(Image source: World’s Championship Duck Calling Contest & Wings Over the Prairie Festival Facebook page.)

The Wings Over the Prairie Festival is proving to be a destination for music lovers.  

Party in the Park kicks off this Friday, Nov. 28, at Rotary Centennial Park at 321 S. Main St. in downtown Stuttgart. Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce CEO and President Bethany Hildebrand said the free concert is returning for its third year.

“Whenever we built the pocket park downtown, we thought it would be really fun to have an event and have free entertainment and a free concert for people to come check out. What better time to do that than during the Wings Over the Prairie Festival?” Hildebrand said.

Marybeth Byrd and her band are performing live. Byrd has appeared on NBC’s “The Voice” and ABC’s “American Idol.”

“We will open the park at 5 p.m., and the music will begin at 6 p.m.,” Hildebrand said. “It will be a great night in downtown Stuttgart.”

Express Employment Professionals is sponsoring the event. Hildebrand encourages attendees to bring a lawn chair or blanket for seating.

“We will also have a cashless bar available. Be sure to bring a card, have a drink, and sit back and enjoy some live entertainment in downtown Stuttgart,” Hildebrand said.

Carnival & midway

Fun Time Shows of Southeast Missouri will bring rides and attractions to the Wings Over the Prairie Festival.

“They travel south to put on our festival. We start on Tuesday, so the carnival is going on through the end of the week,” Hildebrand said.

Armband hours each day give guests unlimited ride access.

“They are available from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and on Friday and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. and then from 5 to 9 p.m. There are lots of opportunities to get an armband,” Hildebrand said.

The carnival is open from 3 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday through Thursday and from noon to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Festival t-shirts

This year’s official Wings Over the Prairie Festival t-shirts are selling quickly! Hildebrand said many residents look forward to buying their commemorative shirts every year.

“We have several designs this year. We have short-sleeved and long-sleeved festival t-shirts. We have the gumbo tees. We also have some Stuttgart tees that are really cute this year. There are lots of options to choose from,” Hildebrand said.

Some sizes are already running low.

“I certainly recommend getting them before this weekend because they will sell out for sure,” Hildebrand said.

Shirts are available at the Chamber office at 507 S. Main in downtown Stuttgart. Community members can also purchase shirts online at the Wings Over the Prairie Festival website: Stuttgartduckfest.com.