Ready or not, in just a few more days we’ll drop into 2023 and begin another year, come what may!

There are many unknowns that will fall before us during the next 12 months. Hopefully there are some that occurred during the previous year that won’t be happening again.

But, there is one thing for sure, the average American doesn’t have to dwell extensively on those undesirables in our past, especially in this neck of the woods. Not that we are immune from any destructive event as shown by the pandemic, which spared rural areas somewhat. But, there are signs of more cases throughout the country.

When 2023 does arrive, what will Cassville do to make life a little easier and more enjoyable for her citizens? Our past is chock full of events that once brought attention to a community that was known for getting things done. But, once these events had run their usefulness nothing seemed to come along to replace them, or if it did, the past event would go away.

Generational differences could be the major contributor to the passing of events as they seem to pass after enjoying a few years.

Industry fair

One of the most interesting events that for a few short years brought big crowds to the public square, subsequently to Cassville, was the Industrial Fair.

When Cassville was in the top level of her industrial strength, most of the local manufacturers had some kind of professionally designed exhibit that they were using in their particular line. These were designed to express the quality of production coming out of the plants.

During the Industrial Fair, these exhibits, many of them of the working variety, were erected around the square for all to see. The exhibits were especially of interest to classes from the R-4 schools and provided an opportunity for all residents to see what was coming out of the plants.

Whether this became a burden on the exhibitors or just simply lost interest in Chamber of Commerce circles, isn’t known. But this informative and pride producing events went by the ways after a few short years.

Fescue Festival

Back in the days of high prices for Fescue seed, Cassville was declared the Fescue Capitol of the USA by local interests who, with firms interested in the crop, joined together for one of the most involved events of the past. The involvement of just the annual dinner was a production within itself.

Cooks would dig a pit at Memorial Park and work several hours preparing large roasts that would later be carved to feed hundreds that would come from distances to take part and enjoy the meal.

At the same time, recognitions would be provided for those who had been involved in the Fescue seed industry during the previous year.

We especially enjoyed that first recognition year that a one-time editor of the Cassville Democrat was acknowledged, through my mother the publisher, for having received the first seed to arrive in the county years previously. Means Ray, through an acquaintance with Dr. Will Talbert in Kentucky, had received several sacks of seed for trial plantings.

Distributed to several farmers, Democrats and Republicans I might state, the grass became a three-way crop, seed, pasture and hay, that has been a valuable asset to the important beef industry of the county.

4-H Achievement

A program that was of much benefit to the young people of Barry County, the 4-H Achievement Show at one time filled the former American Legion Building with projects from the entire list of clubs that dotted the country. This was an event that graced the Old Soldier’s and Settlers’ Reunion for a number of years.

The demise of many of the 4-H organizations, which were administered by the University of Missouri Extension Service, resulted in cutbacks of 4-H participation in district judging toward state recognition for the youthful members. All these clubs had adult folks who would guide the activities of community focused organizations.

Reunion

Then there is the Cassville Reunion which fell by the wayside along with the days of carnival organizations that wanted to show in small towns. This and other reasons resulted in the American Legion cancelling the summer activity that had become one of the oldest such gatherings in the State of Missouri.

From the days of carnivals setting up at the Flat Creek location that is now Rocky Edmondson Memorial Park, to a year or two at the site of the old Green Hills Drive-in, now Able 2 Products and later to the Legion Grounds, there are no longer local participants interested in the event.

Add others

Put others, like the Harvest Shows of nearly 100 years ago, in Cassville’s history book and then turn to the future in guessing what will happen. Might be that 2023 will see a revitalized Cassville find new beginnings for many things!

Do you suppose the granddaddy of all, the Harvest Show might return?

Bob Mitchell is the former editor and publisher of the Cassville Democrat. He is a 2017 inductee to both the Missouri Press Association Hall of Fame and Missouri Southern State University’s Regional Media Hall of Fame.