Arts and Entertainment
September 15, 2023
From: Maple Leaf FestivalThe Maple Leaf Festival began in 1966 as a marching band competition. Since then, volunteers have come together to organize an event to celebrate the beauty of the fall foliage of the maple-leaf trees. The City of Carthage, known as America’s Maple Leaf City, hosts one of the region’s biggest festivals, drawing over 65,000 visitors in October to pay homage to this historic festival.
Held the 3rd week in October annually, this festival hosts daily events for an entire week. Starting with Oktoberfest the week before and ending with the biggest parade in Southwest Missouri. This nearly 2-mile parade begins at 9 am and encompasses the beautiful Historic Carthage Square, traveling down Grand Ave. and finally ending at the Carthage Jr. High School.
The square is filled with arts & crafts, food vendors, live entertainment all day, a quilt show, activities for kids, a petting zoo, and so much more. A carnival full of rides & entertainment for all ages, a Night of Praise, walking tours, and other activities fills the week with activities for all ages. Celebrating our 57th year in 2023, the Maple Leaf Festival TM, the Carthage Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Carthage Welcome you to America’s Maple Leaf City this October.
Schedule of Events October 13th - 21st
October 13th & 14th
Maple Leaf Festival Rodeo - 6pm Carthage Saddle Club Arena
October 14th
Maple Leaf Festival Bike Tour - 8am - Kellogg Lake
Oktoberfest - 10am - 5pm - Central Park
Maple Leaf Festival Baby & Toddler Show - 5pm
On the Stage in Central Park
October 15th
Maple Leaf Festival Chili Cookoff - 12pm - Central Park
Maple Leaf Festival Chicken Pageant - 2pm - Central Park
Maple Leaf Festival Little Mr. & Miss, Princess & Queen - 3pm
Carthage R-9 Auditorium
October 16th
Maple Leaf Festival Touch a Truck - 5:30pm - Carthage Square
October 17th
Maple Leaf Festival Taco Tuesday - 6pm - Central Park
October 18th
Maple Leaf Festival Night of Worship - 6:30pm
On the Stage in Central Park, Bring Lawn Chairs
October 19th
Maple Leaf Festival 3 Minute of Fame - 7pm-carthage R-9 Auditorium
October 20th
Maple Leaf Festival Carnival - 5pm - Fair Acres Family Ymca
Mapl Eleaf Festival 5k - 6pm - Fair Acres Family YMCA
Maple Leaf Festival Free Concert on the Square Featuring
Members Only - 7pm - Carthage Square, Bring Lawn Chairs
October 21st
57th Annual Maple Leaf Festival Parade & Vendors - 9am - Carthage Square
Maple Leaf Festival Car Show - 8am - CRM on Grand
Maple Leaf Festival Tractor Show - 9am - Central Park
Maple Leaf Festival Quilt Show - 12pm - YMCA Youth Activity Center
Maple Leaf Festival Carnival - 12 Pm - Fair Acres Family YMCA
PARADE
The 2023 Maple Leaf Festival Parade will take place on October 21st, beginning at 9 a.m.!! Old traditions are new again. The parade is going to go back around the Square!! The parade will start on the corner of 4th and Main, Go Main down to 3rd, 3rd to Grant. It will then follow Grant down to Grand, Grand to Centennial, and over to River. We encourage visitors, both local and traveling, to line the parade route and join in the spirit of Maple Leaf as festive floats travel down the 1.7-mile route.
2023 Parade Application
Chili Cook-off Participant Form
2023 Baby Pageant Form
2023 Toddler Pageant Form
2023 Little Miss and Mister Pageant Form
2023 Princess and Prince Pageant Form
2023 Maple Leaf Festival Queen Pageant Form
Date: October 13-21, 2023
Location: Various locations in Carthage, MO
Click here for more information