Schedule of Events - Charleston, Missouri's, 45th Annual Dogwood-Azalea Festival

Race our beautiful, scenic route in the oldest foot-racing event in southeast Missouri on Sunday at 2:00 p.m.  Youth & Toddler Race begins at 1:30 p.m.  Check-in opens at 11:30 a.m. and closes at 1:00 p.m.  Mile walk is non-competitive.  High quality long-sleeved T-shirts are guaranteed to the first 200 entries.  USATF Certified Course.  For more information please contact:

Wayne Corse
210 North Highway J
Charleston, MO  63834
Tel:  (573) 683-6361

Dr. E. Charles Rolwing Park will be filled with arts and crafts, food booths, and live entertainment.  Park events run Friday 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

This year we've added a second location selling jewelry and crafts in an indoor environment.

Indoor events run Friday 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Outdoor Location:

Dr. E. Charles Rolwing Park
1100 block of East Commercial Street

Indoor Location:

First Assembly of God Church
608 South Main Street

The Saturday evening Candlelight Tour is exquisitely enchanting!  As day turns to dusk volunteers edge the sidewalks with some 6,000 white luminarias encompassing the whole of the Dogwood-Azalea Trail.

Residents turn spotlights on banks of brilliant azaleas and dazzling dogwoods as a softly suffused candlelight blazons beckoning footpaths beneath the arboreal foliage festooning the thoroughfares.  Many view the Candlelight Tour idling over the streets in the repose of their vehicles.  Others see fit to saunter betwixt the luminarias - meeting friends old and new while celebrating the sights and sounds of merryment emanating from private porticos looking out on the Trail.  Featured entertainment along the way extends to the Candlelight Tour an aura even more agreeable.

Location:

Along the Dogwood-Azalea Trail

The Show's on Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Rain or Shine!

All proceeds go to support the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee!

Location:

Boomland
South Interchange
I-57 at Exit 10

For information about entry fees, prize categories, special trophies, and contact persons please click this link:  Cruzin for St. Jude's

Bring the children and enjoy all of the rides and games!  The carnival runs on Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Location:

East Marshall Street

Tour the lovely tree lined streets in a horse-drawn carriage.  Rides begin at the corner of Cypress and Smith Street.  Saturday Noon 'til 8:00 p.m.

Price:  $8.00 Adults, $4.00 Children

Come see a childhood favorite of little girls, young and old, throughout the years.

This exhibit runs Friday and Saturday 10:00 a.m. 'til 4:00 p.m.

Free Admission

Location:

Clara Drinkwater Newnam Library
105 East Marshall Street

A scrumptious fish fry with all the trimmings is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club Saturday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Admission is $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children.

Reservations are required for groups and bus tours.

Location:

Student Commons
Charleston High School
606 South Thorn Street

Certainly, no proper Dogwood-Azalea Festival would be complete without the Kiwanis Club Dog Show!

What is Fido's finest feature?  You'll find out as Blue Ribbons are awarded to each family pet.

Be there Saturday at 4:00 p.m. to witness the most entertaining canine competition to be found anywhere between Poplar Bluff and Paducah!

Admission:  Free

Location:

On the Tennis Courts
Dr. E. Charles Rolwing Park

Start the day by riding your bike in the parade!

Then in the afternoon enter your machine in the People's Choice Voting competition!

Show begins at 3:00 p.m.  People's Choice Judging begins at 4:00 p.m.  Trophies awarded immediately after judging ends!

Location:

1408 East Marshall Street

For information about entry fees, prize categories, and contact persons please click the following link:  Dogwood-Azalea Festival Motorcycle Show

View items and memorabilia from Charleston's native son Missouri Governor Warren E. Hearnes' 22 year tenure in elected office Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. 'til Noon.

Free Admission

Location:

Downtown
109 South Main Street

Built in 1899, the Historical Society's Moore Home is a lovely three story home furnished with pieces authentic to the period.  In 1977 the generous heirs of Joe and Carrie Moore gifted this beautiful Victorian country home to the benefit of the Society.  Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the seventeen room house contains seven fireplaces, and is fully furnished including the original dining room furniture and gas chandelier.

