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Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival in Marshfield, MO, Marshfield, MO (2026)

06/18/2026

Our Cherry Blossom Festival community will surely miss the legendary Ronnie Schell (1931–2026), who passed away on June 12.

We fondly remember his appearance at our 2019 festival, where he participated in the Nostalgia Fest Autograph Show and was honored with the Edwin P. Hubble Medal of Initiative.

Ronnie left a remarkable impact on the entertainment industry and he will be remembered by generations of fans.

Here are a few of our festival memories with Ronnie.

06/12/2026

Our Cherry Blossom Festival community was heartbroken today to receive the news that our beloved Margaret Kerry has passed away at the age of 97.

Known affectionately to many of us as the “Queen of the Cherry Blossom Festival,” Margaret was a frequent VIP guest whose kindness, grace, and genuine spirit touched countless lives. She possessed a warm heart, an infectious smile, and was the very definition of a true lady.

Over the years, Margaret became an important part of our festival family. She served as the featured speaker for the annual Cherry Blossom Tea on two occasions, spoke during Cherry Blossom Sunday services, participated in plays, interviews, and special programs, and always brought joy and enthusiasm wherever she went. One of our fondest memories was celebrating her 90th birthday during the festival with a special party surrounded by friends and admirers.

Margaret was much more than a talented entertainer. She was a woman of deep faith, resilience, independence, and determination. She faced life with remarkable grace and remained a true friend to so many of us. Whether she was sharing stories, greeting festival guests, or taking part in one of the many festival events, she left an impression that will never be forgotten.

Although Margaret, the ultimate entertainer, has taken her final curtain call, her memory will remain a cherished part of the Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival. Each spring when we gather in Marshfield, we will remember her laughter, her stories, and the joy she brought to our community.

And when we look up into the night sky and search for that “Second Star to the Right,” may we find comfort in picturing Margaret, smiling down on all of us from the Heavens above. Perhaps that star will seem a little brighter now, reminding us of a life well lived, a friendship deeply treasured, and a woman whose kindness and spirit will continue to shine in our hearts for years to come.

Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and the many fans whose lives she touched throughout her extraordinary journey. Thank you, Margaret, for the memories, the friendship, and the joy you brought to our festival and to all of us who were blessed to know you.

Please enjoy a few of our many Cherry Blossom memories with Margaret in the pictures below.

06/08/2026

Each year during the Cherry Blossom Festival, we honor six authors whose work has contributed to the preservation of history and enriched its pages for future generations through the annual presentation of the Ella Dickey Literacy Awards.

Named in honor of Marshfield’s first librarian, Ella Dickey (1883–1969), the award celebrates a remarkable legacy of literacy and learning. Miss Dickey served as Marshfield’s librarian for more than 50 years, helping generations of residents discover the joy of reading and the importance of education. The award was first presented in 2002 by the Webster County Literacy Council and continues to be one of the festival’s annual traditions.

The 2026 Ella Dickey Literacy Award presentation was held on April 24th at Marshfield Assembly of God. This year’s honorees included Martin Mack Teasley, Virgal Woolfolk, Doug Hartline, Michael Croland, and Bobby Tomberlin.

Those in attendance also enjoyed a special musical performance by the Marshfield Blue Jay Singers under the direction of Dr. Michael Dove.

We congratulate this outstanding class of honorees and thank them for their dedication to preserving our nation’s history and heritage for generations to come.

06/07/2026

Today, on the 82nd anniversary of D-Day, we pause to remember one of the most significant moments in world history and honor the courage, sacrifice, and determination of those who stormed the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944.

As we reflect on that historic day, we remember several of our late Cherry Blossom Festival friends and heroes whose lives were forever shaped by the events of World War II. We especially honor Dr. Tommy Macdonnell, Jack Hamlin, and the legendary Louis Graziano, all of whom performed heroic deeds on the faraway beaches of Normandy during the D-Day invasion. The courage displayed by these men and their comrades helped save the world from tyranny and tremendous evil. Their actions altered the course of history and secured freedoms that generations of Americans have enjoyed ever since.

