Get ready for the Fall Festivals
It's about that time! Fall is coming and everyone is getting ready for their Fall festivals! Check out the list of area events below!
SOURCE: www.ozarksfirst.com/top-stories/fall-festivals-in-the-ozarks
Japanese Fall Festival
Sept. 6-8 at Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden (2400 S. Scenic Ave.) in Springfield
Hours: 5-10 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Sunday
Admission: Starts at $9 for adults and $4 for children ages three to 12. Click here for more information.
Seymour Apple Festival
Sept. 12-14 on the Square in Seymour
Hours vary; find a full schedule of events here.
Admission: Free
62nd Annual Steam-O-Rama
Sept. 12-15 at 6065 State Hwy. O in Ash Grove
Featuring tractors, gas engines and old-fashioned steam powered engines, Steam-O-Rama is also home to several demonstrations of equipment at work. Threshing, shingle sawing, sorghum making, rock crushing and more are on display throughout the show, along with a daily parade of equipment.
The festivities also include two tractor pulls on Friday and Saturday nights, and a tractor rodeo. For more information on the schedule of events, the show location and more, visit the Steam-O-Rama Facebook page.
Billings Merchants Fall Harvest Festival
Sept. 14 along U.S. Hwy. 60 in Billings
Hours: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Admission: Free
63rd Annual Hootin’ ‘an Hollerin’
Sept. 19-21 on the Square in Gainesville
Gainesville’s annual Hootin’ ‘an Hollerin’ Festival is a step back in time that kicks off with the Queen Pageant the first night. Contestants dress in their best country dresses and stories about how things used to be.
The festival features bluegrass, country and gospel music, along with nightly square dancing and a slew of contests: bed races, calling contests, a quilt show, cornhole tournament and a pie contest, to name a few.
There are also demonstrations of old-time crafts and plenty of craft vendor booths. And if variety is the spice of life, there are tons of food options, too: beans and cornbread, kettle corn, burgers and hot dogs, BBQ, funnel cakes and more.
For more information about the festival schedule of events, visit the Hootin’ ‘an Hollerin’ Facebook page.
33rd Annual Fall Starvy Creek Bluegrass Festival
Sept. 19-21 at 1933 Bluegrass Road in Conway
Twice a year, crowds gather for some of the best in bluegrass at Starvy Creek. Eleven bands are scheduled throughout the weekend, including Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers, the David Parmley Band and Rhonda Vincent and the Rage.
Admission for the festival starts at $25 and three-day passes are available for $80. Camping is also available with a ticket purchase. More information can be found on the Starvy Creek website.
Bolivar Country Days
Sept. 20 on the Square in Bolivar
Hours: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Admission: Free
50th Autumn Daze Arts, Crafts and Music Festival
Sept. 19-21 in downtown Branson (100 W. Atlantic St.)
Hours: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday
Admission: Free
Marshfield Harvest Days
Sept. 20-21 on the Square in Marshfield
Hours: 12-7 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday
Admission: Free
35th Annual Marionville AppleFest
Sept. 20-21 on the Square in Marionville
Hours: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Saturday
Admission: Free
Cider Days
Sept. 21-22 in downtown Springfield (900 E. Walnut St.)
Hours: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
Admission: Free
The Black Walnut Festival
Sept. 26-28 in Stockton City Park
Presented by the Stockton Lake Sertoma Club, this event features tons of live entertainment, great food, a parade and plenty of friendly competition – especially when it comes to crowning the 2024 Black Walnut Festival Queen.
Daily entertainment includes several area acts including the Corey River Band, the Eagles Tribute Band and Midwest Thick. You can also take in the youth pet parade, baby contest, a community quilt show, and even a terrapin race.
Carnival rides are also available from 6-10 p.m. daily.
Wilder Days Festival
Sept. 27-28 on downtown square in Mansfield (100 E. Park Square)
Hours vary; find event schedule here.
Admission: Some events are free, while others are ticketed. Admission at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Home and Museum is $10 for adults and $3 for children ages six to 17 during the festival. Call 417-924-3626 for details.
