Maple Leaf Festival brings families home and the community closer together. To some, it is “bigger and better” than Christmas. Maple Leaf Festival gives us time to slow down, enjoy a meal, a game, a parade and a week of events with loved ones in a stress free environment.  Maple Leaf Festival is a holiday all about embracing the autumn season, relaxing with neighbors and slowing things down just for fun.

The festival does come with it’s own stresses: traffic and crowds. Luckily, we are a very friendly community and we’ve learned to leave early,  make room  for visitor’s and smile. As a mom with a toddler, the crowds can be especially hectic as my child’s excitement builds. The week of the festival can be a great opportunity for training in patience, manners and specifically safety for young ones.  Take time to practice your family’s safety plan addressing stranger danger and what to do if one of you are lost. Parade day is built to support this type of drill; Carthage is full of friendly faces that set a less intimidating scene – perfect for public safety practice. If you do not have a family plan for public safety, here are some helpful tips to start from the National Missing and Exploited Children Website:

Always:

• Keep children with you at all times while in public.
• Accompany and supervise children in public facilities, including restrooms.
• Have a plan in case you become separated, including a pre-designated spot to meet.
• Teach children to look for people who can help, such as a uniformed security officer, salesperson or mother with children.
• Remind children to remain in the area where they become separated.
• Turn outings into opportunities to practice skills.

Never

• Dress children in clothing that displays their first or last names, prompting unwelcome attention from people looking for an opportunity to start a conversation with your child.
• Leave children in toy stores or public facilities expecting supervision from store personnel.
• Attend a public event with a child if you feel you’re going to be distracted. Make other arrangements for child care ahead of time.
• Allow younger children to shop on their own to purchase surprise gifts for friends or family members.

In addition, I have a few other tips specifically for crowded events and activities

• Take a camera phone shot of each of your children as they leave the house for the event. If one of your children become lost, you can easily recall what the child was wearing or share the photo as needed.
• Remind your child that if lost, stay in the area in which your were separated or meet at the agreed upon location. Look for helpful adults, law enforcement, another mom with small children, or cashiers.
• Consider placing emergency contact information with the child. My favorite method is www.safetytat.com, a temporary tattoo with emergency information that your child can easily share. They can be pricey and need to be ordered in advance so some cheaper methods may include a sticker on the back of your child’s clothes or even a home style tattoo with a sharpie marker on the arm. Be sure that your information does not carry personal information like a name, simply a phone number and maybe allergy or medical alerts are appropriate.

Finally, a few safety tips specifically for the Maple Leaf Festival parade:

• the festival committee prohibits participants in the parade from distributing any edible items. Remind your child of your rules for treats from strangers.
• the parade is well attended by law enforcement, upon arrival on parade day, point out officers to your children just in case they may need help throughout the day.
• also point out the barricades on the parade route, remind your child not to pass the lines and barricades until after the parade and only with your permission.

Above all, welcome to the Maple Leaf City of America and enjoy the Festival. The Maple Leaf Festival committee, the Carthage Chamber of Commerce and the Carthage Convention & Visitor’s Bureau work year round to make each year better than the last for families, the community and you.

If yours is like most families, you have probably spent the first half of the summer enjoying the break from school and routine. Many treat these 3 months as precious time to become reacquainted with vacations, special events, and relaxed schedules. Now, as we spy the end of summer and the beginning of another academic year barreling down upon us, you should begin to ease your children back into the school routine.

Start Early

If you are looking for a less painful transition back to school, start slowly by adding structure back into your children’s days. With a week of summer left, begin implementing small changes to bedtimes and morning wake-up calls (Increments of 15 minutes every few days will help bodies and attitudes adjust.). You can also start to structure their waking hours with more directed and educational activities.

Return to the Learning Routine

In addition to readjusting kids’ bodies to the clock, we often have to reintroduce them to the routine of learning. Whether we intend to or not, most American families take the summertime off from learning, resulting in a significant learning loss each summer, but parents can alleviate this problem. As you ease your children back into the school routine, lessen their time in front of the television and the computer. Set aside time daily for reading, and model that positive behavior for your children by reading in front of them. Engage your kids in daily activities that build their skills; based on age and learning needs, children can help create shopping lists, read recipes and measure ingredients, and read signs and navigate directions on car trips. By incorporating interaction and hands-on learning into daily tasks, parents can build positive relationships with their children and keep their minds active, ready for the academic year.

