WEB EXCLUSIVE STORY: Fall Festivals
Celebrate all that is fall with season-inspired festivals in 417-land and beyond
Soak up the fall colors and your steins in this year’s beer, wine and full out German-fest in Hermann. Oktoberfest brings together Missouri’s wine country and local Hermann attractions to celebrate all that is German – from the music to beer to polka – with a little bit of Missouri thrown in with an arts and crafts festival, Missouri artists tour and views of Hermann’s intoxicating fall landscape.
“Oktoberfest is a tradition that has grown over the years, and it’s a good time for people to come and enjoy the weather,” says Jim Grebing, Hermann director of tourism. “It’s certainly a beautiful time in wine country and attractions around the area come together to celebrate.”
Every weekend in October, all seven wineries along the wine trail and downtown Hermann have special activities planned for Oktoberfest. Hermanhoff winery puts on live music with various German bands and serves wine, beer and brats around the winery and in the Festhalle banquet center, a perfect environment to thrown on your lederhosen get your polka on. Oak Glenn winery also has live music every Saturday afternoon from four local bands. After the wineries close, make your way to downtown Hermann, where two beer gardens are open from mid-afternoon to 10 p.m. with live entertainment.
Oktoberfest features different special events each weekend. From October 11–12, check out the free arts and crafts festival at Hermann Middle School, Highway 100 West, and get a jump on some of your holiday shopping, open from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m.–4 p.m. on Sunday. If you’re coming to Oktoberfest the weekend of October 18–19, experience the free Artists of Wine Country Art Walk and Talks. Pick up a map from 315 Schiller Street and take the self-guided tour around various artist studios from 10 a.m.–4 p.m., so you can check out the glory and talent of the Missouri art scene. On October 25, don’t miss some truly authentic German melodies at the Clara Eitmann Messmer Amphitheatre with a youth band from Bad Arolsen, Germany, Hermann’s sister city. Also at the concert and around town, munch on kettle corn and watch some apple butter making.
Apart from planned events on the weekends, attractions around Hermann stay open to quench your thirst for German culture. The German School Museum and Deutschheim State Historic Site are open for tours throughout the day and often have special activities.
Though the bulk of Oktoberfest happenings are on the weekends, activities abound in Hermann throughout the week with smaller crowds if you’re planning a longer visit. The Showboat theatre hosts a performance from the local follies on Wednesdays and Thursdays and tickets are $10. To exercise off some of the delicious German fare from the weekend and take in the beauty of Hermann’s wine country, bike on the protected bike path along the Christopher S. Bond Bridge that connects to the Katy Trail.
For more information about Oktoberfest and to view a schedule of events, visit hermannmo.info or call the welcome center at 1-800-932-8687.
417-land Fall Festivals
From apple butter makin’ to pumpkin weighin’, 417-land puts on a slue of fall festivals with events sure to please any autumn enthusiast.
Republic Pumpkin Daze:
It’s the great pumpkin, 417-land! Republic Pumpkin Daze marries a love for produce with fun fall activities in a one-day event on Main Street.
Starting as an event primarily for weighing produce, Pumpkin Daze has evolved over the past 15 years into a family-friendly autumn celebration.
Republic Pumpkin Daze is affiliated with the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth and serves as an official weighsite for the organization. Event coordinator Mark Mauss says that the record for the heaviest pumpkin weighed in at more than 800 pounds.
Apart from the produce, about 200 arts and craft vendors line Main Street along with performances from the community band and local dance studio, a Kids Tractor Pull and a Little Miss and Master Pumpkin contest.
Though the event is free, money from the event goes back into the community for scholarships for the Republic Future Farmers of America chapter and other causes.
Get there early. Mauss says that last year more than 10,000 people attended, and they were shoulder to shoulder by the afternoon. Free, October 4, 8 a.m.–4 p.m., Main Street, Republic. 417-732-5959, visit pumpkindaze.com for a full schedule of events.
Harvest Moon Festival:
Forsyth’s fall fest celebrates the harvest moon with a vroom. The Harvest Moon Festival brings in more than 100 cars with $20 entry for whoever wants to show off their ride. Century Tel even gives out a $300 best of show prize for the most impressive automobile, so you can really take your car to the next level.
The day before the festival, Friday October 3, join in on a car cruise starting from Highway Y in Forsyth going to Rockaway Beach. Line-up begins at 5:30 p.m. and the cruise starts at 6 p.m. The “coolest of the cruise” gets a trophy.
Aside from the cars, various arts and crafts vendors line the festival, along with car parts and accessories for sale. There’s also a karaoke competition, food vendors, an emcee and car trivia for the real auto aficionados.
In years past, the Harvest Moon Festival has been at Shadow Rock Park, but due to flooding, this year’s festival is in the parking lot of Forsyth Elementary School. Free, October 4, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Forsyth Elementary School, 178 Panther St., Forsyth. 417-546-2741, forsyth-mo.com.
Apple Butter Makin’ Days:
Crisp apples complement fall’s crisp, cool weather at the 42nd annual Apple Butter Makin’ Days in Mt. Vernon. From apple butter making to an apple pie eating and baking contest to Apple Butter Queen crowning, apple lovers won’t be disappointed at this weekend fall fest.
On Friday, events like a bubble gum blowing contest, pet parade, tractor pull and apple contests make this festival a standout. On Saturday, check out a car show, small carnival and a 9 a.m. parade with more than 200 entrants. Throughout the weekend, hundreds of craft and food booths line the Mt. Vernon town square. Also, musical performances from country, folk, bluegrass and Christian singers entertain festivalgoers.
With between 45,000 and 50,000 visitors each year, Apple Butter Makin’ Days is one of the largest fall festivals in 417-land. Free, October 10-12, Friday and Saturday 9 a.m.–6 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Mt. Vernon Town Square, between Hickory Street, Market Street, East Dallas Street and East Water Street. 417-466-7654, mtvernonchamber.com.
42nd Annual Maple Leaf Festival:
Maple leaves turning into brilliant colors and falling from their majestic trees bring to mind some of the most beautiful autumn imagery, so celebrate fall in Carthage, the Maple Leaf City.
This weeklong celebration from October 11¬–18 kicks off with the Boots, Bands and BBQ Country Concert at 7 p.m. at the Royal Oaks Arena on Saturday, October 11 and culminates with the Maple Leaf Parade on October 18 starting at the Historic Carthage Square.
Also on October 11, check out the Maple Leaf Little Miss, Little Mister, Junior Miss and Queen Pageants at the Carthage High School auditorium. On Sunday October 12, get your heart rate going at the Maple Leaf 5K run, sprint duathlon and mile fun walk. Throughout the week, events like the Maple Leaf Quilt Show, Three Minutes of Fame Lip-Sync Competition and Maple Leaf Baby Contest provide plenty of entertainment.
The festival finishes on Saturday, October 18 with the parade, Maple Leaf Dog Show, performance from Willie Arthur Smith’s Marching Cobras and all-day Maple Leaf Auto Show, along with craft and food vendors that line Carthage’s square. $3–$50 admission and entry fees for certain events (see carthagechamber.com/coe.html for pricing), otherwise all events are free. October 11-18, various times and locations in Carthage (see calendar of events). 417-358-2373, carthagechamber.com.
