CHARLESTON, Mo. (KFVS) - The 58th annual Dogwood Azalea Festival is underway.
The event began years ago when gardening enthusiasts aimed to beautify the town of Charleston.
58 years later, it continues to be a staple in the Heartland.
One food stand that has been a part of the festival for 35 years is Jonalyn’s Concessions. It was previously known as Dizon’s Concessions. Their shish kebabs are a favorite amongst many attendees.
Jonathan Dizon is from the area but currently lives in Houston, Texas. Despite the distance, he still makes it up to the festival every year.
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“Anyone could do this, but it takes a relationship with all the communities that I go to,” Dizaon said. “What keeps me coming back is the people like Peggy and Mike who do a good job of making it feel like home in a community that is present and is willing to invite us back.”
Meanwhile, six landmark proposals are located just down the road from the festival on 101 North Main Street. They’re all part of The Charleston Landmark Project.
In an effort to attract visitors, Charleston native Mary Manley has offered $500K to commission a monument at the entrance of Main Street. Anyone is allowed to vote, which ends May 17.
“Everybody is spending a long time in the space [the exhibit], looking at the videos and models and the design boards, and they’re really taking their vote seriously,” said Matthew Jarratt, the art curator for the project. “We’ve had some great conversations about how to attract people back into Charleston because there are a lot of really interesting things happening in the town. We’ve got the hotel and the theater being regenerated. A lot of shops are reopening, so it’s a good time to do a project like this in Charleston.”
To vote on your favorite monument, head over to 101 North Main Street in Charleston.
During the festival, they’re open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Afterwards, they’re open Wednesdays through Sundays until May 17.
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