The 14th annual Ashley Garrett Memorial Children’s Art Festival will be held on Saturday, Oct. 9 at Domann Park, 305 S. Elm in Auxvasse, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. At the family event organized by the Auxvasse Creative Art Program, kids enjoy free arts and crafts activities, live music, food, and other activities. 

There is no charge to attend the event.

The first 150 kids at the event will receive a free backsack. Each child will also receive a free lunch and a free book, while supplies last, donated by Scholastic. Live music will be performed by Gary Durk of Varlet Hearts.

Art festival attendees are encouraged to come early and take part in the NC Disability Awareness 5K Color Run/Walk. Children and families can participate in a 1-mile walk. Race starts at 8:30 a.m. with check-in at 8 a.m. Online registration for the NC Disability Awareness 5K Color Run/Walk is available: forms.gle/Zu6Sy9UJEHhg9cMf9.

Local organizations and businesses participating with an activity at the festival will include Oasis RSVP Tutoring of Audrain and Callaway County, Central Missouri Community Action, North Callaway Parents as Teachers, and North Callaway High School Softball.

Core sponsors for the event include Ameren, Baumgartner's Furniture, Bell Bros. Farms, CatchPhrase Communications, Garrett Painting, Gary Barcak, and Shramek Farms.

Workshop sponsors include Norm and Dianna Huls, Barbara Schwab, Boyd & Boyd, Callaway Bank, Doc Kritzer, Foster Bros. Wood Products, Gilman Investments, Kent and Lori Deimeke, Kingdom Telephone, Sydenstricker, and United Security Bank.

Patron sponsors include Crane's Country Store, Marilyn Stanley, and Nelson and Diana Wolfmeier.

ACAP and the children’s art festival were established in memory of Ashley O’Donley Garrett. A former Auxvasse resident, artist and daycare operator in Fulton, she saw the potential in every child and loved to use art to bring out creativity, joy and beauty.

Find the Auxvasse Creative Arts Program on Facebook: facebook.com/AuxvasseCreativeArtsProgram.