The 4th of July has always been more than fireworks and backyard barbecues for me. Growing up in Missouri and now living deep in Missouri’s 573 region, I see Independence Day as a living reminder of the fierce independence that built this country—and still fuels dreamers like us today. Yes, all 573 readers are fiercely independent and dreamers. Pursue your happiness... As a filmmaker, photographer, and storyteller, I chase that same spirit every day, and every time I pick up

Discover how McIntyre Psychological Services started at WorkSPACE in Farmington, MO, and became a leading provider of therapy, psychological evaluations, and mental health support across southeast Missouri and beyond.

Celebrate America’s 250th on July 4, 2026 at Edg-Clif Farms & Winery in Potosi, MO. Award-winning Missouri wines, craft beers, historic 1862 lodge, Ozark cliffs, and a family-friendly 4th of July with BBQ, live music, games & fireworks. Perfect for weddings, tastings & weekend getaways near Farmington & St. Louis.

Meet Vicki Oberle, the furniture queen. You can buy anything you like online, from cars to pencils, but people continue to shop locally at Fisher Furniture & Appliances for a handful of very important reasons. When you go into a shop, you can hold and touch products and get a three-dimensional experience. Fisher Furniture in Ironton is a small-town furniture & appliance shop where you can find BIG value.

Check out this feature on **Blue Spring** along the Current River — one of Missouri’s most breathtaking natural wonders. Known to Native Americans as the “Spring of the Summer Sky,” this massive spring pours out an incredible 90 million gallons of water a day. It reaches over 310 feet deep, creating that unreal, electric-blue color you have to see in person. It’s pure Ozarks magic!

The road to making The Spring, a locally filmed feature film, was supposed to be smooth, cinematic, and inspiring. Instead, it looked more like three producers fussing over coffee, losing sleep, and slowly watching hairlines retreat into the Missouri sunset. But against all odds — and possibly a million don’t do-its later — The Spring is officially completed with all deliverables and advance screening at the St. Charles Film Festival on May 30 at 7 p.m.

Craving the best ice cream in Farmington MO during Country Days? Columbia St. Mercantile serves fresh small-batch homemade ice cream with 32+ rotating flavors, dairy-free options, dirty sodas & waffle cones. Downtown Farmington’s sweetest stop!

People always ask us why there seem to be so many stories on people and places in Perryville, even though it only has a population of 9,000. The reason is simple—they work hard, they are creative, they are open to new ideas outside of their orbit, and they are fair—most importantly, 573 gets pulled where people want us. We have worked with the Perryville City Administrator, Brent Buerck, and the Perry County Tourism Director, Trish Erzfeld, for nearly 20 years, and we have c