Jesse James Days Coming Up!
McDonald County’s famous Jesse James Days is just around the corner — Aug. 10-13.
Every year, this event brings hundreds of people to Pineville’s Town Square.
The annual celebration was sparked by the 1939 movie “Jesse James,” which was filmed in and around Pineville in 1938.
Numerous events will be offered, including Running with the Outlaws, 5k and 10k runs, and a 13-mile bike race on Saturday, Aug. 13.
Sign-up is available online at https://runsignup.com/ Race/Register. Registration forms are also provided at Pineville City Hall, 503 Main St. Registration ends Aug. 11 at 11:59 p.m.
Advance tickets for armbands for the carnival are available at City Hall for $17 each, which pays for all rides at the carnival.
Jesse James Days T-shirts have arrived and are currently being sold at City Hall. They are $8 for children and $10 for adults. The T-shirts will also be sold during Jesse James Days.
Little Mr. and Miss Jesse James Pageant sign-ups are offered at City Hall. Contact Melissa or Sylvia at 417-2234368.
The Pineville Rural Fire Department is selling chances on a 2004 Ford Mustang. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5 and available from all Pineville firefighters, City Hall, Cornerstone Bank in Pineville, and at the Jesse James Days event.
There is a great choice of activities for all age groups.
Wednesday, Aug. 10
• 5 p.m.: Firefighters cook shack opens
• 6 p.m.: Carnival rides begin; music by local church groups begins
• 7 p.m.: Kids’ Frisbee throw
Thursday, Aug. 11
• 5 p.m.: Firefighters cook shack opens
• 6 p.m.: Carnival rides begin
• 6 p.m.: Little Miss/Mr.
James pageant
• 7 p.m.: Kids’ Frisbee throw
• 7 p.m.: Music all evening by Joplin’s Classic Country
Friday, Aug. 12
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Lunch by the firefighters at cook shack/delivery
• Raffle tickets sold for vehicle all evening
• 5 p.m.: Firefighters cook shack opens
• 6 p.m.: Carnival rides and vendor booths open
• 6 p.m.: Music all evening by Lickitty Split
• 7 p.m.: Kids’ Frisbee throw
• 7:30 p.m.: Pie auction
Saturday, Aug. 13
• 5 p.m.: Parade and presentation of the grand marshal
• 5:30 p.m.: BBQ chicken dinner at the community center • 4 to 8 p.m.: Silent auction • 6 p.m. : Music all evening by Tulsa’s “Flashback”
• 7 p.m.: Kids’ Frisbee throw
• 7:30 p.m.: Pie auction
• 9 p.m.: Fire department live auction
• 9 p.m.: Raffle drawing/ car giveaway
• On both Friday and Saturday nights — fresh grilled corn on the cob will be available
The “Jesse James” movie, which runs 106 minutes, will be shown continuously from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at the McDonald County Historical Museum (the old courthouse on the square) in the movie room. There’s no admission.
According to the International Movie Database (www.imdb.com), the movie starred Tyrone Power, Henry Fonda, and Nancy Kelly and Randolph Scott. The teaser line states: After railroad agents forcibly evict the James family from their family farm, Jesse and Frank turn to banditry for revenge.
Proceeds of this celebration provide support to the Pineville Fire Department and the McDonald County Back Snack Program, which helps provide nutritious food to children in need.