Their heroism will never be forgotten, and we owe them a debt of gratitude that can never truly be repaid. How fortunate we have been as a festival community to hear their first-hand accounts through the years, preserving their stories and ensuring that their experiences continue to educate and inspire future generations.

We also remember our late friend Robert Boeke, who arrived on the beaches of Normandy shortly after the battles had ended. He often shared stories of the dangerous work of sweeping for mines before continuing on to Belgium to join the 86th Infantry Division. His service, too, played an important role in securing victory and restoring peace.

On this anniversary of D-Day, we honor all who served, all who sacrificed, and all who helped liberate Europe. May we never forget their courage, their devotion to duty, and the tremendous price paid for freedom.

06/05/2026

We were honored to welcome members of the Society of the Ingalls Family to this year's Cherry Blossom Festival.

The Society of the Ingalls Family is a newly formed nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating and preserving the shared heritage of the Ingalls family. Their mission is to share the family's rich history, collect and archive memorabilia and stories, and support and strengthen the extended Ingalls family and community. In doing so, the organization seeks to create a living record of the American experience—much as Laura Ingalls Wilder did through her beloved books—and to continue her legacy for future generations.

During the festival weekend, the Society held its inaugural meeting at The Depot and hosted a featured mixer that was included on the official festival schedule. The gathering brought together Society members, supporters of the new organization, and cast members from Little House on the Prairie.

Board members also attended and participated in a variety of festival events throughout the weekend.

We congratulate the Society of the Ingalls Family on this exciting new chapter and look forward to seeing the organization grow and flourish in the years ahead.

For more information about joining the Society of the Ingalls Family, please email [email protected].

06/02/2026

Robert and Johnna Clarke of Marceline, MO, were invited by Rev. Nicholas Inman to speak at Nellie's Little House Breakfast at the Cherry Blossom Festival on April 24. They are a husband-and-wife team who specialize in motorcoach group travel leadership and utilize a combined total of over 75 years of travel experience to ensure travelers enjoy a carefree vacation.

At the breakfast, they announced a unique opportunity for Little House fans ages youth + to experience most of the Little House sites. Together they customized the "Little House on the Motorcoach" trip, which will originate and terminate in Mansfield, MO. Sites included on the tour include Independence, KS, De Smet, SD, Walnut Grove, MN, Spring Valley, MN, Pepin, WI, and Burr Oak, IA. A visit is planned to the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum which houses documents from a Laura Ingalls Wilder collection. Additional attractions are included throughout South Dakota and Iowa that illustrate life from the years of Laura's time. The Laura Ingalls Wilder Home and Museum in Mansfield is not included in the official tour July 14-22, 2027, allowing travelers a flexible schedule to include it either before or after the motorcoach portion has concluded.

Johnna, a Little House fan since reading the entire series in fourth grade, is delighted to offer this excursion for other fans to enjoy. Robert, a more recently devoted follower of Little House events, enjoys navigating and planning the routes to make them most enjoyable and economical. Together the Clarkes offer their knowledge and services to travelers via customized itineraries.

Please feel free to reach out to them for information about the Little House on the Motorcoach excursion (contact information included in the attached brochure). Adventure awaits you!

06/01/2026

Our Cherry Blossom Festival community wishes to congratulate DEK of Hearts on their debut on the Grand Ole Opry. DEK of Hearts has a special place in our festival's history as they performed at the festival two years ago as the opening act for Rhonda Vincent. We are all so proud of them and we wish them much success in the future!

