Campfire Christmas in July at Indian Cave State Park
2026-07-11 12:00 - 22:00 UTC
For a touch of holiday cheer, bring the family to Indian Cave State Park Saturday, July 11, for the 13th annual Campfire Christmas in July.
Festivities start at 12:00 noon and end at 10:00 p.m. The Jingle Bell Junk and Craft Market will be from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
There will be a Yule Log Quest team competition, Christmas-themed games (antler toss and snow ball toss). Games are for all ages and prizes will be awarded. There will also be water slides for kids to cool off. Take a tractor-drawn hayrack ride through the lighted Christmas displays. Santa, his elves, and the Grinch will be there to greet you. Santa arrives on a fire truck at 3:00 p.m. with a special memento for each child.
Food trucks will be on the grounds throughout the day. Come enjoy the day with some shaved ice, gyros, Krazy Korn, root beer floats and much more. Take a drive through the decorated campsites during the evening hours.
This is a fun family event where you can shop, play games, cool off in the water, and just make memories.

Community Hospital-Fairfax to host Dueling Piano Show
2026-07-11 17:00 - 22:00
Community Hospital-Fairfax will hold a high-energy dueling piano show by Howl at the Moon’s Howl2Go Saturday, July 11, 2026, at the Tarkio Community Building.
Those with VIP Access passes may enter at 5:00 p.m. At 5:30 p.m., the cash bar opens and food trucks will begin serving food. The doors will open for general admission at 6:00 p.m. The music begins at 7:00 p.m. with a family friendly dueling piano set for all ages. An intermission will be held from 8:15 to 8:45 p.m. and then an after dark dueling piano set will be held for ages 16 and up. Bring cash to request your favorite songs.
To purchase tickets, visit https://ticketstripe.com/CHF_Pianos26. An email will be sent for you to create an account to access your tickets and then you can either print your tickets, screenshot them, or save to your Apple wallet. Sponsorships are being accepted now through June 22.
Proceeds from the show go to purchasing life-saving equipment for patients at Community Hospital-Fairfax. For questions call 660-686-2350.
There is no reserved seating for this event. Come early to get your preferred table or seat. No outside food or drinks are permitted in the venue, except for those provided by on-site vendors. You do not have to purchase a Dueling Piano Show ticket to enjoy food and drinks from the outdoor vendors.

Mobile food pantry
2026-07-13 10:00 - 12:00
The next Second Harvest mobile food pantry in Atchison County will be Monday, July 13, 2026, at Rock Port High School, 600 S. Nebraska Street in Rock Port, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Vehicles should drive east on Calhoun Street along the north side of the school. Supplies are limited, but the food is free to the public. There are no income guidelines.

Atchison County Fair July 13-18
2026-07-13 17:00 - 2026-07-18 11:00
Monday, July 13
5:00-8:00 p.m. 4-H Achievement Day
(Conference judging and displays), Velma Houts Fair Building
6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Enter Home Arts, Ag Mechanics/Field Crops exhibits
(All photography must be entered during this time.)
Tuesday, July 14
2:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Enter Home Arts, Horticulture, Ag Mechanics/Field Crops exhibits
7:00-9:00 p.m. Home Arts, Horticulture, and Ag Mechanics/Field Crops exhibits judging
Wednesday, July 15
7:30-8:30 a.m. Rabbit registration
9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. View Home Arts and Horticulture exhibits
11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Food stand open for lunch
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Rabbit Show (All rabbits released immediately after the show)
1:00-2:00 p.m. Poultry Registration
3:00-5:00 p.m. Poultry Show (All poultry released immediately after the show)
5:00-7:00 p.m. Food stand open for dinner
6:00-8:00 p.m. In-county Swine weigh-in & registration
Thursday, July 16
7:00-9:00 a.m. Food stand open for breakfast
7:00-8:00 a.m. Out of county Swine weigh-in & registration
8:30 a.m. Swine exhibitor meeting with superintendents
9:00 a.m. Show starts
9:00 a.m-6:00 p.m. Velma Houts Fair Building open for viewing of exhibits
11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Food stand open for lunch
4:00-5:30 p.m. Sheep & Goat weigh-in and registration
5:00-7:00 p.m. Food stand open for dinner
6:15 p.m. Sheep & Goat exhibitor meeting with superintendents
6:30 p.m. Pee-Wee Sheep & Goat Show
Breeding Sheep & Goat Show
Market Sheep & Goat Show starts 15 minutes after Breeding Show
Showmanship concludes the show
(All sheep & goats released immediately after the show)
Friday, July 17
7:00-9:00 a.m. Food stand open for breakfast
7:00-8:00 a.m. Cattle show weigh-in and registration
8:45 a.m. Superintendent briefing with exhibitors
9:30 a.m. Cattle Show starts
9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Velma Houts Fair Building open for viewing of exhibits
11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Food stand open for lunch
5:00 p.m. Pre-auction supper
3:00-5:00 p.m. Release all exhibits
6:00 p.m. Auction (Each exhibitor limited to 1 animal for entry)
After Auction Fair clean-up – Livestock areas and Velma Houts Fair Building
Saturday, July 18
9:30-10:00 a.m. Parade registration at Rock Port School (west side)
10:00 a.m. Parade
11:00 a.m. Greased Pig

