54th JESSE JAMES FESTIVAL

Scheduled for Sept. 13 and Sept. 19-21, 2025

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ABBREVIATED SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES

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SATURDAY, SEPT. 13

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.

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FRIDAY, SEPT 19   

8am-7pm   37^th Annual and 35^th State Championship – Jesse James BBQ Cookoff registration

7pm to 9pm – Catfish Tournament – FREE ! * – registration on site

     Ages 12 – 15 at the Jesse James Park, Kearney

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SATURDAY, SEPT. 20

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 –  37^th Annual and 35^th 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

10:30 am – Check in for Cornhole Tournament presented by the Kearney St Michaels Knights of Columbus

11 am – 6pm Arts & Crafts Alley opens to public

11 am – Garden Tractor Pull – FREE ADMISSION !! Details

      8 classes

      presented by:  Bucket Brigade Garden Tractor Pulling, LLC

      Location:  Demolition derby arena

1 pm – Mud Volleyball tournament starts

4 pm – BBQ Cookoff Award Winners announced

4 pm – Mutton Busting Registration at arena – Ages 6 & under

5 pm – Drawing of names of Mutton Busting riders – Riders will pay $10 registration fee at this time

5:30 pm – Mutton Busting ride

6 pm – 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:

     Wednesday, Sept 10, 2025 lo am to 3pm 417-876-2353

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SUNDAY, SEPT. 21

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 – 1 lam – 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!

12:30 PM – Mutton Busting Registration at arena – Ages 6 & under

1:30 PM – Drawing of names of Mutton Busting Riders – Riders will pay $10 registration fee at this time

2:00 PM – pm Mutton Busting ride

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