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Gainesville maintenance supervisor William Walrath, 2018 Hootin an Hollarin Parade Marshal, spreads salt on Gainesville sidewalks during a 2011 snowstorm.
William Walrath, the 2018 Hootin an Hollarin Parade Marshal, has seen a lot of changes since he first started working for the city of Gainesville in July 1975. Reminiscing recently, William, now Gainesville’s maintenance supervisor, said he’s worked for “a bunch of mayors and fill-ins,” including...
A lineup of antique tractors is a fun addition to the floats, cars and other entries in each year’s H&H parade.
Gainesville’s population swells from a few hundred to a few thousand on Saturday afternoon of Hootin an Hollarin as spectators line the streets when the Big Parade steps off at 2 p.m. This year’s lineup promises to be another crowd pleaser, with marching bands, floats, antique cars and all sorts of...
Pie contest coordinator Betsy Ritchie poses with the array of pies submitted for the 2017 Hootin an Hollarin pie contest.
The 2018 Hootin an Hollarin pie contest will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, in the Shelter Insurance office on Third Street just west of the square. Area bakers are invited to show off their pie-baking skills, but they’re reminded that only pies that don’t require refrigeration may be...
Mollie Spencer and dachshund Ellie won the Best Costume award in the 2017 Hootin an Hollarin pet show.
All different types of pets are welcome in the fun, lighthearted Hootin an Hollarin pet show directed each year by veterinarian Konnie Plumlee. Contestants and their owners are asked to sign up in front of the main stage on the east side of the square between 9:30 and 9:45 a.m. before the show...
Colt Greeley Suter, son of Kursten Suter and Brad Hamm, was dressed in his hillbilly best for the 2017 Hootin an Hollarin costume parade.
One of everyone’s favorite Hootin an Hollarin events is the Friday afternoon costume parade and contest, when folks young and old – and sometimes whole families – dress up in old-fashioned costumes to wow the spectators and judges.
Costumed participates sign up across from City Hall on the...
These hard-working members of the 2018 Hootin an Hollarin planning committee devote many hours to make the festival fun for everyone. Seated, from left: pet show chair Konnie Plumlee, publicity chair Linda Harlin, parade co-chair Heather Bushner, queen pageant co-chair Becki Strong (with co-chair...
Elizabeth Morse, part of the 2017 Gainesville FCCLA outhouse race team, was the “rider” as the team headed toward the finish line. Other team members were Branetta McNece, Ryan Acklin, Tim Loach and adviser Betsy Ritchie.
For those who really need to go, the Hootin an Hollarin outhouse races fill a thrilling need. This one-of-a kind competition, which combines athleticism and laugh-invoking urgency, can be especially thrilling, given that spectators line the race course, and this racing vehicle, the ultimate in “...
The Big Bang Theory bed-racing team in last year’s competition were aiming for the best-dressed award. Team members included Cole Hershberger, Zack Botts-Papke, Erin Lowder, Max Seals and Tyler Tabor.
With Ma in her kerchief and Pa in his... running shoes (?)... they must be gearing up for the famous Hootin an Hollarin bed races! This sleep-defying spectacle, sponsored by the Gainesville PTO, begins at 5 p.m. Friday on the west side of the square, when dream teams show their high-performance bed...
Robert Merriman and a group of other competitors prepare to take their shot at a target during the 2017 Hootin an Hollarin shotgun shoot as MDC agent Jerry Kiger watches.
Hootin an Hollarin sportsmen and sportswomen can show off their shooting skills at the annual Hootin an Hollarin gun and archery shoot, which begins at 9 a.m. Saturday. The event, sometimes referred to as the “turkey shoot,” is always well attended by spectators as well as participants. It’s held...
Pre-registration is $20. Registration the day of the event is $25. All participants receive a commemorative T-shirt with this year's fun logo.
Runners and walkers are invited to participate in Ozark County’s oldest 5k, set for 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 22. The race is a pet-friendly event, according to organizers.
Participants can register between 8 and 9 a.m. next to Gainesville City Hall, or they can pre-register by mail. Pick up a...