Downtown Springfield

Rusty Worley has led the organization for nearly two decades.

Springfield government, the local chamber of commerce and city tourism officials all hope to create a $175 million event center somewhere downtown. They say the opportunity cost in not doing so amounts to more than $125,000 per day.

Under the banner of "creating the beloved community," NAACP members and other residents of Missouri’s third-largest city commemorated Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a march in downtown Springfield, followed by a program at the Gillioz Theatre.

The parade and a holiday market are centered around Park Central Square.

The Community Leadership visit in September included 80 delegates from the Springfield area.

The money comes from the US Bank Foundation and is awarded by the Downtown Springfield Association through the ASCEND program.

Taste of SoMo will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 22 on Park Central Square.

The rain held off as downtown Springfield filled with people during Ozarks PrideFest Saturday.

The parade starts at 2 p.m. at South and Elm.

The Springfield Regional Arts Council and Downtown Springfield Association present the 43rd ArtsFest on Walnut Street May 6 and 7, on Historic Walnut Street between John Q. Hammons Parkway and National Avenue.