banner 

MDT Logo Black Trasparent  

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Welcome to Historic Jefferson City- 

You're Invited to Feel the History  

and Join in the Fun    

 

For Immediate Release:  

Sept. 8, 2011

 

Capital ArtJEFFERSON CITY, MO. - As summer plays out its final act, Jefferson City's heartbeat is still thumping with the rhythm of life as excitement flows thick through the festive streets. Fall will soon take the stage and the leaves will turn from a lush summer green to autumn's vibrant oranges, yellows and reds. The city's festive environment, however, still explodes with the fall colors and transitions seamlessly with the seasons, introducing everyone to celebrations just right for all the senses.

 

Let the arts envelop you in the vibrant downtown area for two huge festivals - Connect to the Arts and the Multicultural Fall Festival - or take a stroll to Old Munichburg and embrace the city's German roots for Oktoberfest. And if you need to add a little fright to your night (or if you just want to get in touch with your inner Fred, Daphne, Wilma or Shaggy) there are plenty of ghost tours and hunts available at the historic Missouri State Penitentiary.

 

When you experience just a slice of what Jefferson City has to offer in the summer and fall, you are sure to return with the desire for a thrilling "encore" in the winter, the spring and every season thereafter.

 

Connect to the Arts Festival

Capital Jazzfest

Chalk art by Jefferson City's Essex Garner.

Plug into the electric atmosphere of three days of food, music and fun during the Connect to the Arts Festival on Sept. 8-10 in downtown Jefferson City. The three-day bash stuffs three of the city's most popular artistic events -Thursday Night Live, Missouri River Regional Library Cultural Concert and the Capital Jazzfest and Street Art Fair - into one vibrant barrel of fun. Thursday Night Live turns downtown Jefferson City into a festive block party on Sept. 8 from 5 to 9 p.m., combining live music on stage with great food and beverages from local restaurants and nightspots. Also during Thursday Night Live, you can taste the culinary genius and vote for the best soup among local chefs at the Second Annual Soup Stock. On Sept. 9, flock to the Capitol Lawn at 7 p.m. for the Missouri River Regional Library Concert, featuring jazz musicians, the Henessy Brothers. The grand finale follows on Sept. 10 with the Capital Jazzfest and Street Art Fair. This super menagerie of artistic endeavors packs a ton of activities into a day. The event includes a parade, street artists chalking concrete canvases, a lineup of fantastic Jazz musicians performing on High Street, a "Kid's Art" activities area, food vendors, a "Taste of Missouri" wine-tasting event highlighting area vineyards and many more cultural art activities. For more information, please visit  www.ArtsinJC.org or call 573-338-8800 or 573-635-8512. You may also call the Jazzfest organizers directly at 573-681-5301 or visit  www.CapJazz.org. For additional information on the Street Art Fair call 573-635-8355 or visit www.CapitalArts.org .

 

Oktoberfest

Old Munichburg OktoberfestCelebrate Jefferson City's German heritage in the streets of Old Munichburg (at the corner of Jefferson and Dunklin Streets) on Sept. 24, for an Oktoberfest gathering you won't want to miss. Breathe deep the tempting smells of Bratwurst roasting on a fire and drink from a stein while you soak up the atmosphere in the Beer and Wine Garden. Immerse yourself in the culture by sinking knee-deep in a "grape stomp," or watch cute dachshunds compete in races and costume contests. Direct the children to the "Kids Korner," filled with games and activities for the young and young at heart. And of course, it wouldn't be Oktoberfest without embracing the overwhelming need to dance arm and arm with your neighbors or loved ones to the "oompah-pahs" of a rollicking polka band. Much, much more is available in the realm of German merriment, so for a full schedule of Oktoberfest events, please visit the Oktoberfest section on Old Munichburg's website. If you need more information, contact Oktoberfest coordinator Cathy Zumwalt at 573-635-6524.

 

Penitentiary Ghost Tours

Ghost Tours at MSPWant a ghostly dose of the paranormal to spike your eerie and spooky levels during the month of October? Creep through the Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP) after dark on a hunt for a possible encounter with the ghosts of the prison's storied past on a "ghost hunt" or "ghost tour." Many experts in the paranormal field consider the Penitentiary, built in 1836 and decommissioned in 2004, a hotbed of mystical activity. So what better way to celebrate the month of All Hallow's Eve than playing the role of a ghost hunter? Twilight Ghost Tours cost $25 per person for a two-hour tour and feature exploration of Housing Unit 1, A-Hall, Dungeon Cells and the Gas Chamber, where 40 inmates were put to death. Battery-powered lamps will be provided to light the way for those who are brave enough to slink the hallways and explore the aged cells after dark. Ghost Hunt Tours are also $25 per person for two hours and provide both history and interactive exploration of the prison. Tours are available throughout the month of October, including Halloween weekend. For a full schedule of tours, please visit MissouriPenTours.com  or call 866-998-6998 for more information. 

