This weekend in Springfield, MO

The fifth week training run offers distance options of 10, 5, and 1.5. Meet behind the school on the east side by the gazebo. The run will use the Fulbright Greenway Trails, and routes will be posted closer to the event. Depending on recent rain, there may be water crossings.

Friends of Abilities First presents the 2026 Sporting Clays Shootout at Ozarks Shooters Sports Complex in Walnut Shade. This annual gathering brings participants together for a morning on the course, followed by lunch and an awards presentation, while supporting local efforts that help people with disabilities in Greene County live the life they choose. Registration is $125 per person and includes 100 clay targets, an event T-shirt, and lunch. Individuals without a squad are welcome and will be grouped with a team. The day features check in, a safety briefing, time on the shooting stations, and a lunch and awards wrap up.

Stop by the Kids Market at the Greater Springfield Farmers Market, where kids run their own booths and sell handmade crafts, treats, and more. It is a free event and a great hands-on way for children to build confidence, practice money skills and entrepreneurship, meet local farmers, and enjoy prizes, games, and a fun community atmosphere.

This one day class offers practical preparation for birth for expectant parents and their chosen support person. Topics include what to expect in late pregnancy, how labor and birth progress, comfort strategies and pain relief options, common medical interventions, cesarean birth, and care for your newborn and the postpartum period. A guided tour of Labor & Delivery and Women & Newborn is included, so a separate tour sign up is not necessary. The class features videos on breastfeeding, a vaginal birth, and brief views of a cesarean. It is offered in person for those planning to deliver at CoxHealth. Please choose either this class or Natural Childbirth, not both. Plan to attend during your third trimester, and call The Women’s Center at 417-269-4664 option 2 to register. For best availability, call around 20 to 25 weeks. Registration closes three days before the class or when full. A two part evening version is also available, with details listed in a separate event.

Pitch in to protect Fassnight Creek during a volunteer cleanup hosted by The Springfield Art Museum in partnership with the Springfield-Greene County Park Board. These community-driven efforts support the creek’s health and beauty and encourage hands-on stewardship, with monthly outings when weather allows. Plan to wear clothes and shoes that can get dirty, and bring sunscreen, insect repellent, water, and a hat if you like. This is a family-friendly opportunity, and participants under 16 should take part with a caregiver. Pre-registration is requested. Bring a change of clothes and stay for On the Lawn after the cleanup, featuring live music, interactive art activities, and plenty of space to relax and recharge.

C-Street City Market offers a lively market experience in uptown Springfield, Missouri on Historic Commercial Street. Everyone is welcome, including families and dogs, with a mission to connect urban neighborhoods with local farmers and artisans. The market continues in all weather and highlights goods from these local producers. Applications from new vendors are being accepted, and interested participants can contact the market for details.

Enjoy a morning of fresh air and four legged company at the 2nd Annual Wag N' Walk Dog Walk Fundraiser at scenic Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park. Walkers can participate with or without a dog, set their own pace, and go as far as three miles, making it welcoming for all ages and energy levels. Every step helps raise funds for dogs and cats in need of love, care, and second chances. After the walk, attendees can visit sponsor booths with giveaways, browse Humane Society merchandise, meet adoptable animals, and take part in raffles for prizes. Water stations for people and pets will be available, scenic park views offer space to relax, and a bake sale adds a sweet treat to the day. Sponsorship opportunities are available with multiple levels that support pets in need while showcasing participating brands to a pet loving audience. All proceeds benefit the shelter and help give pets the second chances they deserve. Participants who bring a dog must sign a waiver on the day of the event confirming the dog is healthy, free from contagious diseases, and current on vaccinations, including rabies and DHPP.

A back to school bash offers free backpacks packed with school supplies for the first 200 kids who arrive. Families can enjoy games, prizes, and complimentary pizza slices. The celebration will wrap up once the backpacks are gone, and all activities are available while supplies last.

Discover a bi-monthly pop-up market with a mystical and metaphysical theme in the back room at Mystical Thoughts. Admission is free. New vendor spots are not available at this time, and the lineup of participating vendors will be announced soon.

New Growth Ministries International is hosting a free back to school bash for families across Springfield and nearby communities. The event offers backpacks and grade appropriate school supplies for elementary, middle, and high school students, along with new shoes as sponsorships allow, plus new socks and underwear. Students in need can also receive first day of school outfits. There will be snacks and refreshments, music, and family friendly activities. Everything is available at no cost while supplies last. Businesses and organizations are invited to partner by helping provide shoes, socks and underwear, and first day outfits so students can begin the school year with confidence and dignity.

