Boone County Ready Festival
September is National Preparedness Month! Learn more about National Preparedness Month.
About the Event
OEM hosts the annual, community-wide Boone County Ready Festival (formerly Preparedness Fair) on Thursday, September 14th, 2023 to recognize everyday heroes in the response and preparedness fields while fostering preparedness and building resiliency in our community. This year the family and pet-friendly event will be from 4pm to 8pm at Stephens Lake Park in Columbia. We will have food, activities, crafts, live music and more! Check out our event brochure to learn more about the annual community event.
The event has been renamed to align with the community preparedness campaign, Boone County Ready, that was launched March of 2022. Boone County Ready aims to enhance community preparedness, foster collaboration and build resilience by engaging our citizens in actively preparing for emergencies and disasters. Learn more about Boone County Ready and find the tools that you need to be better prepared.
Thank you to our sponsors!
The 2023 sponsorship packet is now available.
Online registration is available for interested sponsors as well
If you are interested in more information about sponsoring the 2023 event, please email us at em@boonecountymo.org or call 573-554-7900.
Vendor Registration Closed
The 2023 Vendor Booth registration closed on July 14th, 2023.
Event Schedule
Event Map
Tom S. Hurley Public Safety Service Award
Each year we accept nominations from the Boone County community to recognize someone who goes above and beyond to serve others.
Nominations for 2023 will be accepted from June 1st - July 31st. This year's nominees are:
- Rebecca Estes, Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services
- Kyle McCoy, MU Health Care Ambulance Service
- Lindsey Martin, Boone County Joint Communications
- Stephen Dunkin, MU Health Care Ambulance Service
- Mark & Katie Burton, Valhalla's Gate
- COMO Mobile Aid Collective
- Boone County Amateur Radio Emergency Services (BCARES)
- Bruce Grotewiel, Boone Health EMS
- Geoff Jones, Retired Columbia Police Department
Learn more about the Tom S. Hurley Public Safety Service Award.
Nominations are reviewed and awardee selected by a comprehensive committee of community member in the public service industry. The 2023 committee is composed of individuals from the following organizations:
Committee Chair: Jake Waller, BCOEM Deputy Director
- Boone County Office of Emergency Management
- Boone County Joint Communications
- MU Healthcare
- Boone Health
- Columbia Fire Department
- Boone County Fire Protection District
- Boone County Sheriff's Office
- Columbia Police Department
Selected Event Photos