First meeting for Fairfax Fair Queen contestants
2026-07-16 18:00 - 20:00
The first meeting for any Fairfax youth wanting to participate in the 2026 Fairfax Fair Miss Fairfax and Junior Miss Fairfax Contest will be at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, July 16, 2026. The meeting will be held in the shelter house at the Fairfax City Park. The contest is for any Fairfax youth in grades 9-12 for Miss Fairfax and grades 6-8 for Junior Miss Fairfax.

George Custer and the Great Plains: History, Landscape, and Legacy
2026-07-18 10:00 - 12:00
The Brownville Fine Arts Association will present “George Custer and the Great Plains: History, Landscape, and Legacy” as part of the 2026 season Speakers Series this Saturday, July 18, at the Schoolhouse Art Gallery in Brownville, Nebraska. The program will begin at 10:00 a.m.
In his nine years on the Great Plains, George Armstrong Custer transformed from Civil War hero to a frontier figure, fully immersed in the vast, wild heart of the American West. Custer was sent by the U.S. Army to open the “Great American Desert” for the advent of the transcontinental railroad, but during his time here he explored and hunted the sweeping prairies, climbed the rugged peaks of its mountains, collected and shared its flora, fauna and fossils, and encountered the diverse Native cultures of the Plains.
Humanities Nebraska says, “Jeff Barnes has followed Custer’s nine-year path across the Plains, from 1867 in Nebraska to 1876 in Montana. Using Custer’s trail as his route, Barnes has collected the imagery and the stories to show how the energy, danger, and beauty of the Plains may have influenced Custer and helped shape his complex legacy – and why his story still begs reflection a century and a half after his death at the Little Bighorn.
“Barnes is a former newspaper reporter and editor, trustee with the Nebraska State Historical Society, past chairman of the Nebraska Hall of Fame Commission, and former marketing director for the Durham Museum. He is the author of “Forts of the Northern Plains,” “The Great Plains Guide to Custer,” and “The Great Plains Guide to Buffalo Bill.”
The program is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by Humanities Nebraska and Brownville Fine Arts Association. The Schoolhouse Art Gallery is located at 427 Main Street in Brownville.

Fairfax Legion cook-out
2026-07-18 11:00 - 13:00
Join the John Richards American Legion Post #284 members at their cook-out fundraiser Saturday, July 18, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in front of Fairfax City Hall at 201 E. Main, Fairfax, Missouri. Stop by and grab some hamburgers, hot dogs, brats, and chips and show your support for the Fairfax American Legion!

Blood drive at Rock Port United Methodist Church
2026-07-20 14:00 - 18:00
Join the Community Blood Center and Rock Port United Methodist Church in saving a life with a blood donation Monday, July 20. You can donate blood from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall of the church, located at 211 W. Opp Street.
All donors are required to be 17 and older (or 16 with parental consent form), meet minimum weight requirements, feel good and be symptom free, bring a photo ID, and eat well and hydrate beforehand. Sign up at savealifenow.org/group and use group code EG14. You can also scan the QR code. For additional details, contact Rebecca Liess at 660-744-2101 or methch@rpt.coop.

Grace Church to host Rock Port Community VBS
2026-07-20 17:30 - 2026-07-24 20:00
Grace Church is hosting the Rock Port Community Vacation Bible School July 20 through 24, 2026. From 5:30 to 8:00 p.m., children in kindergarten through fifth grade will enjoy An Irish Adventure Through Psalm 23 with Emerald Crossing VBS. Dinner will be provided each day. Grace Church is located at 403 W. U.S. Hwy. 136 in Rock Port. For more information, call the church at 660-744-6363.

