Kirksville Connection for July 2023
Don’t forget about the Red, White and Blue Festival
Get excited for a fun weekend in Kirksville with the 2023 Red, White and Blue Festival! All of the classic events are here, along with some new ones to boost the festivities.
Make sure your friends and family know, and we’ll see you all soon.
Kids Mini Mud Mile returns on August 12
Mark your calendars for the 4th annual Kids Mini Mud Mile! Children ages 3-15 can embark on a one-mile, mud-filled obstacle adventure right here in Kirksville! The run will take place Saturday, August 12, 2023, at the North Park Sports Complex. Choose between a 9:00 am, 10:00 am or 11:00 am start time. Every child will receive a free Mud Mile shirt and post-race refreshments.
Early registration is $10 per child before July 1 and $15 after. Children 5 and under can have an adult accompany them free of charge. Add an unlimited run wristband for just $5 when registering and run the course as many times as you would like until 12:30pm!
Register today at parks.kirksvillecity.com or in person at the Kirksville Parks and Recreation office located at the Kirksville Aquatic Center.
Help reduce vandalism in parks and public spaces
The City of Kirksville’s Police and Parks and Recreation Departments are asking for citizen help in watching for and reporting instances of vandalism in parks and other community public spaces.
Over the past month there has been an increase in vandalism in City parks. That includes damaged gravestones at Forest-Llewellyn Cemetery, a destroyed shelter at Patryla Park, offensive graffiti throughout the parks system, and most recently, destroyed trees at Memorial Park and along Washington Street in Downtown Kirksville.
The City of Kirksville often uses community partnerships and grant opportunities to improve community spaces and provide Kirksville with attractive facilities. Vandalism and property destruction disrupts the availability and enjoyment of these community spaces, while also forcing City staff to use time and resources that could have been spent elsewhere.
It costs taxpayer dollars to replace or fix these items, and prevents improvements being done in other parts of the City. These acts only harm the community.
As a reminder, all Parks and Recreation facilities are closed between the hours of 11:00 pm and 5:00 am. Other than approved commercial displays for special events, there are no fireworks allowed in any park. Vandalism, including graffiti, damage to trees, or other forms of destruction of property in the parks or community spaces, is a crime.
We ask that if you see vandalism or other inappropriate activities occurring in the parks, that you contact the Kirksville Police Department. We hope that with the help of the entire community, we can keep our public spaces free of vandalism so that everyone can enjoy these facilities.
See a problem? Let us know!
Have you seen a pothole or two, tall weeds, drainage problems, grass blown on the street, or some other issue that you want addressed?
Submit a Citizen Service Request today! This can be done on any mobile device or computer. Visit KirksvilleCity.com and click on the “Submit Request” button. Follow the on-screen prompts to select a category and identify the issue’s location. This process ensures the issue is brought to the appropriate City department’s attention and that the issue is addressed. You can even ask to be sent status updates regarding your issue via email, text message, or telephone call.
Be careful in the heat this summer
Whether working or playing outside this summer, it’s important to be adequately prepared to prevent heat illness. Heat illnesses can affect anyone and have drastic effects if not prevented or if symptoms aren’t recognized. Make sure you’re safe when outdoors.
Take advantage of energy efficient products
Planning some home upgrades this year? If you are, there are many rebates and tax incentives available for using energy efficient products. Better efficiency not only saves the consumer money during the life of the product, but it helps the environment.
Visit EnergyStar.gov/Products to see a list of Energy Star products, find eligibility requirements and info for various tax credits or rebates, or to find more info on efficient products. These are available to homeowners, home builders and commercial building owners.
Ameren Missouri also offers rebates for specific products. Visit https://bit.ly/3Jy3BSm to find info on eligible products with Ameren.
July events schedule
“Thank You For Your Service” art exhibit, through August 26, @ The Sue Ross Arts Center.
“Thank You For Your Service” is a photography exhibit of men and women who have served in the military. The exhibit includes former military members from Adair, Macon, Schuyler, Sullivan and Putnam counties. The exhibit runs through Saturday, August 26th. The art center is open Monday through Friday from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm and Saturdays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. A closing reception will be held Thursday, August 24 from 5:30 to 7:00 pm and will include a presentation of five quilts by the Hands of Friendship Quilt Guild. The quilts are also on display in the arts center.
Hoo is making that noise? July 7, 7:00 to 8:00 pm @ Thousand Hills State Park (Campground 1 amphitheater).
Have you heard whistles, yelps, and tapping in the forest or near the shore and wondered who was making those sounds? Join park staff to get some answers as you explore animal calls.
Stargazing. July 8, 9:00 to 11:00 pm @ Thousand Hills State Park (Point Pavilion).
Join Truman State University, Adair County Public Library, and park staff to look through telescopes and learn about the sky above you.
Dollar Swim Night, July 8 and July 29, 6:00 to 9:00 pm @ the Kirksville Aquatic Center.
Swim under the stars for just $1 at the Kirksville Aquatic Center on these two nights.
PC Mills Park Block Party, July 9, 3:00 to 5:00 pm @ PC Mills Park.
The 9th annual Block Party series begins at PC Mills Park. Stop by for hot dogs, lemonade, cotton candy, snow cones, and plenty of activities for kids.
Movie in the Park (Minions: Rise of Gru), July 15, 9:00 pm @ Ray Klinginsmith Amphitheatre.
NEMO Fair, July 18 through July 22 @ the NEMO Fairgrounds.
Head to nemofair.net to get all your info on this year’s county fair.
4th annual Kirksville Motor Company Charity Golf Tournament, July 21 @ Kirksville Country Club.
Teams will compete to win $5,000 in donations to the charity of their choice from Kirksville Motor Company. Register online at golf.kirksvillemotors.com or in-person at their office. July 19 is the registration deadline.
July meeting schedule
July 4: City offices closed.
July 5: Tourism Advisory Board, 8:00 am @ the Economic Development Alliance Building.
July 5: Kirksville Historic Preservation Board, 4:00 pm @ City Hall.
July 6: Lakes, Parks and Recreation Commission, 12:00 pm @ Kirksville Aquatic Center.
July 10: City Council Study Session, 6:00 pm @ City Hall.
July 11: Airport and Transportation Commission, 12:00 pm @ Kirksville Aquatic Center.
July 12: E-911 Joint Services Board, 1:30 pm @ City Hall.
July 12: Planning and Zoning, 6:00 pm @ City Hall.
July 17: City Council Meeting, 6:00 pm @ City Hall.
July 20: Watershed Management Commission, 5:30 pm @ Economic Development Alliance Building.