Santa-Cali-Gon Days
(http://www.santacaligon.com) is an annual labor day weekend festival held intermittently since 1940 and continuously since 1973. it celebrates the city's heritage as the starting point of three great frontier trails, and has changed throughout the years: in the 1940's, men grew their beards from one sant-cali-gon to the next in beard-growing contests, whereas the 1950's saw exhibitions of horses and covered wagons, together with numerous other items that might have been purchased in independence before heading west. in more recent decades the festival, while retaining some of its old customs, has shifted to a carnival atmosphere, with numerous rides, booths and other venues offering a variety of food, beverages, crafts, entertainment including country and gospel music singers, and similar attractions. the "buffalo burgers" and funnel cakes are not to be missed! held on and adjacent to the town square. parking generally costs between $5-10 or more, depending upon how close to the festivities you wish to be and the availability of parking spaces!. free.
Vaile Strawberry Festival
(http://www.vailemansion.org) is held on the first saturday of june at the vaile mansion, 1500 n liberty, 5 blocks north of the square. in addition to strawberry treats, there are other concessions, free live local entertainment, a massive arts, crafts, antiques and bedding plant sale and display on the grounds of the mansion, displays of antique cars and children's activities. everything is free, except for home tours, food and drink and horse-drawn carriage rides.
Mule-drawn covered wagon ride
(http://www.pioneertrailsa...) you can usually catch a mule-drawn covered wagon ride on the square with pioneer trails adventures during the spring, summer and fall months; and, weather permitting, during the holiday season. fees $7-25, depending upon the ride's length and itinerary.
Chicago & Alton 1879 Depot
The two story depot contains three rooms on the first floor which are the waiting room, stationmasters room & baggage room. On the second floor, four rooms, which were formerly the stationmasters residence, are the kitchen, dining room, bedroom and the parlor. Each of these rooms is furnished in the period circa 1879. Inside you will find pot-bellied stoves, the original waiting room benches and old Chicago & Alton advertising posters.