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Fall Festivals in Missouri

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October 7, 2024

Missouri hosts a multitude of festivals throughout the year, but when fall rolls around, the state turns it up a notch. Communities large and small celebrate the season with an abundance of music, art, history, thrills and frights, plus food and drink – amidst all the beauty autumn has to offer.

Something Sweet

A family tradition for 45 years, Versailles Olde Tyme Apple Festival, Oct. 5 – 6, is sure to be a sweet time. Vendors line the downtown square selling crafts, décor, baked goods and so much more. The festival also includes a parade, a demolition derby, the crowning of Apple Festival King and Queen, and last, but not least – an apple pie baking contest. It’s the cherry – or apple – on top of a fun-filled weekend!

Apple Butter Makin’ Days in Mount Vernon takes place Oct. 11 – 13. This popular festival hosts thousands of visitors each year and features a variety of activities – wiener dog races, competitive bubble-gum-bubble blowers, plus learning the secret to creating its delicious namesake apple butter.

Sip and Snack Your Way Through Fall

Located in historic downtown Boonville on Sept. 28, Sippin’, Strollin’, Rockin’ & Rollin’ is an evening of delicious flavors and lively entertainment. Start with an “early sip” VIP experience, followed by a stroll through downtown where you’ll sample wine, beer and spirits. The memorable evening ends with a concert and dancing!

Follow the Cookie Crumb Trail through Ste. Genevieve’s historic downtown. Embrace the comfort of fall by tasting a variety of cookies as you wander and shop in locally owned stores. In addition, you’ll receive a Cookie Crumb Trail Recipe Book so you can try out some new cookie recipes ahead of the holidays.

Celebrate Arts, Crafts and Creativity

Admire the creativity and work of local artists at the Historic Shaw Art Fair on Oct. 5 – 6. Showcasing a variety of skills – including ceramics, fiber art, glass, painting, wood/metal work and so much more – this premier fair takes place along a beautiful, tree-lined parkway and features 120 artists, food and music.

See some of the best juried artwork in the region at the 10^th Annual Joplin Arts Fest on Sept. 20 – 21. The day will be full of entertainment, from a wide variety of visual and performance artists to live demos. The event will also have music, activities for children, plus food and drinks. It’s sure to be two fun-filled days for the entire family!

Celebrate History in Autumn

Travel to Bethel for a marketplace of craftmanship, history and fun on Sept. 28 – 29. The Bethel Colony Fall Market has an array of food vendors, including Fest Hall Restaurant, regional wineries, Bethel Candy Kitchen, Colony Foodstand and Bethel Bakery. When this community was founded, they were well-known for a local band. That tradition has remained strong and guests to the marketplace can expect to peruse the beautiful, historic site while listening to live entertainment.

Celebrate the history of Maramec Spring Park at Old Iron Works Festival, Oct. 12 – 13. The event has old-time activities, artisan crafters and displays, plenty of vendors for historical must-haves, delicious food options and a lineup of traditional bluegrass music. Not to mention – the location is beautiful and the perfect way to spend an autumn day.

Get Spooked

Is it even fall if there aren’t some scary, ghoulish activities? Attend Halloween Haunt (open select nights from Sept. 13 – Oct. 26) in Kansas City at Worlds of Fun. The amusement park gives visitors a screaming good time with spine-chilling haunted mazes, elaborate scare zones and spooky live shows. The park’s most popular rides will be open at night to give you a thrilling time!

For a suspenseful, eerie evening, join the Haunted River Float in Waynesville (select dates from Sept. 14 – Oct. 26) and float down the Gasconade River under the cover of darkness. Expect to encounter river monsters, trek through a haunted trail and forest, and hasten through a haunted house with 25 rooms of frights and chilling surprises. Additionally, guests can choose to participate in Zombie Paintball, axe throwing and 15-minute escape rooms.