Jesse James Festival

Parade, Carnival, Rodeo, Demolition Derby, Contests, Fair Food, Live Entertainment, and more.

53rd JESSE JAMES FESTIVAL

Scheduled for Sept. 13, 14 and Sept. 20-22, 2024

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ABBREVIATED SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES

SATURDAY, SEPT. 14

8am – Bill James Classic 5K/10K Run at Jesse James Park in Kearney

7pm – Demolition Derby and Kids Power Wheels

Admission:  6 & under FREE. ** $15 per person for ages 7 & Up

            Pit Passes $25  (additional)

            NO ONE UNDER AGE 13 ALLOWED IN PITS !

            Presented by:  Grandstand Attractions Inc.

FRIDAY, SEPT 20

8am-7pm 36^th Jesse James BBQ Cookoff registration

            34th State Championship

6pm-10pm Carnival Opens

            Armbands – $25

            Presented by:  Jones and Co. Carnival

7:30pm to 10:30pm – Festival Dance – LIVE MUSIC…

            FEATURING: The Highway Band

            FREE ADMISSION

            Presented by:  The St. Michaels Knights of Columbus of Kearney

            NO CARRY IN COOLERS OR BEVERAGES !

 7pm to 9pm – Catfish Tournament – FREE ! *  – registration on site

            Ages 12 – 15 at the Jesse James Park, Kearney

SATURDAY, SEPT. 21

7:30 AM – 10 AM – VFW Country Breakfast

            VFW Hall – Presented by: E. Howard Porter Post 5717

8am – Parade staging of lineup

8am – Little Mr. & Miss Registration – in front of Kearney Feed Supply

8am – 11am – Arts & Crafts vendors – set up time – Jesse James Park

8:30am- Judging of Little Mr. & Miss – in front of Kearney Feed Supply

9am – Judging of parade entries –

Each Category Awarded 1st with plaque, 2nd & 3rd places with ribbons

  * Float

  * Non-motorized

  * Motorized

  * Equestrian

  * Crowd Pleaser

**The Traveling Trophy is awarded to the entrant that best represents the 2024 Parade them “Patriotic”

9am – 4pm – 36^th Jesse James Cookoff

9:30 am – Disc Golf tournament – Jesse James Park –   Presented by Phil Schmeltz

10am – 2024 Parade Theme – ‘PATRIOTIC’ – Parade starts – downtown Kearney

11am – 7pm – Axe Throwing presented by Wood Chux of Liberty, MO – festival grounds

11am – 6pm Arts & Crafts Alley opens to public

11am – Thorni Ridge Exotic Animals and Petting Zoo opens to the public

            Don’t miss your chance to ride a camel and/or pony !!

11am – 5pm – Largest Kite Show – Come watch your favorite giant kite !!

            Presented by:  The Great American Kites & Events LLC. !!!

NOON – Carnival Opens

            Presented by Jones & Co. Carnival

NOON to 7 pm – Laser Tag – ages 5 and up

            Presented by:  Bill’s Extreme Paintball & Tactical Laser Tag

12:30 pm – Mud Volleyball captains meeting

1pm – Mud Volleyball tournament

1pm to 5pm – Carnival Armband Hours $25 per armband

4pm – BBQ Cookoff Award Winners announced

4:30pm – Mutton Busting pre-registration at Rodeo arena

            Ages 6 and under – registration fee $10

            24 Riders – Names will be drawn

            (so there is 24 riders on Saturday and then again on Sunday)

5pm – Mutton Busting riding at Rodeo arena

            Must wear safety equipment – Helmet & Vest – provide your own

            Presented by:  C.R. McKellips Rodeo Co., Inc.

6pm – URA/MRCA Rodeo presented by C.R. McKellips Rodeo Co., Inc.

             with Kids Boot Scramble        

            Admission:  6 & under is FREE. $15 per person for ages 7 & Up.

            ***Rodeo contestant Registration call in:

             Wednesday, Sept 11, 2024 10am to 3pm  417-876-2353

6pm – 10 pm – Carnival Armband Hours – $25 per armband

8pm – 11:30 pm – Jesse James Festival Dance – 21 and over !!

            Featuring: Backroad Navigators

            FREE ADMISSION

            Presented by the St Michaels Knights of Columbus of Kearney

            NO CARRY IN COOLERS OR BEVERAGES !

SUNDAY, SEPT. 22

9am – Jesse James Open Car Show Registration on site $25 per car

            Top 40 Cars Receive Plaques

            50/50 – Cooler Drawing

9am – 11am – Kids Fishing Tournament – Jesse James Park – FREE

            Age class groups:  0 – 6 yrs of age and 7 – 12 yrs of age

10am – Cowboy Worship Service – tent by rodeo arena

            Presented by:  High Point Cowboy Church

10am – Jesse James Open Car show opens to the public !

11am – 5pm – Axe Throwing presented by Wood Chux of Liberty, MO – festival ground

11am – 5pm – Arts & Crafts Alley opens to the public

11am – 5pm – Largest Kite Show

            Kids Station – Make your own kite !!

            Presented by:  locally owned – Great American Kites and Events LLC

11am – Jesse James Open Motorcycle show – registration on site

            Your vote determines the winners !!  Presented by Brothers Word MC

11am – Jesse James Open Tractor Show – Show off your tractor – FREE!

11am – Throughout the day

            Thorni Ridge Exotic Animals and Petting Zoo with camel & pony rides

NOON-4pm – Carnival opens

            Armband $25 per armband

            Presented by:  Jones & Co. Carnival

NOON – 5pm Laser Tag – ages 5 and up

            Presented by: Bill’s Extreme Paintball & Tactical Laser Tag

1pm – Mutton Busting pre-registration at Rodeo arena

            Ages 6 and under – registration fee $10

            24 Riders – Names will be drawn

            (so there is 24 riders on Saturday and then again on Sunday)

1:30pm – Mutton Busting Ride at Rodeo Arena

            Must wear safety equipment – Helmet & Vest – provide your own

            Presented by;  C.R. McKellips Rodeo Co., Inc.

2:00 pm – Jesse James Open Car Show Winners Announced

2:30 pm – URA/MRCA Rodeo presented by C.R. McKellips Rodeo Co., Inc.

            with Kids Boot Scramble 

           Rodeo Admission: 6 & under Free. $15 per person for ages 7 & Up.

           ** Rodeo Contestant registration call in:

           Wednesday, Sept.11, 2024 10am to 3pm  @  417-876-2353