From organizers: Bring your sports and TCG cards to buy, sell, and trade at any of our 80 tables!

Oz-Con is a gaming, cosplay and anime convention nestled in the Ozarks. The convention is hosted by Always a Future for Kids and students from The Game Changers student organization at Missouri State University-West Plains; all proceeds go to support Always a Future for Kids. The three-day event will have a little bit for everyone including Cosplay Events, Collector Card Games, such as Magic, Warhammer 40k, Role Playing Games, and much more. Come help support a good cause, browse the various vendors, join a workshop, and meet celebrities on April 24 – April 26, 2026.

Go to oz-con.com for complete details. Oz-Con on Facebook.

Tickets on sale now https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/zaden-j-eta

Prom Parade

Oz-Con is a gaming, cosplay and anime convention nestled in the Ozarks. The convention is hosted by Always a Future for Kids and students from The Game Changers student organization at Missouri State University-West Plains; all proceeds go to support Always a Future for Kids. The three-day event will have a little bit for everyone including Cosplay Events, Collector Card Games, such as Magic, Warhammer 40k, Role Playing Games, and much more. Come help support a good cause, browse the various vendors, join a workshop, and meet celebrities on April 24 – April 26, 2026.

Go to oz-con.com for complete details. Oz-Con on Facebook.

Oz-Con is a gaming, cosplay and anime convention nestled in the Ozarks. The convention is hosted by Always a Future for Kids and students from The Game Changers student organization at Missouri State University-West Plains; all proceeds go to support Always a Future for Kids. The three-day event will have a little bit for everyone including Cosplay Events, Collector Card Games, such as Magic, Warhammer 40k, Role Playing Games, and much more. Come help support a good cause, browse the various vendors, join a workshop, and meet celebrities on April 24 – April 26, 2026.

Go to oz-con.com for complete details. Oz-Con on Facebook.

A new festival for the community is being planned for April 10-11, 2026. “Party with a Purpose,” is a two-day celebration which will feature live music across several genres, a taco cook-off (Friday only) food and drink, a variety of activities and games, local craft and artisan vendors, and more. That’s the party. The purpose is to raise funds for the operational needs of Christos House.

The idea grew out of the excitement surrounding the ‘Party in the Path’ eclipse festival in April 2024. There was such wonderful feedback on how much the community enjoyed the eclipse events, we want to keep that energy alive with another big celebration in April, and we’re combining a lot of different elements to do that. In fact, we’re calling it the most random festival ever!

The festivities will be held in and around the West Plains Civic Center. While some things, such as games and displays, will be scheduled inside, the music and vendors will be outside, along with some of the other activities. But in the event of inclement weather, activities can be moved inside.

Admission to the festival is free, though food, beverages, and other activities will be available for purchase. The festivities will begin on Friday evening with live music, a taco cook-off, beverage tent and raffles. Saturday’s activities are set to start at 10:30 a.m. when vendors will be in place and live music gets underway. Saturday is also when there will be extra fundraising activities. Music line-up:

FRIDAY, APRIL 10

5:30-7:00 p.m. ~ Johnny Cash Tribute Band (Main Stage)

7:00-7:30 p.m. ~ BrotherPaint (Second Stage)

7:30-9:30 p.m. ~ Tom Bryant Band (Main Stage)

SATURDAY, APRIL 11

10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. ~ New Grass Attack (Main Stage)

12:00-12:45 p.m. ~ BrotherPaint (Second Stage)

12:45-2:15 p.m. ~ HARMS CROSSING (Main Stage)

2:15-3:00 p.m. ~ Brandy Lee Music (Second Stage)

3:00-4:30 p.m. ~ IMH (Main Stage)

4:30-5:15 p.m. ~ Molly Clair Music (Second Stage)

5:15-6:45 p.m. ~ ThunderShine (Main Stage)

6:45-7:30 p.m. ~ 3rd Cut (Second Stage)

7:30-9:30 p.m. ~ Shoot to Thrill – AC/DC Tribute Band (Main Stage)

People can enjoy the music both days, and browse the vendors on Saturday, no gate fee required. On Saturday, will be things like trivia rounds, a cornhole tournament, ‘drink and dice’ stroll, costume and beard contests, a puzzle competition and more. We’re confident everyone will find something to enjoy, and we’re leaning into the fun of the unusual mix of activities.

To find out more about participating in the event as a vendor or if your business or organization would like to participate in the taco cook off or as a retail vendor, contact Melissa Wharton at melissa.wharton@westplains.gov or 417-256-8835. Food truck applications are not being accepted for this event.

For sponsorship information, contact Kenya Cook at kenyac@christoshousemo.org or 417-256-3408.

For information about volunteering, contact Terry Hampton at terry.hampton@westplains.gov or 417-256-8835.

Visit the Party with a Purpose Facebook page for additional information and updates.

A new festival for the community is being planned for April 10-11, 2026. “Party with a Purpose,” is a two-day celebration which will feature live music across several genres, a taco cook-off (Friday only) food and drink, a variety of activities and games, local craft and artisan vendors, and more. That’s the party. The purpose is to raise funds for the operational needs of Christos House.

