Downtown Houston, Inc.

06/05/2026

Here’s a good overview of projects underway in the downtown business district. Other improvements are coming.

06/02/2026

Three dance rehearsals are planned for Saturday, June 13, at the Melba Performing Arts Center in downtown Houston.
The theme is, “Movie Awards. A Red Carpet Event.” It is filled with music from award-winning movies.
Start times are 1, 3 and 5 p.m. at the Grand Avenue venue. It is free.
It features performers from the STARS Foundation.

05/24/2026

Mark your calendars for activities in June at the Melba Performing Arts Center:

•Spring dance rehearsal, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, June 13. STARS Foundation event that includes ballet, hip hop, jazz, clogging, taekwondo, tap, contemporary, modern and tumbling students. Admission is free.

•Annie Broadway production, 7 p.m. Thursday, June 25; 7 p.m. Friday, June 26; and 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, June 27. Based on the popular comic strip by Harold Gray, Annie has become a worldwide phenomenon and the winner of seven Tony Awards. Production by STARS Foundation.

05/05/2026

Houston is featured in a statewide publication, and watch a video about Emmett Kelly and the day that honors him.

Raised in rural Missouri, Emmett Kelly set out to do something big in life. He created one of the most well-known clowns in history.

04/25/2026

Lots of attendees at this year’s events.

04/21/2026

Two additions have been announced for Emmett Kelly Day in downtown Houston:
Meet Larry Clark (JustLarry the Clown) will be joining us along with World Class Ringmaster Dinny McGuire (MC), both of Ringling Brothers fame!

Entertainment starts at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 25. We’ll see you there!

04/19/2026

It’s time to grab the face paint and pull out the clown costumes: Emmett Kelly Day is Saturday in downtown Houston.
After months of organizing, this year’s celebration of Emmett Kelly Sr., who was raised on a farm east of Houston, gets underway with a movie Friday night in Emmett Kelly Park followed by dozens of activities on Saturday.

This is the first year for a statewide recognition on the last Saturday annually in Missouri, a result of state legislation. Festival organizers have worked to give this year’s event statewide exposure, including through Visit Missouri.

Organized by the City of Houston with volunteers, the festival lends recognition to Kelly, the star of the circus, television and movies. He died in 1979. Kelly’s daughter, Stasia, will attend.

Here’s the latest activities schedule: ACTIVITIES: https://houstonherald.com/2026/04/events-announced-for-emmett-kelly-event-on-april-25/

GRANDSTAND: https://houstonherald.com/2026/04/grandstand-entertainment-announced-for-kelly-day/

04/12/2026

We're excited by this year's Emmett Kelly Day!

There will be a lot of activities in downtown Houston:

Thousands of people are expected Saturday, April 25, for Emmett Kelly Day in Houston, a statewide celebration of the world-famous clown whose career spanned the circus world, television and movies.
Kelly was raised on a farm at Houston, where today a large park is named in his honor. Murals are located downtown.
The celebration — which is expected to be one of the biggest in recent years — occurs in downtown Houston.
Dozens of activities are planned. Vendors will be in attendance. Here’s a link to follow it all: https://bit.ly/3QfrO6f
A website is at https://downtownhoustonmo.org

A few highlights for April 25:
5K RUN: Begins and ends at Lone Star Plaza at Pine Street and Grand Avenue. Prizes will be awarded. T-shirts available. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m.
PARADE: At 11 a.m. clowns and entries pour onto Grand Avenue. Stasia Kelly, the daughter of Kelly Sr., will appear. Persons also can meet Chris Berry of the Circus Historical Society, an expert on circuses.
WINDJAMMERS: About 30 members of the renowned band that works to preserve and perform traditional circus will perform tunes beginning at 1 p.m.
CHILI COOKOFF: Compete for prizes in several categories. Register ends soon.
CAR SHOW: Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. at Grand Avenue and Main Street. Entries also will participate in the parade. Prizes awarded.
Lots of free kid-friendly activities, including a petting zoo and rock-climbing wall, are planned. Attendees can attend a chamber demolition derby at the fairgrounds on North U.S. to close out the day.
Some activities are in advance of Kelly Day. A movie night is planned at 6:45 p.m. Friday, April 24, at Emmett Kelly Park with live music, hot dogs and popcorn. The Oscar-winning “The Greatest Show on Earth,” featuring Kelly Sr., follows the 6 p.m. kindergarten circus at Hiett Gymnasium. Movie begins at 8.
A golf tournament is Saturday, April 18, at Houston Municipal Golf Course.
To learn more, contact Travis Witzemann, City of Houston economic developer, at 417-217-4225 or email him at [email protected].

The Windjammers:

04/10/2026

Here’s a complete rundown of activities planned for Emmett Kelly Day on April 25 in Houston. It is going to be busy!

A full slate of activities were announced for Emmett Kelly Day in Houston on April 25.

04/10/2026

Representatives of Downtown Houston, Inc. and City of Houston MO attended the meeting Wednesday in Jefferson City.