Kirksville Connection for October 2024
Have a fun Halloween in Kirksville
The Kirksville Parks and Recreation Department is hosting two great events this October for residents to enjoy some spooky fun for Halloween.
First is the Halloween Flashlight Eggstravaganza on October 26, 2024, at North Park and starting promptly at 7:00 pm. Prepare for an egg-hunting adventure like no other as 10,000 Halloween eggs filled with candy and toys are scattered across the ballfields. Don't forget to bring your flashlight and a bag. The Yellow Field will have kids 5 and under, the Orange Field will have kids 6 through 8, and the Green Field will have kids 9 to 12.
And Halloween Town will happen right on Halloween, from 5:30 to 8:00 pm in front of Kirksville High School and William Matthew Middle School. It’s a fun and interactive trick-or-treat experience all in one location as numerous local organizations and businesses provide treats for the kids. If your business or organization is interested in having a booth, fill out the form on the event page found on the Kirksville Parks and Recreation Department’s Facebook page.
The best part? Both of these events are completely free! If you don’t already have Halloween plans this year, come out and enjoy these opportunities.
Find even more activities happening on the community calendar at kirksvillecity.com/p/calendar.
Fall brush and limb pick-up
The Fall Brush and Limb Pick-Up is scheduled for October 7 to 11, 2024. This is the perfect time to remove dead branches and smaller dead trees from your yard.
City crews will begin picking up tree limbs and large brush on Monday, October 7. Although the work is expected to take the entire week, your brush must be placed curbside by 7:00 am on Monday, or it may not get picked up. This includes limbs that are no longer than 10 feet in length, and/or no wider than 18 inches in diameter.
For more information, contact the Public Works Department at 660.627.1291.
Save the date for Kirksville’s Hometown Holiday
You’ll want to stay home for the holidays this year as Kirksville’s Hometown Holiday returns with plenty of festive fun on Saturday, November 30, 2024.
The 13th annual Kirksville Kiwanis Christmas Parade begins at 5:30 pm, led by Grand Marshal John Garlock. The theme for this year’s parade is “Tinseltown,” so decorate floats based on your favorite holiday movies. To register your business or organization for the parade, complete the form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeNUXLtAVCgCDYIQg138Knn_wq1eUPUJsIDgV-1dvzzkGXW8A/viewform.
Stick around after the parade for the ceremonial tree lighting at Dover Park. The fun continues through the night as Santa will be in the Adair County Courthouse for pictures, along with living windows, food and music around the square.
Kirksville Parks and Recreation will once again host an ice-skating rink in the courthouse parking lot. The rink will be open from November 28 to December 1. More details will be announced closer to the event.
Make sure you’re registered to vote
If you aren't already registered to vote, head to s1.sos.mo.gov/elections/voterregistration to get started. Not sure if you are registered? Visit voteroutreach.sos.mo.gov/portal to check your status and information.
Make sure you can vote this November (and in future elections)! You must be registered by October 8 to vote on November 5.
Make smoke alarms a priority
Smoke alarms are a proven and effective tool for surviving a home fire. That’s why the theme for Fire Prevention Week this year is, “Smoke alarms work: Make them work for you!”
Fire Prevention Week is October 6 through 12, 2024. It’s an annual event to recognize methods to keep people safe when it comes to fires.
Here are a few smoke alarm tips to consider:
Test alarms once a month to make sure they work.
Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area.
Use interconnected smoke alarms so that when one alarm sounds, they all do.
To learn more about Fire Prevention Week and this year’s theme, visit fpw.org. Additional Fire Prevention Week Resources for children, caregivers and educators can be found at sparky.org and sparkyschoolhouse.org.
Sign up for Adopt-A-Child
The annual Adopt-A-Child Christmas Program is designed to provide a special Christmas gift for more than 400 children in Adair County, ages newborn to 16, who otherwise might not receive a gift.
Sign-up for Adopt-A-Child begins on October 3, 2024, and lasts through December 11, 2024. Sign-up can be done at the Community Action Partnership of Northeast Missouri (215 S. Elson St.) on Tuesday and Wednesday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, or by calling 660.665.9855 between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm from Monday through Thursday. Only the child’s legal guardian may apply. Please provide proof of guardianship, SNAP benefits and number, names and ages of children in the household (can be obtained through the Adair County Family Services Office in Kirksville).
Adopt-A-Child is sponsored by the Kirksville Firefighters Local 2952, 93.7 FM KTUF, and the Community Action Partnership of Northeast Missouri! For more information, contact Teresa at the Kirksville Fire Department at 660.665.3734!
Parks to receive new furniture pieces thanks to grant
Several Kirksville parks will receive new furniture pieces after the City was awarded a Non-Playground Scrap Tire Grant from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
In total, the grant will add 14 picnic tables, eight benches and four ADA-accessible tables across Brashear, Rotary and P.C. Mills parks. These pieces are constructed from recycled tires, diverting thousands of pounds of rubber from landfills while creating durable features for park patrons.
The inclusion of ADA-accessible tables will further improve park accessibility so all residents can use and enjoy Kirksville parks.
Brashear Park will receive 10 tables, two being ADA-accessible, and four benches. These will be placed in the new shelter and around the splash pad once those new amenities are constructed.
Rotary Park will receive six tables, one being ADA-accessible.
P.C. Mills Park will receive two tables, one being ADA-accessible, and four benches. They will create a new seating area around where the planned splash pad will go.
