Sneak Peek

Gower Days Set to be Four Days of Summer Fun

Despite the pandemic, Gower’s biggest summer party will go on later this week at the Gower City Park.

The annual Gower Days festival will run from Thursday, July 9, through Sunday, July 12, and will have something for everybody. 

The event will open on Thursday, July 9, at 6 p.m. with the Little Mr. and Miss Gower contest, along with princess and queen pageant. Carnival games will run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. that night, which will be capped off with a performance from Casi Joy, the Smithville-raised singer who was a member of Blake Shelton’s team on NBC’s The Voice in 2017, and who has shared the stage with the likes of Montgomery Gentry, Keith Urban, and more. There will be a chance to meet Joy at 9:30 p.m. after her performance. 

​The festival continues on Friday, July 10, with vendors and rides opening at 5 p.m. The opening ceremonies will be at 5:30 p.m. The baby show is at 6 p.m. followed by a performance by Snow Day Jam at 7 p.m. and Country Classics at 8 p.m. Attendees will be treated to a fireworks show at 10 p.m. 

Saturday will begin early with a 5K walk and run beginning at 8 a.m. (registration begins at 7 a.m. at BulldogLand, Etc.). Vendors open at 9 a.m. and the parade will begin at 10 a.m. (line-up begins at 9:30 a.m. at EBHS). Rides open at 11 a.m. and the blind golf cart races will be on Railroad Avenue beginning at 11 a.m. (registration at Clear View Insurance). 

Phil Vandel will perform at noon. The Gower Outhouse Races will be at 3 p.m., Gower Has Talent will go on at the same time, hosted by Teddy Dixson. The Missouri Rebels will take the stage at 4:30 p.m. followed by the Not So Newly Wed Game at 7:30 p.m. Blue Oyster Culture Club performs at 8 p.m.

​Sunday will include the car show, with registration starting at 8 a.m. and running through 11 a.m. at the masonic lodge. The Cowboys for Christ Church Service is at 11 a.m. and the car show awards will be presented at 3:30 p.m. ​