The Springfield Conservation Nature Center will host “Firefly Frolic” Friday night (6/18) from 8:30 to 9:30 at Living Memorial Park. Kids will try to catch some lightning bugs and can visit educational stations around the park. Registration is required.
Missouri State University will hold a Juneteenth celebration Friday afternoon (6/18) from 1:30 to 3 in the Plaster Student Union Theatre. Dr. Lyle Foster will discuss the significance of Juneteenth; and the traditions, songs and symbols surrounding the celebration; and the Springfield NAACP’s Juneteenth Celebration to be held Saturday (6/19). There will also be a performance by the community gospel choir.
Friday (6/18) is Veterinarian Appreciation Day at Dickerson Park Zoo from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Kids can take their stuffed animals to the zoo for a checkup. Wellness booths will be set up around the zoo. Regulation zoo admission applies. Admission is $15 for 13 and older and $10 for ages three to 12. Kids two and younger and Friends of the Zoo members get in free.
The 15th Annual Balloon Glow will be held Friday night (6/18) as part of the Sertoma Club’s Duck Race Festival Friday and Saturday (6/18-6/19) at Finley River Park in Ozark. The festival will feature a rubber duck race, fireworks, concessions, a cornhole tournament, carnival rides, live music, craft and vendor booths and more.
Roaring River State Park hosts bluegrass concerts on weekends in the summer. Friday night’s (6/18) concert will start at 7 at the River Shelter and will feature the Flyin’ Buzzards.
Springfield Little Theatre presents Matlida the Musical through June 27 at the Landers Theatre.
The Mystery Hour will film its final television episode Friday night (6/18) at 7:30 at the Gillioz Theatre. Tickets are $14.
The Movies at Founders Park Series will feature the film, Shazam! rated PG-13, Friday night (6/18) and Dumbo, rated PG, Saturday night (6/19) at dusk at Founders Park in downtown Springfield. Concessions will be available. Take blankets and lawn chairs.
The Boy Scout Troop 210 Garage Sale will be held Friday (6/18) from 3 to 8 p.m., Saturday (6/19) from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday (6/20) from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 3555 S. Fremont.
The Southern Missouri Arts Connection and the Taneycomo Festival Orchestra will present the Taneycomo Arts Picnic Friday (6/18) from 4 to 9 p.m. at Chad Fuque Park in Hollister. The event will include a live concert, arts and crafts and food trucks.
The Drive-In Laser Light Show is at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds with two shows on Friday and Saturday (6/18-6/19) and one show on Sunday (6/20).
Cirque Italia will present their Water Circus Silver Unit ’21 Tour in the Battlefield Mall parking lot in Springfield through June 27.
Buffalo National River is hosting the Friday 5k Friday nights at 6 through September 3. Walk and talk with a ranger to log three miles for the Iron Ranger Challenge. Meet at the Steel Creek Boat Launch.
Ha Ha Tonka State Park in Camdenton will host “Trivia Bingo” Friday night (6/18) at 8 at the Post Office Shelter. Plan nature bingo and learn about native wildlife.
The Lebanon Route 66 Festival is this weekend in Lebanon. Friday’s (6/18) events start at 5 p.m. in downtown Lebanon and will include a cruise-in, food trucks and live music. The event continues Saturday (6/19) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Boswell Park with craft vendors, live music, cornhole, inflatables, a parade, a kids’ bike parade and more. The 75th anniversary celebration of the Munger Moss Motel will start at 5 and will feature a hog roast, live music, a bounce house and karaoke.
The Springfield NAACP will host a Juneteenth Celebration Saturday (6/19) with live entertainment, community booths and giveaways. Items for the unsheltered in the community, such as sunscreen, tarps and socks, will be collected. It will be held at Silver Springs Park, 1100 N. Hampton.
United Community Change will host a Juneteenth Freedom Walk Saturday (6/19) at noon followed by a celebration in Washington Park, 1600 N. Summit in Springfield.
The History Museum on the Square will host an African American Heritage Presentation Saturday afternoon (6/19) at 2 at the Historic Fox Theatre. Explore Springfield’s African American heritage through a variety of topics. Registration is required.
Friends of the Garden will host the 2021 Butterfly Festival Saturday (6/19) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene-Close Memorial Park, 2400 S. Scenic in Springfield. The event will feature a variety of activities, performances and vendors. The day will include free admission to the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden and tours of the Gray-Campbell Farmstead and Liberty School.
Ozarks Healthcare will hold a remembrance ceremony Saturday morning (6/19) at 10 at the Missouri State-West Plains Amphitheatre to remember those who lost their lives to COVID-19. It’s open to anyone who lost a loved one to the illness.
The program, “Waterworks, Conservation in Parks,” will be held Saturday afternoon (6/19) at 1 at Landreth Park in Joplin. Test the water quality in Joplin Creek and learn about the water cycle and how water effects parks. Wear clothes and shoes that can get wet. The program is for ages seven to 12. Registration is required.
The Springfield Conservation Nature Center will lead a 7.7 mile hike at Bennett Spring State Park Saturday (6/19). Registration is required.
A fundraiser for CASA of Southwest Missouri will be held Saturday from 3 to 8 p.m. at Summers at the River in Springfield. Bags & Brews will include a cornhole tournament and an after-party. The cost is $60 per team, and registration is required.
Bennett Spring State Park will hold a program on spring birds Saturday morning (6/19) at 10. Meet at the nature center. A related activity will be held at the nature center in a come-and-go format from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Farmers Market of the Ozarks will host its Summer Kickoff! Saturday (6/19) from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
C-Street City Market is open Saturday (6/19) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. near the Footbridge on Commercial Street.
The Greater Springfield Farmers Market is open Saturday (6/19) from 8 a.m. to noon at the southeast corner of the Battlefield Mall parking lot.
To find a farmers market near you, click here.
Nixa Parks and Recreation will show the film, “The Lion King,” Saturday night (6/19) at 8:30 at McCauley Park, 701 N. Taylor Way in Nixa. Take blankets or lawn chairs. Learn more here.
Roaring River State Park and the Barry County Library will host show the film, Paddington, as part of its Movies Under the Stars Series, Saturday night (6/19) at dusk. The event will be held on the hill above the park store.
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield will present artillery and infantry programs Saturday (6/19) at Tour Stop 5 on the Tour Road. Programs will be held at 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
The Springfield-Greene County Park Board will host a Daddy Daughter Night Out Saturday night (6/19) from 6 to 9 at the Northview Center at Doling Park. The event will feature a catered BBQ dinner, yard games, dancing and more. Space is limited, and registration is required.
The film, “Hidden Figures,” will be shown as part of The Connecting Grounds’ Summer Outdoor Movies Series Saturday night (6/19) at 7:30. Take blankets are lawn chairs to the event at 4341 W. Chestnut Expressway in Springfield.
The Buffalo National River is hosting Tailgate Talks every Saturday and Sunday through July 10 at Upper River boat launches from 9 a.m. to noon.
Springfield-Greene County Park Board outdoor pools are open for the season. Learn more here.
George Washington Carver National Monument in Diamond, Missouri will host a Juneteenth celebration Sunday afternoon (6/20) at 1. A park ranger will talk about the annual celebration, which is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the U.S.
An archery program for families will be held Sunday afternoon (6/20) at 3 at the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Andy Dalton Shooting Range. Registration is required.
