It's the first spring weekend of the year, and this events lineup knows it.

What do our local event designers have for the launch of the spring fashion collection?: Markets, festivals, tours, hikes, sales, concerts, 5ks, and a pub crawl.

So tear into the events section below. It's a good one. Looks great with a t-shirt.

Bro, it's this thing called birding, bro. You just like...look for different ones, and like...check 'em off your list, bro...It turns every outing into a treasure hunt. (*Then I lean in close so you can smell my wool poncho, and see what you suspect are tears in my eyes...as I whisper...) "It'll change your life."

The 2026 Missouri Birding Challenge Is Nigh!

It's like Christmas for anyone who "grew out of" Pokémon and has been trying to fill a Pokémon-sized gap ever since.

The Missouri Birding Challenge is a great intro for total beginners who are bird-curious (thanks to these informational webinars), and it's also a great challenge for experienced birders who like to get competitive and flex their sick binocular skills.

Webinars have started. Registration is open. Read the rules, categories, and prizes here. The actual challenge starts in May, so you have some prep time.

There are bird nerds all over the world just wishing they could spend some time along the Mississippi Flyway. And look at you, living here in their fairyland. Take advantage of your prime location, my dudes. This MDC interactive birding map has some good places to get started. Or get started in your backyard.

I asked the lovely local experts over at VisitCape if they'd like to take over the travel guide section this week (so that I could catch up on seven months of laundry). They had all kinds of neat day trips in the chamber.

Here's one for the history fans:

Civil War Sites Driving Tour - Cape Girardeau, MO.

1. Start at Port Cape Girardeau Restaurant & Lounge. The building is one of the oldest in Cape. Imagine it's August 1861, Ulysses S. Grant has just been made Commander of the Southeast Missouri District. Downtown is bustling with people and horse-drawn wagons. Commander Grant is standing outside Port Cape, looking toward the waterfront where steamboats and a ferry are tied up.
2. Next stop, Ivers Square, formerly known as Courthouse Park. The Common Pleas Courthouse was built in 1854 and used as Union headquarters, with prisoners of war held in the basement. This was once a site where enslaved people were bought and sold, and later, where black men from the region enlisted to fight for their freedom in the Union Army. A monument now stands here honoring U.S. Colored Troops, including James Ivers, for whom the square is named. There is also a veterans monument on site, and east of the intersection, where Bellevue Street now stands, used to be the location of Fort A, one of four forts that encircled the city.
3. The Old Lorimier Cemetery was established in 1808 by Cape Girardeau's founder, Louis Lorimier, and many Civil War soldiers were buried here, often in unmarked graves. The cemetery is open by appointment only. Plan ahead, players. Read how to make an appointment here.
4. The Minton House at 444 Washington St was built in 1846 and is one of the oldest homes in Cape Girardeau. At the beginning of the Civil War, it was owned by a lawyer who published a newspaper in favor of secession. The house was later used as a smallpox hospital, and Union troops used the lawyer's printing press to print a pro-Union newspaper. This house is private property, but you can take photos from the street. If anyone accuses you of being a pervy weirdo, blow them a kiss. Just kidding. Tell them you're doing Cape's Civil War Driving Tour.
5. Now head to the SEMO campus. Houck Stadium was once a quarry that provided lime for cement during the Civil War. Fort B, another of the four forts that protected Cape, once stretched across this hilltop, around what is now Kent Library, its parking lot, and over toward Academic Hall. "During the Battle of Cape Girardeau, Fort B was heavily engaged with its cannon doing major work on the Confederate advance." -VisitCape's Civil War Sites Driving Tour PDF
6. At the corner of Broadway and Caruthers, there's a small memorial that you’ve probably driven past a thousand times without noticing. It marks the Battle of Cape Girardeau. In April 1863, Confederate General John Marmaduke brought about 5,000 men into Missouri. But Cape was ringed with armed hilltop forts, and the Confederates were outgunned. What followed was an artillery battle before they withdrew. Can you imagine Confederate troops advancing down Bloomfield Road? Supposedly, some fallen Confederates were laid to rest near what is now Grace United Methodist Church - yes, the pumpkin patch church.
7. At the corner of Ellis and Good Hope, there’s a small memorial marking the site of Fort C, one of the four forts that protected Cape during the Civil War. It doesn’t look like much now, but this was a strategic position overlooking Bloomfield Road. Bloomfield Road was one of the main approaches into the city, back when downtown Cape was the whole city.
8. Your final stop is Fort D, built in 1861 to defend the river approaches to Cape Girardeau. Positioned high above the Mississippi, it protected one of the city’s most important access points. Unlike the other forts, Fort D never saw action but served as a stronghold and deterrent. There is a stone building that sits on the location of the original powder house, just a small part of what was a large fort. This is a great place to end the tour because it's nice to get out, walk around, and take in the river view.

