West Plains, MO — The schedule has been announced for “Party with a Purpose,” set
for April 10–11 in and around the West Plains Civic Center. Admission to the festival to
enjoy the music and some other activities is free, but the purpose of the event is to raise
funds for the operational needs of Christos House, so food, drinks and other activities
will be available for purchase.
There will be a main stage on the East Lawn and a second stage in the Exhibit Hall,
providing a nearly non-stop schedule of music. Organizers say they’re confident
everyone will find something to enjoy and are leaning into the unusual mix of activities
by calling the event “the most random festival ever.”
The festival gets underway at 5:30 p.m. Friday, April 10, with Taco Cook-Off tasting and
music by a Johnny Cash tribute band based in Branson. Also performing Friday will be
local favorites BrotherPaint at 7 p.m. and the Tom Bryant Band at 7:30 p.m. Bryant is a
former lead singer for the rock band Head East. Sign-up for a beard contest will take
place from 5:30–8 p.m., and taco tasting will conclude at 8 p.m.
On both days of the festival, there will be a cash bar and opportunities to enter
drawings for raffle items. On Friday and Saturday, snacks and drinks will be available to
purchase until music ends at 9:30 p.m. On Saturday, 5:30-8 p.m. there will be a baked
potato and slider bar.
Activities on Saturday, April 11, begin at 10:30 a.m., when vendors will be open and live
music begins. The music lineup includes New Grass Attack (10:30 a.m.); BrotherPaint
(noon); Harms Crossing (12:45 p.m.); Brandy Lee (2:15 p.m.); IMH (3 p.m.); Molly Clair
(4:30 p.m.); ThunderShine (5:15 p.m.); 3rd Cut (6:45 p.m.); and Shoot to Thrill, an AC/DC tribute band, at 7:30 p.m.
Other free activities on April 11 include a Preacher Roe memorabilia display, a quilt
show in the Magnolia Room, telescope viewing with the Howell County Stargazers, and
storytelling by Danette House.
Activities with a fee to benefit Christos House include the “Drink & Dice Stroll Around
the World,” a two-person trivia contest, costume contest (youth and adult divisions),
two-person jigsaw puzzle competition, and people’s choice voting for both the beard
contest and quilts in the quilt show.
Author David Jerome will also be on-site offering autographed copies of his new
Preacher Roe biography, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Christos House.
In the event of inclement weather, all activities will move inside the building. Attendees
are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for seating whether the event is inside or outside.
Vendor applications and Taco Cook-Off entries are still being accepted. For more
information, contact Melissa Wharton at melissa.wharton@westplains.gov or 417-256
8835..
All are invited to follow the “Party with a Purpose – West Plains” event page on
Facebook for updates.
