About Buchanan County, MO

St. Joseph's Corn Maze

A field of a-MAZE-ing fun! Check it out. Open now!

Looking for some autumn fun? Get lost in St. Joseph's Corn Maze! Take the kids out and let them run wild as they try to navigate their way from start to finish weaving in and out of the corn field. This year the field is shaped like ‘Max' Missouri Western's Griffon (Mascot). It is not a haunted event and is targeted for families of all ages. The maze has a beginner and advanced route.

In addition to the corn maze you can also participate in other activities such as hayrides, pedal tractors, face paintings and corn bins. On site you can purchase mums, pumpkins, cornstalks and straw. The property also includes a fire pit that you can rent. The fire, hot dogs, buns, soda & chips are provided all you have to do is make your reservation and show up!

The property is located at 5521 NE Riverside Road (North of Cook Rd), St Joseph, MO. The maze is open until October 31^st on Saturday & Sunday 11 am to 6 pm.

** Halloween Weekend: October 30 and 31. The "Flashlight Maze" opens from 6 pm to midnight. The Flashlight Maze is a new addition this year and promises a lot of extra fun! Come on and join the Fun!

Admission is $10 for ages 13 & over, $8.00 for ages 5-12 and free for 4 & under. Get out and get lost before we know it winter will be here!

check out corn maze

Mount Mora cemetery is the oldest operating cemetery in St. Joseph, MO, established in 1851. Years ago, Mount Mora was the most well known burial ground for many well known and wealthy citizens. Today the grounds are visited by many to re-live the past. Many families visit after researching their family heritage and they come to see the graves of their deceased family members. Others attracted to the site are those that have a passion for history and they come to see the grave sites of Coleman Hawkins, Jeff Thompson, Joseph Robidoux's son, two pony express riders, three Missouri governors, and many other well known names.

The graveyard consists of hundreds of unique marble and granite tombstones. Near the main gate you can view the ‘Who's Who' wall to learn more on the lives of those that now rest at Mount Mora. It may seem odd for some, but many people visit the cemetery each year; some with good reason and some just for fun.

It seems hard to believe that visiting a cemetery could be fun but it is possible and you too can partake. On Thursday, October 28 and Friday, October 29 you can re-live St. Joseph's past with living history characters of some of St. Joseph's earliest citizens. As you tour the property re-en-actors will be standing beside the graves and tell you the story of a life on a select number of people. The tours will take place at 6:30 PM and 7:30 PM and tickets are $13 for St. Joseph Museum members and $15 for non-members. Tickets sell out quick, call 816.232.8471 for ticket information.

Mount Mora Cemetery is located at 824 Mount Mora Road,St Joseph MO You can visit, www.mountmora.org for more information.

Such a wonderful time of year to take in Mother Nature, enjoy a nice walk outdoors and view the beautiful sceneries. I'd like to share with you some information on the St. Joseph Parkway System and some photos I have along the parkway from last year. I think it will be some motivation to get you all out for a little hike, bike or ride along the 26-mile system.

The St. Joseph Parkway System is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is 26 miles of parkway with 48 parks and facilities along the way. You can drive the entire distance on street ways and you can also walk or ride your bike on the recently added hike and bike trail that ties in at different stops along the parkway. Its original designers had a unique theory to their plan and left us with a great theme, ‘American Naturalist'. It combines the European architecture with the American nature. Positive and progressive visionaries gave this heritage to the city and they try to maintain this attitude and vision as they continue to develop and keep up the system.

To help travel the parkway system signage will be placed along the route to give directions. It will mark significant spots along the way showing travelers where they are, where they can go, and also will mark historic spots. These have been in the works for a while now, but are planned to go up as soon as next week. They will be a great component to the trails and will also help to make it have a nicer curb appeal.

I hope you all enjoy the photos and also have the chance to get out and enjoy our unique parkway system. Happy Fall!

A unique opportunity will take place in St. Joseph, MO on Friday, October 1^st, 2010 at Heritage Park Softball Complex at 6 PM.

The local community is invited out to watch some of the best women softball players in the world perform. There will be four, possibly more Olympians and many other star players. An exhibition game will take place against Missouri Western State University's softball team and following players will sign autographs and speak with fans.

The National tour travels around the world playing exhibition games as a way to promote softball and for different fundraising events. MWSU is the only Division II team on the 2010 schedule. The tour kicked off on September 10^th in Memphis and there will be a total of 15 stops. Some expected to play in St. Joseph are Cat Osterman, Andrea Duran, Fransesca Enea, Vicky, Galindo and Megan Willis.

Cheri Kempf , St. Joseph native, is the commission of the NPF. She is a local softball legend and will be traveling with the team and will be at Heritage Park on October 1^st. She is a former Griffon All American softball player, United States national team player, and current television softball analyst for ESPN, Fox Sports, and Cox Cable, she will also be available to speak to fans.

Admission will be $5 for all ages except children 6 & under will be free. The gates will open at 5 PM. Incase of rain there will be an alternate indoor location available for the players to hold a youth clinic in place of the exhibition game.

St. Joseph is a true softball/baseball town with a lot of history and great stories to tell. This is a wonderful opportunity and a great way to promote the city and MWSU. Also, a great experience for the MWSU softball team...they will get to be on the same field as these star athletes. They will learn a lot during the exhibition game and will also have the chance to get to know these pro athletes in which many of them probably have dreams to someday be. Softball fan or not, it isn't everyday you can go to see Olympians play a game, get their autographs and have the chance to talk to them. It will be a great experience for everyone that attends and will create memories to last a lifetime.

Em Chamas Brazilian Grill and Napoli's Italian restaurant are now open and doing business in downtown St. Joseph. Both offering a very unique menu, they hope to bring the boom back to downtown.

Em Chamas now open since the end of summer, brings you a traditional Brazilian Churrasco from the Pampas region of Southern Brazil flavor. It offers several cuts of beef, pork, lamb and chicken roasted over a wood fired grill. You are served by a style of table side service called ‘rodizio' which is controlled by the guests with a special design coin on the table. Em Chamas offers a unique type of dining for their guests. If you are looking for a change of menu or atmosphere this might be your type of place.

Napoli's opened last Wednesday in the building of formerly owned Kirkpatrick Café. Offering a full Italian menu at a very reasonable price. Owners based the restaurant on the belief that their customers are the utmost importance. The Rexha family has two other locations, one in Maryville, MO and the other in Sedalia, MO and now the 3^rd location here in downtown St. Joseph.

Both of the new additions to the downtown area will be great for the downtown community. Both offering unique experiences and wonderful tastes, it will hopefully help bring the downtown back alive. It is wonderful to see businesses taking opportunities through out the entire St. Joseph community. On your next venture out, check out these new locations!