I highly recommend starting your Civil War Sites Driving Tour at the VisitCape office, so you can pick up a guide and map to assist your tour. I used the guide as my source for all of the above info, but the guide has even more sites and info than mentioned here. You can also check out this online resource.

And the best sponsor award goes to VisitCape, Cape Girardeau's official Convention & Visitors Bureau! Thank you for guest-hosting Backroad Weekly's local travel section this week! ❤️

This Weekend’s Happenings

Friday, March 20

​Sheep, Fiber & Farm Festival, Glenallen, MO - Spend the afternoon at the ranch with sheep shearing, a petting zoo, highland cattle, and ice cream. Support local sheep farming! 2-5pm. It's a Se/MO Clarkson's Farm.

​90s Trivia Night + Costume Contest, Scott City, MO - A 90's trivia night at the Riverhouse covering 90s music, movies, and pop culture, plus a costume contest. Now you don't have to wait until Halloween to be Baby Spice. 6:30-8:30pm.

​St. Paddy’s Bar Crawl, Perryville, MO - Grab a passport and get familiar with Perryville's downtown bars and eateries. Fun way to get to know a town. 6-11pm.

​Big Muddy Film Festival, Carbondale, IL - It's the Midwestern Cannes. One of the oldest university film festivals in the country is back with 70+ films. Free and unpretentious.

​Wicked Paducah Walking Tour, Paducah, KY - Take a 0.5-mile guided walk through Paducah’s darker past, from its former red light district to moonshiner trials and unsolved murders. Meets at Columbia Theatre. 7pm. $18.

Saturday, March 21

​Learn2 Climb, Middle Brook, MO - Missouri State Parks is hosting a beginner-friendly outdoor climbing course at Johnson’s Shut-Ins, where certified instructors teach safety basics before you try real rock routes. Gear is provided, but registration is required. 9am-2pm. Free!

​Sheep, Fiber & Farm Festival, Glenallen, MO - Another full day on the ranch with everything already mentioned, plus live music, vendors, food trucks, herding demos (dogs!), and plenty of sheep. 9am-5pm. Take advantage of being in the neighborhood to hit up Marble Hill's restaurants and antique shops.

​Solar Star Party, Poplar Bluff, MO - A hands-on space day with solar telescopes, a pop-up planetarium, and interactive stations led by SEMO astronomers. You’ll rotate through exhibits and actually look at the sun (safely). Runs in timed sessions between 11:30am-4:15pm. Free.

​Living in Ste. Genevieve House Tour, Ste. Genevieve, MO - Nosy house-lovers rejoice! Step inside 6 privately owned homes and hear how they’ve been renovated, restored, and reloved over and over. Tour at your own pace, then head downtown for shops, museums, and lunch. 11am-2pm. $15 adults.

​River Walk, Ste. Genevieve, MO - Take a ranger-guided walk along the levee and hear how the Mississippi River shaped the town’s history. 9:45am. Free. No tickets required. Just show up at the Welcome Center on time.

​Native Plant Sale, Cape Girardeau, MO - Make your yard a bird and pollinator haven, and a pretty one at that. Stock up on native plants, books, signs, and garden inspo. 8am-12pm. Free admission.

​Mystical Market of SEMO, Cape Girardeau, MO - Crystals, tarot, and handmade stuff at the AC Brase Arena. 10am-5pm. $8.

​Wine, Witches & Wicked Women, Cape Girardeau, MO - A Women’s History Month brunch at Fudio exploring powerful women who were labeled dangerous or worse. Conversation, wine tastings, and brunch bites in a woman-owned space. 11am-1pm. $25.

​Underground Jazz ft. Mark Tonelli, Cape Girardeau, MO - A night of live jazz at Scout Hall featuring an internationally touring guitarist with serious credentials. 7:30pm. $10-$15 ($72 table for 4).

​Kitten Yoga, Cape Girardeau, MO - A beginner-friendly yoga class surrounded by adoptable kittens, with all proceeds going to SEMO Pets. 1pm. $20.

​Purple Paw 5K, Jackson, MO - A run (or walk) with a good cause - bring your dog or just yourself and hit the course for Southeast Pets. Organized by local students. 8am.

​Shepherd Mountain UTV Summit Run, Ironton, MO - For one day, Shepherd Mountain Bike Park is allowing small guided UTV groups to climb to the summit via steep, rocky mining-era terrain with scenic overlook stops along the way. Sessions are capped at 10 vehicles, so reservations are required.

​Shamrock Shuffle 5K & Fun Run, Patterson, MO - St. Patrick’s themed race through Otahki Lake KOA campground with a 5K and 1-mile fun run/walk. Proceeds benefit the Care Camps Foundation.

​Spring Cleaning Parking Lot Sale, Sikeston, MO - A big seasonal clean-out at Country Pickins’ Flea Market with vendors set up and ready to sell. 9am-4:30pm.

