Schedule of Events - Charleston, Missouri's, 44th 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 125 entries.  USATF Certified Course.  For more information please contact:

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

Some of the area's finest artists will be showing and selling their artwork at this show.  Oil paintings, watercolors, pastels, pen and ink, etc., will be on display.  You will be able to meet the artists, and discuss their painting processes.  Many are award winners who show in galleries.  This group is a progressive and proliferate group that you must see!

Free Admission

Location:

Kindergarten Center (formerly)
711 East Commercial Street

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.

Location:

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

The Candlelight Tour Saturday evening is enchanting!  As daylight gives way to darkness, volunteers begin to line the streets with 6,000 white luminarias that encompass the entire Dogwood- Azalea Trail.

Residents turn spotlights on banks of azaleas, and candles line the sidewalks.  Many view the candlelight walk from vehicles while others prefer to walk the route.  Featured entertainment makes the tour even more enjoyable.

Location:

Along the Dogwood-Azalea Trail

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 10:00 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 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Price:  $6.00 Adults, $4.00 Children

Homeland:  Northeast Missouri and The Sac and Fox Journey Home

The exhibit focuses on one Sac and Fox legend that explains their sacred relationship to all creation.  The exhibit focuses on this story because it links modern Sac and Fox people with ancient but continuing beliefs.

This exhibit runs Thursday from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., and on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until 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 $9.00 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

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. - 12:00 p.m.

Free Admission

Location:

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 on Saturday before the 11:00 a.m. start time.

The parade begins at City Hall, and proceeds through the downtown area to Rolwing Park.

Limited group seating in a special viewing area downtown is available for charter groups.
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!

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 12:00 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. - 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 Thursday from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m., Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m., and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Admission:  $2.00

Location:

United Methodist Church
1700 East Marshall Street

Talented musicians from the area will be participating in this talent show.

This event will showcase our multi-faceted local talent.

Admission:  Free

Time:  7:00 p.m. Friday

Location:

Clara Drinkwater Newnam Auditorium
Charleston High School
606 South Thorn Street