I was blessed (or cursed) with a genetic proclivity for creativity. It mainly manifests itself via clever quips. Many people have told me I should tweet.
Articles by Peg Cameron Gill
Have No Doubt - This’ll Be Fun!
By Peg Cameron Gill Reimagined as a musical, “Mrs. Doubtfire” is sure to be a surefire hit with you! Enjoy this campy comedy at The Fabulous Fox in St. Louis now through Jan. 7, 2024. You can catch both matinees and evening performances. Everyone’s favorite Scottish nanny is spending her holidays in St. Louis! Rob McClure will reprise his Tony-nominated Broadway performance on tour alongside co-star (and real life wife!) Maggie Lakis in this internationally acclaimed hit.
‘Tis The Sea-son!
By Peg Cameron Gill ‘Tis the sea-son to celebrate the season with thousands of lights under the sea! The SEA LIFE Aquarium in Kansas City is delighted to host Sea of Lights. During this special holiday event you can stroll through Peppermint Harbor, explore Gingerbread Bay, and discover more than 10 interactive zones decked in holiday decor. A trip to the Kansas City SEA LIFE Aquarium is always fascinating and fun. but Sea of Lights puts a spectacular seasonal spin on the experience.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve With A French Flair!
By Peg Cameron Gill Founded by French merchants and fur traders, Ste. Geneviève remained a French-speaking enclave for many years in the newly Americanized Midwest. Sadly, the last generations of native French speakers are disappearing, but cherished traditions like “La Guiannée” still remain. This ancient tradition, much like the English custom of Wassailing that dates back to Europe’s Middle Ages, is celebrated by descendants of those French settlers.
This Is No Garden Variety Holiday Event!
By Peg Cameron Gill Enjoy a dazzling botanical-themed evening light festival at Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden in Springfield, presented in partnership with Friends of the Garden. This is the fifth annual “Gardens Aglow,” stroll, and it’s presented by Friends of the Garden, in partnership with the Springfield-Greene County Park Board. Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden is located at the Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park, 2400 S. Scenic Ave.
Get “Fired” Up About This Event!
By Peg Cameron Gill Folks fond of firearms will be goin’ great guns at the Joplin Gun Show, Friday, Dec. 22 and Saturday, Dec. 23 at the VFW Post 534 in Joplin. RK Shows will have a variety of vendors displaying guns, hunting supplies, military surplus, and outdoor gear. If you’re a gun collector or a hunting enthusiast, you’ll definitely want to set your (gun)sights on attending this show.
Delight In Lights This Holiday Season
By Peg Cameron Gill This Christmas, “trip” the light fantastic – with a trip to see the Veterans United Home Loans holiday Bright Lights & Holiday Nights extravaganza at the company’s headquarters in Columbia. Gather your family or friends for a festive car-cruise through a dazzling display of lights. Now through Dec. 17, the one mile-long loop of a merry winter wonderland is open from 7 to 10:30 PM each night.
This Could Get Ugly!
By Peg Cameron Gill If you’ve been itching to bust out your best wooly wonderland wear – ie, an ugly Christmas sweater – look no further. Rusted Route Farms in Jackson, MO, is holding an ugly Christmas Sweater Brunch on Sunday, Dec. 17 from 10 AM–1 PM. The event venue will be serving a delicious brunch menu prepared by its executive chef, executive pastry chef, and their staff. The brunch will include sweet and savory dishes, such as quiches, casseroles, breakfast pastries, muffins, fruit, and more.
Hear Fa-Fa-La-Lots Of Music
By Peg Cameron Gill The Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) Choral Society in Joplin will perform its annual Winter Concert on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, at 3 PM at First Community Church, 2007 E 15th St., in Joplin. Choral Society Conductor Melissa Belk, and accompanist Clint Newby, lead the community-based 60+ member Choral Society and will present its holiday program with music that all ages will appreciate.
How ‘Bout a Denver Christmas?
By Peg Cameron Gill Showtimes at The Pageant in St. Louis are Sunday, Dec. 10 at 2 and 6 PM. Tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster. A special 50% discount offer is available using promo code COUNTRY when purchased online. Learn more at Thepageant.com. Located in the Delmar Loop, The Pageant has earned a world-wide reputation as an exceptional concert venue over its 20+ year history. Built for live music, The Pageant’s versatile layout helps create a unique intimacy between performer and audience.
