We hope that everyone enjoyed the 53rd Jesse James Festival Events and look forward to the 54th Jesse James Festival in 2025

Schedule of Events:

September 13, 2025

7pm – Demolition Derby and Kids Power Wheels featuring "Robinson Chainsaw Carvings" on display for the evening auction
Admission: 6 & under FREE. $15 per person for ages 7 & Up
Pit Passes $25 (additional)
No one under age 13 allowed in pits!
Presented by: Grandstand Attractions Inc.

September 19, 2025

8am-7pm   37th Annual and 35th State Championship – Jesse James BBQ Cookoff registration
6pm-10pm Carnival Opens
Armbands – $25
Presented by: Jones and Co. Carnival
7pm to 9pm – Catfish Tournament – FREE ! * – registration on site
Ages 12 – 15 at the Jesse James Park, Kearney

September 20, 2025

7:30 AM – 10 AM – VFW Country Breakfast
VFW Hall – Presented by: E. Howard Porter Post 5717
8am – Parade staging of lineup
8am – Little Mr. & Miss Registration – in front of Kearney Feed Supply
8am – 1 1 am – Arts & Crafts vendors – set up time -Jesse James Park
8:30am- Judging of Little Mr. & Miss- in front of Kearney Feed Supply
9am -Judging of parade entries – Each Category Awarded 1st with plaque, 2nd & 3rd places with ribbons
Float
Non-motorized
Motorized
Equestrian
Crowd Pleaser
The Traveling Trophy is awarded to the entrant that best represents the 2025 Parade theme **
9am – 4pm –  37th Annual and 35th State Championship – Jesse James Cookoff
9:30 am – Disc Golf tournament -Jesse James Park- Presented by Phil Schmeltz
10 am – 2025 Parade starts – downtown Kearney
11 am – 6pm Arts & Crafts Alley opens to public
11 am – Garden Tractor Pull – FREE ADMISSION !!
presented by:  Bucket Brigade Garden Tractor Pulling, LLC
Location:  Demolition derby arena
NOON – Carnival Opens
Presented by Jones & Co. Carnival
1 - 2:30 pm – Mud Volleyball captains meeting
1 pm – Mud Volleyball tournament
1 pm to 5pm – Carnival Armband Hours $25 per armband
4pm – BBQ Cookoff Award Winners announced
6pm – URA/MRCA Rodeo presented by C.R. McKellips Rodeo Co., Inc.
with Kids Boot Scramble & "Robinson Chainsaw Carvings" on display for the evening auction
Admission: 6 & under is FREE. $15 per person for ages 7 & Up.
Rodeo contestant Registration call in:
Sept 10, 2025 10 am to 3pm 417-876-2353
6pm – 10 pm – Carnival Armband Hours – $25 per armband
8pm to midnight – 54th Jesse James Dance – Live Band: Pistol Creek – free admission – Jessie James Park

September 21, 2025

9am -Jesse James Open Car Show Registration on site $25 per car
Top 40 Cars Receive Plaques
50/50 – Cooler Drawing
Drawing FOR ½ OF A HOG
Live Band – 10 AM TO 2PM – Cody Vanderau Band
9am – 11am – Kids Fishing Tournament -Jesse James Park – FREE
Age class groups: 0 – 6 yrs of age and 7 – 12 yrs of age
10 am – Cowboy Worship Service – tent by rodeo arena
Presented by: High Point Cowboy Church
10 am -Jesse James Open Car show opens to the public !
11 am – 5pm – Arts & Crafts Alley opens to the public
11 am -Jesse James Open Tractor Show – Show off your tractor – FREE!
NOON-4pm – Carnival opens
Armband $25 per armband
Presented by: Jones & Co. Carnival
2:00 pm - Jesse James Open Car Show Winners Announced and names drawn for the hog
2:30 pm – URA/MRCA Rodeo presented by C.R. McKellips Rodeo Co., Inc.
with Kids Boot Scramble
Rodeo Admission: 6 & under Free. $15 per person for ages 7 & Up.
Rodeo Contestant registration call in: Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025 10 am to 3pm @ 417-876-2353

Date: September 13 and 19 - 21, 2025

Location: Jesse James Park, 3001 North Jefferson Street Kearney, MO 64060

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