Maple Leaf Festival full of traditions, libations

Piper Pierce has more than a few Maple Leaf Festivals under her belt.
When it comes to planning for the week of family and class reunions, parades and plenty of parties, Piper told me to start early and pace your self.
“You have to start with a big breakfast and a Bloody mary on Saturday morning to do it right,” she said, laughing. “Just remember to eat a good lunch and snack throughout the day.”
If you do it right, she said, you can come out on the winning end of Southwest Missouri’s largest party weekend. Piper, like many Carthage residents, loves hosting a Maple Leaf house party.
For some, the Maple Leaf Festival is a bigger event than Christmas. It holds special significance for Piper. Her daughter Keegan was born during Maple Leaf 28 years ago. I bet that makes it a hard holiday — and birthday — to forget.
“We start with Bloody marys and then go to beer at noon and usually to a signature Maple Leaf drink for the evening party,” she said as I shopped for wine at Annie’s Epicurean Delights, 116 W. Third Street in Carthage, where she works. “It’s an all-day affair.”
Piper suggests picking up a jar of Bloody Buddies — marinated celery and carrots — to jazz up your tomato and vodka cocktails ($8 at Annie’s).
This year, Piper said, she has a special pumpkin spiced drink for the weeklong celebration of fall. After Saturday’s big parade, Annie’s will offer a wine and liquor tasting for those still in search of libations and snacks to enhance their Maple Leaf revelry.
“We have tastings daily, but this is going to be extra special,” Piper said. “There will be new food items and dips to try and a selection of wines and liquors, too.”
This year, Piper will serve her guests a new fall-themed drink.
“It’s pumpkin liquor and Bailey’s Irish Cream. It’s really good,” she said, bragging. “It gets really chilly at night around this time of year. This drink will warm you up.”
When planning a party where some alcohol will be consumed, Piper stresses planning ahead and securing a designated driver to get your guests home safely — and without need of a bondsman — after the long day of activities, and Bloody Marys.
Carthage tradition
Over on the other corner of the Carthage Square, Jim Hodson, owner of Jim’s Bar and Grill, 325 E. Fourth Street, has his crew prepping for a long weekend of bands and brews.
I’ve known Jim and his family for more than a decade and I cut my Maple Leaf party teeth working in his bar.
I remember my first Maple Leaf in Carthage but, I admit, the memories are somewhat fuzzy. Jim’s was the first time I ever saw Hank Rotten and Allen Ross perform their classics “Sleeping with my Butt to the Wall” and “When the Shiite hits the fan.” Jukebox must haves, I say. It was the first place I enjoyed a Natty Light and my first exposure to the Maple Leaf City’s throw-down lifestyle.
“It’s the biggest holiday that’s not really a holiday,”Jim said, joking. “We’ll have a big-ass crowd for sure. This place gets packed.”
Packed is an understatement where Jim’s Bar is concerned. Jim’s joint has always been a hub of Maple Leaf activity with a 30 year tradition of … well, throwing a great party. This year will be no exception.
Day Old Sunshine, featuring former members of Jenkin’s Dirt, will take the stage at 8 p.m. on Friday. After the parade on Saturday, Allen Ross will entertain in the beer garden from 2 until 4 p.m. Later that night, Hadacol, with Carthage boy Sam Platt, is the headliner.
You never know who might show up at Jim’s. It always attracts an eclectic crowd ready to get their Maple Leaf on.
Judges and off-duty law enforcement officers socialize with rockers, artists and scofflaws of all stripes. Regular folks looking for a cheap cheeseburger and a cold beer mingle with the well-heeled of the county. It’s a crazy-fun crowd. I don’t know how it happens, but the miracle of Maple Leaf draws people together.
I asked Jim why he looks forward to Maple Leaf week. He just laughed.
“It’s the week when I make enough money to pay all of my bills and taxes,” he said. “It’s like Christmas for me and the party is bigger than New Year’s Eve.”
That’s big.
‘Bring it on!’
On my recent reconnaissance mission to Carthage I wanted to find out what’s new and hot in Maple Leaf libations.
I stopped in at Savannah’s, 1926 S. Garrison. The restaurant and lounge is owned by Vince Scott, a friend with whom I have knocked back a few brews throughout the years.
Vince opened Savannah’s several years ago and I’ve been meaning to stop in and have a drink: My bad. It was as if we had just talked yesterday. Vince chided me for taking two years to stop in at his new venture and then we caught up and talked Maple Leaf.
Class reunions have Vince’s restaurant booked, but Vinnie’s Lounge is open to the public. Stop in as ask for one of Vince’s signature “Kitty Cocktails.” He contends they will start a new Maple Leaf tradition if you give one a try.
I asked Vince, a Carthage transplant, if he was ready for the Maple Leaf City ’s annual fall festival.
“Bring it on,” he said with a grin.
Drink responsibly, and cheers!