Atchison-Holt Electric to hold membership meeting
2026-07-23 17:00 - 18:30
The 88th annual membership meeting of the Atchison-Holt Electric Cooperative will be held Thursday, July 23, 2026, at the Rock Port High School Gymnasium.
Registration will be from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. and the meal will be served from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
The business meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. followed by the drawing of prizes.

CH-F hosting Red Cross blood drive July 24
2026-07-24 10:00 - 14:00
Community Hospital-Fairfax in Fairfax, Missouri, will host a blood drive Friday, July 24, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the hospital conference room. To schedule your appointment, call 1-800-733-2767 or visit www.RedCrossBlood.org and enter code: HospFairfax. Streamline your donation experience and save up to 15 minutes by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass to complete your pre-donation read-ing and health history questions on the day of your appointment.
If you are an eligible type O, B-, or A- donor, consider making a Power Red donation. Red blood cells are the most commonly transfused blood component. Those who donate blood through the American Red Cross July 13-31 will receive a Fandango movie reward by email to see a free movie.

Hy-Vee party July 25 in Tarkio
2026-07-25 11:00 - 14:00
Stop by Tarkio Hy-Vee Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for some food and fun. Bounce houses for the kiddos will be set up and there will be a $3 meal deal with a hot dog, chips, and a drink and a $1 muffin for dessert.

Play Mahjong
2026-07-29 13:00 - 2026-12-02 13:00
Play Mahjong every Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. at the Tarkio Nutrition Center, located at 412 Main Street. Everyone is welcome to learn and play the game or just enjoy the friendship!

Chews & Cruise Night in Tarkio
2026-07-31 17:00 - 21:00
The Tarkio Parks & Recreation Board is hosting another Chews & Cruise Night! Get that classic car or motorcycle or golf cart washed off and plan to cruise up and down Main Street Friday night, July 31! There will be several food and drink vendors set up on Main Street as well.

Library to host second annual Books & Breezes Giant Kite Festival
2026-08-02 11:00 - 16:00
The Atchison County Library is staying busy this summer with a number of activities. The library will also once again be sponsoring its Books & Breezes Giant Kite Festival Sunday, August 2, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Gould Peterson Municipal Airport east of Tarkio, Missouri. Bring your lawn chairs, picnic baskets, and enjoy this family-friendly event. Admission is free. However, a suggested $5.00 per person or free-will donation for admission will be graciously accepted. Senior citizens and children under the age of three are free. Vendors are also welcome to set up and sponsors are needed. To sign-up to be a vendor or a sponsor, contact Jennifer at director@aclibrary.net or 660-744-5404. This special event supports the future of the Atchison County Library, including the new facility in Rock Port.
The Great American Kite Company will be putting on the show. This is a family-run business from Chillicothe, Missouri, that owns one of the nation’s largest collections of giant kites. Owner Sean Beaver described the company as specializing in producing, planning and managing giant kite displays and festivals with over 15 years of “once-in-a-lifetime” kite shows. Attendees will experience perfect views featuring colorful kites soaring through the sky.
Community members are encouraged to bring their own kites to participate in public kite flying. A retail kite store will also be available on-site, offering a variety of kites for purchase so families can continue the fun at home. For updates on event details, vendor announcements, and more, follow the official event page on Facebook, the Atchison County Library Facebook page, or youseemore.com/acl.

Good News Church holding potluck dinner to welcome pastor
2026-08-05 18:00 - 19:00
Parishioners of the Westboro Methodist Church and Good News Church in Tarkio are invited to a potluck dinner at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at the Westboro Methodist Church. The event is being held as a welcome to Pastor Bryan Hornsby and his family. All parishioners planning on attending are asked to bring a covered dish.