Highlonesome Music Festival
Sept. 27-29 at Dockley Ranch (10005 County Rd. UU 545, Chadwick)
Hours: 2 p.m. – midnight on Friday, 8:15 a.m.-midnight on Saturday and 8:15 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Sunday
Admission: Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased by clicking here.
Rockin’ Rogersville
Sept. 28 at the corner of U.S. 60 and Farm Rd. 247 in Rogersville
Hours: 4-10 p.m.
Admission: Tickets range from $10 for single admission to $100 for a VIP experience and can be purchased here.
Bluegrass on the Square
Sept. 28 on the square in Greenfield
Hours: event starts at 5 p.m.
Admission: Free
AutumnFest of the Ozarks
Sept. 28 at the Newton County Fairgrounds (700 Field Ave., Neosho)
Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Admission: Parking is $10 and all proceeds benefit Neosho Christian School
47th Annual Fair Grove Heritage Reunion
Sept. 28-29 in Fair Grove
Held every year on the last full weekend of September, the Fair Grove Heritage Reunion has hundreds of booths with everything from funnel cakes and fried Oreos to kettle corn and BBQ.
The great food serves as shop-til-you-drop fuel, so you can get some of your Christmas gift shopping done. There are tons of original and homemade crafts to see, and you might even be able to find a great gift for even that hard-to-buy-for person in your life.
In addition to the live entertainment and kids activities at the festival, you can also take in a rodeo that weekend. Hosted by the Fair Grove Saddle Club, the event starts at 5 p.m. on Saturday and at 5 p.m. on Sunday, and includes everything from bull and bronc riding to team roping.
7th Annual Pioneer Heritage Festival of the Ozarks
Oct. 4-5 at Fox Trotters Showgrounds in Ava
Admission is free at this festival that celebrates and works to preserve traditional Ozarks culture, skills and more.
Festival organizers invite makers to demonstrate their skills, such as spinning and weaving, leather work, pottery and more, at the event.
The Pioneer Heritage Festival also hosts a youth talent show and a costume contest for all ages. Festival-goers are invited to dress in clothes from the 19th to early 20th centuries, and costumes can be anything from work clothes to special occasion fancy.
33rd Annual Republic Pumpkin Daze
Oct. 4-5 at J.R. Martin Park (300 E. Hines St.) in Republic
Hours: 12-6 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday
Admission: Free
Harvest Homecoming Fest
Oct. 4-5 in Lockwood
Hours vary; find a full schedule of events here.
Admission: Some events require a fee or pre-registration. More information is available at harvesthomecomingfest.com.
50th Annual Ozark Craft Fair
Oct. 4-6 at Finley River Park (600 N. 3rd St.) in Ozark
Hours: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Sunday
Admission: Free
Hollister Grape and Fall Festival
Oct. 12 on Historic Downing Street in Hollister
The Color Me Grape 5K officially kicks off Hollister’s annual autumn shindig. The family friendly event starts at Hollister City Hall and ends on Downing Street as the Grape and Fall Festival begins. Hurts Donut is also offering a special treat to runners after they cross the finish line.
Crafters and vendors are a fixture of this festival, along with live entertainment and contests. This year, pets will show off their looks and their talents for the Dogs Gone Grape Dog Pageant (a fundraiser for the Branson Humane Society).
You’ll also want to plan to take in the Grape Stomp competition, where teams of four will dance and stomp real grapes while being evaluated for creativity, fun, crowd participation and originality.
The 58th Annual Apple Butter Makin’ Days
Oct. 11-13 in Mt. Vernon
Voted Best Festival by Rural Missouri two years in a row, the main attraction at this event is (you guessed it) apple butter. Cooked in copper kettles over open fires using 100+ year old methods, the sweet spread is made each day of the festival on the Lawrence County Courthouse lawn.
Hundreds of vendors set up shop in Mt. Vernon’s historic town square, featuring everything from crafts to food. Come hungry, because the food options are endless. You can find almost anything, from apple dumplings and cider to bratwurst, turkey drumsticks and steak sandwiches.
Other things you won’t want to miss during your visit include wiener dog races and a pet parade, plus a bubble-gum blowing contest and apple pie eating contest.
