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Independence, MO —
It’s just about here – again.
As the streets are blocked off, the craft tents and the Ferris wheel are going up on the Square. Independence Chamber of Commerce staff and board members are preparing for another year of the Santa-Cali-Gon Days Festival, but this year is the big 4-0.
With the hours ticking down until the festival officially begins at noon Friday, the three T’s – two Terris and one Teresa – talked about what’s new and what’s returning this year.
As Mayor Don Reimal would say, “About 250,000 of our closest friends are coming to town for a celebration.” This year, that count also includes a group of travel writers who plan to walk the grounds Saturday night and report back to their publications.
1. A man’s dream comes true.
In a June interview with The Examiner, Independence native Mike Hillen expressed his dream to perform his signature song, “Independence,” one day at Santa-Cali-Gon Days.
Terri Steele, chairwoman of the chamber’s fair board, read the article and asked Hillen to fill out a form to appear on the Community Stage at Santa-Cali-Gon Days. Hillen will do just that at 4 p.m. Sunday.
“We got such a kick out of it being a lifetime dream to perform,” Steele said, smiling. “Very few dreams I am able to make happen, but that one, I can do.”
2. Beer not your thing? There’s wine this year.
For the first time, a wine garden is taking place at Santa-Cali-Gon. Community Services League is presenting the SCG Wine Garden, indoors, on the southwest corner of Truman Road and Osage Street. Proceeds will go to serve CSL and the organization’s mission of empowering families to move from poverty to self-sufficiency.
“It’s long due,” said Teresa Freeland, interim chamber president. “CSL is doing it – that’s the best part of it.”
3. Bring your dancing shoes.
Santa-Cali-Gon organizers decided to forgo a second attempt at breaking the world record for the most participants in the Macarena this year. Instead, since the festival is turning 40, dancing in the streets – with audience participation encouraged – starts at 8 p.m. Saturday near the Community Stage. Music throughout the decades will be played, from swing to disco, from The Jerk to The Swim.
A “birthday celebration” also is taking place at 1 p.m. Monday on the Main Stage, where beach balls will be released into the crowd.
It’s just about here – again.
As the streets are blocked off, the craft tents and the Ferris wheel are going up on the Square. Independence Chamber of Commerce staff and board members are preparing for another year of the Santa-Cali-Gon Days Festival, but this year is the big 4-0.
With the hours ticking down until the festival officially begins at noon Friday, the three T’s – two Terris and one Teresa – talked about what’s new and what’s returning this year.
As Mayor Don Reimal would say, “About 250,000 of our closest friends are coming to town for a celebration.” This year, that count also includes a group of travel writers who plan to walk the grounds Saturday night and report back to their publications.
1. A man’s dream comes true.
In a June interview with The Examiner, Independence native Mike Hillen expressed his dream to perform his signature song, “Independence,” one day at Santa-Cali-Gon Days.
Terri Steele, chairwoman of the chamber’s fair board, read the article and asked Hillen to fill out a form to appear on the Community Stage at Santa-Cali-Gon Days. Hillen will do just that at 4 p.m. Sunday.
“We got such a kick out of it being a lifetime dream to perform,” Steele said, smiling. “Very few dreams I am able to make happen, but that one, I can do.”
2. Beer not your thing? There’s wine this year.
For the first time, a wine garden is taking place at Santa-Cali-Gon. Community Services League is presenting the SCG Wine Garden, indoors, on the southwest corner of Truman Road and Osage Street. Proceeds will go to serve CSL and the organization’s mission of empowering families to move from poverty to self-sufficiency.
“It’s long due,” said Teresa Freeland, interim chamber president. “CSL is doing it – that’s the best part of it.”
3. Bring your dancing shoes.
Santa-Cali-Gon organizers decided to forgo a second attempt at breaking the world record for the most participants in the Macarena this year. Instead, since the festival is turning 40, dancing in the streets – with audience participation encouraged – starts at 8 p.m. Saturday near the Community Stage. Music throughout the decades will be played, from swing to disco, from The Jerk to The Swim.
A “birthday celebration” also is taking place at 1 p.m. Monday on the Main Stage, where beach balls will be released into the crowd.
4. The return of recycling.
Last year, Santa-Cali-Gon Days went green in its recycling efforts, and the bins are back again this year. Vendors will be asked to recycle cardboard, while festival attendees have the opportunity to recycle plastic and glass bottles. Plastic recycling bins will be located throughout the Square, while glass recycling is available at the beer garden on Lynn Street, just west of the Main Stage, between Lexington and Maple.
5. What’s it like without Rick?
Rick Hemmingsen, the chamber’s former president and CEO, loved Santa-Cali-Gon Days, and this marks the first festival year without him in two decades. Hemmingsen retired from the chamber in early January in what was called a retirement.
“It’s different,” Freeland said of Santa-Cali-Gon without Hemmingsen. “It left a hole, but we’ve got festival board members called ‘The Pod Boys’ who’ve stepped up to the plate.”
Spouses of chamber staff, as well as other board members, are helping in “organizational central,” Steele and Freeland said.
Said Terri Singleton, the chamber’s special projects coordinator: “Rick’s here in spirit, though.”