The Back-to-School Chess Tournament at Code Ninjas Nixa invites young players ages 8 to 14 to enjoy an afternoon focused on tactical thinking, fair play, and a supportive competitive spirit. New and experienced participants are welcome. The event follows a Swiss-style format that guarantees multiple games, with pairings adjusted according to experience and round results. No official rating is required. Trophies and additional honors will recognize top finishers and standout performances. The entry fee is $15. Capacity is limited to 24 players, so early registration is recommended. Along the way, kids can build confidence, strengthen their skills, and connect with fellow chess enthusiasts in a welcoming setting.

Take a guided walking tour through Giboney Cave at Doling Park and dive into its myths, facts, and history. Expect muddy conditions, so wear shoes that can get dirty. Bring a headlamp or flashlight for exploring the passages. Space is limited and registration is required, with signups accepted through the day of the program. Plans may change based on weather or bat activity. The fee is $7 per person. Suitable for ages 4 and up, with participants ages 4 to 17 attending with an adult.

Experience a special Magic: The Gathering prerelease featuring The Hobbit. Each seat is $30, and space is limited.

Learn to turn invasive vines into attractive, functional baskets while exploring the traditions behind basket weaving with guidance from Katlyn Henson of Wildscapes Lanscaping. Each second Saturday features a new hands-on demonstration, so there is always a different project to try. Other sessions include building a foraged birdhouse with natural, gathered materials alongside the Wildscapes team, a creative option for nature lovers and crafters. Tickets are $15.

Enjoy Americana from Zero Day, a local duo featuring upright bass and acoustic rhythms. A full bar is available, along with dinner and breakfast options. There is no cover charge, and all ages are welcome.

This gathering celebrates and encourages donors and friends in a warm, uplifting setting. A suggested donation of $25 is welcomed. All proceeds support the Opening Doors of Hope for the Homeless Campaign.

Catch the Truck & Tractor Pull at the 90th Annual Ozark Empire Fair. It takes place in the Grandstand at the fairgrounds, and the event is outdoors, rain or shine. Gates open at 5:00 PM, with the main show starting at 6:00 PM. The event is all ages.

N2 Deep delivers a high energy mix of classic rock favorites spanning the 1960s through the 2000s, blending gritty guitar riffs with singalongs suited for a night on the town. The performance takes place at Carrie’s with no cover charge.

This 45-minute breath-centered energy practice is designed to release what feels heavy and help you reconnect with yourself. Rooted in pranayama, it uses conscious breathing to shift awareness beyond the physical and into the subtle energy body. Expect a mostly seated experience with clear guidance in a supportive space. No prior experience is needed, just your breath and a willingness to show up. A $10 suggested donation is accepted at the door, and all are welcome.

5C Gaming hosts a Magic the Gathering The Hobbit prerelease featuring one on one play over three rounds. The entry fee is $40. Prizes are awarded as a pack for each win.

This Flesh and Blood Skirmish Season 15 event takes place at 5C Gaming and uses the Silver Age format. Expect three to five rounds based on the number of players, with a $30 entry fee. Prizes include a Gem Pack and participation rewards, recognition for Top 8, Top 4, and Top 2, two playmats given to the winner and a randomly selected participant, and a Dorinthea, Quicksilver Prodigy Cold Foil Marvel for the champion.

Meet ambassador animals at the Show Me Reptile Shop in an informal setting that encourages questions and close observation. Guests can learn about a range of species, spend time with featured animal ambassadors, and talk with the team. It is suitable for devoted reptile fans as well as those who are simply curious.

Walkabout is a real world training opportunity at Lowe's Home Improvement for current and prospective members of Alliance of Therapy Pets. Attendees may bring friendly dogs to practice obedience and behaviors suited to therapy work in a public setting, help them grow comfortable with unfamiliar people, noises, and environments, meet and talk with current members, and get answers to membership questions. This is not a casual playtime for pups, and for everyone’s safety and comfort, dogs must remain under their handler’s control at all times.

Gather at 5C Gaming for a Silver Age format event featuring three best of one rounds. Entry is free, and prize support includes a gem promo pack.