Gladstone Tutors

About Gladstone

Fall is festival time in Missouri, when almost every city and town, or so it seems, shows its best colors. The City of Gladstone certainly does, with its annual Gladfest, voted “Best Annual Fair/Festival in the Northland.” Like other fall festivals, the event is a celebration of families and wholesome fun set against the backdrop of autumn-hued foliage and milder fall temperatures. Gladstone hosts its annual 3.5-day event in Linden Square in downtown Gladstone.

As if to whet the appetite for what follows, Gladstone starts off the festival on a Thursday evening with a kick-off party offering food, drink, and games. The festival continues in earnest on Friday evening. For the kids there are camel rides, bubble soccer, and barrel train rides, plus the normal carnival rides. There are also marketplace booths, craft booths, and a kids’ corner.
On a more serious note, the Gladstone Community Center sets aside space for a model train exhibit and “Remembering Our Fallen from Missouri” exhibit that are both worth viewing. Also on Friday evening is a contest to name a Gladfest prince and princess (for three- to five-year-olds) and a Gladfest Little Mister and Little Miss (for six- to eight-year-olds).

The winners of the contest get to represent Gladfest in a parade the next morning, which starts out Saturday’s events. Dignitaries, high school bands, floats, and wacky vehicles all vie for top parade honors, and winners are announced later that morning. There’s plenty to do the rest of the day, too. Besides a repeat of Friday night’s options, there is a dog pageant, a puppy kissing booth, a zoomobile, and a cake and cookie walk. There’s even a kids’ BBQ contest with three categories—hamburgers, brats, and pork chops—and grills and meat provided. Linden Square Stage becomes a revolving centerpiece all afternoon for dance, martial arts, and mad scientist performances. The city brings a selection of official vehicles, and kids get an up-close look at a fire truck, police vehicle, ambulance, snow plow, and/or street sweeper. At night, visitors can stay for a concert by a popular country band or two.

Sunday morning starts bright and early with a 5K run/walk, and the carnival atmosphere and rides continue that afternoon.

With a nickname like “Happy Rock,” Gladstone certainly knows a thing or two about having fun, as do the tens of thousands of visitors that come for the Gladfest. The tradition is continuing with the thirty-eighth annual Gladfest slated for September 29 through October 1, 2017.