The 48 th Red Barn Arts and Crafts Festival will be returning to downtown Kirksville on September 16, 2023. The festival, which began in 1974, celebrates arts, crafts, food, and music bringing thousands of visitors to downtown Kirksville annually. The festival is held during Family Weekend at Truman State University attracting visitors from throughout Missouri and the Midwest. The festival is a juried event, exhibitors are selected based on creativity and originality. All work must be handcrafted or enhanced creatively or artistically by the exhibitor. Commercially produced items are not accepted. Cash awards are presented to exhibitors for Best of Show, First Place Arts, First Place Crafts and Best First-time Exhibitor.