Enjoy A Treasured Tradition This Holiday Season
By Peg Cameron Gill MU’s University Concert Series is pleased to present the breathtaking ballet on Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 7 PM in Jesse Auditorium on the campus in Columbia. Experience the extraordinary international cast and Ukrainian principal artists performing at the peak of classical European ballet. You’ll be transfixed by the magic of draw jaw-dropping acrobatics, larger-than- life puppets, and stunning handcrafted sets and costumes.
Enjoy A Boon of Holiday Fun!
By Peg Cameron Gill Kick off Christmas at Roslyn Heights in Boonville. Roslyn Heights is an elegant Queen Anne style mansion and it serves as the headquarters for Missouri State Society Daughters of the American Revolution. But it also serves as the headquarters for many fun and festive holiday happenings! Bring the kiddos to Christmas With Mrs. Claus, on Sat. December. 2, 10–11:30 AM. Children ages 7–12 are best suited to enjoy the “tea” with breakfast goodies and Mrs.
Mark Mark Twain's Birthday In A Fun Way!
By Peg Cameron Gill Mark Twain is one of Missouri’s most famous sons. Today he’s best remembered as the author of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1885); creating memorable and colorful characters navigating their childhood, as well as the Mississippi river. Mark Twain’s birthday is a fun event to celebrate, and the Mark Twain Boyhood Home invites everyone to join some unique festivities to mark the famous author’s 188th birthday on Saturday, Nov. 25.
Check Out This Holiday Horse Happening!
By Peg Cameron Gill The horse-drawn “carriages” are back in The District in Columbia! The” carriage” is actually a 10-seat wagon pulled by a pair of Belgian draft horses. Passengers sit in rows on benches on both sides of the wooden wagon. The wagon travels on downtown streets for about 20 minutes while riders take in some of The District’s best and newest holiday decorations.
Having Fun’s A “Snap” At This Event
It’s not even Thanksgiving yet, but many of us are already looking ahead to Christmas! If you’d like to get in a merry mood, you’ll want to check out a memorable, magical event that’s celebrating its 15th year, and runs through Christmas Eve! By Peg Cameron Gill Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s are proud to invite families to the beloved tradition of visiting Santa Claus this holiday season during the annual Santa’s Wonderland experience. The memory-making event will run through Christmas Eve.
“Ring” In Some Excitement!
By Peg Cameron Gill Get ready for The Greatest Show on Earth! The reimagined Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey live experience invites children of all ages to the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City to witness a spectacle of superhuman feats and thrills.
Shop A Classic Christmas Market!
By Peg Cameron Gill Austria has plenty of Christmas markets. But the most famous one is probably on Vienna’s Rathausplatz, the square in front of the town hall. So how fitting that our own Vienna, Missouri, is holding a Christmas market! The Historical Society of Maries County is holding its annual Christmas Market Nov. 11, 2023, in the Vienna Knights of Columbus Hall from 9 AM–2 PM.
Wheels up! See Hot Wheels Monster Trucks!
By Peg Cameron Gill Whether you collected a treasure trove of the tiny metal marvels or only had a few, if you’re any kind of a Hot Wheels fan, listen up: Hot Wheel handlers of all ages will be thrilled to watch their favorite Hot Wheels Monster Trucks revving and roaring in the dark! Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live! Glow Party is returning to St. Charles for another action-packed appearance at the Family Arena.
Have A Beach Boys Blast!
By Peg Cameron Gill Head to Springfield on Saturday, Nov. 4 to catch “America’s Band” the Beach Boys in concert at O’Reilly Family Center. The concert starts at 5:30 PM, and you can get tickets here. The surfin’ singers will be joined by special guests Ha-Ha Tonka. “I Get Around,” written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love, was released in May of 1964.
A Great Oppor-tune-ity For Fun!
By Peg Cameron Gill “Ghouling Pianos,” a special Halloween edition of Midwest Dueling Pianos, will have you singing, shouting, dancing, and howling. Join the audience on Thursday, Oct. 26 at the West Plains Civic Center Theater at 7 PM for a night of madcap musical meandering. The audience steers the direction the show takes by writing their favorite songs on request slips and bringing them up to the performers at the pianos.
Don’t Miss A Spooky, Spoke-tacular Ride!
By Peg Cameron Gill The Monster Bike Bash is a Halloween-inspired bicycle party on the Katy Trail that starts at Flat Branch Park in Columbia and ends at Cooper’s Landing,16 miles away. This costumed cruise takes riders through the most social and scenic sections of the Katy Trail State Park. It includes many trail-side stops filled with fiendish fun, including music, parties, and surprises.