Pack in a Last Few Outings

Make the most of the last few weeks of summer by scheduling several educational outings. Consider a trip to Powers Museum, a tour of the Carthage Courthouse, or a visit to the Carthage Public Library.

Planning for the end of summer and adjusting your routines can better our Carthage Tigers for the year to come!

35th Annual Carthage Stampede Championship Rodeo

Carthage Saddle Club Arena @ Municipal Park

August 9th, 10th & 11th

8pm nightly

Let’s Rodeo, 4-States! Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for children. Thursday night is $5 night presented by KODE12! Get your tickets today at Cavender’s Western Outfitters in Joplin or Race Brothers Farm & Home Supply in Carthage.  For more information, visit TuffBullTour.com or follow the event on Facebook.

One of the greatest things about America is its diversity. People come from all over the world and put down roots in this nation, even while they bring a little bit of their homeland to contribute to the commonwealth of ideas. For more than three decades, Vietnamese Catholics have celebrated Marian Days in Carthage, Missouri.

About Marian Days

This year’s event marks the 35th anniversary of the occasion. Marian Days is a pilgrimage of Vietnamese Catholics and their descendants done in honor of the Immaculate Heart of the Virgin Mary, as well as in memory of their homeland across the Pacific. The festival is highlighted by a huge outdoor Mass held on the grounds of the Congregation of the Mother Co-Redemptrix and runs from August 2-5. 2012.

A Unique American Pilgrimage

Marian Days is expecting to draw a crowd of approximately 70,000 people this year. Participants are mostly drawn from the Vietnamese émigré community in the United States but also include many others from Canada, Vietnam and other nations all around the world. The celebration itself is like an extended summer picnic or camp out, which offers an extensive variety of food kiosks and many vendors of devotional and cultural items.

Come On Down

This family-friendly event has welcomed visitors to the Carthage area since 1978. Those interested in camping out on the grounds of the Congrergation of the Mother Co-Redemptrix or any of the surrounding private landowners who welcome these annual visitors are assured of a full slate of sanitary and medical facilities. It is also possible to enjoy Marian Days while staying at any of the area’s fine motels and nearby RV parks.

Marian Days is a very unique and fun experience where the West of the Mediterranean world meets the Far East in the form of the Vietnamese immigrant community right in the center of the United States. With every year’s event just a little bit bigger and a little bit better than the one before, friendly Carthage is pleased to host this new slice of Americana and hopes that you will stop on by if you are in the area.

Schedule of Events

Marian Days 2012 Schedule

There is no reason to be bored during the summer! Carthage offers events that happen each day of the week. We have listed a few of those happenings below. Visit our Events page often to see what’s new on the Carthage calendar!

Sunday

The little ones will love the old fashioned fun at Kiwanis Kiddieland.
You will love the 50¢ price!

Monday

Tour the breathtaking Precious Moments chapel.

Tuesday

Cool off in the pool.
Choose full sized fun in Municipal Park or the Toddler Wading Pool in Central Park.

Wednesday

Wine Down every Wednesday with a “Refined Happy Hour” at the White Rose Winery.
$10 for unlimited wine and appetizers from 4pm-6pm.

Thursday

Watch Cowboy Mounted Shooting while cutting into a delectable steak at the Lucky J Arena.

Friday

Take the whole family to 66 Drive-In Theatre.
Enjoy two movies and yummy popcorn.

Saturday

Bring your acoustic instruments and join Pickin’ & Singin’ every Saturday at Red Oak II.

The Carthage Convention & Visitors Bureau is proud to announce that we are now on Pinterest! Follow us at pinterest.com/carthagecvb/. Our boards include Carthage Events, Things To Do, History, Places To Eat, Places To Sleep, Wedding Ideas, Maple Leaf Festival and more!

We will create new boards and add pins each weeks, so follow us and visit often. You just might discover a new Carthage favorite or recaputre a nostalgic memory from your childhood.

Pinning has become very addictive for us, especially knowing that a picture is worth a thousand words. We are proud of our city and are excited to share it with the community and the world through Pinterest.

If you feature a Carthage attraction, event or image on your website or blog, please email a link to Wendi at cvb@visit-carthage.com. We just might pin it!

Repin Your Favorite Carthage Places.

