Mark Down These Important Dates for Hannibal Events in 2015

The 2015 St. Louis Cardinals Caravan will be at the Mabee Sports Complex at Hannibal-LaGrange University on Monday, January 19 at noon. Admission is free. Autograph tickets will be available for the first 400 kids 15 and under.

The Hannibal Jaycees' 11th annual Wing Ding will be January 24, 2015 at the Admiral Coontz Recreation Center. Team registration is going on now. Through December 31, 2014, commercial teams can sign up for $225. Individual teams can sign up for $125. After December 31 the cost for commercial teams goes up to $250, and individual teams increases to $150. Contact Jamie McCoy at 573-999-5073 or e-mail jamiemccoy11@hotmail.com. You can also call Jenny Pabst at 573-795-6577, or send e-mail to jenny_pabst@yahoo.com.

The Hannibal Jaycees sponsor a Chili Cookoff at the Admiral Coontz Recreation Center each year. In 2015, the Chili Cookoff will be on February 21.

The Historic Hannibal Marketing Council presents the annual Chocolate Extravaganza on March 14. Over two dozen different downtown businesses offer chocolate-related treats and other specials. Activities will be going on throughout the day.

Just Girls Weekend is a weekend of shopping, wine tasting, classes and demonstrations, and various activities just for ladies! Just Girls Weekend will be April 24, 25 and 26 in 2015.

The Loafer's Car Show fills Main Street with classic cars each year. The 2015 date is May 9. Registration starts at 8 a.m. and awards are handed out around 3 p.m.

Twain on Main takes place during Memorial Day Weekend, May 23 - 24, 2015. Hours are 10 - 5 on Saturday, and 10 - 4 on Sunday. The Historic Hannibal Marketing Council presents Twain on Main as a celebration of Mark Twain, his literary works, and the cultural and historical heritage of Hannibal. The festival features crafts, entertainment, events, specialty vendors, and food vendors.

The Hannibal Cavemen schedule consists of 30 home games and 30 away games. The first home game of 2015 will be at Clemens Field on Saturday, May 30 when the Cavemen host the Terre Haute Rex at 7:05.

Fiesta del Sol returns to Central Park on June 27, 2015 from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. This is a different date than was originally announced. Due to a scheduling conflict, Fiesta del Sol has been moved to June 27. Featuring music, food, art and a home brew festival. This event is for all ages. It is presented by the Rotary Club of Hannibal.

The Hannibal Cannibal will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2015. The race will be held downtown on Saturday, July 4. The Hannibal Cannibal annually draws thousands of participants from all over the world. Proceeds benefit the Hannibal Regional Hospital Foundation.

Hannibal's biggest celebration is always on Fourth of July Weekend. In 2015, National Tom Sawyer Days will be July 2, 3, 4. Visit downtown Hannibal for fence painting, frog jumping, crafts, a parade, carnival, and live music! The naming of the official Tom and Becky ambassadors is also an annual tradition during National Tom Sawyer Days.

The Big River Steampunk Festival will return to Hannibal for its second year in 2015. Organizer Lisa Marks says that the festival will expand to encompass all of Labor Day Weekend, from Friday night, September 4, through Labor Day on September 7.

The third annual Harvest Hootenanny at the Mark Twain Cave Complex is scheduled for September 25 - 27. The event includes plenty of live music, food and games for the entire family. Presented by the Rotary Club of Hannibal.

The Hannibal Arts Council presents the Autumn Historic Folklife Festival October 17 - 18, 2015. The Folklife Festival is an 1800s-themed festival that includes not only fine artists, but also traditional arts, live performances, food vendors, and fine craft.