Missouri and Illinois festivals

MISSOURI FESTIVALS

If you're not interested in traveling outside Missouri to enjoy fall beauty and weekend fun, there are plenty of festivals right here.

You can get a taste of Missouri-grown produce or toast the season at a winery by stopping in at some of the Show-Me state's festivals. Here's a sampling of what's happening during October:OCT. 5-6

Octoberfest at Hermann: See the harvest in true German fashion. Every weekend in October, you can enjoy traditional dancing, music, crafts and food. Local wineries offer tastings and cellar tours. Admission is free. For information, call (800) 932-8687.

Brunswick Pecan Festival in Brunswick: Roadside stands in this north-central Missouri town open to sell an abundant harvest of pecans. The festival marks its 22nd year with a parade through downtown, a talent show, music, crafts and a flea market. For information, call (660) 548-3210.

Missouri Town 1855 Fall Festival of Arts, Crafts and Music at Fleming Park in Lee's Summit: Traditional artists, craftsman and re-enactors transform the city park. Admission is charged. For information, call (816) 795-8200.

Oktoberfest at Frontier Park in St. Charles: Celebrate the mixture of French and German heritage in this historic city. The festival runs through Oct. 7. German bands, food and nearly 100 craft booths round out this festival. Produce from area farmers, flowers, apple butter, cider and pumpkin patches also are available. For information about the event, call (800) 366-2427.

Applefest in Weston: Demonstrations show visitors quilting and basket weaving, but a highlight is pressing cider and making apple butter. For more information, call (816) 640-2909.OCT. 10-12

Pumpkinfest at the Pony Express Museum in St. Joseph: Enjoy a family arts festival complete with a children's costume parade and entertainment. See the "Great Pumpkin Mountain" made of more than 1,000 jack-o'-lanterns, each lit up. For information, call (800) 530-5930.OCT. 11-13

Apple Butter Makin' Days in Mount Vernon: Watch apple butter being made as you visit the town square where handcrafted wares are sold by vendors. The festival runs through Oct. 13. Artisan demonstrations and music mix with the smell of apples cooking in copper kettles over an open fire. There also is a parade, terrapin race and carriage rides. Admission is free. For information, call (417) 466-7654. OCT. 12

Eldon Turkey Festival in Eldon: Admission is free for the annual festival. For more information, call (573) 392-3752.

Saxon Lutheran Memorial Fall Festival at Frohna: An annual festival on the grounds, this event runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Craft demonstrations include quilting, spinning, soap making, corn grinding and shingle splitting. Apple butter will be cooked, and homemade bread will be baked in an outdoor oven. Several German bands will provide music. The event is free, but donations are accepted. For information, call (573) 824-5404.OCT. 13-20

Maple Leaf Festival at Historic Carthage Square in Carthage: The weeklong event ends with a festival and parade that draws nearly 50,000 visitors. There is a dog show and games for children. For more information, call (417) 358-2373.OCT. 13

Oktoberfest in Jefferson City: This German fall festival, held in the city's Old Munichburg District, celebrates the community's German heritage. There is an abundance of food and a beer garden, wine, carriage rides and home tours. For more information, call (573) 634-8198.OCT. 19

Crown Center Pumpkin Patch at Crown Center in Kansas City: See 30,000 pounds of pumpkins and be entertained by puppets during sepcial performances at noon and 2 p.m. Admission is free. For information, call (816) 274-8444 or visit www.crowncenter.com.OCT. 19-20

Deutsch Country Days near Marthasville, Mo.: The weekend event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and includes costumed artisans who demonstrate German life skills. Tour a pioneer 1840s log home and see steam-powered mills, a covered bridge and candle-dripping demonstrations. Tickets are required. For information, call (636) 433-5669 or www.deutschcountrydays.org.OCT. 26-27

Apple Butter Festival in downtown Kimmswick: See homemade apple butter as it's cooked over open fires, or take a carriage ride through this historic river town. The town is open only to foot traffic on festival days. For more information, call (636) 464-6464 or visit www.discoverkimmswick.com.

Fall Harvest Crafts Festival:Through Oct. 26 at the Shepherd of the Hills in Branson, craftsmen from across the nation display their wares in clapboard booths. For information, call (800) 653-6288.

Festival of American Music and Craftsmanship: Runs through Oct. 26 at Silver Dollar City in Branson. The festival is merging American music and craftsmanship this year. More than 400 visiting musicians will perform. Admission is charged. For information, call (800) 952-6626 or visit www.silverdollarcity.com.

