The Maple Leaf Festival  began in 1966 as a marching band competition. Since then, volunteers have come together to organize an event to celebrate the beauty of the fall foliage of the maple-leaf trees. The City of Carthage, known as America’s Maple Leaf City, hosts one of the region’s biggest festivals, drawing over 65,000 visitors in October to pay homage to this historic festival.

Held the 3rd week in October annually, this festival hosts daily events for an entire week. Starting with Oktoberfest the week before and ending with the biggest parade in Southwest Missouri. This nearly 2-mile parade begins at 9 am and encompasses the beautiful Historic Carthage Square, traveling down Grand Ave. and finally ending at the Carthage Jr. High School.

The square is filled with arts & crafts, food vendors, live entertainment all day, a quilt show, activities for kids, a petting zoo, and so much more. A carnival full of rides & entertainment for all ages, a Night of Praise, walking tours, and other activities fills the week with activities for all ages. Celebrating our 57th year in 2023, the Maple Leaf Festival TM, the Carthage Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Carthage Welcome you to America’s Maple Leaf City this October.

Schedule of Events October 13th - 21st

October 13th & 14th

Maple Leaf Festival Rodeo - 6pm Carthage Saddle Club Arena

October 14th

Maple Leaf Festival Bike Tour - 8am - Kellogg Lake

Oktoberfest - 10am - 5pm - Central Park

Maple Leaf Festival Baby & Toddler Show - 5pm

On the Stage in Central Park

October 15th

Maple Leaf Festival Chili Cookoff - 12pm - Central Park

Maple Leaf Festival Chicken Pageant - 2pm - Central Park

Maple Leaf Festival Little Mr. & Miss, Princess & Queen - 3pm

Carthage R-9 Auditorium

October 16th

Maple Leaf Festival Touch a Truck - 5:30pm - Carthage Square

October 17th

Maple Leaf Festival Taco Tuesday - 6pm - Central Park

October 18th

Maple Leaf Festival Night of Worship - 6:30pm

On the Stage in Central Park, Bring Lawn Chairs

October 19th

Maple Leaf Festival 3 Minute of Fame - 7pm-carthage R-9 Auditorium

October 20th

Maple Leaf Festival Carnival - 5pm - Fair Acres Family Ymca

Mapl Eleaf Festival 5k - 6pm - Fair Acres Family YMCA

Maple Leaf Festival Free Concert on the Square Featuring

Members Only - 7pm - Carthage Square, Bring Lawn Chairs

October 21st

57th Annual Maple Leaf Festival Parade & Vendors - 9am - Carthage Square

Maple Leaf Festival Car Show - 8am - CRM on Grand

Maple Leaf Festival Tractor Show - 9am - Central Park

Maple Leaf Festival Quilt Show - 12pm - YMCA Youth Activity Center

Maple Leaf Festival Carnival - 12 Pm - Fair Acres Family YMCA

PARADE

The 2023 Maple Leaf Festival Parade will take place on October 21st, beginning at 9 a.m.!! Old traditions are new again. The parade is going to go back around the Square!!   The parade will start on the corner of 4th and Main, Go Main down to 3rd, 3rd to Grant. It will then follow Grant down to Grand, Grand to Centennial, and over to River. We encourage visitors, both local and traveling, to line the parade route and join in the spirit of Maple Leaf as festive floats travel down the 1.7-mile route.

2023 Parade Application

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Chili Cook-off Participant Form

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2023 Baby Pageant Form

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2023 Toddler Pageant Form

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2023 Little Miss and Mister Pageant Form

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2023  Princess and Prince Pageant Form

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2023 Maple Leaf Festival Queen Pageant Form

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Date: October 13-21, 2023

Location:  Various locations in Carthage, MO 

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