Missouri Day returns to Fowler this weekend; marking its 100th celebration with live music, livestock shows, rodeoand more.
While the first Missouri Day celebration was held 101 years ago, this year is a do-over of the 100th anniversary after the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled last year's festivities.
Missouri Day 2021 begins Friday at 6 p.m. with a Livestock Show at Park School sponsored by Peak View Animal Hospital and Fowler Future Farmers of America.
"It started in June of 1920 and it was a picnic," said Becca Sharp, event coordinator for Missouri Day. "Basically a gathering of all the people that have migrated to Fowler from Missouri. It started out as a picnic, but they did not restrict it to just Missourians and then it grew into what it is today."
Additional Friday evening events include a Kids Rodeo at Fowler Rodeo Grounds, a Cornhole Tournament in Gerard Parkand Missouri Day's annual Reunion Dance and Beer Garden. Festivities will resume Saturday morning beginning with the Dennis Blackburn Community Center Breakfast and the Missouri Day Parade.
"We have DA20 Katana planes from the CAE Doss Aviation that are going to do a flyover to start the parade and then they will do a flyover in the middle of the parade," Sharp said.
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The three parade marshals for this year's Missouri Day Parade are Nora Clifton, Albert Manchegoand Jerry Norton.
"Nora Clifton, Albert Manchego and Jerry Norton have a long history of exemplary commitment to the Fowler Community," according to a Missouri Daynews release. "They are exactly what makes Fowler 'A Good Place to Grow.'Join us in congratulating and thanking our Parade Marshals for their service and friendship to Fowler, Colorado."
Clifton has lived in Fowler for 29 years. Born in Kansas and raised in Denver, she has been an active and dedicated member of the community throughout her time in Fowler. She has volunteered with the Alzheimer's Walk for Life,Dennis Blackburn Community Center, Fowler's First Baptist Church, the Fowler Progress Club and Fowler Library.
"Most recently she was nominated for the 2020 Lady of the Year by the Eta Tau Sorority for service to our community," according to the release. "In Nora's spare time, she likes to do embroidery, play Canasta, and write short stories. She also likes to spend time with her children, grand children, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren."
Manchego has resided in Fowler for more than 70 of his 102 years of life. Born in Naranjos, New Mexico, he served for two years in World War II; fighting in the South Pacific.
Following the war, he was employed at the Pueblo Army Depot for 27 years. He raised eight children with his wife, Rafaelita.
"You can see Albert sitting on his porch or taking his daily walks," according to the release."He enjoys seeing all the young children passing by and saying, 'Hi grandpa Chego!' He loves spending time with his children and grandchildren, there are too many to mention, but he remembers them all, with a little hint."
Norton, a life-long Fowler resident, was raised on the north prairie. He attended a one-room schoolhouse until graduating to Fowler High School. A long-time rancher, he has ran a custom feed lot and a produce stand with his wife, Karen. He has also been active in serving his community through FFA and 4-H programs.
"Jerry's favorite memory of Missouri Day was when they used to haul in loads of dirt and they would have the rodeo by the park," according to the release. "He enjoyed watching the rodeo and watching the potato race. He is really glad the rodeo is back at old Park School and he enjoys watching it every year."
An action-packed schedule of Missouri Day events will continue through Saturday and conclude Sunday morning with a golf tournament at Cottonwood Links Golf Course and a community worship service at Gerard Park sponsored by the Fowler Ministerial Alliance.
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"On our Facebook page, we do have information on where to stage, because its kind of cluttered down there during the parade when the parade gets ready," Sharp said. "It's better to park where you are supposed to park and then registration is at Fifth and Florence."
The Fowler Historical Society and Museum will be open from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. Otherrecently scheduled Missouri Dayevents include an all-class reunion by the bandstand hosted by Fowler Historical Society and Fowler High School's Class of 1970, a three legged race, a sack raceand an egg toss.
La Junta Tribune-Democrat reporter James Bartolo can be reached by email at JBartolo@gannett.co