 

Jefferson City Multicultural Fall Festival

Multicultural Fall FestivalSubmerge yourself in Jefferson City's many cultures for this commemoration of diversity and unity through the arts on Oct. 15 in downtown Jefferson City. This merger of the annual Fall Festival and HarvestFest, celebrates the assorted dance demonstrations, music, art, crafts, food and vendors that encompasses the wonderful cultural diversity found in mid-Missouri. Let the smells of fresh kettle corn lead you to the Governor's Mansion for some down-home HarvestFest fun. Enjoy toe-tapping live bluegrass music, pick up a bag of the sweet kettle corn and watch a cider press in action while you sip delicious cider from a cup. Marvel at live animal exhibitions (featuring bats, spiders and turkeys) from the Missouri Department of Conservation. And be sure to bring the kids (in costume or in street clothes) for free children's books and cookies. The first floor of the Mansion will also be open for tours during this festival. For more information on the Multicultural Festival, call 573-636-3763 or visit  DowntownJeffersonCity.com. If you'd like to find out more about HarvestFest at the Governor's Mansion, call 573-751-0526.

 

Coming Up ...

 

1929 Ford Tri-Motor Airliner Tour

Dates: September 19-21

Time: Sept. 19 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sept. 20-21 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Jefferson City Memorial Airport
Description: Experimental Aircraft Association's immaculate 1929 Ford Tri-Motor is undertaking a tour across the country and stopping at Jefferson City Memorial Airport. Take this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the magic of flight in the world's first mass-produced airliner!  Come see the Airliner at the Airport. Tickets for a ride in history can be obtained at the Airport at Jefferson City Flying Service, EAA Chapter 429, and other locations.

For More Information: Call 573-619-2124 or email [email protected] (for tickets).
Cost: $50 per person for EAA members; $60 per person for non-members

 

Cruisin' for MDA

Date: September 24

Time: 5 to 9:30 p.m.
Location: High Street, Downtown Jefferson City
Description: Come see the largest car show in Jefferson City the last Saturday of every month from March to September. Listen to the music supplied by COOL 97.5, grab some food sold by the Jefferson City Host Lions Club and look at the cars displayed on the streets.

For More Information: Call 573-680-9458 or visit Crusin' for MDA's facebook page
Cost: Free

 

Lincoln University Homecoming

Dates: September 25- October 2

Time: Varies
Location: Lincoln University (parade takes place downtown)
Description: Lincoln's Homecoming is a weeklong celebration for Lincoln University students, alumni and the community including a parade, football game, concerts and much more. Come out and cheer on the floats, dignitaries, bands and groups as they parade down High Street. The parade begins at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1.
For More Information: Call Benecia Williams at 573-681-5572 or visit LincolnU.edu
Cost: Free

 

Jefferson City Memorial Airport Open House and Fly-In

Date: October 1

Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Jefferson City Memorial Airport
Description: Plenty of family fun with modern military and civilian aircraft on display, as well as NASCAR driver Carl Edward's show car. Free "Young Eagles" airplane rides for kids 8-17 years of age are also available and discounted airplane rides can be purchased for ages 18 and up.
For More Information: Call 573-619-2124 or [email protected]  (for tickets)
Cost: Event Admission is Free

 

2nd Annual Jefferson City Holiday Shopping Expo

Date: November 5

Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Donita's Banquet Hall, 5007 Buffalo Road
Description: Jefferson City's Premier 2011 Holiday Shopping Event. Why run around trying to find the perfect gifts for all your loved ones when you can get them in one place? Check off your Holiday Gift List as Merchants from all across Missouri welcome shoppers to this event. Fabulous door prizes will be awarded throughout the day!
Contact Information: Visit JCHolidayExpo.webs.com on the web. 
Cost: Event Admission is Free

 

 

DON'T MISS...

Sonny Liston Boxing at MSP

Future World Heavyweight Champion Sonny Liston learned the art of boxing while in the Missouri State Prison yard.

 

The Missouri State Penitentiary Tours - Tour the oldest continually operated prison west of the Mississippi. Decommissioned in 2004, the MSP serves as a historic landmark, once called the "Bloodiest 47 acres in America" by Time magazine. Walk through Sonny Liston's cell and see the site where he learned to box before he became the world's heavyweight champion in 1962. Hear stories about Pretty Boy Floyd's incarceration and James Earl Ray's escape, as well as the gas chamber, where 40 executions took place.

 

Old Munichburg -  

Oktoberfest at Old Munich

Grab your lederhosen and brush up on your Schuhplattler steps and come experience Oktoberfest in 

Old Munichburg.

Jefferson City's historically German "South Side" neighborhood is being revitalized. You'll find first-class shopping, restaurants, lodging, beautiful brick homes and a big dose of German-American hospitality. Old Munichburg comprises approximately fourteen blocks located south of the Rex Whitton Expressway (US 50/63); west of Monroe and Poplar streets; north of Franklin Street; and east of US 54 West.

 

 

 

 

# # #

 

For more information about these and other attractions in and around Jefferson City, please contact the Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-769-4183, at

VisitJeffersonCity.com or at the city's Facebook or Twitter pages.   

 

Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau
Steve Picker, Executive Director

(573) 632-2820

 [email protected] 

VisitJeffersonCity.com 

------------- 

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Gene McCoy 

 

The Beenders-Walker Group

125 E. High St. Suite 200

Jefferson City, Missouri

800-544-8474

[email protected]