Informal, unofficial “mini-Folklife” this weekend in Hannibal!

Of all the fall events cancelled for COVID, the Hannibal Folklife Festival is a favorite that won't happen this year. However, a few vendors have decided to make do with a pared-down event.

A few select booths will be set up at Hannibal's Central Park this Saturday, Oct.17. Hannibal Knights of Columbus fish sandwiches will be the main course offered. Other booths are joining along, offering desserts, kettle corn, goat milk products and hand-crafted goods. The hours are pretty flexible, running roughly from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. at the park.

Another wildly favorite Folklife Festival Food is also available this weekend. St. John's Lutheran is selling their famous cheese soup at the school parking lot at 1317 Lyon Street. They're offering soup by the cup or by the gallon on both Saturday and Sunday Oct. 17-18.

The Hannibal Arts Council has worked hard for more than 40 years to make the third weekend of October one of the most anticipated times of the year. According to their website, "As you can imagine, it was a difficult and heart-wrenching decision, as we know how important the event is to our partners, our organization and our community."

Folklife brings in thousands of people downtown. It is the top fundraiser for many clubs and vendors. It won't be the same in 2020 without Folklife, but we invite everyone downtown to browse  our small businesses and eat at our locally owned restaurants.