Jefferson City, Mo. – Not only does food taste better outside, but autumn air enhances any activity found at one of Missouri’s wide range of festivals. Peruse classic cars, see cartoonists in action and listen to jazz while partaking in festival fare like candied apples, pumpkin pie and brats.
Eat
Mail in your best homemade bread or hand carry it to Chillicothe’s Bread Fest competition, held in conjunction with the annual Chautauqua in the Park, Sept. 12-13, featuring arts and crafts, live music and a variety of food. The Tour of Missouri, a professional cycling event, will host its Saturday start of the race from downtown. www.ChillicotheMo.com/chautauqua.htm
Vendors from around the country converge in the hamlet of Hartsburg for the Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival, Oct. 10-11, featuring pumpkin carving and pumpkin pie eating competitions. www.HartsburgPumpkinfest.com
Drink
Raise your glass and toast the celebration marking the 2000th anniversary of the Battle of Teutoburg Forest at the Hermann Victory Celebration, Sept. 23-27, in Hermann, combined with the 5th Annual BarBQ and Brats Festival. In this battle, the city’s namesake defeated three Roman legions to change the course of history. You will have many wine choices for your toast from the selection of vineyards in the area. www.VisitHermann.com
Beer tasting and a commemorative glass, along with live music, highlight the 7th Annual Augusta Bottoms Beer Festival, Oct. 3, held near the Katy Trailhead in Augusta featuring several made-in-Missouri beers. www.AugustaBottomsBeerfest.com
And Be Merry in Missouri
The 18th Annual Capital Jazzfest & Street Art Fair, Sept. 18-19, in Jefferson City combines live jazz and art, including a sidewalk chalk art competition. Schoolchildren are invited to participate in painting the town red, blue, yellow and other brilliant chalk colors on the first day. www.CapitalArts.org
Art for the masses, aka cartoons, comes alive during the 11th Annual Walt Disney Hometown Toonfest (and Block Party), Sept. 19, in Marceline. Nationally renowned cartoonists headline a free afternoon symposium after the annual Toonfest Parade on Main Street USA. www.Toonfest.net
What started as a single-tent livestock show in 1899 has become one of Kansas City’s most popular traditions, The American Royal, an eight-week festival of rodeos, livestock shows, big-name country concerts and other family entertainment. The Royal kicks off the fall season on Sept. 26 with Kansas City’s longest-running parade and the world’s largest barbecue competition. www.AmericanRoyal.com
The Fall Festival of the Arts & Crafts, Sept. 26-27, in Washington heralds its German heritage with authentic food, arts and crafts, live music and a special “kids” area. Start early at the Friday night Chili Cook-Off and Cruise night and stay for the after-the-parade party on Saturday. www.WashMo.org
Enjoy the Cotton Carnival Parade, Oct. 3, and spend a day in the American Legion Square in Sikeston at the Cotton Heritage Festival with arts, crafts, live music, cakewalks and contests. www.DowntownSikeston.org
It’s a revival of the arts inspired by a tradition dating back to the 1930s when art guilds of Ste. Genevieve, Jefferson, St. Francois and Perry Counties combine to host Autumn Daze Art Festival & Car Cruise in Ste. Genevieve’s downtown area Oct. 9-11. But wait, there’s more to see, such as a cruise-in, a quilt show, an arts reception and a Farmer’s Market. www.VisitSteGen.com
The legend of the Pony Express combines with the appeal of the lighting of the Great Pumpkin Mountain consisting of more than 800 hand-carved pumpkins at the Pony Express Pumpkinfest, Oct. 9-11. Activities include storytellers, a carnival and live music. http://Events.StJoMo.com
At the 43rd Annual Maple Leaf Festival, spend a whole week getting your “Maple Leaf Kicks on Route 66” in Carthage, Oct. 10-17. Stemming from a 1960’s marching band competition, this festival now hosts the largest parade in southwest Missouri and Three Minutes of Fame Lip Sync Competition. http://CarthageChamber.com/mapleleafhomepage.html
Silver Dollar City’s signature stage show, “Headin’ West,” returns to the opera stage Sept. 12-Oct. 31 during the National Harvest Festival in Branson, a celebration of American Craftsmanship that stretches for seven weeks. More than 500 craftsmen and musicians contribute to the festivities, joined by the debut performance of “Salute to the Great American Cowgirl!” featuring a world-famous cowgirl precision horse team. www.SilverDollarCity.com
For more information on Missouri attractions and activities, go to www.VisitMO.com or call 800-519-4800.
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