A thank you from Paula

Despite record high temperatures, Hootin an Hollarin 2026 was a huge success! It takes many people to make it happen, but this year we had more volunteers than ever. 

First, thank you to the 20 committee members who have been attending meetings since April and planning and orgganizing their events as well as filling in as needed on many last minute challenges. 

Thank you to all the volunteers who set up and take down the stage, bleachers and dance platforms and cleanup after the festival. Among these many volunteers is the Gainesville High School FFA and FBLA. Thank you to Kenny Ericksen for taking care of the electrical needs. Gabe Blackburn, David Bushner and Todd Luna deserve extra thanks for their many hours of extra labor. 

Thank you to the 28 businesses and individuals who sponsored the stage entertainment. A special thanks goes to Century Bank and Douglas Hawkins-Shelter Insurance for sponsoring the Hannah Harper performance. 

Thanks to Kevin Piland and the Gainesville VFD, the city of Gainesville and Ozark County commissioners for help providing needed safety equipment, etc…

A huge thank you to Sheriff Cass Martin and all the law enforcement officers who provided security, especially for the Hannah Harper performance. Sheriff Martin worked for months writing grants for safety equipment, attending committee meetings and coordinating with several counties to ensure we were well staffed to handle bigger crowds Saturday night. Also, thank you to the Ozark County Ambulance crew for being on-site and providing quick medical response during the entire festival.

A special thank you to all the veterans that braved the heat and rode on a float in the parade. Thanks to ALL the veterans for your service. Also, thanks to the Gainesville High School YEP group for decorating the floats and assisting the vets. 

Thank you to Rob Collins of D&D Signs, Dawt Mill and Chris McGee of American Family Insurance for the use of their vehicles and trailers. Also, thank you to the eight volunteers who drove courtesy shuttles from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday.

Last, but not least, thank you to the Ozark County Times for such great coverage before, during and after Hootin an Hollarin.

Paula Rose, Hootin an Hollarin Committee Chair