Tarkio Tech to offer class on “Beginning Investing”
2026-08-06 19:00 - 2026-08-27 20:00
If you have waded into the world of investment and been swept off by the undertow of doubt and confusion, you may want to join Blake Hurst at Tarkio Tech beginning Thursday, August 6, for a four-session continuing education class entitled “Beginning Investing.”
A beginning investing class can be useful if you’re new to investing, want to manage some of your own money, or simply want to better understand financial news and retirement planning. This class can help you build the knowledge and confidence to make informed financial decisions.
This four-session class is scheduled to meet on August 6, 13, 20, and 27 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Curnutt Center at Thompson Library on the Tarkio College campus. The class can help you understand the basics, avoid costly mistakes, learn how markets work, develop an investing plan, improve retirement readiness, build confidence, and understand fees and taxes.
Blake Hurst, a Tarkio area farmer, has been investing for nearly 50 years. He’s lost money in the stock market and once owned a General Motors bond right before the Great Financial Crisis. He has also served for 10 years on the investment committee of a firm with over one billion dollars invested in public markets, where he was the chief executive officer. He has learned from his mistakes and this is an opportunity to learn with him as you explore the investment landscape together.
You can attend in person, or you may join online. To register for the class or to receive instruction on how to attend online, contact Tarkio Tech at 660-623-9071.

Tarkio Parks & Rec to host triathlon in Tarkio August 8
2026-08-08 07:00 - 13:00
The Tarkio Parks & Recreation board is hosting its first ever triathlon event in Tarkio. On Saturday, August 8, 2026, competitors will meet at 7:00 a.m. at the Tarkio Municipal Pool. The event will include swimming .47 miles at the pool, then biking 12.4 miles south of town and then back, and running 3.1 miles east of town out by the airport and back.
Registration can be found on the Tarkio Parks & Recreation Facebook page. Three-man teams are $150 or it is $60 for individuals. Volunteers are needed to help make this event a success. Check the Facebook page for more info or contact board members Paige Agnew, Karly Hicks and Ashlee Driskell.

HHW collection Aug. 8
2026-08-08 08:00 - 12:00
The Nodaway County Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection site will be open Saturday, August 8, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. The HHW collection site is located at the Nodaway County Maintenance Barn, 1516 East Halsey Street, Maryville, Missouri.
Brochures are available online at www.nwmorcog.org. Residents of Atchison, Gentry, Holt, Nodaway, and Worth Counties are welcome to participate (ID required). There is no fee to drop off. It is free for residents only. No commercial or business waste can be accepted.
Examples of HHW include: household chemicals (bleach, ammonia, and cleaners) fertilizers, pesticides, brake fluid, transmission fluid, household waxes, Ni-cad, lithium, and lead acid batteries, compact fluorescent light bulbs, fluorescent tubes, antifreeze, oil base paint, and varnish. No latex paint will be accepted because latex paint can be dried and put into the trash. Directions provided upon request.
Keep materials in the original container. Do not mix household hazardous wastes together.
For further information, contact Kirk Kopper at 660-582-5121 ext. 4 or email: solid@nwmorcog.org

Atchison County Community Band members wanted
2026-08-09 17:30 - 2026-09-19 17:00
Did you used to jam to music on your trumpet or drums or other musical instrument? Do you still got “it”/that skill? If so, join the Atchison County Community Band, practicing every Sunday starting August 9 and going through September 13 from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. at the Rock Port High School band room. If you don’t still have your instrument, that’s okay, but be sure to reach out to director Abby Palmer before the first rehearsal so an instrument can be obtained for you (abby.palmer@rpbluejays.com or on Facebook).
After all those rehearsals, the Atchison County Band will perform for the public at Old Fashioned Saturday Night in Rock Port Saturday, September 19. Spread the word! Due to the music that will be performed, eighth graders on up are asked to participate. Dust off those instruments, brush up on those skills, and come join the fun!

Bingo at local senior centers
2026-08-11 09:30 - 2026-08-13 10:00
The Rock Port Senior Center will have bingo the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. Games start at 9:45 a.m. so you will have to enjoy a game or two with friends before lunch. The Rock Port Senior Center is located at 505 Country Club Drive. The next bingo games will be August 11.
The Tarkio Nutrition Center will have bingo every second and fourth Thursday of the month at the Tarkio Nutrition Center from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. for an hour packed with excitement. The next bingo games will be August 13.

Coffee Talk at the Library
2026-08-11 10:00 - 2026-10-13 11:00
The Atchison County Library will be hosting Coffee Talks in August, September, and October. Enjoy a cup of coffee and discuss or read books with fellow book lovers at the Rock Port Library at 10:00 a.m. Tuesdays, August 11, September 8, and October 13.

Liles Enterprises, LLC to host Field Day drainage tile demo
2026-08-12 10:00 - 11:00
Liles Enterprises, LLC, will host a drainage tile demonstration field day beginning at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 12, at 14814 U.S. Hwy. 59 in Craig, Missouri. There will be a live installation demo, tile drainage tips and info, vendors, and a free lunch.