05/27/2026

During this year’s Cherry Blossom Festival, the Congressional Gold Medal was presented to the family of the late Alverta Hargis (1908–2000) in recognition of her service as a Rosie the Riveter during World War II. The presentation was made on behalf of Congressman Mark Alford’s office. Congress approved the Rosie the Riveter Congressional Gold Medal Act in 2020, honoring the millions of women who worked in factories and shipyards during the war. The legislation was signed into law on December 3, 2020, and the medals were officially awarded in Washington, D.C., on April 10, 2024. Since that time, medals have continued to be presented to those who were unable to attend the national ceremony or posthumously to those who have passed away.

The special ceremony was held on Friday, April 24 at the Marshfield Assembly of God with members of Alverta Hargis’s family in attendance. Mrs. Hargis was represented by her last surviving child, Joyce Inman, along with other immediate family members. Her granddaughter Debbie Shrum of Idaho spoke about her legacy, and her great grandson Rev. Nicholas W. Inman (founder of the Cherry Blossom Festival) also gave remarks. A flag that had been flown over the United States Capitol was also presented to the family.

Mrs. Hargis was a longtime resident of the Dogwood community, and she was born in a covered wagon and raised in a sod house in Wauneta, Nebraska. She was a true pioneer who was among the generation that gave their best efforts for their country. She was famous for her legendary apple pies, and the grand champion prize of the annual apple pie contest during the Seymour Apple Festival in Seymour, Missouri, is named in her honor. The annual “Grandma’s Pie Shack” at the Cherry Blossom Festival (a fundraiser for the Webster County Historical Society) is also held in her memory.

05/26/2026

The Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival community is saddened to learn of the passing of Robert Boeke, beloved husband of Margaret Kerry. Robert and Margaret shared a true love story following their Valentine’s Day wedding in 2020, and their devotion to one another touched the hearts of many.

Robert, born in August 1925, was a proud World War II veteran who served with the 341st Infantry Regiment, 86th Infantry Division. During the war, because he spoke German, he was asked by his colonel to go forward and accept the surrender of a large group of German soldiers. Standing before hundreds of troops, he called for them to come out of the trees, lay down their weapons, and assured them they would not be harmed. After a second request, the soldiers emerged carrying their rifles and wearing their helmets. A German colonel then arrived in a convertible Mercedes to formally surrender his troops.

When the German officer asked where the American commanding officer was, Robert explained that he had been authorized to accept the surrender because he spoke German. Though hesitant at first, the colonel ultimately surrendered to him and even offered Robert his Luger pistol. The two men saluted one another, and Robert assured him that his men would be treated fairly as prisoners of war. Robert then organized the surrender, directing the soldiers to line up in columns of six and lay down their weapons before escorting the German colonel to the camp.

Robert’s courage, humility, and remarkable life story left a lasting impression on all who had the privilege of hearing it. He was honored as a 2025 recipient of the Edwin P. Hubble Medal of Initiative for his remarkable service.

Our festival family sends its love and prayers to Margaret and the entire Boeke family during this difficult time.

*Here are a few Cherry Blossom Festival memories shared with Robert.

05/24/2026

The 2nd annual First Ladies Walk was once again a special featured event of the Cherry Blossom Festival as area 5th grade students gathered to learn more about the lives and legacies of America’s First Ladies.

Held on Friday, April 24 in the yard of the historic Dickey House, this year’s event was organized by the First Ladies Chapter of the NDAR, Marshfield’s new chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Students moved from station to station hearing presentations from local ladies portraying America’s First Ladies and learning about their important roles in our nation’s history.

The First Ladies Walk was originally organized in honor of the festival’s 20th anniversary in 2025, as Marshfield is the birthplace of National First Ladies Day. This year, members of the general public were also invited to attend and enjoy the historical presentations.

Here are a few snapshots from the walk and from those who participated in bringing history to life for the many students and guests.

Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival in Marshfield, MO

06/18/2026

06/12/2026

06/08/2026

06/07/2026

06/05/2026

06/02/2026

06/01/2026

05/27/2026

05/26/2026

05/24/2026

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