Coming Events

Heritage Days Annual Event Is Scheduled for September 18-19, 2026

Our annual two-day festival filled with live music, storytelling, living history exhibits and pioneer and early 20th century life demonstrations including rail splitting, fiddle making, blacksmithing, quilting and other vintage crafts together with military history, classic cars and period costumes.  The 22nd annual Heritage Days event is scheduled for Friday, September 18, 2026 through Saturday September 19, 2026. Vendors and crafters who would like to participate can contact the Curator at the Heritage Museum 573-996-5298 for information on registration and fees.

New This Year at Heritage Days is the Current River Fiddle Contest

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND TO OBTAIN A REGISTRATION FORM CONTACT

LATEST SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

On THURSDAY EVENING AT 6:30

In the museum, there will be a program for everyone to enjoy by Benjamin Franklin.

 Friday Current River Heritage Day

Students are welcome to wear their best Pioneer outfits for a special contest, and be sure to bring a stone, rock, or mineral from home to have examined. Be sure to sign up for the “Mom Hollering Contest”.

This year we are trying something different. There are two venues for exploring.

The Pioneer Homestead on Franklin Street AND The Current River Heritage Museum 101 Washington Street.

At the Pioneer Homestead students will receive a backpack for the items they collect, such as a frame craft with Hippie Folk artists, items from the Current River Writers Guild and a souvenir tin cup for tasting apple cider and switchel (a pioneer harvest drink).

There is a leather crafting demonstration, a crocheting workshop, corn husk doll exhibit and old-fashioned toys and games to tryout.

The Forestry Department will have demonstrations all day and invite students to try their hand at sawing and hacking logs and other skills.

The Blacksmith will show forging skills

There will be vendors behind the barn area for the opportunity to buy souvenirs. We have TWO food vendors this year, Fil-Am Smoke & Fire and ALL FIRED UP PIZZA.

The Stroup Family Mule Wagon will take students for a ride around town (this event is possible because of a gift from Three Rivers Advisory Board)

Rick Mansfield will display his river Johnboats and discuss life on the Current.

We will have Popcorn for snacking thanks to the Ripley County Chamber of Commerce and lessons on respect for the American Flag and other patriotic traditions displayed by the JA ASHBY VFW.

Doniphan’s own Productive Living Center will host a variety of lawn games for students and teachers to participate in.

Ozark Outdoorsman, Larry Dabblemont will spin stories from his own experiences in the local hills and valleys.

The Sons of the Confederacy of Doniphan led by Dalton Bilderback will be encamped and ready for teaching drills and other activities of Civil War life outside of the cabin.

At the museum (we are trying something different this year with two venues) Benjamin Franklin will give a presentation on his life during the Revolutionary War. His presentation will be held on the hour, and students are encouraged to attend.

Also at the museum, geologist, Jo Schaper will examine rocks, stones and minerals that students are encouraged o bring. She will assess and name the different collections.

Jo will also bring her Dulcimer for everyone to try playing.

There will also be a ragdoll craft and an amazing magnet challenge for students to take part in at the museum.

At 2:00 pm at the Homestead— there is going to be a Fiddle Contest, sponsored by McCarthy Stringed Instruments.

Also, during the day, the Doniphan High-school band will perform AND both the Doniphan High School and Doniphan Middle School chorus will perform at the Pioneer Cabin.

At 6:00pm outside the Plunk Schoolhouse at the Homestead, there will be a genuine Ozark Pie Auction led by Rick Mansfield. Proceeds will go towards preservation of the historic pioneer buildings in the Homestead.

ON SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 19

Pancake Breakfast at the Community Center, hosted by the Doniphan Rescue Mission. Pancakes with all the fixings by donation at the door.

11:00am — the art of divining graves with DAR member Marcia Morse

2:00pm — Pet Pageant

4:30 — NIGHT GIGGING TOURNAMENT

QUESTIONS? CALL (573)660-1040

Deer and Fish fry at the boat ramp

Register and take off 30 minutes before sunset

Midnight weigh-in deadline

Current River Heritage Days

September 17-19 , 2026

Doniphan, Missouri

This year featuring

·         Geologist – Jo Schaper (students young and old are encouraged to bring their favorite stone, rock or mineral to be identified and assessed. Jo will also let folks take a turn at a folk dulcimer

·         Arts & crafts with Joanna pundsack

·         Feats of skill and games with the Productive Living Center

·         A civil war camp with the MOS&B Chapter lt. commander dalton Bilderback and co., also showing horsemanship expertise

·         The J.A.Ashby VFW exhibits on pow/mia remembrance , flag etiquette and more

·         Saturday night gigging tournament & fish fry (call-573-660-1040 for more information)

·         Crafters, vendors and food!

And there are more examples of traditional Ozark living than you can shake a stick at

 You  don’t want to miss this

Pick up a vendor form, fiddle contest application and pet pageant certificate at the museum today