​Hadler Shoe Tree Day, Perryville, MO - Toss a pair of shoes into one of Perry County’s quirkiest roadside landmarks - a shoe tree! - during this annual tradition. 1pm-2pm. Free.

​Maple Syrup Festival, Carbondale, IL - Watch syrup get made the old-school way, catch lumberjack shows, check out vendor booths, wear flannel, and eat sweets. Nature hikes, kids' activities, and live demos run all day. 9am-3:30pm. Free (pancake breakfast extra).

​Shawnee Hills Trail Group Hike, Shawnee National Forest, IL - Guided 4.5-mile out-and-back hike from the East Trigg Trailhead led by So/ILL celeb - Hiking With Shawn. Donuts and coffee provided after the hike.

​Big Muddy Film Festival, Carbondale, IL - More films, more genres, more artsy-fartsy fun. Documentaries, animation, experimental - it’s all there. Free.

​Coffee’N Dirt Roads, Jonesboro, IL - Coffee, 4x4 vehicles, and people who love Shawnee backroads. Meet up at Hebrewz Coffeehouse, chat about routes, check out the rides, then head out for a trail ride after. 10am.

​Spring Buffalo Day 2026, Cobden, IL - Watch the herd get weighed, tagged, and checked during this behind-the-scenes day at Bison Bluff Farms. Start time 8am (end time varies). Free.

​River to River Trail Hike (Ferne Clyffe), Goreville, IL - Join the River to River Trail Society for a 7-mile, moderately difficult hike with a stream crossing at Ferne Clyffe State Park. Intended for experienced hikers; bring water, snacks, and sturdy shoes. Meets at 10am. Free.

Sunday, March 22

​Learn2 Climb, Middle Brook, MO - Missouri State Parks is hosting a beginner-friendly outdoor climbing course at Johnson’s Shut-Ins where certified instructors teach safety basics before you try real rock routes. Gear is provided, but registration is required. 9am-2pm. Free!

​Mystical Market of SEMO, Cape Girardeau, MO - Day two, if you’re not done browsing or just want to go back for that thing you almost bought. 10am-4pm. $8 ($15 for weekend pass).

​Maple Syrup Festival, Carbondale, IL - Round two if you missed it Saturday. More syrup, more flannel, more pancakes. 9am-3:30pm. Free (pancake breakfast extra).

Plan Ahead - This section is for the fun you can't improvise, or events that require tickets that sell out fast

​Cross Rivers Blues Festival, Cape Girardeau, MO - A full night of blues and roots at Scout Hall with multiple bands, live sets, and appetizers. 7pm. $25 ($30 day of, $130 table for 4). Saturday, Mar 28.

​Watercolor Workshop with Julie Killian, Sikeston, MO - Learn watercolor techniques and create your own painting in this guided workshop. All supplies are included, so just show up ready to paint. Sunday, Mar 29, 3-5pm. $40 suggested donation.

​Skywarn Spotter Training, Poplar Bluff, MO - Learn how to identify and report severe weather, from tornadoes and wall clouds to hail, lightning, and flash flooding, in this free National Weather Service training at Three Rivers College. 6pm-8:30pm. Free. Monday, March 30.

​Spring Wildflower Walk - Apple Creek Conservation Area, Cape Girardeau, MO - Join a guided hike to learn about Missouri’s spring ephemeral wildflowers as they bloom before the forest canopy fills in. Transportation from the Cape Girardeau Nature Center to Apple Creek Conservation Area is provided. Wednesday, Apr 1, 1-4:30pm. Ages 16+.

​Kayak Chaos Cup, Dexter, MO - Dexter’s first-ever kayak races hit the city pond with divisions for singles, doubles, and kids 12 and under. Early entries get goodie bags. Saturday, Apr 18, 10am. $20.

​Citizens Police Academy, Cape Girardeau, MO - Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes at the police department? This free multi-week program offers an inside look at patrol work, investigations, K9 operations, and more. Thursdays, Apr-May, 6-8pm. Open to ages 18+ who live or work in Cape Girardeau. Applications available through the Cape Girardeau Police Department.

​SEMO MS Community Walk, Cape Girardeau, MO - A community walk around the Capaha Park pond to raise awareness and funds for Multiple Sclerosis research. Saturday, Apr 25, 9am at Capaha Park Shelter #1.

For each event, you’ll find more info at the link.​
​*Because these events are upcoming, they have not been vetted. That would require a time machine, and we don't have the funds. Party at your own discretion.

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WORD SCRAMBLE ANSWER: BLACKBIRD

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Absolutely overwhelmed (in the best way) to see so much love for Southeast Missouri and the areas nearby that we visit like the Ozark Foothills and the Shawnee. Thank you all for following along, liking our posts, and leaving helpful comments for other Se/MO-based day trippers.

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Welp, (*slaps knees), we better get goin'. A big thank you to our sponsor.

Catch you down the road.

Caitlan Hester
Publisher, Backroad Weekly