Hannibal Cannibal Kicks Off NTSD Saturday Events

Vehicular traffic deferred to thousands of pairs of feet in downtown Hannibal this morning.

The Hannibal Cannibal 5/10/15 K race and the 5K walk kicked off this morning at 7 a.m. at North and Main Streets in downtown Hannibal. Over 2000 runners and walkers tackled the U.S.A. Track and Field certified course.  The event winds through downtown Hannibal and out Highway 79 along the Mississippi River.  The race gets its name from the most difficult part of the course, the infamous Lovers Leap hill.  The final race event is the Fun Run for kids 10 and under, beginning at 9 a.m.

Other National Tom Sawyer Days events scheduled today, weather permitting... include Mud Volleyball which began at 7:30 a.m. at the foot of Hill Street..

The carnival opens in the downtown area at 1 p.m.

The Horseshoe tournament qualifier takes place from 9 to 4 today in Ringer Park in the downtown area.

Arts and Crafts in Central Park from 9 to 6.

Frog Jump competition at high noon at the foot of Church Street.

Local and State Fence Painting contest at 2 p.m. at the intersection of Main and Hill Streets.

Entertainment in Tanyard Gardens tonight includes Natalie Stovall and the Drive, and Eric Paslay.

One event not dependent on the weather is the Baby Contest, Jr. Queen and Mr. Hannibal Pageant.  It takes place inside the Hannibal Middle School, beginning at 9 a.m.

Check the Hannibal jaycees facebook page for more information and updates, especially if inclement weather brings last minute changes to the schedule.