Final week of fall festivals, Halloween events begin

Halloween is next week, and residents of all ages are looking forward to the spooky and fun-filled holiday as well as non-spooky events celebrating autumn. Listed below are Halloween-themed activities and harvest-season events planned around the area. 

Oct. 27, 2018

Clear Springs General Baptist hayride and hotdog roast, Dawt

 Clear Springs General Baptist Church will host a hayride and hotdog roast at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at Lodema Bent’s house, the white residence next to the Dawt Church of Christ off County Road 318. The event will also feature kids’ games. Those attending are asked to bring a lawn chair. Everyone is welcome. 

Halloween party at the Isabella VFW

Isabella VFW Post #5366 will host a Halloween party Saturday evening, Oct. 27. The event, which is open to the public, will feature live music by the Seldom Seen Band from 8 p.m. to midnight, a costume contest at 10 p.m. with first, second and third places prizes, drink specials and a baked ham dinner. For more information, call the VFW at 417-273-5008.

Oak Grove Church family day hayride & BBQ, Wasola

Oak Grove Church will host a family day featuring hay rides and a BBQ beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27. The event will include races, face painting, pumpkin painting, bean bag toss, ring toss, Go Fish, crafts and more. The church is located about 15 miles north of Gainesville on Highway 5. Everyone is invited to join in on the fun. For more information, call Mike Vlad at 720-205-0790.

Spook-a-thon Zumba fundraiser, Ava

The Douglas County Long Term Recovery Committee (LTRC) will host a spook-a-thon Zumba fundraiser from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at the Missouri Ozarks Community Health Welness Center in Ava. Free activities will include trick-or-treating for healthy snacks and “treasurers,” vendors, a costume contest with an adult category and a child category and prizes awarded for first-, second- and third-place winners, giveaways and a Zumba-thon from 10 a.m. to noon. The entry fee is $10 for adults. Kids age 12 and under are able to participate in Zumba for free. All proceeds will benefit the Douglas County LTRC, which helps local residents recover from disasters including house fires, flooding, tornadoes or earthquakes. The event is sponsored by Missouri Ozarks Community Health Wellness Center and Casey’s General Store. 

Halloween night

Bakersfield Trunk-or-Treat

Bakersfield’s Trunk-or-Treat will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Pride Park Pavilion. Those handing out candy can set up as early as 4:30 p.m. Fun for all ages is planned, and prizes will be awarded for the best decorated trunk.

First Baptist Church’s 13th annual harvest festival, Bakersfield

First Baptist Church of Bakersfield will host its 13th annual harvest festival from 6 to 8 p.m at the Pride Park Pavilion. The event will include games, candy, food and hot drinks including coffee and hot chocolate. Organizers say the event is intended for those from birth to age 80+. For more information, call the church at 417-204-5390 and leave a message or email fbc.bakersfield.mo@gmail.com. 

Lutie School Trunk-or-Treat, Theodosia

Lutie School will host trunk-or-treat from 5 to 6 p.m. in the school parking lot. Community members, organizations and school clubs are encouraged to participate in handing out candy. Those who plan to hand out candy are asked to contact the school at 417-273-4150 beforehand to make arrangements. 

Gainesville Health Care Center Trick-or-Treat, Gainesville

Gainesville Health Care Center, on Highway 160 west of Gainesville, will host trick-or-treating from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Organizers invite all little ghosts and goblins to visit the health care center in costume with a treat bag in tow. For more information call GHCC at 417-679-4921.

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.