Here’s what you can expect during the celebration
Vandalia’s Annual Prairie Days will kick off Friday, Sept. 27. The evening will begin with a horseshoe tournament starting at 6 p.m. and a cornhole tournament starting at 6:30 p.m. in Horseshoe Park located on 109 S. Jefferson Street.
Vandalia’s Historical Museum, located at 112 S. Main, will be open from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Stop by to see the museum displays and where the 150th merchandise will be available for purchase. Live music on the Main stage in Railroad Park will start at 7:30 p.m., with Last Minute Duo. The Duo band members are Aaron Baskett and Zack Thomas. The stage will be warmed up and ready to go when SoulRoot performs from 9 p.m. to midnight.
Saturday, Sept. 28 at 7 a.m. will be the Fall 5K sponsored by the YMCA. The starting line and finish line are at the YMCA 309 S. Main. At 10 a.m., vendor booths open on State Street and La Femme Club ladies will be selling their delicious pies in front of the Historical Church.
As we continue to celebrate Vandalia’s 150th, The Historical Society will be hosting a Walking tour of Main Street’s business history. Tours will run at 9 a.m., at 9:30 a.m., at 1:30 p.m., and at 2 p.m.
The Home Tour will be via a bus ride this year. If you’re interested in this tour, board the bus at the Parrish House on State Street. Home tours will be at 1:30 p.m., at 2 p.m., at 2:30 p.m., and at 3 p.m. Both tours require you register at the Historical Society and present your voucher at the start of the tours. There is no charge to participate.
Southfork Regulators will be performing a gun fight reenactment at the intersection of Lindell and State at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
For the parade at 11 a.m., line up starts at 9:30 a.m. at the South School. Entries will travel north on Main Street from Bland to Railroad. This year’s themed parade, ‘Vandalia through the decades’, will have a payout for first place of $500, second place $300 and third place $150. Prize money is sponsored by Vandalia Area Historical Society. Judging will be based on adherence to theme, Vandalia connection, props, creativity, and costumes.
Following the parade, everyone is welcomed to the Main Stage where there will be recognition for VAHS and the lifeguards.
The kid’s area will be open from 1 – 5 p.m. It includes a petting zoo, bounce houses, and games in the grass area with Poet’s corn trailer. Pumpkin painting and scavenger hunt will be at the Historical Museum from 1 – 4 p.m.
Round Grove Club will be hosting the Van-Far Hospitality Room in the First Baptist Church Multi-Purpose Building. Doors open 9:30 – 11 a.m. and again from 1:30 – 3 p.m. Plan to meet up with other VF alumni and flip the pages of Redskin yearbooks from the past. Refreshments will be available.
The Vandalia Chamber of Commerce will sponsor Bingo under the big tents from 2 – 3 p.m. This is open to all ages.
The winners of the Motorcycle Show will be announced and awarded trophies at 2:30 p.m. on the main stage. The bike show will take place on Main Street immediately following the parade.
Car Cruise-In will line up on Main Street at 4 p.m., please enter from North Main at the Railroad tracks.
Vandalia will fill the time capsule dated 2024 live on stage at 5:45 p.m.
Becky Denton will take the Main Stage at 4:30 p.m. and entertain the crowd for an hour. At 6 p.m., Ruby Leigh, Missouri’s own, will perform until 7:30 p.m. Be sure to stop by and see Ruby at her meet and greet following her performance. Closing out the night, The Cherry Pistols will run the stage from 8 – 11 pm.
VAHS would like to thank all the generous sponsors and dedicated volunteers who are making this event possible.
“We hope to see you this year in downtown Vandalia enjoying Prairie Days 2024!”