Marceline Wine and Art Stroll
The Downtown Marceline Foundation is excited to host the 12th Annual Marceline Wine and Art Stroll!
If you like wine, beer, spirits, art and fun community events, join us for a relaxing evening in the middle of Main Street, USA.
Marceline, Missouri, known as Walt Disney's boyhood hometown, is once again hosting our annual Wine and Art Stroll. The event is put on by the Downtown Marceline Foundation – and many hard-working volunteers – to benefit Downtown Marceline's various projects and to support the overall mission to enhance the near-term and long-term quality of community life for those residing in, doing business in, and visiting Marceline.
Get all the details at: www.WineAndArtStroll.com
Purchase tickets online, or at the registration booth.
It’s “Time” To Celebrate 100 Years of Family Fun
The name Disney is synonymous with cherished childhood characters and meaningful memories. Generation after generation has grown up with the magic of “the mouse.” Find out how you can celebrate 100 years of Disney with a very magical “time” here in Missouri.
By Peg Cameron Gill
You probably already know that Walt Disney was Missouri born and bred. He hailed from the northern Missouri town of Marceline in Linn County. And on Saturday, June 3, to celebrate 100 years of his eponymous empire, the town is celebrating bigtime—emphasis on both “big” and “time.”
Why the emphasis on those two words? On that day, renowned timepiece maker CITIZEN is donating a replica Main Street, USA clock to the Walt Disney Hometown Museum Garden. Main Street USA is, of course, a popular attraction and favorite photo opp location in both of our country’s Disney World and Disneyland theme parks.
Prior to the 4 PM “Celebrate a Moment in Time” clock dedication, visitors will find plenty to do during a fun-filled afternoon that’s free and open to the public.
During Walt Disney’s Marceline Street Fair from noon to 4 PM, browse offerings from local and global specialty vendors. CITIZEN will have some exclusive, special products—along with Disney products–for sale, including a watch exclusive to this event designed by illustrator and Disney artist Jeff Shelly.
Prefer a scavenger hunt to a souvenir one? The celebration in Marceline will have one of those, too.
You can stroll the quaint, small town community of Marceline and enjoy live entertainment. Special guests will be in attendance, too. And you won’t want to miss a special presentation mid-afternoon featuring the Disney D23 FanClub.
Those who are artistically inclined can try their hand at free interactive classes with aforementioned illustrator and Disney artist Jeff Shelly, as well as mural painting with Disney creator and fine art artist Arcy.
Purchase a postcard or two then stop by the Walt Disney Post Office to buy a special cancellation stamp featuring the Walt Disney Hometown Museum, the Main Street Clock USA replica, and CITIZEN recognition.
There will also be a ticketed event, “A Night at the Disney Family Farm,” from 5–6 PM. It will feature special guests including animator and Disney legend Floyd Norman, along with a four-course meal designed by Marcy Carriker Smothers, author of Eat Like Walt, and an "A Kiss Goodnight" fireworks display. Tickets for the dinner and associated activities are available here.
If you're interested in supporting the Walt Disney museum, click here.
In an interesting addendum: Harper Goff, who created Disneyland's Main Street USA with Walt Disney, was a native of Fort Collins, Colorado. He used his former hometown, along with Walt Disney's hometown of Marceline, as inspiration for the models of Disney's Main Street USA.
To learn more about Walt Disney’s life in Marceline, read this interesting and informative Missouri Life article.
For hundreds more events, visit Missouri Life’s Event Calendar.
Road Trips. That's My M-O.
Explore central and northern Missouri on one tank of gas.
This article is presented in partnership with Visit Missouri.
Buckle up and get ready to explore Missouri — it’s road trip season. The name’s Road Trip Mo, and I’ve got a fun itinerary that will take you to Columbia before heading across “The Way of American Genius” all the way to Hannibal on the bank of the Mississippi River. The best part? You can follow this itinerary on one tank of gas. Plus, it’s a loop, so you can jump in wherever you’d like!
Columbia Area
Columbia is a great place to start a Show-Me State adventure. Our first stop is The District in Downtown Columbia, which has something for everyone. Enjoy the college-town vibe (Go Tigers!), take in the historic architecture, grab a coffee, head out for a shopping extravaganza or spend the afternoon at a local bar or restaurant.
Head west from Columbia to The Blufftop at Rocheport, a vineyard retreat along the banks of the Missouri River. Inside, you can sip on the award-winning blends by Les Bourgeois Vineyards at The A-Frame Winegarden. You can also grab a bite to eat while enjoying spectacular river views at The Bistro at Les Bourgeois Vineyards.
Just a little further west is the breeding and training facility for the legendary Budweiser Clydesdales at Warm Springs Ranch in Boonville. If you’re a vintage auto or bike enthusiast, pay a visit to Lewis Miller’s Mitchell Collection, a museum which houses a one-of-a-kind assortment of Mitchell motorcycles, bicycles and cars from the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Cruise north to Highway 36, known as “The Way of American Genius,” named for the numerous inventions that were developed in towns along the road and the number of extraordinary people who called this ribbon of highway home.
In Marceline, explore the Walt Disney Hometown Museum, which commemorates one of America’s most brilliant animators and entrepreneurs. In the museum, you will find Disney’s plans to build a theme park in Marceline that unfortunately never came to fruition before his death in 1966. Disney loved his hometown so much that Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland was inspired by downtown Marceline.
Next, head west to Chillicothe, the home of sliced bread. The city is filled with the Americana charm you’d expect from a historic small town. Around many street corners, you’ll find 25 larger-than-life murals, perfect for a family photo op. After you’ve admired the artwork, check out the Boji Stone Cafe to recharge with a homemade sandwich, salad or famous sliced bread pudding.
Make your way back east along Highway 36 for an afternoon or evening show at the Maples Repertory Theatre. Theater lovers from across the region come to Macon to enjoy full-scale, union-grade productions and cabaret concerts. Shows typically run from June to December.
Hannibal
On the eastern edge of Highway 36 is Hannibal, a town made famous by one of its most storied residents — Mark Twain. Born Samuel Clemens, Twain was raised in Hannibal and used the city as inspiration for Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn’s adventures. You can learn more about his life, novels and characters at the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum.
Just outside the city is Mark Twain Cave, Missouri’s oldest show cave and another inspiration for some of the scenes in Twain’s stories. The cave remains a constant 52 degrees and is accessible rain or shine, perfect to explore any time of year.
Round out your road trip with a stop at Mark Twain Lake. In addition to the numerous hiking and equestrian trails, visitors can also cast a line for crappie, bass and catfish. If you’d like to spend a night under the stars, camping sites are available in four recreation areas.
Looking for more ways to see the Show-Me State? Check out VisitMo.com and discover your road trip M-O with summer and fall drives.
