Arrow Rock, Missouri will host a three-day 50th anniversary celebration of an American literary and film musical classic, Tom Sawyer during July 2-4.
In the Summer of 1972, Arrow Rock was chosen as a “stand-in” for 1840s Hannibal for the musical production of Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer. The village and its historic buildings were used as sets and dozens of local and regional residents appeared as the Hannibal townsfolk.
Two of the film’s featured actors will return to Arrow Rock to celebrate. John Whitaker (“Tom Sawyer”) and Joshua Hill Lewis (“Cousin Sidney”) will join in several panel discussions and appearances. Writer and Documentarian Jeffrey Sherman will screen his film about his father and uncle, and wrote the song score screenplay for Tom Sawyer.
The 50th Anniversary of the filming of this classic musical includes events, special visitors, film screenings, and a whole-town commemoration of Tom Sawyer and one of its greatest stars, the village of Arrow Rock. Admission for all events and activities is free.
A walk-through exhibit about the making of Tom Sawyer and how it was brought to Arrow Rock opens the week of June 27 at Arrow Rock State Historic Site Small Gallery, located at 39521 Visitor Center Drive in Arrow Rock. The exhibit is scheduled to be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day through Labor Day Weekend.
There are also several events scheduled during July 2-4 at Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre and Arrow Rock State Historic Site. The schedule of events include:
SATURDAY, JULY 2:
10 a.m.- First Saturdays: “Adapting Twain”-A Panel Discussion
11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. – MRBO KnOWLedge Nest
11 a.m.-2:30 p.m – Entertainer Paul Fotsch
12-2 p.m. – Games on the Tavern Lawn
2 p.m. – Guided Tour of Film Locations
5 p.m. – “The boys: The sherman brothers story” Screening and Q&A
SUNDAY, JULY 3:
11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. – MRBO KnOWLedge Nest Open
11 a.m. – Guided Tour of Film Locations
11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. – Entertainer Paul Fotsch
12-2 p.m. – Games on the Tavern Lawn
2 p.m. – Tom Sawyer: An Arrow Rock Family Reunion
7 p.m. – Made in Missouri: The Production of Tom Sawyer
MONDAY, JULY 4:
11 a.m. – Guided Tour of Film Locations
12-2 p.m. – Games on the Tavern Lawn
1-3 p.m. – Violinist Raoul Brcu, Live Music Performance in the Village
3 p.m. – Impromptu Parade
6 p.m. – Potluck Picnic
9 p.m. – Tom Sawyer Outdoor Screening
Event activities and attendees are subject to change. For more information about the celebration and the events, visit https://arrowrock.org/upcoming-events/#event-list.