The idea grew out of the excitement surrounding the ‘Party in the Path’ eclipse festival in April 2024. There was such wonderful feedback on how much the community enjoyed the eclipse events, we want to keep that energy alive with another big celebration in April, and we’re combining a lot of different elements to do that. In fact, we’re calling it the most random festival ever!

The festivities will be held in and around the West Plains Civic Center. While some things, such as games and displays, will be scheduled inside, the music and vendors will be outside, along with some of the other activities. But in the event of inclement weather, activities can be moved inside.

Admission to the festival is free, though food, beverages, and other activities will be available for purchase. The festivities will begin on Friday evening with live music, a taco cook-off, beverage tent and raffles. Saturday’s activities are set to start at 10:30 a.m. when vendors will be in place and live music gets underway. Saturday is also when there will be extra fundraising activities. Music line-up:

FRIDAY, APRIL 10

5:30-7:00 p.m. ~ Johnny Cash Tribute Band (Main Stage)

7:00-7:30 p.m. ~ BrotherPaint (Second Stage)

7:30-9:30 p.m. ~ Tom Bryant Band (Main Stage)

SATURDAY, APRIL 11

10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. ~ New Grass Attack (Main Stage)

12:00-12:45 p.m. ~ BrotherPaint (Second Stage)

12:45-2:15 p.m. ~ HARMS CROSSING (Main Stage)

2:15-3:00 p.m. ~ Brandy Lee Music (Second Stage)

3:00-4:30 p.m. ~ IMH (Main Stage)

4:30-5:15 p.m. ~ Molly Clair Music (Second Stage)

5:15-6:45 p.m. ~ ThunderShine (Main Stage)

6:45-7:30 p.m. ~ 3rd Cut (Second Stage)

7:30-9:30 p.m. ~ Shoot to Thrill – AC/DC Tribute Band (Main Stage)

People can enjoy the music both days, and browse the vendors on Saturday, no gate fee required. On Saturday, will be things like trivia rounds, a cornhole tournament, ‘drink and dice’ stroll, costume and beard contests, a puzzle competition and more. We’re confident everyone will find something to enjoy, and we’re leaning into the fun of the unusual mix of activities.

To find out more about participating in the event as a vendor or if your business or organization would like to participate in the taco cook off or as a retail vendor, contact Melissa Wharton at melissa.wharton@westplains.gov or 417-256-8835. Food truck applications are not being accepted for this event.

For sponsorship information, contact Kenya Cook at kenyac@christoshousemo.org or 417-256-3408.

For information about volunteering, contact Terry Hampton at terry.hampton@westplains.gov or 417-256-8835.

Visit the Party with a Purpose Facebook page for additional information and updates.

Hop on over to our Annual Easter Egg Hunt! Get ready for fun games, yummy food, and cool prizes! Bring your basket and come join the adventure!

More details will be on Facebook at The Avenue Theatre.

General admission. Doors open at 5 p.m.

More details will be on Facebook at The Avenue Theatre.

Check the Country Express Band Facebook page for cost and other details, including potential cancellations due to weather, holidays or other unforeseen circumstances.

From Country Express: Two step, Cha Cha, Waltz, Electric Slide, Charleston, Foot Boogie, River Waltz, Sweetheart, Around the Room, Tennessee Waltz, Neon Moon Cha Cha, and many more. Or just come listen to some good ole country music. Old country, new country, southern rock music. No alcohol allowed. Family fun for all ages.

More details will be on Facebook at The Avenue Theatre.

Meet the Artist: Marc Brannan

Join OzSBI and the West Plains Council on the Arts, Inc. for a special meet-and-greet reception with artist Marc Brannan on March 11 from 3-5. Stop by OzSBI to meet the artist, explore his work, and enjoy an afternoon of art and conversation.

Marc Brannan’s work is currently on display at OzSBI and will remain on view through March 2026.

We hope to see you there!

Check the Country Express Band Facebook page for cost and other details, including potential cancellations due to weather, holidays or other unforeseen circumstances.

From Country Express: Two step, Cha Cha, Waltz, Electric Slide, Charleston, Foot Boogie, River Waltz, Sweetheart, Around the Room, Tennessee Waltz, Neon Moon Cha Cha, and many more. Or just come listen to some good ole country music. Old country, new country, southern rock music. No alcohol allowed. Family fun for all ages.

Check the Country Express Band Facebook page for cost and other details, including potential cancellations due to weather, holidays or other unforeseen circumstances.

From Country Express: Two step, Cha Cha, Waltz, Electric Slide, Charleston, Foot Boogie, River Waltz, Sweetheart, Around the Room, Tennessee Waltz, Neon Moon Cha Cha, and many more. Or just come listen to some good ole country music. Old country, new country, southern rock music. No alcohol allowed. Family fun for all ages.

Check the Country Express Band Facebook page for cost and other details, including potential cancellations due to weather, holidays or other unforeseen circumstances.

From Country Express: Two step, Cha Cha, Waltz, Electric Slide, Charleston, Foot Boogie, River Waltz, Sweetheart, Around the Room, Tennessee Waltz, Neon Moon Cha Cha, and many more. Or just come listen to some good ole country music. Old country, new country, southern rock music. No alcohol allowed. Family fun for all ages.