It's Almost Here!

INTERESTED IN BEING A VENDOR

Join hundreds of vendors from across the Midwest as we celebrate at one of top festivals in Central Missouri! The Stover's Rock Island Festival is the perfect opportunity to share your handcrafted arts & crafts, business, or civic/non-profit with hundreds of people! We would love for you to join us!

For more information call:

• Vendor Coordinator: Holly Horton 573-832-8853

BE A VENDOR AT THE STOVER'S ROCK ISLAND FESTIVAL

If you’re interested in becoming a vendor at the Stover Rock Island Festival on Saturday, October 10th, 2026, please download and mail the completed application along with your payment using the link below, or complete the online application, and we will send you an invoice for payment.

For more information:

• Vendor Coordinator: Holly Horton 573-832-8853
• Festival Activities & Culinary Coordinator: Pie and Chili Contest: Gina Engelbrecht at 573-789-0166
• Festival Experience & Marketing Coordinator: Live Entertainment, Sponsorship, Advertising, and Royal Court Competition: TBA
• BBQ Competition Coordinator: Karen Watkinson : 573-746-1011
• Bike and Car Show: Karen Watkinson : 573-746-1011
• Festival Treasurer & Apparel Coordinator: Bobbie Kroeschen 660-221-4359

2026 VENDOR LINE UP

Enter The Kansas City Barbeque Society's Stover BBQ Competition

To compete in the KCBS Sanctioned BBQ Competition, please fill out the application below. Once we receive your completed application, we will send you an invoice for your entry fee.
For more information call: BBQ Competition Coordinator Karen: 573-746-1011

Deadline to enter October 7th, 2026

Event will be held Friday, October 9th, 2026 - Saturday, October 10, 2026 downtown Stover, Missouri

Three Categories: chicken, ribs & pork, people's choice

• Entry Fee $175 plus $3.50 processing fee

Only ribs and chicken will receive TOY points. No points will be given for pork only trophies , Money and bragging rights .

• Pork entry is not required to participate.

First thru Fifth place winners for each Catagory (15 trophies given)

• Fifth Place Winner: $100 cash plus trophy
• Fourth Place Winner: $125 cash plus trophy
• Third Place Winner: $150 cash plus trophy
• Second Place Winner: $175 cash plus trophy
• First Place Winners: $200 cash plus trophy

Reserve Champion Pit Master: $650 cash plus trophy

Grand Champion Pit Master: $1,500.00 cash plus trophy

For a total of 17 trophies and $4,400 prize money

2026 COLLECTIVE T-SHIRT

Online Store will open on September 2nd through September 18th

The Stover Area Chamber of Commerce Rock Island Festival T-shirts are here! Every town has a story t-shirts.  We may have a limited supply the day of the festival at the chamber booth. Your support is the cornerstone of our community. It fosters growth, unity, and the vibrant heartbeat of our local chamber of commerce and community. Thank you so much!

Order Online Prior to September 18th to be Guaranteed a 2026 Rock Island Festival T-shirt

Final schedule for 2026 TBA.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FOR 2026

Friday, October 9th, 2026

Downtown Stover, Missouri

Kickoff Evening

All Aboard the Rock Island Festival!
Join us for an exciting start to the 5th Annual Stover’s Rock Island Festival with food, drinks, music, and community fun!

8:00 pm - Midnight

• Live Entertaiment by Ponch Burkhart
• Tacos &Margaritas - Veracruz Jr.
• All are welcome. ID's checked at the gate: Alcohol can only be purchased after obtaining event wristband.
• KCBS Sanctioned BBQ Competition - For more information call: BBQ Competition Coordinator: Karen Watkinson : 573-746-1011

3:00 pm - 7:00 pm

• KCBS Sanctioned BBQ Competition Check in at the American Legion Hall (2nd and Main Street)

7:00 pm

• Cook meeting with KCBS Representatives at American Legion Hall

Saturday, October 10th, 2025

9:00 am

• Opening Ceremony - American Legion, Post 343, Color Guard
• National Anthem and Opening Prayer at Dandelion Hill Market and Venue
• Opening Prayer: Michael Lowe
• National Anthem: TBA

All Day Events, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Location: Downtown Stover

• Vendor Fair..
• Kids Zone Bounce Houses, Face Painting and Pony rides. Location: TBA

11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p..m.

• Live Entertaiment by Fred
• Pie and Chili Competition - For more information call: Gina Engelbrecht at 573-789-0166

9:00 am - 11:00 am.

• Pie and Chili Contestant Check-In at the Dandelion Hill Venue

11:30 am

• Pie and Chili Tasting and Judging at the Dandelion Hill Venue

2:00 pm

• Pie & Chili Contest Awards - Main Stage -Downtown Stover

2:30 pm.

• Pie Auction- Main Stage -Downtown Sover

10:00 am - 2:00 pm

• "Show Off Yours" Car and Bike Show -Downtown Stover

KCBS Sanctioned BBQ Competition:

For more information call: Karen Watkinson : 573-746-1011

10:30 a.m.

• BBQ Judges Check in at the American Legion Hall

11:00 a.m.

• BBQ Judges Meeting

12:00 p.m.

• BBQ Competition (Chicken) Check in at the American Legion Hall

12:30 p.m.

• BBQ Competition (Rib) Check in at the American Legion Hall

1:00 p.m.

• BBQ Competition (Pulled Pork) Check in at the American Legion Hall

Stover's Rock Island Festival Awards

Main Stage - Downtown Stover

2:00 pm

• Awards Presentations Begin
• Pie & Chili Contest Award Presentations
• Pie Auction
• Car Display Award Presentation
• KCBS BBQ Contest Award Presentation

Handicap parking is available throughout the festival at Christ Lutheran Church at 505 West Second Street

Stover’s Rock Island Fest Presented by the Stover Area Chamber of Commerce
stoverchamberofcommerce@gmail.com

For more information call:
Vendor Coordinator: Holly Horton 573-832-8853
Pie and Chili Contest: Gina Engelbrecht at 573-789-0166
Festival Experience & Marketing Coordinator: Live Entertainment, Sponsorship, Advertising, Website, Social Media and Royal Court Competition: TBA
BBQ Competition Coordinator: Karen Watkinson : 573-746-1011
Bike and Car Show: Karen Watkinson : 573-746-1011
Festival Treasurer & Apparel Coordinator: Bobbie Kroeschen 660-221-435

BECOME A SPONSOR OF THE 2026 ROCK ISLAND FESTIVAL

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all those who expressed interest in sponsoring the upcoming Annual Stover's Rock Island Festival. Your support means the world to us and we couldn't make this event possible without you!

For more details on how to become a sponsor and lend your support to this amazing event, please download the sponsorship forms below. We've included all the information you need to get involved and make a big difference.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to shoot us an email at stoverchamberofcommerce@gmail.com. We're here to help and we can't wait to see our community come together for an unforgettable festival! Deadline to be a sponsor is May 1st, 2026

Vendor Coordinator: Holly Horton 573-832-8853
Pie and Chili Contest: Gina Engelbrecht at 573-789-0166
Festival Experience & Marketing Coordinator: Live Entertainment, Sponsorship, Advertising, Website, Social Media and Royal Court Competition: TBA
BBQ Competition Coordinator: Karen Watkinson : 573-746-1011
Bike and Car Show: Karen Watkinson : 573-746-1011
Festival Treasurer & Apparel Coordinator: Bobbie Kroeschen 660-221-4359