Fall events, area trunk-or-treat events planned to provide festive fun for all ages

It’s that time of year, when pumpkins, apple cider and crisp, fall air set a tone of festivity in the Ozarks. Listed here are Halloween and fall events that residents can visit or attend in the coming weeks. Watch the Times each week for an updated list of fall-related events. Those organizing a local fall or Halloween-themed event should contact Jessi Dreckman at jessi@ozarkcountytimes.com or 417-679-4641 to add the event to the listings.

 

This weekend

Turkey Trot, Friday and Saturday, Yellville, Arkansas

The 74th annual Turkey Trot will be held Friday and Saturday, Oct. 11-12, in downtown Yellville. A variety of food and crafters will be set up. For more information, visit www.midmarioncountyrotary.org and click “Turkey Trot.”

 

Tuesday, Oct. 15

MSU-WP Fall Festival Kickoff

Missouri State University-West Plains is hosting a fall festival kickoff, as well as celebrating the opening of its new amphitheater, with a fun gathering from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15. The free event will feature food, music and activities for all ages. 

The festival will open at 5 p.m. with entertainment by the West Plains High School Zizzer Pride Band. Patient Eyes, an alternative rock band from Mountain Home, Arkansas, will perform at 5:45 p.m. 

Food trucks from Bootleggers BBQ, Annie’s Hot Dog Cart, Kiko’s Hibachi and Sushi, 10/40 Coffee, Hillbilly Kettle Corn and Uncle Charlie’s Deep Fried Sweets will serve up a variety of dinner choices. 

The event will feature several activities for children including pumpkin painting, corn hole and a three-legged race. 

For more information about the event call the Missouri State University-West Plains development office at 417-255-7240. For information on reserving the amphitheater for an event or activity, call the MSU-WP Office of Business and Support Services at 417-255-7258 or email scottschneider@missouristate.edu. 

 

Next weekend

Docktoberfest 2019,  Oct. 19, Pontiac

Lake Bums BrewCo in Pontiac will host Docktoberfest from 1 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at the brewery on Parrothead Lane in Pontiac. Two bands are scheduled to provide live music throughout the day. Half Step Down will play from 2 to 3:30 p.m., and The Katie Laney Project will play from 4 to 7 p.m.

The Firecrackers, a community group raising money for the 2020 Pontiac fireworks show, will serve fried fish or boiled shrimp dinner for $10 per adult and $5 per child age 10 and under. Those who want to purchase dinner should be prepared to pay with cash or check. 

Wine, soda, water, specialty drinks and Lake Bums’  own handcrafted beers can be purchased inside the brewery with cash, check or credit/debit cards. No outside alcohol is permitted on the premises. 

 

Haunting in the Hollows Galloway Park, 

West Plains, Saturday, 

Oct. 19

The 15th annual Haunting in the Hollows at Galloway Creek Nature Park in West Plains will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19. The free, family-friendly Halloween event will feature special activities each hour. Free activities include Animal Tales exhibits by Springfield’s Dickerson Park Zoo, face painting, balloon animals, games and prizes, cupcake walk and more. Everything is free. There is no extra charge for games and activities. For more information, call West Plains City Hall at 417-256-7176 or search for “Haunting in the Hollows” on Facebook.

 

Glade Top Trail Flaming Fall Revue, 

Sunday, Oct. 19, Ava

The Glade Top Trail Flaming Fall Revue, a free, family-friendly Ozarks tradition held for decades at the Caney Picnic Area of Glade Top Trail in the Mark Twain National Forest, will be Sunday, Oct. 19. This year’s event will kick off at 10:30 a.m. with a church service. The ‘Revue’ includes live music throughout the day by Bob Hammons & Good News Boys, Jam Dandy Band and Missy Breshears. Fall activities, a turkey-calling contest, pumpkin ring toss, dessert auction, pumpkin painting and booths from local artisans will be featured in a setting offering wide views of Ozarks fall foliage. Organizers say the event also will include opportunities for lots of free family fun.  A meal will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with the choice of a hotdog and chips for $4, brown beans and ham with cornbread for $5 or a slow-cooked pulled pork dinner for $7. Seating will be limited, so those attending are asked to bring lawn chairs. 

