The 47th Annual Marian Days was hosted by the Congregation of the Mother of the Redeemer with tremendous support from City of Carthage departments and community partners. Marian Days is held on the campus of the Congregation of the Mother of the Redeemer (CRM), formerly known as Our Lady of the Ozarks College, located at 1900 Grand Avenue in Carthage. The festival grounds encompass approximately 28 acres and serve as the center of the annual pilgrimage and celebration.
This large-scale event required coordination across numerous organizations, including Public Safety personnel from the Carthage Police Department and Carthage Fire Department, multiple assisting agencies from outside Carthage, the City's Information Technology Department, Public Works and Street Department, and Carthage Water & Electric Plant.
It truly takes the entire city and community working together to make an event of this size safe and successful.
Police Chief Chad Dininger reported that law enforcement personnel documented 393 Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) events during the festival, including 48 traffic stops. Based on the approximately 203 hours officers were on-site, that equates to an average of one documented event every 31 minutes. Officers made eight arrests during the event. Charges included five DWI arrests, warrant arrests, possession of a controlled substance, and driving while revoked.
Communication and coordination between the Marian Days fathers and participating agencies was excellent throughout the event, helping ensure smooth operations and a positive experience for attendees. Special appreciation is extended to Carthage Nazarene Church for generously allowing its facility to serve as the operations base for the duration of the festival.
The continued cooperation between the Congregation of the Mother of the Redeemer, City departments, assisting agencies, community organizations, and volunteers remains the key to the ongoing success of Marian Days in Carthage.
Looking Ahead
Planning is already underway for the 48th Annual Marian Days, scheduled for August 5-8, 2027. The City of Carthage looks forward to continuing its partnership with the Congregation of the Mother of the Redeemer, community organizations, volunteers, and supporting agencies to ensure another safe and successful celebration.