A New Clerk, an Old Tradition and Free Fun for Kids: Silex Gets Ready for Fall Festival

SILEX, Mo. — Kayla McNiff has been digging through old records at City Hall, finding photographs and pieces of Silex history she wants residents to see. Now, the city’s new clerk is helping prepare a celebration that has its own place in those records.

Silex’s annual Fall Festival returns Saturday, October 24, with free children’s activities, a noon parade, local vendors, food, beer and live music through the evening.

For McNiff and Mayor Lynne Luckett, the day is an opportunity to bring neighbors together, welcome visitors and give families new memories of a longtime tradition.

Lincoln CountyWatch recently sat down with both women to discuss the preparations—and introduce the new face helping put them together.

McNiff started as city clerk June 2. She said she enjoys the work, particularly finding answers and helping the city move forward.

“I get to dig and find answers and make changes and bring positive things to Silex to help move forward,” she said.

Part of that work has taken her into the city’s historical records. McNiff is collecting picture frames and making copies of photographs and documents to display throughout City Hall, where visitors can learn something about Silex or recognize someone they remember.

Among her discoveries was a land-related document she said was dated November 12, 1804. Festival material has provided another connection to the past, including a record describing the 1958 celebration as the eighth Fall Festival.

“This stuff has been here all this time,” Luckett said. “It’s just a matter of rooting it out and finding it.”

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For Luckett, festival history is also personal.

She remembers her brother performing with his band, Second Wind, and her own experiences playing music during the celebration. One involved a small band riding in the back of a pickup.

The memories are as much about the people as the performances: familiar faces, neighbors visiting and a day the community looked forward to.

This year, organizers are bringing back familiar activities while putting particular emphasis on giving children plenty to do without families having to pay for each activity.

Beginning at 10 a.m., the lineup includes trunk-or-treat, free bounce houses, pony rides and games. Children can also receive a free hot dog, chips and soda, limited to one trip.

Luckett credited donations for helping make the free activities possible, specifically recognizing former Silex Mayor Stuart “Stu” Gambrill.

She said Gambrill donated “just to see to it that the kids are happy.”

McNiff has been gathering game prizes, including Pokémon cards, slap bracelets, squishy toys, glow-in-the-dark figures and dinosaur-growing eggs.

There will also be trophies and gift cards for festival competitions, giving participants something to compete for beyond bragging rights.

The festival grounds are just off Main Street. Organizers are asking vendors to finish setting up before activities begin at 10 a.m., keeping vehicle traffic out of the way as children arrive.

Parade participants will line up at the school at 11:45 a.m. for the noon parade. Decorated tractors, four-wheelers and side-by-sides are welcome, with organizers encouraging historical decorations recognizing the United States’ 250th anniversary.

The invitation extends beyond city limits. Luckett welcomed visitors from Troy, Bowling Green, Elsberry and surrounding communities, and organizers said children do not have to live in Silex to enter the baby contest.

At 1 p.m., chili tasting, judging and sales begin. Organizers said tasting will be free, while money from purchased chili will go directly to the person who prepared it.

Beer service begins at 1 p.m. as well. Luckett said alcohol will not be permitted on the grounds before that time.

Bingo and children’s kickball begin at 1:30 p.m. The baby contest follows at 3 p.m., with categories for ages 0–3 months, 3–6 months, 6–9 months, 9–12 months and 1–2 years.

A backseat-driver competition is also planned. Organizers are working on an old-fashioned two-person sawing contest, with its time still being finalized.

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Local vendors will join the celebration, and the city plans to serve pulled pork, pulled pork nachos and hot dogs. The festival flyer also lists a Masonic fish fry and soft-serve ice cream.

Organizers are still welcoming volunteers, vendors, trunk-or-treat participants and chili contestants. Anyone interested in helping or entering a contest can contact City Hall at 573-384-5959 or reach out through the city’s Facebook page.

Music will carry the festival from afternoon into evening.

Matt Zeiss is scheduled on the main stage from 1 to 5 p.m., with requests welcomed. Kelsey Cannon will play banjo from 5 to 6 p.m., followed by Brayden Reynolds at the pavilion from 6 to 9 p.m.

Visitors should bring lawn chairs because seating is limited.

Luckett said thunder and lightning disrupted last year’s event and raised safety concerns. This year, organizers are hoping for weather that lets people stay, listen to music and enjoy the gathering.

They are also measuring success in more than dollars.

“We’re not looking to get rich,” Luckett said. “We want everybody to come out and have a good time.”

She thanked the people who have contributed ideas, donations and time, and credited McNiff’s persistence in getting preparations together.

“She gets out there and she hustles,” Luckett said.

For McNiff, the festival is a chance to meet people, hear ideas and build connections in the community she now serves.

“This event is to make new friends, give ideas of what can help us move forward and enjoy time together,” she said.

People can come for their favorite activity, leave and return, or spend the day. Luckett hopes they also find something less easily placed on a schedule.

“You might see somebody,” she said, “that you haven’t seen for a long time.”

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