Art in the Park
Oct. 12-13 in Sequiota Park (3500 Lone Pine, Springfield)
Hours: 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Admission: Free
58th Annual Maple Leaf Festival
Oct. 11-19 on the Square in Carthage
Hours vary; find an event schedule here.
Admission: Free
Sparta Persimmon Days
Oct. 18-19 in Roller Park (837 Division St., Sparta)
Hours: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday
Admission: Free
Pets and Pumpkins
Oct. 19 on the downtown square in Springfield
Hours: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Admission: $2 per person or pet. Attendees can participate in all activities with paid admission, including costume contest and parade.
Cassville Chili Cook-off Festival
Oct. 26 on the square in Cassville
Hours: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Admission: Free
Springfield Sertoma Wingapalooza
Nov. 2 at the Springfield Expo Center (635 E. St. Louis St.)
Hours: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Admission: $20 per person. Buy tickets at wingapalooza.com.
A Holiday Marketplace
Nov. 8-9 at the Northwest Arkansas District Fairgrounds (1400 Fairgrounds Rd., Harrison, Arkansas)
Hours: 12 – 6 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday
Admission: Free
Frisco Trail Craft Show
Nov. 23 at Willard High School (515 E. Jackson St.)
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Admission: Free
SOURCE: www.ozarksfirst.com/top-stories/fall-festivals-in-the-ozarks
Where to watch fireworks this Fouth of July
Here's a list of places you can go to in the Ozarks to watch fireworks this year.
Have-A-Blast
Friday, June 28 at J.R. Martin Park (300 E. Hines St., Republic)
Sky High Fireworks Celebration
Saturday, June 29 at Nixa High School (514 S. Nicholas Rd., Nixa)
Honor America at College of the Ozarks
Saturday, June 29 at College of the Ozarks (100 Opportunity Ave., Point Lookout)
Sparks in the Park
Saturday, June 29 at Ash Grove City Park (300 E. Parkway St., Ash Grove)
Fireburst Fireworks over Table Rock Lake
Tuesday, July 2 at Kimberling City Bridge
Branson Landing’s Liberty Light Up Celebration
Wednesday, July 3 at Branson Landing (100 Branson Landing Blvd., Branson)
Purdy Community Picnic and Firework Show
Wednesday, July 3 at The Gathering Place (100 Business 37, Purdy)
Bolivar’s Celebration of Freedom
Thursday, July 4 at Southwest Baptist University (1600 University Ave., Bolivar)
Chadwick’s Fourth of July Fireworks
Thursday, July 4 at Chadwick Community Building (122 Oriole Dr.) and the Chadwick Rural Fire Department (6419 MO 125)
Marshfield Independence Day Parade
Thursday, July 4 in Marshfield
Rockaway’s Rockin’ 4th of July
Thursday, July 4 in Rockaway Beach
Ft. Leonard Wood’s Independence Day Celebration
Thursday, July 4 at Gammon Field (800 Iowa Ave., Fort Leonard Wood)
Big Cedar Lodge 4th of July Patriotic Picnic
Thursday, July 4 at Big Cedar Lodge’s Grandview Conference Center (190 Top of the Rock Rd., Ridgedale)
Hollister’s 4th of July Fireworks Show
Thursday, July 4 at Hollister Municipal Airport (60 Airport Dr., Hollister)
Fans-On-the Field Patriotic Fireworks Celebration
Thursday, July 4 at Hammons Field (955 E. Trafficway St., Springfield)
Chateau on the Lake’s Independence Day Celebration
Saturday, July 6 at Chateau on the Lake (415 N. State Highway 265, Branson)
Fireworks Over the Water and Duck Derby
Saturday, July 6 at Pomme de Terre Lake Dam (Hermitage)
UPDATED: It's hotter than Hades! Find relief from the heat at these area locations
It's going to get real hot in the coming days and here is some information on how you can protect yourself and your pets from the heat:
To protect people against heat-related illness:
- Drink plenty of water, even if you do not feel thirsty; avoid drinks that contain alcohol or caffeine. Also, avoid very cold drinks because they can cause stomach cramps
- Avoid strenuous work or exercise outside during the hottest part of the day. If that is not practical, take frequent breaks and remember to drink plenty of water.
- Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
- Protect yourself from the sun with a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher (the most effective products say “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” on their labels).
- Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle
- Check on friends and neighbors—Especially older adults and individuals with a disability or chronic health conditions, as heat is more likely to affect their health. If you find an emergency situation - call 911. In a non-emergency situation, if a senior or disabled adult is suspected of being in need of assistance due to warm weather, make a call. Make a difference. Call the toll-free Missouri Adult Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-392-0210
- Know the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness—What to do matters, depending on type of illness occurring. Signs of heat exhaustion may include heavy sweating; cold, pale and clammy skin; dizziness; headache; muscle cramps; tiredness or weakness; nausea or vomiting; or fainting (passing out). If you think you or others are experiencing heat exhaustion, you should stop physical activity and move to a cool place that is preferably air-conditioned, loosen clothing, and sip cool water.
- Seek medical attention immediately if you or others are throwing up, your symptoms get worse or symptoms last longer than one hour. Heat stroke is life-threatening and occurs when the body is unable to control its temperature or cool down. Signs of heat stroke may include extremely high body temperature (103°F or higher); hot, red, dry skin with no sweat; fast, strong pulse; throbbing headache; dizziness; nausea; confusion; or loss of consciousness (passing out). You should call 911 right away, as heat stroke is a medical emergency. Then, if you are able, move to a cool place that is preferably air-conditioned. Help lower the person’s body temperature with cool clothes or a cool bath until medical personnel arrive. Do not give the person anything to drink.
Pet owners should also follow these tips to keep animals safe in the heat:
- Do not leave a pet unattended in a hot car.
- Always make sure pets have access to cool, clean, fresh water as well as adequate food and shelter.
- Walk your dog in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler. If you must walk mid-day, shorten the distance. And keep your dog in the grass as much as possible, as hot sidewalks can burn the pads of their feet.
- Do not leave a dog outdoors unattended on a chain or tether. Long-term chaining during the summer can result in countless insect bites, dehydration, and heat stroke.
- If you see a child, pet, or unresponsive adult in a closed, parked vehicle, immediately call 911. For more information on staying safe in the heat, visit health.springfieldmo.gov/heat.
If you are out and about in town and you need a place to cool down for a bit, or perhaps you know someone who needs some relief from the heat, here's a list of cooling centers in Springfield:
Cooling Centers
- Ash Grove Branch Library, 101 E. Main St., Ash Grove
- Fair Grove Branch Library, 81 S. Orchard Blvd., Fair Grove
- Library Station, 2535 N. Kansas Expressway, Springfield
- Park Central Branch Library, 128 Park Central Square, Springfield
- Republic Branch Library, 921 N. Lindsey Ave., Republic
- Schweitzer Brentwood Branch Library, 2214 S. Brentwood Blvd., Springfield
- Strafford Branch Library, 101 MO-125, Strafford
- Willard Branch Library, 304 E. Jackson St., Willard
- Rare Breed Youth Services, 301 N. Main Ave., Springfield
- Library Center, 4653 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield.
Additionally, the following locations are open and available as emergency cooling centers during heat advisories:
- Ash Grove Sunshine Center, 310 N. Perryman Ave., Ash Grove
- Chesterfield Family Center, 2511 W. Republic Road, Springfield
- Dan Kinney Family Center, 2701 S. Blackman Road, Springfield
- Doling Family Center, 301 E. Talmage St., Springfield
- Fair Grove Senior Center, 122 S. Orchard Blvd., Fair Grove
- Republic Senior Friendship Center, 210 E. Hines St., Republic
- Salvation Army Springfield, 1701 W. Chestnut Expressway, Springfield
- South Side Senior Center, 2215 S. Fremont Ave., Springfield
- Strafford Senior Center, 201 W. Bumgarner Blvd., Strafford.
Click the link below for a map of cooling centers in Missouri:
Before you go to the cooling center, verify the open times on the website, whether it’s ADA accessible, and whether it offers transportation to and from the facility.
