EVENTS THAT WILL BE CONTINUOUS DURING THE JUBILEE
June 29 – July 4.
- Jubilee House – at corner of Howell and Kansas Avenue. Decorated with antiques in the manner of a house of 1888.
- Nike Missile – at the corner of Howell and Kansas Avenue. Modern technology at its most destructive force.
- Agriculture Display – in Disney Park. Exhibits of 4-H and Extension Club projects that have been done during the past year. Needlework, woodcraft, food preparation, etc.
- Sonny Myers Carnival – in Ripley Park in downtown Marceline. One of the best Carnivals in the Middle-West. Seven big rides and many concessions to attract all ages.
- Store Window Displays – Store windows of the merchants in Marceline are decorated with many outstanding antiques and period pieces.
- Steam Threshing Machine – near the Agriculture Exhibit in Disney Park.
- Authentic Stage Coach – rides are available in a real Stage Coach at the North end of the Ripley Park Lake.
- “CYRUS K. HOLIDAY” – One of the original Santa Fe trains will be on display July 3-4 on the Eastern edge of Ripley Park. This train is one of the finest examples of the early steam trains in existence.
Daily Program for the Marceline Diamond Jubilee
Saturday – June 29
- 9:00am – Judging at the Agriculture Exhibit.
- 11:00am – Smorgasbord at Father McCartan Memorial School.
- 2:00pm – The Grand Parade.
- 4:00pm – or immediately after the parade – Drill exhibition by the Richards-Gebauer Drill Team.
- 4:30pm – Sky-diving Exhibition at Disney Park.
- 8:00pm – Show Boat Production at Disney Park Amphitheatre
“HERE COMES THE SHOW BOAT”
Musical Comedy
With Singers, Dancers, and a Cast of players who perform
“Uncle Tom’s Cabin”
Presented for
The Diamond Jubilee
under the direction of Mrs. Fleeta Rodgers
- Piano: Mrs. Jane Miller
- Banjo: Tully Reed
- Clarinet: Kim Cavanah
- Comet: Stephen Fruin
CAST OF CHARACTERS:
- The Captain, an imposing man – Bill Stonger
- Little Eva, overly coy and sweet – Kaye Johnson
- Topsy, “a little debble” – Sondra Lake
- Uncle Tom, a kindly darky – Bruce Hood
- Ophelia, a disapproving spinster – Darlene Fruin
- St. Clair, Eva’s father, a Southern Gentleman – Dr. L. O. Adamson
- Simon Degree, a typical villain – Kenneth Dall
- Marks, a fast talking lawyer – Bill Long
- Gumpton Cute, a “hick from the sticks” – Wilbur Ralston
- Emmeline, a pretty quadroon girl – Julie Pennick
- Adolph, a teen-age slave – Terry McGinnis
Property Girls, Stephanie Powell and Peggy Belt.
Also included are Chorus, Angels, Flora Dora Girls and Square Dancers
ACT I – Specialties:
- Flora Dora Girls (Dance Revue) to “California Here I Come.” Judy Hood, Raylene Penderson, Molly Miller, Patty Burch, Dana Embree, Lynn Tillotson.
- Comet Solo – Steve Fruin
- Novelty Number “Here Comes Miss Hannah” with Doris and Ralph Cavanah
ACT II – Specialties:
- Piano Solo – Doug Rioth
- Clarinet Solo – Kim Cavanah
- Piano Trio – Bruce Hoskins, Mike Wrenn, and Mitch Wrenn
- Mixed Quartet – Darlene Fruin, Sondra Johnson, Glynn Maxwell, and James Adair
Sunday – June 30
- Morning – Jubilee Church Services in all the churches of Marceline.
- Noon – Old Fashioned Basket Dinners in some of the Churches.
- 2:30pm – Band Concert, Marceline High School Band, under direction of Mr. S. E. Kirschner.
- 3:00pm – Re-dedication Ceremony at Disney Park. Introduction of distinguished guests.
- Featured speaker – Mr. Lawrence Schneider, Director of Division of Commerce and Industrial Development; Harry Porter, Master of Ceremonies
- 4:30pm – Sky-diving Exhibition at Disney Park.
