Go for the ghoul: Halloween events, fall festivals abound


The maple trees lining the Ozark County courthouse lawn are ablaze with color this week.

There’s no shortage of places to have a ghoulishly good time in Ozark County this Halloween. Take your pick from this list of fall carnivals and festivals or trunk-or-treat events in Bakersfield, Dora, Gainesville or Theodosia.

Friday and Saturday,
Oct. 25-26

Mark Twain Carnival, Rueter, Friday, Oct. 25
 
Mark Twain Elementary School will host its fall carnival Friday, Oct. 25, beginning at 5:30 p.m. with bingo and a chili supper, served by donation. A concession stand will also have funnel cakes for purchase. At 6 p.m., a variety of games will open, and at 7:30 p.m. the king and queen will be crowned, followed by a live auction featuring items for bid including Branson show tickets and more. Classroom basket raffles will also be offered with themes including a camping/survival basket, a candy basket, a baking basket, a movie night basket and a fishing basket.
Students and parents are also currently raising money through a gun raffle for a Mossberg 464 Mariner 30-30; the winning ticket will be drawn at the carnival. Tickets are currently being sold for $5 each or five for $20 at the Ozark County Times office, Doc Holliday’s Pawn Store in Forsyth or Theodosia Hardware. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the carnival. The winner does not need to be present to win.
The event is open to all kids and adults, not just Mark Twain students and families. For more information call the school at 417-785-4323.

Rockbridge Fall Festival
Friday-Saturday, Oct. 25-26

Rockbridge Rainbow Trout & Game Ranch’s fall festival will be held from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, and from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26. Vendors will be at the festival both days. On Saturday, attendees can enjoy train rides, hay rides, a bounce house, live music, carnival-style games, a costume contest, a caramel apple bar, apple cider and more. Organizers say activities are planned for the whole family.
Limited booth space is available for vendors. Contact Kristi at mod1@rockbridgemo.com for more information on booth rentals. Call Rockbridge at 417-679-3619 for more information.

Party Like a Monster at Shananagan’s Arcade
Thursday, Oct. 31

Shananagan’s Arcade & Loan, on Main Street off the northwest side of the Gainesville square, is hosting a Party Like a Monster party at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25. There will be games, karaoke, pizza, wings and a costume contest for all ages with prizes  awarded in these categories: overall best, scariest, funniest and best couple or group costume set (chosen by people’s choice). For more information, call Shananagan’s at 417-712-3919.

Halloween night

Antler kids costume contest,
 Thursday, Oct. 31

The Antler, at Highway 5 North and Third Street in Gainesville, is hosting a kids Halloween costume contest at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31. Costume contest categories include children ages 1 to 5, 6 to 10, and 11 to 15. Winners will take home a toy prize and candy. For more information call The Antler at 417-679-4598.

Bakersfield Trunk-or-Treat, Thursday, Oct. 31

Bakersfield’s trunk-or-treat will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, at the ball fields. Those handing out candy can set up as early as 4:30 p.m. Fun activities are planned for all ages, organizers say.

Bakersfield Annual Harvest Festival, Thursday, Oct. 31
Bakersfield’s 13th annual Harvest Festival at Pride Park Pavilion will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31. This year’s expanded event will feature three inflatables including a giant slide, bounce house and a toddler-sized bounce house. There will also be games, hotdogs, chili, hot drinks, music, a karaoke contest, popcorn and plenty of candy to go around. The event and all activities are free. The annual Harvest Festival is a joint effort of the Bakersfield First Baptist Church, the Amy Baptist Church in Caulfield and Center Grove Baptist Church of Moody.
For more information, contact First Baptist Church at fbc.bakersfield.mo@gmail.com or call 417-204-5810.

Dora Trunk-or-Treat, Thursday, Oct. 31
The Dora Saddle Club is hosting a trunk-or-treat event at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, at the saddle club grounds on County Road 365 near the junction of Highways 181 and H. The free event is open to everyone. Those wishing to attend can hand out candy or participate as trick-or-treaters.

Lutie School Trunk-or-Treat, Theodosia, Thursday, Oct. 31
Lutie School will host trunk-or-treat from 5 to 6 p.m. in the school parking lot. Community members, organizations and school clubs are encouraged to participate in handing out candy. Those who plan to hand out candy are asked to contact the school at 417-273-4150 beforehand to make arrangements.

Ozark County’s annual Trunk-or-Treat on the Gainesville square,Thursday, Oct. 31
 Ozark County’s eighth annual trunk-or-treat will be held on the Gainesville square from 6 to 8 p.m. Area residents are encouraged to participate in passing out candy from their decorated car trunks. Sign-up is not required to pass out candy; just show up before 5:45 p.m., when the square will be roped off and closed to traffic.

Saturday, Nov. 2
Halloween party at VFW, Isabella

VFW Post #5366 in Isabella will host a Halloween party from 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Nov. 2. The event will feature karaoke by Granit, Grant Carlson and a costume contest at 10 p.m. Winners will be awarded in first, second and third place categories. Those entering the costume contest should sign up before 8:30 p.m., and the winner will be chosen at 10 p.m. The event, and the VFW, are open to the public. Call the VFW at 417-273-5008 for more information.

Ozark County Times

504 Third Steet
PO Box 188
Gainesville, MO 65655

Phone: (417) 679-4641
Fax: (417) 679-3423