a very Truman birthday

A VERY TRUMAN BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Independence, Missouri honors the nation’s 33^rd President May 3

            During a year when presidents are on everyone’s mind, join Independence , Missouri , in celebrating the birth of Harry S. Truman, our nation’s 33^rd chief executive. Harry S. Explore his home, ponder his decisions in his Presidential Library, and visit the places he loved and knew as the city pays tribute to this great man  Saturday, May 3. 

            One of Truman’s first careers was as a farmer on the family farm in Grandview . For the second year, the Dream Factory Tractor Parade will pay homage to farmer Truman with a caravan of 150 to 200 tractors. They will converge on the Square, 116 W. Lexington ,  from 6 to 7 a.m and will remain parked and on display until 10 a.m. The tractors will leave for the day, and return again at 4 p.m.

After you’ve had a chance to examine the tractors, wander over to the parking lot on the northwest corner of Liberty and Truman to pick up fresh home-grown local produce and unique home-made crafts at the opening day of the Farmer’s Market. The market, which will operate Saturdays during May and then Wednesdays and Saturdays from June through October, will be open from 7 am . To 3 p.m.

 In honor of Truman’s famous quote, “The Buck Stops Here”, tourism sites will offer dollar admission all day. Participating attractions include the Puppetry Arts Institute, 11025 E. Winner Road, Harry S. Truman Home Historic Site, 219 N. Delaware, Vaile Mansion, 1500 N. Liberty,  Harry S Truman Library & Museum,  500 US 24 Highway,  National Frontier Trails Museum and Chicago and Alton Depot, (both at 318 W. Pacific),  1859 Jail & Marshal's Home and the Bingham-Waggoner Estate, 313 W. Pacific. The Community of Christ Temple, 201 S. River and Independence Mormon Visitors Center, 937 W. Walnut, are free all day.

For a buck a person, you can catch a trolley in front of the Truman statue from 11:00 to 2:30. The trolley will run a continuous circle from the Square to all participating sites except the Puppetry Arts Institute.   A new stop on the trolley circuit will be added this year. Volunteers at the red brick Trinity Episcopal Church, 409 N. Liberty, are preparing free tours for May 3. The tour will feature stories and personal artifacts about Truman heritage and family events which occurred at the Church.  Tours will begin at 11 a.m. and conclude at 3 p.m.

If you stop in the Harry S. Truman Ticket and Visitors Center, 223 N. Main, you can also see the free temporary exhibit, “Soldier to Senator” on display till June1.

It just wouldn’t be a real birthday celebration without cake. The city is invited to enjoy free birthday cake with Harry in front of the Truman statue at the historic courthouse from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

For more information about Truman’s birthday or tourism sites and events, call 325-7111 or go to  www.visitindependence.com.

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