National Tom Sawyer Days is truly the signature event of Hannibal. People from all over the country come to town. Journalists pack their bags for a weekend of americana in America’s Hometown. It’s the best of a small Midwestern town celebrating freedom in an old-fashioned, family-friendly way.

Get our free mobile app

The Hannibal Jaycees have just announced the full schedule for National Tom Sawyer Days and it’s a full complement of events after a scaled back celebration in the year of the pandemic.

The Jaycees will prime the pump with the Eddie Montgomery concert on June 26 at Tanyard Gardens. The Youth Mud Volleyball Tournament takes place on Thursday, July 1. That’s also when the carnival will fire up for the next four days.

On Friday, July 2 scores off vendors will be set up at Hannibal’s Central Park for the annual Arts and Crafts Festival which runs the entire weekend. That’s also the day that the adults will take to the courts for the mud volleyball tournament. The Y Men’s Club sponsors that event and they have just announced that 58 teams have already registered. They cap the field at 64 teams, so get those registrations in if you want to play.

Saturday, July 3 starts bright and early with the Hannibal Cannibal Race with a 7 a.m. start time. The parade starts on Broadway at 10 a.m. The line-up continues with the frog jumping contest at noon and fence painting at 2. Buckcherry is the featured entertainment that night at Tanyard Gardens.

On the Fourth of July, Hannibal will name its newest goodwill ambassadors in the Tom and Becky contest. That will happen at noon on Sunday at Central Park. The carnival will offer two dollar rides all afternoon on the 4th.  And of course, the NTSD festivities will end with a bang with the Hannibal Jaycees Fireworks show on the riverfront.

These events are just touching on some of the highlights. For a full schedule of National Tom Sawyer Days events, visit the Hannibal Jaycees Facebook page.

More From KICK FM, #1 For New Country