National Tom Sawyer Days Coming July 3-6

The internationally-known celebration of the characters created by Hannibal's favorite son is just around the corner.

The 56th annual National Tom Sawyer Days comes to downtown Hannibal Thursday-Sunday, July 3-6.

The Hannibal Jaycees have been the driving force behind NTSD since the beginning.They, along with a number of community organizations, have a full schedule of events planned.

The schedule includes all the favorites you're accustomed to, from fence painting to frog jumping to Tom and Becky to an expanded carnival to crafts in Central Park to the Hannibal Cannibal.

The prime entertainment venue for the weekend is Tanyard Gardens. They begin National Tom Sawyer Days with a bang, with local favorite Mad Hoss Jackson serving as the opening act Thursday night for Nashville recording artist Josh Thompson

NTSD Chairman Chris Harsell and Entertainment and Tanyard Gardens Chairman Chris Powell were guests on KHMO's Talk Back: