From 1990 - 2008, the city of Columbia, Missouri held its Twilight Festival in the city's downtown area on several Thursday nights during the summer months. This giant music and arts festival was filled with live music of all genres, art exhibits, and quite a few animals. My wife and I were checking out the activities along Walnut Street near the courthouse and came across this visitor who we were hoping wasn't hungry.

Several animals were being featured at the amphitheatre at the courthouse including this Peruvian Llama.

He was quite photogenic and didn't mind posing for pictures.

This llama was rather friendly and described as a "therapy animal," although I'm not sure what that meant.

Next to the llama was a man holding a Chihuahua who looked friendly until you attempted to pet it.

The amphitheatre at the courthouse is a popular spot for music.

A belly dancing exhibition was on the schedule for this evening.

Belly dancing exhibition.

Not only were animals featured as part of the festival activities, many visitors brought their pets with them to the event. This Great Dane looked somewhat nervous.

We made our way from the courthouse area to Flat Branch Park a few blocks away.

Music was featured here as well, along with several exhibits themed around Lewis and Clark coinciding with the 200th anniversary of the famed expedition of the Missouri River to the northwest United States.

Native American dancing.

Native American dancing.

Boat made from a hollowed out tree.

Live music at Flat Branch Park.

Native American exhibits at Flat Branch Park.

Most of the exhibits at Flat Branch Park were themed around the Lewis and Clark Exhibition.

Lewis and Clark Expedition exhibit.

The Columbia Farmer's Market also had a display at Flat Branch Park.

Lots of Columbia Farmer's Market vendors.

Organic veggies at the Columbia Farmer's Market display.

A beekeeping display.

Beekeeping display at Flat Branch Park.

I have this photo labeled as, "Organic Super Chickens," although I have no idea what that means.

From Flat Branch Park, we headed back toward the downtown area via East Broadway, the primary thoroughfare through downtown. We encountered this extremely friendly festival goer who preferred to be chauffeured rather than walk.

We came across the Clean Streams display along East Broadway. This geco didn't seem overly excited to be interacting with people.

The Clean Streams exhibit featured the above geco and several snakes.

Geco and snake on display at the Clean Streams exhibit along East Broadway.

The Fire and Police departments had lots of people and vehicles on display including a couple of rescue vehicles at East Broadway and 7th Street.

The Twilight Festival always attracted a good crowd, especially when the weather cooperated. Tonight was no exception.

We continued our walk along East Broadway and came across visitors enjoying a carriage ride.

I was more interested in the custom motorcycle, though.

The Twilight Festival didn't feature a car show. But I did see several old cars cruising around the area. This 1966 Cadillac Calais looked decent, but needed some work.

We made our way back to the courthouse area and came across several ambassadors for a shelter for rescued birds. All of the birds featured were available for adoption.

This Turkey Vulture didn't mind posing for pictures.

I believe he was dealing with some kind of wing injury.

Turkey Vulture.

This is an Eastern Screech Owl.

He was around 10 years old.

I believe this is a hawk of some kind, but I'm not sure.

I believe this is some kind of extremely photogenic hawk who took a great picture.

Several kids activities were set up at the courthouse.

Kids activities at the courthouse.

We spotted this T-Bucket street rod along Walnut Street on the way back to our car.

We headed back to our car and came across several musical groups. This group of bagpipers was playing at a church along Walnut Street.

Bagpipers along Walnut Street.

A percussion group along Walnut Street.