10/04/2024
On the topic of building small-town spirit...
I was pleased to hear that the tiny town of Niangua is getting ready for its fall festival this Saturday (Oct. 5). This community of fewer than 400 people and more than 140 years of history has little left these days. Hustle and bustle faded away along with small stores, cafes, its hospital, and even some of the churches. One of its only historical buildings was recently demolished, too. I've been told it was simply too far gone to save.
Yet there are moments of community. In addition to its volunteer-led library, its school, and the gas station where folks gather in booths in the back, another example is the Niangua Fall Festival that was revived by a group of interested citizens three years ago. The event is a moment to make the community better: Not only is it a reason to get together, but the funds it raises go back to community projects, too.
“A group of citizens who are active in the community began to talk about ways to encourage more community involvement,” says Lacey Venolia, secretary of Niangua Betterment League – a group that also recently revived. “They fondly remembered festivals of the past and began planning the revival of the Niangua Fall Festival.”
Inspired by the past but with optimism for the future, they decided the festival needed to come back – and realized the impact it could have beyond that one day.
“All proceeds from the Niangua Fall Festival go back into community betterment projects,” Lacey shared with me. “Last year, the Niangua Betterment League along with volunteers from the community banded together to restore the outdoor amenities at the Niangua Community Building. The Betterment League has also revived the garden beds along M Highway. Providing the community with a sitting area outside of City Hall is the next big project for The Niangua Betterment League.”
So, if you’re out and about on Saturday, this festival is one you may want to stop by. It’s not going to be the biggest festival in the region, but that doesn’t diminish the impact it may have on the folks who are working to build community where they are.