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Back by popular demand, the Jaycees annual Soybean Festival will return to downtown Mexico this weekend, with an array of activities, including a parade, a soy cook-off, a Mexico Idol competition and a free live concert by the "Big Smith" Ozark Band.
Traditionally a two-day event, this year's Soybean Festival will be held only one day on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. around the Mexico Village Square. Food booths, a beer garden, and arts and crafts vendors will add to the festivities. More than 50 vendors – from as far as St. Louis, Boone and Callaway counties – are expected, organizers said.
The last two years, the event has been held on the Audrain County 4-H Center grounds.
"The Jaycees heard from numerous people saying they wanted to have the festival back downtown, and like any other civic organization the Jaycees are desperate to make sure the people come out to the local events, and that we have community support and involvement," said Jaycees Membership Chairman Tony Robertson.
"Having it back downtown is a significant pull for us. It's all about showing off Mexico and capitalizing on the momentum that Mexico is experiencing right now."
The day will start with a baby show. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. near the corner of Washington and Jackson streets. The baby show will begin at 11:30 a.m. Entry fee is $5 (per child) for children ages 0-6 months, 7 months to 12 months, 13 to 24 months, and 25 to 35 months from the central Missouri area. The show will feature eight categories for both male and female contestants. Judging criteria will include appearance, personality and wardrobe. A male and female winner will be selected from each age category.
A Little Mr. and Miss Soybean Festival contest will be held at 12:30 p.m. on the same stage as the baby show. Registration for this competition begins at noon for children ages three to five years old. The entry fee is $5 and winners from the event will ride in the parade that begins at 3 p.m. Lineup for the parade will be at 2 p.m. on the Mexico High School parking lot.
"Roots N Blues N Barbecue" from Columbia, area radio stations, local businesses and youth groups, Miss Audrain County, and winners from the Little Mr. and Miss competitions are among the groups that have already registered for the parade. Registration is still open. Forms can be obtained by visiting www.mexicosoybean.com. No candy or other items can be thrown into the crowd. Items can be handed out.
This year's event will also include kids games, a beer garden and a Show and Shine Car and Bike Show. The beer garden will be set up adjacent to the Jaycees building on the corner of Washington Street. Those visiting the beer garden must enter the Jaycee building to get to the beer garden. Identification is required to enter.
The Show and Shine Car and Bike Show is from 2-6 p.m. Registration is from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The entry fee is $15. Motorcycles will be judged in six classes – stock, stock 1200 cc and smaller, custom, cruisers, sport bike and trike, along with a people's choice award. Car entries will be judged for best of show and the furthest distance traveled. Space is limited.
Participants from the car and bike show will ride in the parade, and prizes for the competition will be awarded at 5:30 p.m.
Other highlights in this year's event include a Soy Cook-off, a Mexico Idol contest, and a free concert by the Big Smith Band from Springfield.
The Soy Cook-off is scheduled from 3:30-5 p.m. Recipes must contain one or more soybean products, and they must be identified on a recipe card. Dishes must be prepared prior to the cook-off, and presented in a container or cooler. First, second and people's choice prizes will be award for both salad and main dish entries.
Deadline for pre-registration for the Mexico Idol competition is 5 p.m. today at the Chamber of Commerce. Check-in for preliminary competition is at 3:30 p.m., and the show starts at 4 p.m. Entry is free. The top three finalists will move on to the final competition that will be held at 8 p.m. Participants will be judged on vocal ability, stage presence, attire and material. The limit for the competition is 20 entries.
Closing out the evening will be a stage performance by the Big Smith Band. The concert is from 7-10 p.m.
Hailing from Springfield, Big Smith is composed of six members – five of whom are cousins – who turned professional in the fall of 1996, and are known for their neo-hillbilly, bluegrass style. In 2007, music became a full-time profession for Big Smith.
They have also released several CDs. Their most recent studio CD is a double disc made with their young fans in mind, "Hay to Zzzzzz: Hillbilly Songs for Kids."
"We like to showcase different bands from outside the area to help bring in people, and to show off Mexico a little bit," Robertson said. "I think the crowd will enjoy their performance.
"We've had a tremendous amount of support from the local businesses, and we hope that the people of Mexico turn out and enjoy themselves.
"Our drive is to make sure they have a good time."
