyville’s will be held at 6 p.m. at Neelyville High School.

Poplar Bluff High School events will follow Thursday, May 16, starting at 7 p.m. at the Black River Coliseum.

Three Rivers College will wrap up events Friday, May 17, with commencement starting at 6 p.m. at the Libla Family Sports Complex.

More than 700 students across the county will mark major milestones in their education through these four events.

Other upcoming events include:

— Mozark Madness, 11 a.m. May 10 WHERE Ray Clinton Park WHAT A day of games, food and more. Lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. and the competition at 12:30 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Greater St. Louis Area Council Scouting.

— Launch party, Vintage Flair Mercantile, 11 a.m. May 10 WHERE 208 N. D St. WHAT Event includes barbecue pork and catfish plates, homemade baked goods for the launch of Vintage Flair Mercantile.

— Summer Kick-Off 2024, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. May 10 WHERE 502 Main St., Van Buren WHAT Hosted by Southern Bank, this event includes vendors, grilled bratwurst and drawings for prizes.

— May sip and shop, 4-7 p.m. May 10 WHERE Archer Gift Co., 1939 N. Westwood Blvd. WHAT Event includes specials and sangria.

— Downtown Cruise In, 5-8 p.m. May 10 WHERE Main Street in Downtown Poplar Bluff WHAT Event hosted by Poplar Bluff Parks and Recreation.

— Cane Creek Revue performs, 8 p.m. May 10 WHERE Jake’s Loch Loma Lounge WHAT Live music

— Twin Rivers High School graduation, 3 p.m. May 11 WHERE Black River Coliseum

— Neelyville High School graduation, 6 p.m. May 11 WHERE Neelyville High School

— Barbara Jenkins Author Event, 1 p.m. May 11. WHERE Poplar Bluff Municipal Library Main Branch. COST Free. WHAT Poplar Bluff native and New York Times bestselling author Barbara Jenkins discusses her incredible journey and signs copies of her new memoir, “So Long as It’s Wild.” Copies are available at the library for $20.

— Poplar Bluff High School graduation, 7 p.m. May 16 WHERE Black River Coliseum WHAT Tickets are required for admission.

— High school art exhibit, open through May 17 WHERE Tinnin Fine Arts Center COST Free WHAT A collection of artwork created by area high school students.

— Ladies 9 and Wine Golf Outing, 10:30 a.m. May 17 WHERE Ozark Ridge Golf Course COST $60 for Chamber members, $75 for non members WHAT Hosted by the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce, the event is for teams of four and includes lunch, drinks and prizes.

— Three Rivers College graduation, 6 p.m. May 17 WHERE Libla Family Sports Complex

— Strawberry Festival, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. May 18 WHERE 134 County Road 367, Harviell COST $5 parking fee WHAT A first time event by McGruder HomeGrown, it will include vendors, food trucks and music.

— Military Celebration, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. May 18 WHERE Redman Creek Recreation Area, Wappapello Lake WHAT Vendors, along with federal, state and local groups, will be on hand to celebrate the military. Event includes cruise-in car show, military heavy equipment displays, vintage military jeeps, live music by Buzzard Run Bluegrass Group, and various games and activities for the entire family to enjoy.

— Beetlejuice Paint and Pour, 1-3 p.m. May 18 WHERE King David’s Winery, 1844 County Road 448 COST $40 WHAT Includes live performance by Justin Andrews, paint, pre-drawn canvas, all supplies and a glass of sangria.

— Breaking Bondage: No More Cycles 2 p.m. May 18. WHERE Poplar Bluff Municipal Library Main Branch. COST Free. WHAT A discussion about overcoming obstacles and barriers in life presented by Aviance Ray, co-author of “A Well Dressed Woman.”

— Dinner and a movie, 5:30 p.m. May 18 WHERE Rodgers Theatre COST $15 WHAT Enjoy dinner and the movie “Steel Magnolias.”

— Boosted Behavior Cruise In, 6 p.m. May 18 WHERE Valley Plaza Shopping Center, 749 N. Westwood Blvd. WHAT The third annual event, all vehicles and motorcycles are welcome.

— Stroke Lunch and Learn, noon-1 p.m. May 23 WHERE Holiday Inn COST Free WHAT Talk with health care specialists about stroke signs and symptoms. Lunch is provided. Hosted by Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.

— 100 mile yard sale, May 22-26 WHERE Highway 25 in Southeast Missouri

— Swim day, noon-5 p.m. May 26 WHERE Black River Coliseum Aquatic and Fitness Center COST $2 WHAT Open swim day.

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