Learn more by visiting the Society's web site.

Tour the Moore Home and Museum

Tours are available Thursday and Friday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Admission:  $4.00

Picnic on the Porch

Enjoy a box lunch during the Dogwood-Azalea Festival while seated at your table on the sweeping front porch or the colorful grounds of this unique home.

The Society will serve lunch Thursday and Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Lunch:  $8.00

Location:

403 North Main Street

Tour two private residences Thursday and Friday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Admission:  $15.00 (includes the Moore Home listed above)

Please Note:
The home pictured here is only one example of the many fine homes in Charleston which may be open this season.

Enjoy our old fashioned ice cream social at the Masonic Lodge, Saturday from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Admission:  $3.00 per person

Location:

The Masonic Lodge
301 South Center Street

The Dogwood-Azalea Parade is one of the largest in the area!  Find your viewing place downtown or along Commercial Street Saturday morning before the 11:00 a.m. start time.

The Parade begins at City Hall.  It will process southward on Main Street to Commercial Street then turn to march eastward on Commercial Street - all the way to the Bazaar at Dr. E. Charles Rolwing Park!

Limited group seating in a special viewing area downtown is available for charter groups.
Special Parade Seating:  $5.00 per person.

Piano concerts with eight pianos, 16 pianists, and one organist will take place Saturday at 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. and Sunday at 3:30 p.m.  The lovely music is sure to capture the attention of young and old alike.  Truly magnificent!

Free Admission

Location:

First Baptist Church
301 South Main Street

Young and old alike will enjoy the petting zoo!  Watch the swine races, and cheer on your favorite to win!

Open Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Location:

South of Dr. E. Charles Rolwing Park

Since 1952, the Molly French Garden Club has been supplying area gardeners with azalea varieties hardy to the region.  The sale will be held Thursday through Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., and Sunday from Noon to 4:00 p.m.

Location:

Home of Mr. & Mrs. G. Clay Shelby
307 North Main Street

St. Henry Parish has occupied its property along Court Street since 1873.  The Parish began construction of the current Romanesque edifice in 1905, replacing a frame structure that had existed earlier.  Archbishop John J. Glennon dedicated the church on June 4, 1907.

Of particular interest are the beautifully life-like stained glass windows, created by the Jacoby Art Glass Company of St. Louis, which were installed circa 1910.  Three new bells, cast by Struckstede and Brothers of St. Louis, were positioned in the bell tower during the summer of 1924.  A two-manual pipe organ, built by the Wicks Organ Company of Highland, Illinois, was installed in 1936 framing the rose window of St. Cecilia.

Learn more by visiting St. Henry's web site.

Admission is free.  You may leave a love offering if you choose.

Time:  Thursday and Friday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Location:

St. Henry Catholic Church
304 East Court Street

A beautiful selection of quilts will be on display at the United Methodist Church. Come see what true needlework craftsmanship, symmetry and hand-made beauty are all about!

Featured this season will be Grandmother's Flower Garden Quilts - and others!

New this year, held in conjunction with the Quilt Show, will be a colorful collection of Antique Farm Tractors!  Get an earful of the unique sound of a two cylinder John Deere tractor engine, or find your favorite brand.  Cranks, generators, governors, hand-clutched pullies, magnetos and pony motors; pick your poison.  This display will be sure to put a gleam in the eye of the gentleman, and reveal who are the true farm girls!

Frontier Battalion of the Texas Rangers, Company D, Swampeast Rangers

Admission:  Free

Time:  Friday Noon through Sunday 8:00 a.m.

Location:

Gordon Galemore Memorial Park
700 Block of East Cypress Street

Come join us for a fun-filled evening!

Admission:  Free (donations gladly accepted)

Note New Time:  6:30 p.m. Friday

Location:

Clara Drinkwater Newnam Auditorium
Charleston High School
606 South Thorn Street