EventsThe streets of Hannibal will soon come alive with the spirit of boyhood adventure as the town celebrates the 150th anniversary of the publication of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer with a parade. The commemorative parade, scheduled for Saturday, March 28th, will be sponsored by the Hannibal Convention and Visitors Center and will honor Mark Twain’s enduring novel and the Missouri town that inspired it.
The parade will begin at 10:00 am at 10th and Broadway and then turn onto North Main Street through the historic district and ending at the famous Tom and Huck statue.
Community groups, schools, and local businesses are invited to participate with themed floats and vehicles, illustrating how The Adventures of Tom Sawyer continues to shape Hannibal’s identity and tourism. Mark Twain will lead off the parade as Grand Marshal with Tom and Becky ambassadors participating as well. Entry fee into the parade is a monetary donation that will benefit the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum. The Museum is a private non-profit organization that relies on donations and grants to fulfill their mission of promoting awareness and appreciation of the life and works of Mark Twain and demonstrating the relevance of his stories to the citizens of the world.
First published in 1876, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer will reach its 150th anniversary as a timeless story of friendship, freedom, and youthful adventure. Through this parade, Hannibal will celebrate not only a landmark in American literature, but also the community that brought the story to life, ensuring that the spirit of Tom Sawyer continues to inspire future generations.
Parade entry forms can be found at www.visithannibal.com or by stopping by the Visitors Center at 925 Grand Ave during regular business hours. Parade participants are asked to meet at the Save a Lot parking lot beginning at 9:00am on March 28th. Parade will begin promptly at 10:00am. For additional information, please call 573-221-2477.