For more information contact Jennifer Wilburn at (573) 721-4764 or Felicia Peck at (573) 721-3901. For entry forms visit www.mexicosoybean.com
Back by popular demand, the Jaycees annual Soybean Festival will return to downtown Mexico this weekend, with an array of activities, including a parade, a soy cook-off, a Mexico Idol competition and a free live concert by the "Big Smith" Ozark Band.
Traditionally a two-day event, this year's Soybean Festival will be held only one day on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. around the Mexico Village Square. Food booths, a beer garden, and arts and crafts vendors will add to the festivities. More than 50 vendors – from as far as St. Louis, Boone and Callaway counties – are expected, organizers said.
The last two years, the event has been held on the Audrain County 4-H Center grounds.
"The Jaycees heard from numerous people saying they wanted to have the festival back downtown, and like any other civic organization the Jaycees are desperate to make sure the people come out to the local events, and that we have community support and involvement," said Jaycees Membership Chairman Tony Robertson.
"Having it back downtown is a significant pull for us. It's all about showing off Mexico and capitalizing on the momentum that Mexico is experiencing right now."
The day will start with a baby show. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. near the corner of Washington and Jackson streets. The baby show will begin at 11:30 a.m. Entry fee is $5 (per child) for children ages 0-6 months, 7 months to 12 months, 13 to 24 months, and 25 to 35 months from the central Missouri area. The show will feature eight categories for both male and female contestants. Judging criteria will include appearance, personality and wardrobe. A male and female winner will be selected from each age category.
A Little Mr. and Miss Soybean Festival contest will be held at 12:30 p.m. on the same stage as the baby show. Registration for this competition begins at noon for children ages three to five years old. The entry fee is $5 and winners from the event will ride in the parade that begins at 3 p.m. Lineup for the parade will be at 2 p.m. on the Mexico High School parking lot.
"Roots N Blues N Barbecue" from Columbia, area radio stations, local businesses and youth groups, Miss Audrain County, and winners from the Little Mr. and Miss competitions are among the groups that have already registered for the parade. Registration is still open. Forms can be obtained by visiting www.mexicosoybean.com. No candy or other items can be thrown into the crowd. Items can be handed out.
This year's event will also include kids games, a beer garden and a Show and Shine Car and Bike Show. The beer garden will be set up adjacent to the Jaycees building on the corner of Washington Street. Those visiting the beer garden must enter the Jaycee building to get to the beer garden. Identification is required to enter.
The Show and Shine Car and Bike Show is from 2-6 p.m. Registration is from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The entry fee is $15. Motorcycles will be judged in six classes – stock, stock 1200 cc and smaller, custom, cruisers, sport bike and trike, along with a people's choice award. Car entries will be judged for best of show and the furthest distance traveled. Space is limited.
Participants from the car and bike show will ride in the parade, and prizes for the competition will be awarded at 5:30 p.m.
Other highlights in this year's event include a Soy Cook-off, a Mexico Idol contest, and a free concert by the Big Smith Band from Springfield.
The Soy Cook-off is scheduled from 3:30-5 p.m. Recipes must contain one or more soybean products, and they must be identified on a recipe card. Dishes must be prepared prior to the cook-off, and presented in a container or cooler. First, second and people's choice prizes will be award for both salad and main dish entries.
Deadline for pre-registration for the Mexico Idol competition is 5 p.m. today at the Chamber of Commerce. Check-in for preliminary competition is at 3:30 p.m., and the show starts at 4 p.m. Entry is free. The top three finalists will move on to the final competition that will be held at 8 p.m. Participants will be judged on vocal ability, stage presence, attire and material. The limit for the competition is 20 entries.
Closing out the evening will be a stage performance by the Big Smith Band. The concert is from 7-10 p.m.
Hailing from Springfield, Big Smith is composed of six members – five of whom are cousins – who turned professional in the fall of 1996, and are known for their neo-hillbilly, bluegrass style. In 2007, music became a full-time profession for Big Smith.
They have also released several CDs. Their most recent studio CD is a double disc made with their young fans in mind, "Hay to Zzzzzz: Hillbilly Songs for Kids."
"We like to showcase different bands from outside the area to help bring in people, and to show off Mexico a little bit," Robertson said. "I think the crowd will enjoy their performance.
"We've had a tremendous amount of support from the local businesses, and we hope that the people of Mexico turn out and enjoy themselves.
"Our drive is to make sure they have a good time."
For more information contact Jennifer Wilburn at (573) 721-4764 or Felicia Peck at (573) 721-3901. For entry forms visit www.mexicosoybean.com
