Nixa, Missouri

So, it seems as if Nixa, Missouri has it all – a diversified business sector, an award-winning school district, fast and efficient broadband connectivity, and a program to increase its visibility and its many amenities to newcomers. Sitzes says that Nixa is “an innovative, warm, and welcoming community.” Liles sums it up thusly: “People love our community. For a city our size to maintain its home-town feel is a drawing factor for the people who live here. It’s an attractive place for people to live and raise their families.” NI XA , MI SSOUR I their businesses and to beautify our town and help jumpstart that downtown revitalization effort,” Douglas adds. Sitzes adds that the Nixa Area Chamber of Commerce is formulating an arts council for the city in order to increase the amount of public art offered to its residents and visitors. “They’re in the initial phases of that planning,” she says. “We’re really looking at increasing our quality of place, here.” City festivals in Nixa, sponsored by the Chamber, are also on the rebound, according to Colvin. “Sucker Days is in May,” he says. “That’s our largest festival. Last year, it brought over 20,000 people to the downtown area.” Sucker Days started in 1957, and it has been a longstanding tradition with the people of Nixa ever since. Locals would close up their shops and children would skip school for a day to go “grabbin’ for suckers,” the ray-finned members of the catfish family that use suction to feed along the rivers and streams of the Ozarks. Nixa Police Officer Jeremiah Tayman enjoys the parade while providing security - Courtesy of the City of Nixa Nixa Sucker Day Parade - Courtesy of the City of Nixa