The 64th annual Hootin an Hollarin festival kicks off Thursday night in Gainesville

The time has come. Let’s Hoot an Hollar! This year’s Hootin an Hollarin festival kicks off at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, and continues until midnight or later Saturday night, Sept. 20, on the Gainesville square.

As of Monday, the weather forecast predicts highs in the 80s with a 40 percent chance of rain Thursday, 50 percent chance of rain on Friday and 30 percent chance of rain on Saturday. It’s hard to wish away the rain, as the county is sitting squarely within a D2 “severe drought,” but it’s hoped that if precipitation does fall, it does so in the overnight hours as to not put a damper on most of the festivities. 

This year’s festival centers around the theme “Neighbors Helping Neighbors,” celebrating the everyday neighborly kindness Ozark County is known for, as well as the dedicated volunteers who serve in the many emergency capacities, answering the call for help from their neighbors in their most vulnerable times of need. Festival organizers hope attendees will make sure to clap for and thank the dedicated firefighters, police, electric linemen, road and highway workers, city and county workers and the many other local helpers when they see them this weekend - whether that be walking around the square or as they pass by in Saturday’s big parade. 

So, what is happening when? Here’s a look at what fun is in store for the next three days:

Thursday, Sept. 18

The festival kicks off Thursday at 5:30 p.m. with the National Anthem performed by young musician Jessica Suit, 15, followed by the official festival welcome. Suit will perform a few other songs, followed by another young musician, Finn Wade, 12, who will play violin. 

Viewing of the annual quilt show will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, at its new location, located inside a building on the southwest corner of the square near Ozarks Wifi. Look for the big quilt show sign on the glass front window of the building (located behind booths #62-63). Guests of the quilt show will have their chance to vote on their favorite entered project, and at the end of the show the quilted entry with the most festival attendee votes will win the “people’s choice” award.

At 6 p.m., Casey and the Atta Boys will take the Main stage with their traditional bluegrass music - with a twist. You won’t want to miss that show!

At 7:30 p.m. the annual queen pageant will entertain crowds. This year’s lineup of girls is one of the biggest ever - with 22 contestants, all Ozark County girls ranging  in age from 14 to 18. The girls will perform a group square dance, then each girl will step up to the microphone to answer questions designed to let them show their creativity and imagination. A panel of judges will choose the queen and the queen’s court, including a deputy queen and three princesses. Another honoree, Miss Sweetie Pie, is chosen by the contestants themselves after voting in secret for the contestant who has been kindest and most supportive to the group.

While the judges are tallying their votes, the 2025 Barney Douglas Citizen of the Year, Douglas Hawkins, and this year’s 2025 Hootin an Hollarin parade marshal, Bakersfield Fire Chief Greg Watts, will be honored on stage. 

The night ends with square dancing to live music from 9 p.m. to midnight. 

Friday, Sept. 19

Viewing for the quilt show will reopen from10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday (and again from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.)  

On Friday, the Shelter Insurance Kids Corner opens from 10 a.m. to noon offering free fun for kiddos attending the festival including face-painting and (Friday only) Dena, the balloon lady, who can whip up amazing balloon art pieces in a matter of seconds. Kids are invited to challenge Dena by asking for whatever animal, character or other balloon item they can think of, and she’ll do her best to bend and twist it into reality. Kids get to take home the balloon art home to keep. There will also be games and prizes and other fun activities. Everything at the kids corner is free, so make sure to stop by the two hours its open Friday and Saturday mornings for some free festival fun. 

Also held at the same location is the 10:30 a.m. annual terrapin race. Kids should bring their own terrapin or turtle to race but are asked not to paint or decorate its shell - and to return it to where it was found after the race to help ensure its continued survival. Sign up begins at 10 a.m., and there will likely be several different heats to make sure all terrapins are able to get their chance to show just how fast they are. The way it works is that the contestants bring their terrapins to a center circle and face outward. When the whistle is blown, the kids place their turtles onto the pavement and let them “race” toward an outer circle that serves as the finish line. The first three terrapins across the line win cash prizes - and each day’s first place winner also wins a handmade unique trophy or plaque. 

The Main stage entertainment begins at 11 a.m. Friday with music from the praise and worship team at Thornfield House of Prayer, followed by Bethany Caudill’s country, gospel, bluegrass, blues and classic rock music at noon. Don’t forget about the gazebo pickin’ that will be held throughout the afternoon on the courthouse lawn gazebo.

The Lil’ Cedar Pete and Lil’ Miss Addie Lee contest, open to 4- and 5-year-old boys, will be held at 1 p.m. Friday. Sign up just a few minutes before the contest behind the stage. It is followed by the princess pageants (open to girls in first through sixth grades who are pre-registered for the event) at 1:45 p.m. Both contests are free to enter. 

The Half Step Down band from Pontiac and Oakland, Arkansas, will rock the Main stage from 3:30 to 5 p.m. with their signature blend of southern rock, blues and country music. 

Meanwhile, free old-fashioned kids games will be offered at the Amyx parking lot (across from City Hall on the northwest corner of the square) from 4 to 5 p.m. 

Two of the most fun - and funniest - events of the whole festival will be held on the west side of the square on the stretch of Main Street between City Hall and Molly’s Salon and Boutique. The bed races kick off at 5 p.m. there, followed by the 5:30 p.m. outhouse races. Teams of five are encouraged to compete. There is no entry fee. Early sign up is helpful but not mandatory and can be done just prior to the events. Forms are available at the Ozark County Times office now for those who would like to pre-register. 

The catchy tunes from the Bluegrass Ramblers will be coming from the Main stage at 5:30 p.m. followed by a 7:30 p.m. performance of modern and classic country by Joshua Michael and Dirt Road Saints.

