Dugout canoe exhibition, nostalgic orchestra featured at Chautauqua Sept. 16-18

The 20th annual Daviess County Chautauqua will open Friday, Sept. 16 with a re-creation of an authentic USO Canteen Show and Dance. It’ll be a nostalgic trip back to World War II, presented by the Moonlight Serenade Orchestra, a 17-piece dance band, on the north side of the Gallatin square.

Chautauqua festivities will then continue throughout the weekend, with a myriad of events planned on Saturday and Sunday, located mostly around the town square.

A special highlight of this year’s event is a dugout canoe exhibition from the Missouri Department of Conservation. Displayed will be a 20-foot dugout canoe, the oldest one owned by the Department, with personnel on hand in traditional dress to demonstrate the art of making a dugout canoe.

The first annual 5K Walk/Run has also been added to this year’s Chautauqua schedule. It will take place on Saturday, Sept. 17, with the route starting at the courthouse. For information, call 660-663-3477 or 663-2037.

Featured musical entertainment on the evening of Sept. 17 will be the MO Town Band and Village Dancers, followed by Phil McGarrah and his Runnin’ on Empty Band.

A full slate of events is planned on Saturday, including musical entertainment by the Elsea Smith Blues Band with local keyboardist Rick Tolen and other local musical talent presented in a tent on the southwest corner of the courthouse lawn.

Events throughout the day include a baby show, rotary jail tours, an art show, muzzleloader and arrowhead exhibits, a gospel clown and donkey, talent show, Tae Kwon Do exhibition, performances by local dance studios, and the annual parade, rain or shine.

Just preceding the Chautauqua parade, the Daviess County Arts Council is launching a new event called the Amazing Race. The council is seeking local teams to participate in a recliner race on an obstacle course. The entry fee is $25 per 5-member team. The council has a number of chairs on hand to provide to prospective teams. Teams will customize and add wheels to the chairs in order to join the fun. For a race information packet, call Vicki Corwin at 663-3008. A traveling trophy will be awarded.

This year’s performance by the Gallatin Theatre League is entitled “Broadway Our Way.” The show will be presented three times on Saturday and twice on Sunday at the Courter Theatre near the square.

Sunday’s events include a pancake breakfast by the Gallatin Fire Protection District, rotary jail tours, two theatre league shows, and the Co-ed Cowboy-Up Rodeo, conducted by Gallatin Saddle Club II at the Dockery Park Arena. For rodeo information, call Todd or Angy Baker at 660-663-2583.