Beggs Pumpkin Patch Fall Festival: In Sikeston through Halloween. See if you can find your way out of the Maize Quest corn maze or straw-bale maze. Pick pumpkins from the patch, take a hay ride and sample some fudge. For information, call (573) 471-3879 or visit www.beggspumpkinpatch.com.

Weston Red Barn Farm:Through Oct. 31. There is a fall pumpkin festival, prairie trail and milo maze. Visitors are welcome to pick some of the crops and enjoy a hay ride.

WANT MORE?

Contact the Missouri Division of Tourism at (800) 519-4800 or www.VisitMO.com.

ILLINOIS FESTIVALS

If you're looking for something to do on an October weekend, check out Southern Illinois for a festival or two.

During the first 14 days of the month, more than 20 different communities in the region will offer festivals complete with crafts, entertainment, food and wine. And most are within an hour or so of Cape Girardeau.

Even if you're not interested in a festival, the brilliant colors of the trees in the Shawnee National Forest are worth the drive.

Whatever your choice of activity, there are plenty of things to do. Here's a list of just some of the area's upcoming events:OCT. 4-5

Johnson County Olympics at Vienna: Contestants of all ages will compete for the gold, silver and bronze medals in a bicycling rodeo; punt, pass and kick football; and softball and baseball home-run derbies. There also will be karaoke and a variety of food.

For the less active, there will be checkers and chess tournaments and horseshoes in the shade of a Vienna City Park pavilion. Entry fee for each event is $1. Pre-registration is encouraged; contact the Southernmost Illinois Tourism Bureau at (800) 248-4373.OCT. 5-6

Bluegrass Festival at Pioneer Village in Harrisburg: For information, call the tourism office at (618) 252-6789.

Fluorspar Festival at Rosiclare:Celebration with a parade, crafts and food. You also can tour the Fluorspar Museum and ride the Shawnee Queen River Taxi. Call (618) 285-3342 for details. OCT. 12-13

Union County Colorfest: The sights and sounds of Union County will abound with flea markets, arts and craft booths and produce from the region's orchards. Tour homes, see historical sites in the area and enjoy a wine festival. For information, call (800) 248-4373. Some scenic spots to visit in Southern Illinois while you're there include Bald Knob, Giant City State Park, Cave in the Rock and Fort Massac.

Oktoberfest at Von Jakob Vineyards in Pomona: From 1 to 6 p.m., listen to music from the Brown Baggers and Four on the Floor. The event will be held rain or shine. For information, call (618) 893-4500 or visit www.VonJakobVineyard.com.OCT. 12

Fall festival in Pope County, at the courthouse lawn in Golconda: For information, call (618) 683-6246.

Tunnel Hill Bike Ride at the Tunnel Hill State Trail in Vienna: The guided bike ride begins at 1 p.m. For details, call (618) 634-2231.OCT. 14

Guided hikes in the Cache Wetlands of Johnson County: The morning hike begins at 9 a.m. at Heron Pond. An afternoon hike is at 1 p.m. at Wildcat Bluff. For information, call (618) 634-2231.OCT. 19-20

Fort Massac Encampment at Fort Massac State Park in Metropolis: The event is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and includes military and civilian craft demonstrations. Mock battles also are scheduled. Admission is free. Call (618) 524-9321 for information.

Pumpkin festival at Boyd Orchards in Anna: Pick your own pumpkins and enjoy games and fun in the barn, or take a hayride. For information, call (618) 833-5533 or visit www.boydorchards.com.OCT. 19

Autumn Festival at Cache River Basin Vineyard and Winery in Belknap: Event is from 1 to 5 p.m. and includes music, food and wine by the glass. Call (618) 658-2274 for information.

Harvest moon celebration at Boyd Orchards in Anna: Event is from 6 to 10 p.m. and includes hayrides, a cookout, folk singing and storytelling. For information, call (618) 833-5533.OCT. 26

Johnson County Storytelling Festival: This event at the Vienna High School should be an entertaining one. Storytellers will spin tales about ghosts for the "Best Ghost Story" category. Some of the other storytelling categories include "A Story My Parents Told Me," "Biggest Lie," "Best Story Told By a Child," and "Best Myth or Traditional Story." In the open competition, participants can use props, costumes and makeup. Each participant has eight minutes to tell their story. There also is a contest for best written stories. Entry fee is $1, and only one entry per category is allowed. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place.

WANT MORE?

Contact the Southern Illinois Tourism Development Office at (618) 998-9397 for information or to request a brochure about a particular festival.