Fireworks used by individuals within the City of Carthage will be permissible only on the following dates and times:

• •July 3rd – 9AM to 11PM
• •July 4th – 9AM until 1AM July 5th
• •July 5th – 9AM until 11PM

Individuals caught using fireworks before or after the above mentioned dates and times, will be ticketed by the Carthage Police Department and your fireworks will be seized.

Important Note: The discharge of any firework is NOT allowed in municipal parks at any time.

The Carthage CVB offers a few tips for a fun and safe celebration:

• -Always read and follow label directions.
• -Have an adult supervise all fireworks activities.
• -Ignite outdoors, away from buildings and vehicles.
• -Keep a bucket of water handy or a garden hose.
• -Never experiment or attempt to make your own fireworks.
• -Light fireworks one at a time.
• -Never re-ignite malfunctioning fireworks.
• -Store fireworks in a cool, dry place.
• -Never throw fireworks at another person.
• -Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers.
• -Eye protection should always be worn by the fireworks shooter.
• -No part of the shooter’s body should be over the firework as it is being ignited.
• -Only use fireworks as intended. Don’t try to alter them or combine them.
• -Spectators should keep a safe distance from the shooter.
• -Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Have a “designated shooter.”
• -After discharging aerial fireworks, wet down the paper shell casing before disposing of it in the trash.
• -Please be sure to clean up your trash after discharging your fireworks. 

City of Carthage 4th of July Celebration

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Municipal Park

4pm

The City of Carthage celebrates Independence Day on the 4th of July. Citizens are encouraged to bring family and friends to Municipal Park to enjoy the traditional festivities. The event opens at 4 pm with vendors in the park including: Pay per Play Laser Tag by Bill’s Extreme Paintball and Laser Tag, Tropical Snow, cotton candy, candied nuts and Jack’s Ice Cream. Kiwanis Kiddieland will be open from 6pm-9pm and Ceremonies will begin at sundown with a flag ceremony presented by the Carthage Police Explorers and officiated by Mayor Pro Tem Dan Rife.

Event committee chairman, Randee Kaiser states, “We are gearing up to make this event more family friendly throughout the day by offering food, refreshments and fun. Come early to Municipal Park, find your favorite spot and enjoy the afternoon as we celebrate America in our community.” The event continues at 9:30 pm with a fireworks presentation by Liberty Pyrotechnics. Tune into Mix 95.1 MIKE FM to listen to the patriotic music with the choreographed display.

Other community events throughout the week include: 66 Drive In Theatre & Kiddieland each weekend, The Annual Membership Show at artCentral thru July 8th, Battle of Carthage Commemoration program on KDMO on July 5th, Battle of Carthage Vesper’s Service on July 5th at the BOC State Park, The Mikado at Stone’s Throw Dinner Theatre July 5-8, Live Music at The Woodshed on July 6 and other area attractions are available.Celebrate Independence Day in Carthage, Missouri.

City of Carthage ordinance prohibits citizens from discharging fireworks in any of the city parks.

For additional information: Contact Carthage Convention & Visitor’s Bureau 417-359-8181 or www.visit-carthage.com.

Update: 8/2/12

Jasper County

• I-44: NIGHT WORK - One westbound lane closed between Route 249 in Joplin and a point east of Route 37 in Sarcoxie. Mile Marker 11-28. Resurfacing.

• Route 96 New Bridge: Road closed at Spring River in Carthage until December 2012. Use alternate routes. Detour: Route 37, I-44 and Route 71-North.

• Route 171 New Northbound RR Bridge Near Brooklyn Heights: (Completion: December 2012)
  Two-way traffic in southbound lanes at Missouri-Northern Arkansas railroad tracks.
  (Safe & Sound)

Three state routes in Jasper and Newton County are scheduled to be resurfaced beginning Monday, June 25th. Jasper County Routes E and V in the Carthage area are included in the project:

1. Jasper County Route E between Route 37 south of Avilla and Route 571 in Carthage.
2. Jasper County Route V between Route 96 and Route 71 in Carthage.

In addition to the resurfacing project, the bridge on Route 96 just east of Carthage will continue to be closed until late fall. The Spring River Bridge Detour  is Route 37 to Jasper County Route E to Route 571.

Traffic Impacts

Drivers can expect one-lane traffic where crews are set up. A pilot car along with flaggers will be on the road to guide drivers through the work zone.

Drivers should be prepared to stop approaching the work zone.

The roads are scheduled to receive new hot-mix asphalt driving surfaces.

Work Schedule

Work will begin on June 25th on Route 86 between Fairview and Route 60 at Neosho.

