Main Street Kirksville Receives $5,000 Missouri Humanities Grant
2026 Whiskey & Turkey Festival Will Bigger Than Ever!
The Missouri Humanities Council (MHC) has awarded a grant of $5,000 to Main Street Kirksville in support of the 2026 Kirksville Whiskey & Turkey Festival.
The MHC is the only statewide agency in Missouri devoted exclusively to humanities education for citizens of all ages. It has served as a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities since 1971.
The grant will support humanities programming at the 2026 Kirksville Whiskey & Turkey Festival, connecting community members with Kirksville's rich local history and cultural heritage. The festival is designed as a celebration and acknowledgment of northeast Missouri's history and community identity. This year's festival takes place Saturday, September 12, 2026 in downtown Kirksville from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. and features live music, games, food trucks, and whiskey tastings.
"We are incredibly honored to receive this support from the Missouri Humanities Council. This grant allows us to deepen the educational and cultural experience at the Whiskey & Turkey Festival, giving our community a meaningful opportunity to connect with Kirksville's unique history. The Missouri Humanities Council plays a vital role supporting Missouri communities, and we are grateful to be a part of that mission." — Laci Cook, Executive Director, Main Street Kirksville
Main Street Kirksville is a non-profit organization dedicated to the revitalization of downtown Kirksville through historic preservation, community events, and economic development.
The annual Kirksville Whiskey & Turkey Festival kicks off the Missouri fall festival season and takes place annually the first Saturday after Labor Day.
For more information about Main Street Kirksville and the 2026 Whiskey & Turkey Festival, contact Laci Cook at info@mainstreetkirksville.com.
For more information about the grants program of the Missouri Humanities Council, call 314-781-9660 or 800-357-0909 or email clarice@mohumanities.org. #missourihumanities #mainstreetkirksville #wtf
