Every year, the city of Carthage proudly welcomes 80,000+ visitors to southwest Missouri's premier fall celebration. Under the canopy of thousands of trees in their full fall color spectacle. Every year, on the 3rd Saturday of October, the biggest day of the festival begins with the largest parade in Southwest Missouri. This keystone event begins at 9 a.m. and ends around noon. The parade begins on the Historic Square and ends at the Carthage Jr. High. Events are scheduled throughout the day to include a marching band festival, art & crafts vendors, car and tractor shows, wine tasting, quilt, craft, and food vendors, and live entertainment. The month of October is filled with activities including art and museum exhibits, lobster boil, bike tour, carnival, evening 5K, beauty pageants, dog show, classic car cruise-in, and class reunions. Carthage will celebrate the 55th year of the Maple Leaf Festival in 2021.