Immediately following the completion of the Route 86 project, Jasper County Routes E and V will be resurfaced.

The work should be completed by early August.

Weather and/or construction delays will alter the work schedule.

Visitors Welcome

The Carthage Convention & Visitors Bureau would like to encourage visitors to call us or stop by for the map with the best route for the day. We want you to know you are welcome to our great city and help you make the best of our road construction.

Carthage Convention & Visitors Bureau
402 South Garrison Avenue
Carthage, MO 64836
(417) 359-8181
cvb@visit-carthage.com

UPDATE: U.S. 71 Interchange Ramp Extension Work
Begins Week of July 9 Work to extend acceleration ramps (on ramps) at five interchanges along U.S. 71 in Vernon, Jasper and Cass counties will mean narrowed ramp lanes and lane closings along U.S. 71, the Missouri Department of Transportation said. U.S. 71/Fairview Avenue interchange in Carthage: The northbound and southbound on ramps will be lengthened.

UPDATE 7/10/12: Where: Westbound I-44 rest area near Halltown (Mile Marker 52)
What: Westbound rest area CLOSED due to a water pump issue which has left rest area without water service.  The eastbound rest area remains open. When: Effective immediately until further notice
NOTE: Travelers may use the westbound I-44 Welcome Center at Joplin at Mile Marker 2 and the westbound I-44 Welcome Center at Conway at Mile Marker 110.
UPDATE 7/10/12: Blevins Asphalt is about to start the Highway E & V project (J7S2209F) this project will start on July the 16^th we will be paving the main line of both projects and this should take about two weeks to complete Blevins Asphalt will be working from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 4 days a week on this project.  We will start this project on the east end of the E job (37 Highway side) and go west.  We will Start the V job on the south side of the project (96 highway) and go north.  When we begin our asphalt overlay on the main line this will be a one lane at a time operation, then the next day we will pull the lane even.  Blevins Asphalt will have proper signage for traffic control on this project and will use flaggers and a pilot car to direct traffic threw the work zone while we are working on this project.

UPDATE 7/16/12: Jasper County — A project to resurface a 17-mile section of Interstate 44 between Joplin and Sarcoxie is set to begin on Thursday night, July 19, the Missouri Department of Transportation said. Lanes of I-44 between Route 249 in Joplin (Mile Marker 11) and a point east of Route 37 in Sarcoxie (Mile Marker 28) will be closed at night.  Contractor crews will close lanes between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. Monday through Friday. Drivers should be alert for crews and equipment on the road with bright lights illuminating the work zone during nighttime hours.

UPDATE 7/24/12: Aug. 8 — Jasper County Route O between Jasper County Route D and Jasper County Route M north of Alba. Pavement sealing projects are scheduled to begin July 30 in Dade County and continue over two weeks on several other state routes in Cedar, Polk, Greene, Jasper, Barton and Vernon counties, the Missouri Department of Transportation said. Drivers can expect traffic stops of up to 20 minutes where crews are working to apply rock and oil to the road. The process is designed to seal cracks and preserve the pavement. During the chip-seal operation and even for a while afterwards, loose gravel may be on the road. So drivers are urged to slow down in the work zone to avoid sliding out of control and to keep from throwing rocks into the air that could crack windshields. The work zone speed limit will be set at 45 mph. Be prepared to stop for a few minutes or consider using an alternate route. Either way, give yourself more travel time to reach your destination. Chip-seal work will take place roughly between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day Monday through Thursday during the two-week period. Trucks and workers will be on the roadway as early as 6:30 a.m. or 7 a.m. doing preparatory work and as late as 5 p.m. sweeping away loose rock.

UPDATE 7/31/12: Route 96/Spring River Bridge Detour Modified During Marian Day Celebration

Where: Route 96/Spring River bridge closing detour on east side of Carthage

When: Thursday, August 2, through early morning hours on Monday, August 6, during the Marian Days Celebration in Carthage

What:  The bridge closing detour will be modified to include Route 37 near Avilla south to Interstate 44 to Route 71-North to Route 96 (Oak Street) in Carthage

Note: Electronic message boards will be repositioned along the temporary detour route to alert drivers to the modified detour.  The original detour will be restored on August 6 which advises drivers to use Route 37 to Jasper County Route E (Fairview Avenue) west to Route 571 (Garrison Street) in Carthage to Route 96 (Oak Street).