Maple Leaf Festival

Beginning in 1966 as a marching band competition, the annual Maple Leaf Festival took its name from Mother Nature’s array of glorious fall colors. Every year, the city of Carthage proudly welcomes 80,000+ visitors to this wonderful fall celebration.

​

Every year, on the 3rd Saturday of October, the biggest day of the festival begins with the largest parade in Southwest Missouri. This keystone event begins at 9 a.m. and ends around noon. The parade begins on the Historic Square and ends at the Carthage Jr. High.

​

Events are scheduled throughout the day including the band festival, art & crafts vendors, car and tractor shows, wine tasting, quilt show, food vendors, and live entertainment.

​

The month of October is filled with activities including art and museum exhibits, lobster boil, bike tour, carnival, evening 5K, beauty pageants, dog show, gospel sing, cruise-in, and a lip-sync competition.