Stay tuned for updates from the City on when these new pieces will be available.
October 2024 events schedule
Kohlenberg Lyceum Series – Films and Finger Foods, October 3, 7:00 pm @ Del and Norma Robison Planetarium
This semester’s film is the 2024 version of “Mean Girls,” featuring Truman alumna Jenna Fischer. Tickets for the 2024-25 Kohlenberg Lyceum Series are provided free of charge thanks to the generous support of local sponsors, the Friends of the Lyceum program and the Truman State University Foundation. Tickets are available approximately two weeks before each performance and can be picked up on campus at any of three convenient locations: the Union and Involvement Office in the Student Union Building; the Advancement Office in McClain Hall 205; or the Admissions Office in the Ruth W. Towne Museum and Visitors Center.
Kirksville High School Homecoming, October 4
Celebrate KHS Homecoming in several ways. The parade will head south down Franklin Street, starting at 4:00 pm. Then head over to Spainhower Field at 7:00 pm to watch the Tigers take on Hannibal.
Manhattan Short Film Festival, October 4 and 5, 7:00 pm @ Del and Norma Robison Planetarium
The Del and Norma Robison Planetarium will participate in a global short film festival. The planetarium is one of more than 500 locations around the world to participate in the screenings. The 10 films range in running time from five to 22 minutes. There will be two opportunities to watch in October. There is no cost to attend the festival. All 10 films will be screened at every showing, and attendees will be allowed to vote for Best Film and Best Actor.
Constellation Stories, October 4, 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm @ Thousand Hills State Park
Celebrate the night sky at Thousand Hills State Park. Explore the night sky and learn about the stories that go with the constellations in the sky. There will be telescopes but everybody is welcome to bring their own telescopes, chairs, and binoculars. Meet at the Point Shelter. This program is weather permitting.
14th annual FLATS Half Marathon, October 5, 8:00 am @ Thousand Hills State Park
A Midwest single-track trail classic showcasing the hidden gem of Thousand Hills State Park! The point-to-point course takes runners 13.1 gorgeous and challenging miles from the Thousand Hills State Park Marina along the shores of Forest Lake to the finish line, and post-race celebration, at beautiful Jackson Stables. All proceeds from the FLATS Trail Half Marathon are donated to the Forest Lake Area Trail System (FLATS) for the construction and maintenance of trails in Adair County. Register here: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=111020.
Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre – “Life is a Cabernet,” October 5, 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm @ NEMO Fairgrounds
Curtain Call Theatre Company and CAPNEMO have partnered for this celebratory fundraiser for CAPNEMO. Imagine an evening filled with delicious food, refreshing drinks, hearty laughter, and, of course, a thrilling mystery to solve! For info on tickets, visit https://events.blackbirdrsvp.com/life-is-a-cabernet-capnemo-fundraiser.
Oktoberfest, October 5, 122 W. Harrison St., 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Sip Downtown is hosting its annual Oktoberfest street party in downtown Kirksville. There will be food, music and several activities. Patrons must be 21+ will an ID.
Pantry for Adair County’s 10th Anniversary Celebration, October 5, 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm @ 709 S. Davis St.
From very humble beginnings to now serving almost 600 families per month in Adair County, PAC has grown and matured in its ability to meet the needs of the food insecure. We think that's something to celebrate! This reception and fundraiser helps acknowledge a milestone and keep the mission going. For more info, visit https://pantryforadaircounty.networkforgood.com/events/74725-pac-10th-anniversary-reception.
Zombie Prom, October 12, 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm @ Rieger Armory
Welcome to a night to dismember! Come to the Kirksville Young Professionals’ annual fundraising event to party, drink, and crown your own Zombie Prom King and Queen. Dress up in your best zombie prom fits or zombie-inspired character. Don’t miss the opportunity for dancing, photo opportunities, and even a chance to win big in our 50/50 raffle! Join the zombies as they crawl their way back to prom. This event is 21+ and IDs will be required and checked at admission.
Bolognafest, October 19, 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm @ downtown Kirksville
Enjoy a one-of-a-kind Kirksville event as Bolognafest returns. There will be plenty of free food, games, music, fun and, of course, bologna!
Walk to End Alzheimer’s, October 19, 9:00 am @ Stokes Stadium
Learn more about registering or donating here: https://act.alz.org/site/TR;jsessionid=00000000.app20016b?fr_id=17733&pg=entry&NONCE_TOKEN=D4D6ED0FBDF3E2BE4047F41FDF0E693A.
Harlem Wizards Basketball, October 22, 7:00 pm @ Kirksville Primary School Gym
The Wizards will take on a team of local teachers, coaches, staff and community members, with proceeds benefiting Ray Miller Elementary School and Novinger schools.
Truman State Homecoming, October 26
Celebrate Truman Homecoming with the parade, which is downtown at 9:00 am. Then watch the Bulldogs battle McKendree at Stokes Stadium at 2:00 pm.
October meeting schedule
October 1: Lakes, Parks and Recreation Commission, 12:00 pm @ Kirksville Aquatic Center
October 2: Kirksville Historic Preservation Commission, 4:00 pm @ City Hall
October 7: City Council Meeting, 6:00 pm @ City Hall
October 8: Airport and Transportation Commission, 12:00 pm @ Kirksville Aquatic Center
October 9: Planning and Zoning, 6:00 pm @ City Hall
October 14: City Council Study Session, 6:00 pm @ City Hall
October 21: City Council Meeting, 6:00 pm @ City Hall