Also beginning at 7 p.m. Friday night, the four Ozark County high school FFA chapters will be leading their own show at the FFA Bull Blast bull riding event at the Gainesville Saddle Club Arena, located a few blocks off the square on Main Street. Entry is $10 for adults and $5 for students. 

Square dancing will again be held on the platforms in front of the Main stage from 9 p.m. to midnight. 

Saturday, Sept. 20

On Saturday, the annual Hootin an Hollarin 5k run/walk will begin in front of City Hall. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. ($25 per person registration fee with all funds benefitting the Gainesville High School running programs), and the race begins at 8:30 a.m. Sign up forms are available now at Shelter Insurance - Douglas Hawkins Agency and the Ozark County Times office. 

The annual shotgun and archery shoot will be held at 9 a.m. in its usual location, across Highway 160 from the square in the grassy area below the roadway. There’s no need to pre-register, but those who wish to enter should show up before 9 a.m. It costs $3 to enter each round of the competition (per shot for shotgun and per four targets for archery), and there will be a 100 percent payout in Town & Country Supermarket gift certificates. 

The pet show, free and open to pets of all shapes, sizes and varieties, will be held on the Main stage at 9:30 a.m. Registration begins at 8:45 a.m. and sign up will be cut off at 9:15 a.m. No late participants allowed due to tight scheduling Saturday morning.

The Hootin an Hollarin Auto Roundup Car Show will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot on Main Street that sits between 160 Pit Stop and the Phillips 66/White Oak Station convenience store (formerly J-Mart). Registration for those entering vehicles into the car show will begin at 8:30 a.m. The cost to enter a vehicle is $20, and the event is open to everyone. Kids who want to enter a Power Wheels or other electric or motor powered ride-on toy vehicle are warmly invited to participate, and all kids will leave with a gift bag. Other vehicles will be judged in the five categories: Current rides (1995 to 2025); Sylin’ classics (1994 to 1975); Anne-Teaks (1974 to 1962) and Custom (any aged custom automobile). Prizes will be awarded at 1 p.m., and all car show participants are invited to join the Hootin an Hollarin parade at 2 p.m. Saturday.  

Quilt show viewing will again be held in its location in a building on the southwest corner of the square near Ozarks Wifi from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. 

The free fun at Shelter Insurance Kids Corner will be back on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon with another free terrapin race at 10:30 (sign up at  10 a.m.). 

A cornhole tournament, free to enter for groups of two of any ages, will begin at 10 a.m. in the parking lot off the northwest corner of the square (across from City Hall). Sign up begins at 9:30 a.m. Teams of two are encouraged to pre-register by calling Renee Hambelton at 417-989-0116 or Gabe Blackburn at 417-838-3369; however, pre-registration is not mandatory, and teams can sign up just before the contest. Boards and bags will be provided. 

The annual costume contest (free and open to all ages of hillbilly- and pioneer-clad participants) will be held at 11 a.m. on the Main stage. Sign up beforehand behind the stage. Children and adults of all ages are invited to enter the competition, which includes several categories of boys and girls by age, as well as new dress, old dress, judge’s choice, large group and small group. 

The sweet and delicious pie-baking competition will be held inside the Shelter Insurance building off the southwest corner of the square at 11:30 a.m. Pies should be brought before then. The competition is free to enter, and all types of pies are welcome. After the winners are announced on the Main stage, the office will be opened (likely around 12:30 or so) for guests to come and sample the winning pies. 

At 12:30 p.m. Saturday, the Hootin an Hollarin calling contests will be held on the Main stage. Contestants in this fun event give their best cow, pig, turkey or husband call for the audience to vote on by cheering. Sign up is free, held just before the contest behind the stage. 

The Main stage music will kick off Saturday at 12:30 p.m. with bluegrass and bluegrass gospel tunes from Stringed Union, followed by the recognition of the 2025 Ozark County Farm Family, Drake and Kara Potter, and an honored Ozark County Century Farm owned by the Grisham family, just before the 2 p.m. parade. Another session of afternoon gazebo pickin’ will be held at the gazebo on the courthouse lawn. 

The big parade will make its way up Main Street by Town & Country Supermarket at 2 p.m., making a round on the square and exiting on the southwest corner near Shelter Insurance. Good viewing can be had just about anywhere along the route. 

Just after the parade, “Randy, the Magic Guy” will perform fun illusions and comedy on the Main stage. Saturday afternoon will also include a performance by the Ridge Runner Cloggers at 4 p.m. 

Another set of old-fashioned kids games will be held in the Amyx parking lot, across from City Hall on the northwest corner of the square, from 4 to 5 p.m. Saturday.

At 5:15 p.m., Isaac Kenneth will perform his signature “Crooner-country,” along with classic and new country hits on the Main stage. That will be followed by a 7 p.m. high-energy show by the Cherry & James, the crowd-pleasing duo of Josh Cherry and Chelsey James, performing their own mix of country, rock, blues and timeless classics. 

The festival will end with the last session of square dancing, held from 9 a.m. to midnight Saturday night.  

Find out more

To see more information about each of these events, booth map, information on the bands and more, check out this year’s Hootin an Hollarin festival guide, available free at the Ozark County Times office, Hootin an Hollarin information booth or online at www.ozarkcountytimes.com/hootin-hollarin-magazine/2025-hootin-hollarin. 

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Editor’s note: The capitalization of the “Main stage” reflects the 2024 naming of the Hootin an Hollarin stage  in honor of the late Dr. Bob Main in honor of his nearly 40 years of service, assembling the festival stage and helping to lay the square dance platforms each year.