Check Out This Spooky Spectacle
By Peg Cameron Gill If spooky sites are your thing, we have a great one for you: Powell Gardens in Kingsville (45 minutes from Kansas City) is thrilled to bring you The Dark Forest, an immersive event that might just scare your socks off! It’s a haunting Halloween event October 20–22 and 26–29.
Fall for Fall Fishing!
By Peg Cameron Gill After spring, fall is arguably the best season to go bass fishing. And if you’re looking for a truly terrific destination that’s a bass bastion, consider Lake of the Ozarks. Found smack dab in the heart of our state, it’s a bass fisherman’s paradise. So much so, the lake landed the number three spot on fishingbooker.com’s list of the best fall fishing locations.
Enjoy Halloween Creepies and Crawlies…
By Peg Cameron Gill Calling all guys and ghouls, vino vampires, draft beer Draculas, or other sorts of creepy craft cocktail creatures, you’re certain to find kindred spirits on a Halloween bar crawl. Many towns and cities offer these crawls — in fact, both St Louis and Kansas City offer official ones. No matter which end of I-70 you’re close to, you’re just a hop, sip, and a throw away from a spooktacular time. In St. Louis, you can pay and party on Saturday, October. 28, starting at 4 PM.
You “Butter” Not Miss This!
By Peg Cameron Gill Apple Butter Makin’ Days (ABMD), one of Missouri’s most popular festivals, has been held on the courthouse square in Mount Vernon each October since 1967. Whether you’re watching a wiener dog race, tasting local food, or learning the secrets to excellent apple butter, you’re in for a treat. The 2023 festival is October 13–15. Apple butter entrants will start cooking before dawn on Friday the 13th.
Don’t Miss A Doggone Fun Time!
By Peg Cameron Gill You’re sure to get a kick out of the pooches on parade in Saint Charles, at the fourth annual Paw Parade! Who knows what clever costumes await. Poodles in poufs, Shelties in shorts, Westies in wigs? There are bound to be some silly sights. It’s all for a good cause, with proceeds benefiting the City of Saint Charles Animal Shelter. Dogs will be parading down the streets of Frenchtown in their Fido finest to compete in a fur-ocious costume competition.
THIS COOKING COMPETITION WILL BE HOPPIN’
By Peg Cameron Gill A lot’s on the line as the World Food Championships (WFC) Show Me Series comes to Waynesville for the second annual Route 66 Hogs and Frogs Cooking Contest Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. Global glory and a shot at a delectable six-figure prize await. The name’s a nod to hogs, as in motorcycles or pork-producing livestock, and Waynesville’s City symbol Croaker.
THIS FALL FESTIVAL’S FILLED WITH FUN!
By Peg Cameron Gill The Pierce City Fall Festival offers something for everyone. It’s hosted by the Pierce City Arts Council (PCAC), 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, celebrating its 14th year supporting and celebrating the arts in the Pierce City community. Of course art will abound. But there is much more in store on Saturday, Sept. 23! From 10 AM to 6 PM, the public is invited to come to Pierce City’s beautiful South Park at 100 S. Elm for all the festivities and fun.
Be Wowed At A Powwow
By Peg Cameron Gill At the Northern Cherokee Nation Powwow/Cultural Gathering Sept.15–17, 2023 you can get a first-hand look at the tribal traditions of the Cherokee people. Held at the Tribal Complex east of Clinton, admission to the Powwow and parking are both free. Come and join the celebration with host drum Drowning Creek and emcee Chris Brown. The schedule of events will vary depending on which day or days you attend. Click here to view it.
Get ”art”side and enjoy yourself!
By Peg Cameron Gill If you have an affinity for art — or even if you don’t — you’ll enjoy yourself on Saturday, Sept. 9 at the Kennett Fall into Arts Festival, brought to you by The Kennett Alliance for the Arts (KAFTA). Of course you’ll find amazing art of all kinds at the festival, but that’s not all.
Are You Red-dy For A Tomato Festival?
By Peg Cameron Gill After a three-year hiatus, the famous annual Tomato Festival is back at MU Jefferson Farm & Garden in Columbia! Brought to you by MU Central Missouri Research, Extension and Education Center and MU Jefferson Farm and Garden, the Fest offers 100 varieties of tomatoes and 30 varieties of peppers to try. Past festivals have included really hot varieties of peppers, such as the mouth-melting Ghost pepper variety.
