Members of the Mark Twain Festival committee met last week. In the photo are Lindsey Wilson University students: Leif Honaker, Gage Carnes, Shiane Lussier, Kassidy Phelps, Sabrina Ruiz, Tezon Mitchell; Anne Bird with Highland Station Gallery, Betsy Carter with Fiddlehead Farm, and Mayor Hoots.
Plans continue to progress on the Mark Twain Festival scheduled for June 19-20 in Columbia. There will be a reception on June 19th followed by a day of activities on June 20 in Columbia. The festival will commemorate the life of author Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens), whose mother, Jane Lampton Clemens resided in Columbia.
A mural depicting Mark Twain and his mother will be completed by early June with work scheduled to start in the next couple of weeks. The mural was designed by Lindsey Wilson University Student, Tezon Mitchell.
This project began as a collaboration between the Arts Administration Class at Lindsey Wilson University and the City of Columbia. Mike Watson with the local Adair County Genealogical Center will be doing a presentation on Saturday evening. Retired educator from the Adair County School System will be performing; as well as Dr. Robert Brock with Lindsey Wilson University and Richard Phelps, who will portray Colonel William Casey.
If you would like to be a sponsor, please contact by April 30, 2026.
(Mayor Pamela Hoots – City of Columbia)