This year’s annual McGennis Youth Center Barbecue and Auction are set for Sunday, September 27.
2026 marks the 60th anniversary of the McGennis Youth Center. To mark this milestone, several things have been added to the barbecue along with all the traditional events.
This year there will be special demonstrations of blacksmithing and quilting, plus an historical reenactment of Betsy Ross. Youth Center board members will also be available to provide history of the Center and its founder, Mary McGennis.
As he has for a number of years, Harry Byram will be on hand to give horse and wagon rides starting at 12:30. Harry will also be available to answer questions and talk about his team and wagon.
In conjunction with the barbecue this year will be the Tenth Annual Car and Truck Show. Car show registration is from 12 to 1 p.m. For more information on the car show contact Jared Rankin at 417-448-4903 or rankinfarms@hotmail.com.
Children’s games will start at 12:30 p.m.
Serving for the barbecue is at 1 p.m., with barbecued beef, pork and chicken, along with beans, cheesy potatoes, coleslaw and bread. A wide variety of cakes will be available for dessert. Everyone is invited to bring a cake for the dessert table, if they’d like to. The meal is catered by Food Fair of Rich Hill.
The auction will start about 1:45. Larry Hacker will be our auctioneer this year.
A popular part of the auction will again be featured this year. The Mad Hatter features ten McGennis Youth Center caps donated by Pony Keg. These caps, each numbered, will be auctioned off. At the end of the auction one of these numbers will be drawn. That winning number will win this year’s gun donated by Bell Farms.
In the same vein, Bob Schlyer has donated a beautiful diamond ring. Numbered envelopes will be auctioned off and a lucky winner drawn at the end of the auction.
For more information about the auction or to donate an item call Marc or Alison Bell at 660-832-4196. The generosity of those who donate and those who bid has made the auction a major revenue source for the Youth Center.
Admission to the barbecue is $13 for adults and $7 for children (ages 6-12). Tickets are for the meal and are not required for the auction.
From Rich Hill, the McGennis Youth Center is located five miles west on A Highway and four miles south on WW Highway.
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