We hope that everyone enjoyed the 53rd Jesse James Festival Events and look forward to the 54th Jesse James Festival in 2025

Schedule of Events:

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 –  37th Annual and 35th 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
11 am – 6pm Arts & Crafts Alley opens to public
11 am – Garden Tractor Pull – FREE ADMISSION !!
presented by:  Bucket Brigade Garden Tractor Pulling, LLC
Location:  Demolition derby arena
NOON – Carnival Opens
Presented by Jones & Co. Carnival
1 - 2:30 pm – Mud Volleyball captains meeting
1 pm – Mud Volleyball tournament
1 pm to 5pm – Carnival Armband Hours $25 per armband
4pm – BBQ Cookoff Award Winners announced
6pm – 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:
Sept 10, 2025 10 am to 3pm 417-876-2353
6pm – 10 pm – Carnival Armband Hours – $25 per armband
8pm to midnight – 54th Jesse James Dance – Live Band: Pistol Creek – free admission – Jessie James Park