Directions from Gainesville: travel north on Highway 5 into Douglas County. Turn left onto A Highway (in Douglas County, not Ozark County) and follow the signs to the Caney picnic area on Glade Top Trail. For more information, visit avachamber.org or call 417-683-4594. 

 

A Day at the Courthouse,  Oct. 19, Norfork, Arkansas

A Day at the Courthouse, a “living history” Arkansas Historic Preservation Program event that aims to provide context into the life of a pioneer in Arkansas’s courthouse proceedings, will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Jacob Wolf House, 13775 Highway 5, Norfork, Arkansas. 

Guests will enjoy tours of the courthouse and will learn about the interesting people and events that took place in and around Liberty, the name Jacob Wolf gave to the area surrounding the Wolf House in the 1880s. Those attending will be able to interact with a hunter and trapper reenactor to hear accounts about pioneer life in the Arkansas Territory. 

The Wolf House sits in present-day Norfork, above the site where the White and Norfork rivers meet. The property is open for visitors Tuesday to Saturday with guided tours at 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The site is named for Jacob Wolf, a merchant, builder of log structures, carpenter and blacksmith who was elected as a representative to the General Assembly of Arkansas Territory in 1826. The two-story dogtrot structure was constructed by Wolf in 1829 as the first permanent courthouse for Izard County in Arkansas Territory. The building served thousands of early settlers as they found their way into the central highlands of north Arkansas. 

For more information search for Jacob Wolf House’ on Facebook or call 870-499-0556.

 

Friday and Saturday, Oct. 25-26, 2019

Mark Twain Carnival, Rueter, Friday, Oct. 25

Mark Twain Elementary School will host its fall carnival Friday, Oct. 25. The event will kick off at 5:30 p.m. with bingo and a chili supper, served by donation. A concession stand will also have funnel cakes for purchase. At 6 p.m. a variety of games will open, and coronation of the kind and queen is at 7:30 p.m.. After the coronation, a live auction will be held offering items for bid, including Branson show tickets are more. Classroom basket raffles will also be offered with themes including a camping/survival basket, a candy basket, a baking basket, a movie night basket and a fishing basket. The event is open to all kids and adults, not just Mark Twain students and families. For more information call the school at 417-785-4323.

 

Rockbridge Trout Ranch Fall Festival, 

Friday and Saturday, Oct. 25-26

Rockbridge Rainbow Trout & Game Ranch’s fall festival will be held from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, and from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26. Vendors will be at the festival both days. On Saturday, attendees can enjoy train rides, hay rides, a bounce house, live music, carnival-style games, a costume contest, carmel apple bar, apple cider and more. Organizers say activities are planned for the whole family.

Limited booth space is available for vendors. Contact Kristi at mod1@rockbridgemo.com for more information on booth rentals. Call Rockbridge at 417-679-3619 for more information. 

 

Halloween night

 

Bakersfield Trunk-or-treat

Bakersfield’s Trunk-or-Treat will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, at the ball fields. Those handing out candy can set up as early as 4:30 p.m. Fun for all ages is planned. 

 

Bakersfield 13th Annual Harvest Festival 

The Bakersfield 13th Annual Harvest Festival at Pride Park Pavilion will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31. This year’s expanded event will feature three inflatables including a giant slide, bounce house and a toddler-sized bounce house. Games, hotdogs, chili, hot drinks, music, a karaoke contest, popcorn and plenty of candy will also be available. The event and all activities are free. The Annual Harvest Festival is a joint effort between the Bakersfield First Baptist Church, the Amy Baptist Church in Caulfield and Center Grove Baptist Church of Moody. 

For more information, contact First Baptist Church at fbc.bakersfield.mo@gmail.com or call 417-204-5810.

 

Ozark County’s annual Trunk-or-Treat 

on the Gainesville square

 Ozark County’s eighth annual Trunk-or-Treat will be held on the Gainesville square from 6 to 8 p.m. Area residents are encouraged to participate in passing out candy from their decorated car trunks. Sign-up is not required to pass out candy; just show up before 5:45 p.m., when the square will be roped off and closed to traffic.

Ozark County Times

504 Third Steet
PO Box 188
Gainesville, MO 65655

Phone: (417) 679-4641
Fax: (417) 679-3423