How ‘Bout “Dublin” Your Labor Day Weekend Fun?
By Peg Cameron Gill Kansas City will be shamrockin’ Labor Day weekend when its annual Irish Fest returns for the 19th year. The Fest, put on by Kansas City Irish Fest (KCIF), a nonprofit “dedicated to promoting the culture, music, character and history of Ireland and of the Irish people who call Kansas City home.” Each year, KCIF offers stellar Irish musical acts and much more.
See A Quirky Circus
By Peg Cameron Gill Yes, this circus is a traveling one, but by traveling, we mean it’s floating down the Mississippi River on a handmade, ramshackle raft! Talk about a unique sight to see! The aptly named FLOTSAM! Circus troupe is traveling on a handmade raft 650 river miles from Minneapolis to St. Louis, giving more than 30 FREE performances along the way in different riverfront towns in five states. No, there aren’t any elephants — they would sink the raft.
You’ll Wanna Flag This Event!
By Peg Cameron Gill Every month, The Stars & Stripes National Museum and Library in Bloomfield holds a special Kids Day at the Museum, sponsored by Boys and Girls Club of the Heartland. August’s Kids Day at the Museum is “Design Your Own Flag,” on Saturday, August 26 from 10 AM to 2 PM. This is a drop-in event that’s free to the public. Most of us know the story of Betsy Ross and the American flag, but there’s so much more to learn about flags and their significance.
Be Part of a Biking Blast!
By Peg Cameron Gill Be in a Big Bike Brigade! The Moonlight Ramble has been a staple of the St. Louis community since 1964. Join in this year as the tradition continues on Aug. 26th, starting and finishing in the Grove. All ages are welcome, but children 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Check-in/ pre-ride party festivities begin at 7 PM. The adult price is $50 with a T-shirt through 8/25, and $55 on the day of the ride. The youth price is $25 for those 6–17 years old.
Don’t “Pass” Up This Special Show
By Peg Cameron Gill As quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, NFL legend Terry Bradshaw won four Super Bowl titles in a six-year period. Not only has Bradshaw got quite an arm — he’s got quite a set of pipes, too! And you can catch him in a special limited-engagement run of his live show. He’s appearing in “The Terry Bradshaw Show Live!” for a few nights only at the Clay Cooper Theatre in Branson.
Kids Fish For Free!!
By Peg Cameron Gill If a day of family fishing sounds fun, head to historic Roaring River State Park in Cassville for Roaring River Free Fishing Day! A section of the river from the first low-water crossing up toward the hatchery will be specially designated for young anglers to fish in throughout the day. Adults will not be allowed to fish by themselves in this area. Anglers 15 and younger will be able to get tags from the park store for free the day of the event.
Ste. Genevieve’s Festival With a French Flair
By Peg Cameron Gill As the first European settlement in Missouri, the French Colonial setting of Ste. Genevieve provides a perfect setting for the annual Jour de Fête celebration, this year August 12–13. The Village of Ste. Genevieve was settled by French Canadians around 1735 on the west bank of the Mississippi River. The Village has been welcoming travelers, traders, and artists for more than 275 years.
It’s Fair to Say, the State Fair is Fun!
Not many events can claim all this: Competing critters. Marvelous music. Carnival contests. Rousing rides. Blue ribbon baking. Ridin’ & ropin’. Tough tractors. And more. Yep, you know what we’re talking about. But do you know this year’s details? By Peg Cameron Gill The Missouri State Fair has been an annual tradition since 1901.
Score Fore Homeless Pets
When you think about it, dog owning and golfing have quite a bit in common: Both require walking. Carrying a bag. Chasing a ball. Even doglegs! But here’s an event where dogs and golf have even more “linking” them. By Peg Cameron Gill On Saturday, August 5, the Humane Society of Southwest Missouri (HSSWMO) is hosting its second annual Scramble Fore Strays tournament. It’s being held at Island Green Golf Club in Republic. The event features 4-person teams in an 18-hole scramble format.
Now Hair’s An Interesting Event
These days, it seems like there’s a competition for just about everything — from extreme ironing to a roadkill cookoff. Well here’s one that involves facial hair, a Beard & Mustache Competition. Not to split hairs, but this one’s been around awhile. By Peg Cameron Gill This marks the 10th year of the annual event, hosted appropriately enough by the St Louis Beard & Mustache Club. It’s open to both men and women contestants in the St Louis area. (It gets 5–10 women entrants each year).
