Kirksville Connection for July 2025
Get ready for the Kids Mini Mud Mile
Mark your calendars for the 6th 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 on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at the North Park Sports Complex. Choose between a 9:30 am or 10:30 am start time. Every child will receive a free Mud Mile shirt and post-race refreshments.
Registration is $10. 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 12:00 pm!
Register today at Kirksville.gov/p/rec-login or in person at the Kirksville Parks and Recreation office located at the Kirksville Aquatic Center.
Join us for the Red, White and Blue Festival
Kirksville’s Red, White and Blue Festival is coming this Friday and Saturday and it’s going to be a blast.
Start the fun on Friday night with live music and apple pie in downtown Kirksville. The Kirksville Community Band starts playing on the courthouse square at 5:00 pm and the Aaron Russell Band begins at 7:00 pm. United Way of Northeast Missouri will be selling pie and ice cream, and its pie auction will happen between sets.
Saturday is jam-packed with the Kiwanis Farmers’ Market going from 7:00 am to noon, the Rotary Club Pancake Breakfast from 7:00 am to 11:00 am, the NEMO Classic Car Show from 8:00 am to noon, the FLATS Uncle Sam 5k at 8:30 am and the parade at 10:00 am. All of that will be downtown.
Curtain Call Theatre Company is hosting Cemetery Theatre from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Forest-Llewellyn Cemetery.
Then the evening’s fun will be at North Park, with kids’ games and food trucks beginning at 5:00 pm. Raspberry Roots hits the stage at 5:30 pm, Riker begins playing at 7:00 pm, and then fireworks at 9:30 pm.
See the full schedule at VisitKirksville.com.
Learn about the City’s Housing Rehabilitation Program
The City's Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program is designed for low- and moderate-income homeowners to address safety and public health code violations, as well as provide funds for necessary house repairs, at a reduced rate.
The program covers the upfront cost of the repair, with the applicant reimbursing a percentage of that cost based on their income level.
If this program would help you or someone you know, visit Kirksville.gov/p/community-and-economic-development. The application form goes over the various eligibility criteria and guidelines for the program.
If you have any additional questions, staff with the Community and Economic Development Department would be happy to help answer those. Give them a call at 660.627.1272, or stop by and see them on the first floor of City Hall.
New walking challenge open at North Park trail
Help commemorate the new trail at North Park with a One-Mile Walking Challenge this July!
Join the free challenge, try the new route, and enjoy the summer weather! The rules are simple: visit the walking trail, find a starting QR code sign to scan with your mobile device, then start walking. Additional QR codes will be placed every quarter of a mile, so make sure to scan them when you reach them. These scans will track your mileage for the month.
You can walk as little or as much as you like, but the first part of the challenge is completing the entire mile loop. Tracking mileage will allow us to prepare applicable prizes and drawings for you.
If you walk a single mile, you are eligible for prize drawings. Every mile you complete will earn you an additional drawing for our prizes!
The following categories may be used for further prize drawing opportunities:
Ultra Challenge = 100 Miles in July (approximately three miles each day)
Gold Medal Challenge = 30 Miles in July (approximately one mile each day)
Silver Medal Challenge = 15 Miles in July (approximately one mile every other day)
Bronze Medal Challenge = 10 Miles in July (approximately one mile every third day)
Remember to scan a QR code once at the beginning of each mile you walk. You can find a QR code starting sign every quarter of a mile or near any major entry point.
Pro Tip: While you can start anywhere you wish, the official start line is located at the Skate Park parking entrance.
For more info, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 660.627.1485.
Fire Department trains on how to respond when no hydrant’s available
Demolition Grant Program available
The City of Kirksville's Demolition Grant Program is available to help reduce blight and increase affordable housing.
This program will grant a maximum of $10,000 toward demolishing a building that is in such disrepair that rehabilitation is not viable, with a plan to build new housing at that location. The program offers an incentive to property owners to demolish blighted or condemned structures and create new infill residential development.
For more information or to view an application for the program, visit Kirksville.gov/p/community-and-economic-development.
Follow the City of Kirksville on social media
Stay up to date with what’s happening in Kirksville by following us on social media.
City of Kirksville Facebook, City of Kirksville Instagram
Kirksville Parks and Recreation Facebook, Kirksville Parks and Recreation Instagram
Kirksville Tourism Facebook, Kirksville Tourism Instagram
Special Olympics was a hit in Kirksville
Thanks to all of the volunteers and supporters who helped make the Special Olympics Missouri State Summer Games such a great event in Kirksville this year!
July events schedule
Wooden Nickel Four-Person Golf Tournament for United Way, June 11 @ Kirksville Country Club
This charity tournament benefits United Way and its local efforts. To register, call Jen at 660-665-2760 or email Bill at UWNEMO@gmail.com.
Downtown Kirksville Sidewalk Sale, July 11 and 12
Get ready to stroll, shop, and save during the Annual Sidewalk Sales in downtown Kirksville. Local businesses are bringing their best deals to the sidewalks—enjoy deep discounts, end-of-season sales, and one-of-a-kind finds Friday & Saturday.
Kirksville Parks and Recreation Presents “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical,” July 11, 12 and 13 @ William Matthew Middle School
This family-oriented production will bring to life all the humor and shenanigans of middle school from the perspective of Greg as he enters his own middle school experience. Performances are on July 11 and 12 at 7:00 pm and July 13 at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $12 each and can be purchased online at Kirksville.gov/p/rec-login, or in person at the Kirksville Aquatic Center. Remaining seats will be sold at the door on a first-come, first-served basis.
Art in the Park, July 12, 10:00 am @ Thousand Hills State Park
Connect with nature through several art activities for artists of all ages. Park staff and volunteers will have several art-based activities available during this time frame for people to come enjoy art in the park. Meet at the tables by the Oak Trail and Playground.
NEMO Fair, July 15-19 @ NEMO Fairgrounds
The fair returns with plenty of music and live events to keep you busy. Head to Nemofair.net to see the full schedule.
Summer Block Parties, July 20 @ Jaycee Park and July 27 @ Memorial Park
Join Kirksville Parks and Recreation and great community partners for summer block parties. Enjoy free hot dogs, chips and lemonade, plus games and a suds machine from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
Deuces Wild Dueling Pianos, July 25, 6:00 pm @ Newman Center
Looking for a Fun Night Out in Kirksville? Look no further than Deuces Wild Dueling Pianos—one of the most entertaining shows you'll ever see! These guys know how to bring the energy, the music, and the laughs for a night you won’t forget. Proceeds benefit the Adair County Family YMCA. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/events/1225486685918940/?post_id=1240360157764926&acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22surface%22%3A%22search%22%7D%2C%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22attachment_media%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22newsfeed%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D.
July meeting schedule
July 2: Tourism Advisory Board, 8:00 am @ Economic Development Alliance Building
July 4: City offices closed
July 7: City Council, 6:00 pm @ City Hall
July 8: Airport and Transportation Commission, 12:00 pm @ Kirksville Aquatic Center
July 9: E-911 Joint Services Board, 1:30 pm @ City Hall
July 9: Planning and Zoning Commission, 6:00 pm @ City Hall
July 14: City Council Study Session, 6:00 pm @ City Hall
July 17: Watershed Management Commission, 5:30 pm @ Economic Development Alliance Building
July 21: City Council, 6:00 pm @ City Hall