Book chat at the library
2026-08-13 18:00 - 20:00
Head on over to the Fairfax Branch of the Atchison County Library in Fairfax, Missouri, Thursday, August 13. From 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., enjoy making your own secret book compartment and discuss the book with others.

Library sale at Farmers Market
2026-08-14 07:00 - 12:00
The Fairfax Library will be set up on Friday, August 14, at the Fairfax Farmers Market on Main Street in Fairfax, Missouri. From 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, outside the library you will find $1 movies, 25¢ books, and free magazines.

Graves-Chapple Extension and Education Center Field Day
2026-08-25 07:30 - 12:00
Agricultural producers are invited to save the dates for upcoming events across the state in which extension specialists and researchers from the University of Missouri share the latest findings, highlight best practices and address local emerging issues.
From August through October, these events offer opportunities to see research in action and connect with extension specialists. Field day organizers say these events help bridge the gap between academic research and real-world application by bringing applied research directly to producers and communities.
Events are hosted at Extension and Education Centers, managed by MU Extension, and at Research, Extension and Education Centers, which are administered by the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. Together, these locations showcase research and educational resources that support Missouri agriculture.
In addition, some of the centers will invite local high school students to career exploration/youth ag days in the fall to showcase agricultural careers and research.
• Tuesday, August 25 (7:30 a.m.): Field day at Graves-Chapple Extension and Education Center, Rock Port.

RPHS 70s & 80s Reunion “End of Summer Bash 2026”
2026-08-29 17:00 - 2026-08-30 00:00
The RPHS 70’s & 80’s Reunion “End of Summer Bash” will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at the Atchison County Memorial Building in Rock Port.
A social gathering for all who attended or graduated from Rock Port High School in the 1970s and 1980s will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Former coaches, teachers and administrators are invited to attend.
Groovy’s Grub food truck will be on-site from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. for everyone to buy their own meals. Owners/operators are Mike and Michele Pfeil (Class of 1982 and 1988). Bring your own beverages. Free bottled water will be available.
Class pictures will be taken at 7:45 p.m. by W.C. Farmer (Class of 1987.)
The following event will be open to the public at 8:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome!
Used Cars, an Omaha-based tribute band featuring the greatest hits of The Cars, will be playing a variety of songs from the 70s and 80s from 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight.
You don’t want to miss this epic event! Make it more fun by wearing something nostalgic from the 70s and 80s and make plans now to road trip back to good ol’ Rock Port.
There is a $10 cover charge (cash only) and you must be 21 to attend.

Rock Port’s Old Fashioned Saturday Night Sept. 19
2026-09-19 17:00 - 20:00
The 42nd annual Old Fashioned Saturday Night will be held September 19, 2026. The event is held on Main Street in Rock Port. The festivities will start at 5:00 p.m. with “The Star Spangled Banner” near the Atchison County Memorial Building.
Duncan’s Carriage Rides and the Little Tuggers Tractor Pull will be in Rock Port again this year. Registration for the Little Tuggers Tractor Pull will begin at 6:00 p.m. and the pull will start at 6:30 p.m. The tractor pull will again be at the intersection of Opp and Main.
Local businesses, clubs and organizations are invited to set up booths, games, and activities of all kinds. If you would like to have a booth this year please let Betty Stoner know. Registration forms will be available after August 3. You can contact Betty at 660-787-0531 or text her at the same number and she will get you a form. The registration form can also be found on the Rock Port Chamber Facebook page. The fee for a booth is $10.00 and can be paid the night of the event. If you want the same spot as you have had before please let Betty know so she can reserve it for you. The spots will be done on a first come, first served basis. All registration forms need to be turned in by September 8 in order to get the map made up and turned in to the Atchison County Mail.
“Everyone get your thinking caps on as to what you want to do,” Betty said. “Hopefully we will have a successful night.”
If you would like to see something different this year let Betty know and maybe (with your help) they can get something new this year such as more games and entertainment for the kids. If you would like to sponsor something for the kids please let someone with the Rock Port Chamber of Commerce or Betty know.
Old Fashioned Saturday Night is a fun-filled event geared toward all ages. Come out and have a great time! Watch for updates on the Atchison County Mail Facebook page or the Rock Port Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.
