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The town of Bakersfield celebrated its annual fall festival, Bakersfest, and one of the largest car shows around last Saturday, Sept. 13. Kelly Crabtree, who helps organize the “Walk the Streets of Bakersfield Annual Car Show” that coincides with the Bakersfest said attendance and...

Who will be the 2025 Hootin an Hollarin queen? The 2025 Hootin an Hollarin queen pageant will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, on the Gainesville square. This year’s candidates, pictured at the top of this page are (from left): Back row: Shelby Smith, Moxie Similkier, Lilly Hejdak, Ella Sue Barber, Cami Strain, Isabelle Martin, Claire Turner and Annabell Snelson. Middle row: Latasha Bowers, Allison Moseley, Isabelle Workman, Cheyenne Wachtel, Whitley Tetrick, Khloe Simmons, Emma Wahmhoff and Caylee Watkins. Front row: Makayla Smith, Lakely Anderson, Abbi Angelo, Neveah Smart, Brycenne Young and Aubri Freas. The pageant is directed by Becki Strong, Jerri Sue Crawford and Tiffany Pleasant. Also helping are Kyle and Kelly Pompei, who teach the girls to square dance; Mary Kyle, who handles dress alterations and ironing; and April Luna, who helps keep order on pageant night. Organizers also extend a big thank you to Antler Pizza and Miller’s Kountry Store, both of which provide pizza for the girls at their rehearsals.
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...
Hundreds of spectators line the streets of Gainesville on Saturday afternoon of Hootin an Hollarin as the festival parade steps off at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20. Organizers hope attendees will embrace this year’s festival theme, “Neighbors Helping Neighbors,” by clapping and showing appreciation to...
The 2025 Hootin an Hollarin pie-baking contest will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Shelter Insurance office on the southwest corner of the Gainesville square. Area bakers are encouraged to show off their pie-baking skills with any type of pie. Past contests have included pot pies...
One of Hootin an Hollarin attendees’ favorite events is the annual costume contest, when folks young and old – and sometimes whole families – dress up in old-fashioned attire to wow the spectators and judges.
The contest is held on Saturday morning to allow students who are normally in class on...
The fourth annual Hootin an Hollarin cornhole tournament will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, in the parking lot of Donald Amyx’s building, off the northwest corner of the square, across from City Hall.
Teams consisting of two people are encouraged to pre-register; however, preregistering is...
All different types of pets are welcome in the fun, lighthearted Hootin an Hollarin pet show directed by Ozark County veterinarian Konnie Plumlee and emceed by Katlin Hornig of the Gainesville Veterinary Hospital. This year's event will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20.
Contestants and...
Hootin an Hollarin sportsmen and sportswomen can show off their shooting skills at the annual Hootin an Hollarin shotgun and archery shoot, which begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20.
The event, sometimes referred to as the “turkey shoot,” is always well attended by spectators as well as...
Runners and walkers are invited to participate in Ozark County’s oldest 5K, the Hootin an Hollarin 5K, set for 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20. “This is the granddaddy of them all,” said 5K coordinator Doug Hawkins. Walkers are also welcome and are encouraged to participate. Proceeds from this year’s...
Ozark County’s four FFA chapters will sponsor the fifth annual Ozark County FFA Bull Blast, a bullriding competition at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, at the Gainesville Saddle Club arena. The entrance to the arena is located on Main Street less than a half mile off the northwest side of the square.
The...









