This fall, take advantage of some fun family events

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Hopefully, the weather in Sikeston has started to turn cooler by the time my column hits the newspaper! Yes folks, it is fall in Southeast Missouri. Have you checked out all of the options the area has to offer for your friends and families? Honestly, I will have to admit that before I was given the opportunity to be the executive director of the Sikeston-Miner Convention & Visitors Bureau, I was unaware of many of the annual festivals, tournaments, events and happenings we have.

First of all, you simply must take your children out to Beggs Family Farm. They are open every Saturday and Sunday from through Nov. 1. Some of the activities offered there include a corn maze, moonlight barnyard golf, wagon rides, bonfires and picking your own pumpkins. Check out their Web site at www.beggsfamilyfarm.com!

Next, check out the Spooktacular treat in store for you at the Jaycee Rodeo Grounds when you go for the Jaycees Haunted House and Hayride, on Oct. 24 and 25. Call 472-3950 for more information!

After that, take in the Halloween Family Fun Day that the Historic Midtown Development Group has planned for the downtown area on Sept. 25. There will be hayrides, games, trick or treating, costumes contests, vendors and more!

Additionally, please be sure to welcome all of the visitors to the area when the 14th Annual Bootheel Invitational Youth Soccer Classic Tournament returns on Nov. 1 and 2. This event is sure to bring in lots of shoppers and diners to our area. Let them know that you are glad they came.

I recently returned from the Governor's Conference on Tourism, which was held in Kansas City. I'm always particularly excited about spending time with those who are also representing their towns and cities in the tourism industry. Some of the best ideas have come from people sharing their ideas in informal settings such as over a cup of coffee. We were also treated to some fantastic speakers from all over the nation as we all strive to improve tourism in our areas during this time of financial uncertainty. I am thankful for the opportunity to network with these tourism professionals.

If you have any ideas, or if I can help you with an upcoming reunion or meeting, please give me a call at 573-471-6362.

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