Leslie's Playlist: World Goth Day 2024
May 22nd is World Goth Day and to celebrate, I wanted to share some of the songs that are on my Goth playlist. I didn't have the time to put them all on here, we'd be here for days if that was the case, so I just picked a few for you to enjoy.
HARD PASS: Eating Cicadas
Uhh.... Hell no! No thank you. I'm good.
Everyone seems to be concerned with the fact that the cicadas are starting to emerge. It's something that happens every year, so I'm not really sure why people are like "the cicadas are coming, the cicadas are coming!" Every time I see some article about how these little bugs are making their return, it just reminds me of the people who have to make posts on Facebook when it starts snowing.
But I digress...
The real point for this post is the fact that this article says that Chris Hartley, Manager of Living Collections at the Butterfly House in St. Louis says that he "plans to lead an upcoming public event in which people will be able to eat cicadas.
“They can be sautéed, deep fried, baked, put on pizza, they can be put on ice cream,”
“They taste a surprising amount like shrimp. Because shrimp and crab and their relatives are all insect relatives, they’re like cousins to each other.”
Hartley also adds that cicadas are high in protein and low in cholesterol, and offer cleaner diets than their distant cousins, which frequently feed on decomposing matter.
I'm gonna have to give this a hard pass. No thank you.
The Eclipse is over. Now what?
The North American solar eclipse of 2024 is over but, what do we do with our glasses now? Rather than throwing them away, why not donate them to school children in South America so they can see the eclipse in October 2024?
Eclipse Glasses USA ensures that children in various countries can marvel at this celestial event without risking their eyesight. The company will send glasses to schools in South America so children can see the eclipse.
Ship your glasses to:
Eclipse Glasses USA
PO Box 50571
Provo, UT 84605
Check out the details below for more info!
Drury University Accounting Students will help you file your taxes for FREE!
Tax time sucks. There's just no "nice" way to put it. But if you want help with your taxes, the accounting students at Drury University will help you for free!
According to a release from Drury, the annual service is open to the public and designed to benefit low-income taxpayers.
Clinics will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the following dates:
- Monday, Feb. 5
- Monday, Feb. 12
- Monday, Feb. 19
- Monday, Feb. 26
The tax service is located at an IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site and accepts mostly walk-ins. The site is located at the C.H. “Chub” O’Reilly Enterprise Center (at the corner of Central Street and Drury Lane).
All returns will be filed electronically unless the IRS requires a manual return and taxpayers must be available to sign any necessary forms.
More information about the tax clinics, documents needed to file a return and taxpayers who may not be eligible for assistance is available on Drury’s website.
Community members with questions can also contact Cossey at 417-873-7383 or by emailing tcossey@drury.edu.
Leslie talks with Comedians Alex Ortiz & Anthony Fuentes
Comedians Alex Ortiz and Anthony Fuentes will be at Club Rodeo TONIGHT January 24th. Go check them out! Doors open at 6:30, show starts at 8!
Check out the FULL interview Leslie did with Alex and Anthony!
https://omny.fm/shows/q102-1/leslie-interviews-alex-ortiz
List of cold shelters
If you or someone you know is in need of a cold shelter, here is a list of places you can go to. To check if shelters are open in the Springfield area, call the direct shelter line at 417-605-2698 for daily updates.
Springfield:
- East Sunshine Church of Christ – 3721 E. Sunshine: Men
- Grace UMC – 600 S. Jefferson: Women
- Unity of Springfield – 2214 E. Seminole: Anyone
- Sacred Heart Catholic Church – 3 days/week 1609 N. Summit: Men
- Revive 66 – 3839 W. Chestnut: Anyone & pets
- YouthConnect Center – 425 W McDaniel St: Ages 13-18
- The GLO Center – 2 days/week – 518 E. Commercial St: Ages 19-24
- Fairbanks/Drew Lewis Foundation – 1126 N. Broadway: Anyone & pets
- Venues 425 – Overflow – 425 W. Walnut: Anyone
- Eden Village 1 – Overflow – 2801 E. Division: Anyone
- Harbor House – Overflow – 636 N. BoonvilleMen with ID