- 4:30-7:00pm – Ham Plate Dinner, sponsored by the Helping Hands Class of the Methodist Church.
- 8:00pm – Ozark Opry at the Disney Park Amphitheatre.
- The famous TV group from the Missouri Ozarks will present a stage show of fun and frolic.
Monday – July 1
- 2:30pm – Greased Pig Race and Hog Calling Contest at the Agriculture Exhibit in Disney Park.
- 4:30pm – Bathing Beauty Pageant in Ripley Park. This will be the preliminary contest.
- 8:00pm – Jubilee Pageant—”A Tale of One City.”
Part I – The Magic City – 1888-1913
We find that from the very start Marceline has held a Fourth of July celebration and one of these celebrations is the subject of the first big scene, the hustle and bustle of a carnival, the vendors, booths and people enjoying themselves. The different elements in town, the railroaders, miners, the gamblers all gave us a colorful past as seen in the Saturday night fights, “Jack the Hugger” the infamous Woman in Black, and the oft-occurring, re-occurring weekly fires, and the white caps episodes. In the final scene, Ripley Park is seen with the ladies and gentlemen of the era strolling about enjoying its beauty and the Miss Jubilee finalists are announced to the spectators.
Narrators: Paul Coram, Rev. Kenneth Kelley, Lois Schneeflock, and Audrey Walsworth.
Tuesday – July 2
- 3:30pm – Baby Contest at Ripley Park. Prizes for the best-looking boy and girl baby. All boys and girls between ages of 1 and 3 are eligible.
- 4:30pm – Kangaroo Court. This will be the final session of the Jubilee Kangaroo Court.
- 7:00pm – Old Fiddlers Contest at the Agriculture Exhibit in Disney Park.
- 8:00pm – Jubilee Pageant – “A Tale of One City.”
Part II – Pageant – Survival – 1913-1938
The second 25 years finds pageant viewers at the Cater Opera House along with the genteel ladies and gentlemen viewing one of the vaudeville acts that played Marceline. Other scenes open on the Country Club Field Day with its races, picnickers, and the Charleston Dancers that were found at the dance that followed the day’s activities. We also look in on the jolly “Come to the Fair” trips made by the County Fair Boosters. Finally, in the mood of the nation, just rising from the depths of the depression we hear the words of Esther Belle Wheeler telling of the goal to which is “Marceline Marching ON?”
Wednesday – July 3
- 2:30pm – Greased Pole Climb—Ripley Park.
- 4:30pm – Finals of the Jubilee Beauty Pageant in Ripley Park.
- 8:00pm – Jubilee Pageant—”A Tale of One City.”
Jubilee Pageant – Part III – Crossroads -1938-1963
The war years and the changing years are depicted in scenes revolving around the Canteen we had for servicemen and women passing through town, the wedding of a couple the town befriended, the demise of the Doodle-Bug, the local tradition of townspeople going to the depot to meet the trains and seeing the celebrities traveling through. We see a few of our own who have joined the celebrity ranks; Walt Disney, Silvey Ray. We are able to look in on Anna Watson and her friendship with Harry Truman and Sephus Hershey when he shook hands with IKE. Episodes also show Caters Opera House still open and holding round and square dancing, the children now collecting pennies on Halloween instead of just going out to trick or treat. Our pageant closes as it began, with a Fourth of July scene, this time, however, it’s the present celebration and Miss Jubilee is announced to provide the final bit of excitement.
Thursday – July 4
- 10:00am – Horseshoe Pitching Tournament. Preliminaries will start at 10:00 a. m. and continue until the completion of the tournament.
- 2:00pm – Beard Contest. Prizes for the best Full Beard, Moustache, Goatee, and Sideburns. There will also be a Beard Shaving Contest. Soap, water, and mirror will be furnished. Bring your own beard-cutting tools and join in the fun. No electric clippers will be permitted.
- 7:30pm – American Legion Fountain Dedication in Ripley Park. Theodore Roosevelt Post of the American Legion and many State officers will be on hand to formally dedicate the beautiful new electric fountain in the center of Ripley Park.
- 11:00pm – Giant Fireworks Display at Ripley Park.