There are many things in this life that we count on, but one thing we can always depend on is that Fall in the Ozarks means festivals and events. Over the last two weekends, I was a busy guy, attending these wonderful community events.

The weekend of Sept. 27-28, I attended Pioneer Days in Mountain View and the Fair Grove Heritage Reunion. On Oct. 4-5, I attended the Annual Black and Gold Walnut Festival in Alton, the OZ Fall Fest in Willow Springs, Pioneer Descendants Gathering in Ava and the Thayer Fall Festival.  

The last weekend in September is always Pioneer Days in Mountain View. The festival starts with a ham and bean supper, music and dancing on Friday night. Saturday morning kicks off with an old fashion flapjack breakfast, old time music, dancing, antique car show, crafts, live Pioneer demonstrations, crosscut wood demonstrations, Mountain View’s Tee Pee Village, parachute flights, sack races, cookie stacking contest, bed races, and much more. Bed races and cookie stacking sure takes some coordination. Those events were fun to watch and to see the participant’s excitement.

The 28th annual Black Gold Walnut Festival on the Alton Courthouse Square began on Oct. 4, with the 2nd annual Run for the Gold 5k Run/Walk event and a performance by the Vikki McGee Band. The fun continued on Oct. 5 with vendors, craft tables and many fun contests throughout the day. Craft and food booths lined every open space on the square. Great music and entertainment from local bands and the Alton School District Choirs filled the air. Events included a cooking contest which must contain the black walnut ingredient.

On Oct. 5, I also spent time attending the Pioneer Descendants Gathering in Ava. This festival has become an event I truly look forward to. It’s a pleasure to see the wheel wright, black smith, molasses cooking demonstration, soap making, Civil War and Spanish American War Reenactors and more.

Thousands of people joined me in attending the Oz Fall Fest in downtown Willow Springs. The event included a pie and garden produce contest. This event is another that turns a small town in District 33 into a booming city with little parking to be found. It is always a nice time, with lots of visiting, eating and memories being made.

As always, I appreciate it when groups from around Missouri and from our community back home come to visit me at the Capitol, however during interim I may be in district. If you would like to arrange a time to come and visit me in Jefferson City, or if you ever have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact my Capitol office at (573) 751-1882.