Make A Beeline For This Nature Hike
You probably know bees are pollinators, and very beneficial to the environment. But how much do you know about bees that live in an Ozark fen— a wetland fed by groundwater, not rain or surface streams? Here’s a chance to bee-come more informed. By Peg Cameron Gill An Ozark fen is a habitat that hosts a rich array of plants, which in turn support a variety of bees. Some of these bees are specialized to feed on only one type of plant, while others are generalists that feed on multiple species.
Missouri History Today, July 21, Ozark debuts on Netflix, with Lake of the Ozarks as the setting.
Even though the series was set at the Lake, it wasn’t filmed there—or even in Missouri! Instead, was shot in Atlanta, Georgia, around the Lake Allatoona and Lake Lanier area. That filming location was chosen for tax incentives. After the southern state lost the production for Ray, a biopic on soul musician and Georgia native Ray Charles, Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue was prompted to take action. Based upon content from the book Missouri 365: This Day in Missouri History by John W.
Be Fab Four-tunate at this Beatles Tribute
Are you a big Beatles fan? Maybe the Brit band was part of the soundtrack of your youth. Or maybe you’re a younger fan of the Fab Four. Either way, “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Don’t “ miss your chance to see an amazing Beatles tribute that’s a theatrical thrill. Beatles fans have reason to rejoice: The Starlight Theatre in Kansas City is presenting RAIN—A Tribute to The Beatles July 21–23. This Beatles tribute and theatrical production is an amazing musical and visual experience.
Come Mess With Success!
Are you a stick in the mud? Or would you rather be stuck in the mud? Maybe even wallow in it a while? If you enjoy getting messy, muddy, slipping, sliding, and staining your clothes beyond salvation, we’ve got the perfect event for you. By Peg Cameron Gill We’re not messing with you: The Discovery Center of Springfield is hosting its third annual MessFest July 21–23 from 10 AM–6 PM each day.
Someone’s Out To Get the Best of You
That’s right. It’s Missouri Life. We totally want to take advantage of you—but only so you can help crown our 2023 Best of Missouri Life Award winners! It’s up to you, not us, to decide. Your votes can help catapult category nominees to victory. By Peg Cameron Gill It’s our fifth year of the Best of Missouri Life Awards! Missouri Life readers nominate and vote on these awards, which honor their picks for the finest restaurants, travel destinations, shops, and parks in our state.
Check Out Zooming Zucchinis!
If you or someone you know has a summer garden with prolific produce (think tomatoes and zucchini), there’s often an excess to consume, freeze, can, or share. A wacky annual event takes a few copious crops off their growers’ plates. By Peg Cameron Gill Green-thumbed gardeners in Cole Camp have discovered quite a “quick” way to get rid of some of their overzealous zucchini—the Cole Camp Zucchini Races! This entertaining annual event has been going on for nearly 20 years.
Take A Tour Of Historic Homes
If you appreciate history, architecture, preservation, and restoration, you won’t want to miss a special guided tour of two of the grandest houses in mid-Missouri. Both of these significant historical structures were brought back to life. Where are they? By Peg Cameron Gill You likely know Arrow Rock as the home of the Lyceum Theater. But it’s also home to two historic homes—Oak Grove and Prairie Park.
Missouri Life Wants to Treat You To A Trip!
Are you a fan of German cuisine like bratwurst, schnitzel, and strudel? Does a good Reisling resonate with you? Or a nice Dunkelbrau? Whether you have a passion for polka or a zeal for zithers, learn more about our German travel opportunity.
Celebrate a Slice of History!
There have been many inventions that changed the world: Electricity. Indoor plumbing. The telephone. The computer. The internet. But one innovation was so cutting edge for its time, it merits an annual celebration. And you can be a part of it! By Peg Cameron Gill You don’t want to loaf around and miss this. Load up the family and head to Chillicothe on July 8 to celebrate the greatest thing since sliced bread.
Don’t Miss A “Monument”al Celebration
There have historically been many Missourians who’ve championed civil rights: Grace Bumbry, Elizabeth Keckley, Frankie Freeman, James Beckwourth, and others. But one in particular is the focus of a significant celebration worth attending. By Peg Cameron Gill Saturday, July 8, George Washington Carver National Monument near Diamond is holding its 80th George Washington Carver Day celebration from 10 AM–3 PM.
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