They are planning on “Kicking Up the Dust in Calhoun” next fall at the 114th Calhoun Colt Show, and already have three new events on the roster. Two of the new events require advance planning, and more are in the works.
“We’re gearing up for the 115th Colt Show next year,” Nicole said. “I believe it’s the longest running town festival in Missouri.”
Nicole Smith is president of the Calhoun Colt Show committee, which starts planning the next fall’s show in February. The Colt Show started as a way for horse breeders to show off their young stock, and has grown to encompass three days of community celebration. The schedule includes horse showing and performance events on Equestrian Day at the Lonnie Price Memorial Arena on north Depot Street, and other events — parade, flower show, car show, pet show, baby races, Colt Show queen coronation, etc, on the Calhoun Square. The Calhoun Colt Show is hosted by the Broke and Busted Saddle Club.
On the Saturday of the show, always the second weekend in September, the Colt Show Follies is held at the horse arena, where teams of riders compete in an obstacle course, a Sled Race, Musical Horses and the Dolly Parton Race.
Adding to the fun this year will be the Stick Horse Rodeo, which will be open to ages 3 to 99, Nicole said. You don’t even have to bring your own mount.
“We’ll have stick horses to use and a little obstacle course to run,” she said. “It’s good clean family fun.”
The Stick Horse Rodeo was something that was done in the past, Nicole said, adding that “we’re trying to bring the old traditions back.” Building up the festival in anticipation of the 115th Colt Show is also an incentive for adding to the show schedule, she said.
New to the lineup is the Pinewood Derby, also open to all ages. For the derby, you buy a kit, which will be available for a nominal fee from the committee, consisting of a small block of pine, wheels and axles. You can carve and paint your car anyway you want. The cars “race” on a sloped track. Check-in is the Thursday before Colt Show weekend. Pinewood Derbies are standard events for Cub Scout packs, and churches also put them on for youth, Nicole said.
There is no charge to attend the Equestrian Day or other events at the arena. The Colt Show committee holds fundraisers through the year, which provides funds to help with expenses plus gives the community a social event. Coming up on March 25 is the Spring Fling for ages 5 to 12, which for $5 entry includes crafts, games and music for dancing at the Calhoun Colt Show building.
“There are already dances for older kids,” Nicole said. “We hope to provide something for the younger ones.”
In April, it’s an interactive Murder Mystery Dinner, “Murder at the Deadwood,” also at the Colt Show building.
In June, there’s the Concert in the Square, a free event featuring C.M. Johnson’s band playing a mix of country and rock. The concert is free. Concert goers are encouraged to bring a blanket, dance and patronize the beer garden and food concessions.
“I try to do something once a month, related to the Colt Show” Nicole said of the fund-raising event schedule.
In September at the Colt Show, music lovers might want to consider entering the Karaoke Contest, which is being organized by Michelle Abney and family. Michelle’s husband is a singer who performs at the Truman Lake Opry, Nicole said.
For more in the humor vein, the committee is thinking of reviving the Men’s Leg Contest to the event line-up, Nicole said, adding that if they do, men should wear shorts to show off their legs.
The committee strives to keep entry fees low, she said, so that the festival is community and family friendly. They also rely on sponsors and vendor booth rentals, which start at $25 for all three days.
For more information, go to www.coltshow.com or call the festival president, 660-924 -6335. To sign up for a vendor spot, call Nicole or the Calhoun City Hall, (660) 694-3634).
