New London Park Days offers carnival, craft booths, petting zoo this weekend

June 1, 2023 | By Megan Duncan Muddy River News Correspondent

Vendor booths fill the lawn of the Ralls County Courthouse each year at New London Park Days, a 37-year tradition. (Pictured is last year’s event.) | Photo courtesy of New London Park Days Board

NEW LONDON, Mo. — You don’t have to live in New London to enjoy the 37th annual New London Park Days this weekend.

The festivities start Friday with craft booths and food vendors opening at 11 a.m. and the beer garden opening at noon. The opening ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. on the main stage with live music by Generation Gap.

Show Me Amusements, a family-owned and operated carnival based out of southeast Missouri, will provide a carnival beginning at 1 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday. It will end at 10 p.m. each night with armbands available starting at 6 p.m.

Armbands can be purchased in advance Friday until noon at New London Royal Bank for $20, which is $5 off the fair price.

Vendors come from around the state to participate in New London Park Days showcasing new products, handmade items, boutique clothing and more.

Walkers and runners will participate in a 5K marathon on Saturday. Registration will be available starting at 7 a.m. at the Old School Marketplace. The run/walk is a 3.1 mile race appropriate for all ages and abilities, with prizes awarded to the top male and female in each age division.

Get a baby zebra hug or even kiss a camel at the free petting zoo from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday with animals from Thorni Ridge Exotics. The zoo will feature water buffalo, an Asian Antelope, kangaroo, alligators and more. The petting zoo is free with a nominal fee for feeding.

Lindsey Paxton, vice president of the New London Park Days Board, said the cornhole tournament at 1 p.m. Sunday will be a little different this year. A professional tournament will be held where they draw for opponents, but a backyard division will be offered where you can bring your own partner.

“You can just play separately. It’s not as competitive and it’s just for fun,” Paxton said. “My husband plays three or four nights a week, so I would never play against him, but I can definitely take my own partner and play.”

Paxton expressed appreciation to the many volunteers and those who help create the New London Park Days book each year that features schedules, entertainment descriptions and more.

Live Music Line Up

Friday
5 p.m.: The Glendale Riders
9 p.m.: Johnny Rock-ITT

Saturday
5 p.m.: Vinyl
9 p.m.: Wildfire

For more information, visit http://www.newlondonparkdays.com/home.html or follow New London Park Days on Facebook.