Fall and Halloween area events

It’s that time of year when pumpkins, apple cider and crisp fall air set a festive tone in the Ozarks. Listed here are Halloween and fall events that residents can visit or attend in the coming weeks. Those organizing a local fall or Halloween-themed event can contact Editor Jessi Dreckman at 417-679-4641 or jessi@ozarkcountytimes.com to have the event added to the listing in future weeks. 

This weekend

Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company’s Fall Harvest Festival: Join Baker Creek Seed Company in celebrating the abundance of harvest and appreciating the joy and self-sufficiency that gardening and farming bring at its Harvest Festival from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, and Monday, Oct. 6. The event will feature vendors, expert speakers, local food, unique vendors, greenhouse and garden tours and old-fashioned entertainment at Baker Creek’s farm in Mansfield. The event brings out thousands of gardeners, farmers and crafts people to celebrate heirloom gardening at the company’s homeplace in the Ozarks (near Mansfield). 

The cost to park is $15 per vehicle, which is good for both days. Admission is free, but limited parking makes purchasing a parking ticket before the festival a must. 

Find out more, including a lineup of speakers and musicians, at www.rareseeds.com/fall-harvest-festival.

Tuesday, Oct. 7

Theodosia Methodist Church’s Fall Women’s Retreat: The Theodosia Methodist Church is hosting its Fall Women’s Retreat from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, at the church, located at 5845 U.S. Highway 160 in Theodosia. Lunch will be provided. 

Saturday, Oct. 11

Rockbridge Rainbow Trout and Game Ranch Fall Festival: The annual fall festival at Rockbridge Rainbow Trout and Game Ranch will be held Saturday, Oct. 11, at the resort located on County Road 142 in  Rockbridge. The day begins at 10 a.m. with vendor booths opening (they will be open until about 6 p.m.) offering artisan crafts and delicious food and treats. There will be live music by Pure Country from 2 to 5 p.m. Activities that will offered from 2 to 5 p.m. include a bounce house, scenic hay rides, train rides, family fun activities and kids fishing. For more information, contact Rockbridge Rainbow Trout and Game Ranch at 417-679-3619 or visit the Rockbridge Rainbow Trout & Game Ranch Facebook page. 

Triple Treasures Marketplace Holiday Event: Triple Treasures Marketplace, located off Highway 160 in Hardenville, will host its annual multi-vendor holiday event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11. The event will feature tons of vendors with a variety of items for sale including holiday decor and gift ideas, food trucks and snack items, crafts, family fun and more. For more information, visit www.tripletreasuresmarketplace.com or visit the company’s Facebook page. Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free. 

Docktoberfest: Lake Bums BrewCo in Pontiac is hosting its Docktoberfest event from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11. 

Friday, Oct. 17

Dora fall carnival: The Dora School is hosting its fall carnival Friday, Oct. 17. A chili supper will be served at 5 p.m., followed by games at 5:30 p.m. and the crowning of the Dora fall carnival king and queen at 8 p.m. that night. 

Thursday, Oct. 30

Dora trunk-or-treat: The Dora School is hosting its trunk-or-treat festival from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, in the school cafeteria. There will be hotdogs, chips and drinks provided at no cost, but donations are welcome. 

Halloween night

Friday, Oct. 31

Gainesville’s trunk-or-treat: Gainesville’s trunk-or-treat event will run from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, on the Gainesville square. The event is always held on Halloween night. Everyone is welcome to decorate a trunk or table  to set up and hand out candy or toys, and all costume-clad children are invited to participate, free of charge. Candy givers can just show up and pick a spot on the square before the event. Those handing out candy can dress up or decorate a trunk, but it’s not a requirement. The event is sponsored by the Ozark County Chamber of Commerce.

Rockbridge trunk-or-treat: Rockbridge Rainbow Trout Ranch is hosting a trunk-or-treat event at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, at its resort (4297 County Road 142 in Rockbridge). Everyone is invited. For more information, contact the resort at 417-679-3619.

Lutie trunk-or-treat: The Lutie School District will host its trunk-or-treat from 5 to 7 p.m. Halloween night, Friday, Oct. 31, in the school parking lot. There will be a trunk decorating contest this year. 

Bakersfield trunk-or-treat and movie night: The Bakersfield trunk-or-treat and movie night will be held Halloween night at the Bakersfield Elementary School playground. Chili and hotdogs will be served. The senior class is putting on a Halloween movie night that night as well.

Mountain Home trick-or-treat trail: For those who want to trick-or-treat door-to-door this year, the Mountain Home Area Chamber of Commerce is putting together a “trail” listing of participating homes and businesses within the Mountain Home city limits where children can trick-or-treat. The list will be published on Oct. 27. 

Halloween weekend

Flotsam Farm Garloween party - Flotsam Farm of Sycamore is hosting its annual Garloween Garlic Planting Festival two nights this year - Friday, Oct. 31, and Saturday, Nov. 1, at the farm off Highway 181 near Hodgson Mill. The event kicks off at 5:30 p.m. each night with a potluck dinner and live music beginning at 7 p.m.. There will be a variety of “garlic-themed entertainment,” live music, kick ball, farming presentations and more. Costumes are encouraged. The event is open to the public, and everyone is welcome. A donation of $10 to $20 is suggested but not required. For more information, visit the “Garloween at Flotsam Farm” Facebook event or call Flotsam Farm at 417-261-1104.

Saturday, Nov. 1

Bakersfield craft show: The Bakersfield craft show will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, in the Bakersfield High School Taylor gymnasium. The cost to enter the craft show is $2 per person 14 and older, and vendors can sign up to have a booth for $30 (paid in advance). For more information, contact Trudy Summers at 417-284-7333 ext. 306 or tsummers@bakersfield.k12.mo.us. 

Haunted houses 

Bakersfield Haunted House: The Bakersfield Haunted House, located a half-mile down County Road 585 off Highway 101, is open from dark to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday night through October. The cost is $20 per person payable by cash or check only. A concession stand is on site, and T-shirts are available for purchase. For more information call 870-656-0509, visit www.thebakersfieldhauntedhouse.com or search for “Bakersfield Haunted House” on Facebook. 

Fear the Bloody Timber: This haunted attraction, located on a county road off CC Highway between Dora and West Plains, has eight different scary-themed houses spaced throughout the woods, as well as two haunted corn fields. They are open from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights. Admission is $20 per person payable by cash only at the gate or pre-ordered online through the company’s website. A concession stand will offer food and drinks (including a vampire blood float) and shirts are available for purchase. For more information visit the Fear the Bloody Timber Facebook page or call 417-247-6937. The address is 8518 County Road 7190, West Plains.

Pumpkin patches

McWilliams Pumpkin Patch: The McWilliams Pumpkin Patch in West Plains is a locally-owned and operated farm that offers seasonal family fun for all ages. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays; and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays through October. The weekday price is $7 per person and includes limited activities. On Saturdays and Sundays the price is $15 per person. 

Mountain Home Berry Farm - The Mountain Home (Ark.) Berry Farm hosts a fall festival each year beginning the last weekend in September and continuing through the first weekend in November. The farm is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. For more information, visit the Mountain Home Berry Farm’s Facebook page, website or call 1-870-425-7028.

McKenna Family Farm: The McKenna Family Farm near Forsyth/Branson has its pumpkin farm open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. It is closed Monday and Tuesday. Admission is $9 for those age 3 to 65; $4.50 for those age 66 and older. Children 2 and under are free. Find out more on their Facebook page, www.mckennafamilyfarm.com/pumpkin-patch or by calling 417-593-9890.