DIAMOND, Mo. — The annual Carver Day Celebration is slated from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 12, at George Washington Carver National Monument.
The event celebrates the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the monument named for the famous African-American scientist.
A gala of gospel music, family activities, science exhibits and a commemorative program will highlight the event. Rain or shine, inspirational music will be provided by choirs including the Washington Avenue Baptist Church Men’s Choir of Springfield, Joplin’s Shiloh Baptist and Unity Baptist Churches, Union Baptist Church from Pocola, Okla. and more. The African Marimba Band “Kufara” will perform from 2 to 2:50 p.m.
There will be many exhibits related to this year’s theme “Carver the Scientist.” Families also may visit with a forester from the Natural Resource Conservation Service, view live animal exhibits from Roaring River State Park and Nature Reach and Pittsburg (Kan.) State University. Other exhibits include Greenbush Education Service Center, Stream Erosion and Prairie Education from the Missouri Department of Conservation, Neosho National Fish Hatchery, Missouri Southern State College’s environmental health exhibit, the Associated Recyclers of the Midwest and Ozark Regional Land Trust. The Missouri Botanical Gardens will have a commemorative display on Dr. Carver.
A commemoration program is scheduled at 1 p.m. featuring vocalist Charlesetta Bryant singing the National Anthem. The guest speaker, J.H.M. Henderson, professor emeritus of biology at Tuskegee (Ala.) Institute will talk on “Carver the Scientist.”
Junior Ranger activities will keep children entertained. There will be animal tracks and hides, bird watching, a reptile exhibit on snakes and lizards by biologist Frank Martinez, storytelling, and Civil War fiddle tunes. First person interpretations will be presented on Harriet Tubman, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, and Maria Kolb, founder of the Playground Association. The St. Louis Repertory Theatrical Group will present “Follow the Truth,” a play written by Bill Harris, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The monument is two miles west of Diamond on Highway V, then 1/2 mile south on Carver Road.
Details: (417) 325-4151 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.