The Willow Springs Bear City Fall Festival, coordinated by the city’s chamber of commerce, will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday and end at 3 p.m.
“This year’s festival is full of fun and exciting contests, entertainment, food and vendors,” said Willow Springs Chamber of Commerce Director Kim McCormick.
New to this year’s festival is a decorated pumpkin contest hosted by the Willow Springs Arts Council and a coloring contest hosted by the Willow Springs Fire Department.
“After a short hiatus, the G&W Foods chili cook-off contest is returning this year with prizes being G&W gift certificates and who can’t use a little extra grocery money right now?” said McCormick. “We can’t forget the fan favorites, the Chicken Pageant hosted by Simmons Bank, the quilt show hosted by the Willow Springs Church of Christ, the baking contest for all ages hosted by Ozarks Sweetest Bakeshop, the Harvest Bounty contest hosted by Main Street Wellness Center and everyone’s favorite, the cornhole tournament, sponsored this year by Eleven Point Cafe, Mid-Ozark Insurance, Pizza Americana, Farmers Insurance and Monark Realty.”
Center Stage entertainment this year will include performances by Country Nights, Impact Dance Studio, Ed & Pat Gone West, On the Floor Dance Studio, Stringed Union, 11 Point Drive and Whetstone, all to be emceed by Willow Springs resident Sharry Lovan. Stage sponsors are Penmac-West Plains, American Family Insurance-Don Wells, Missouri Home Realty, West Plains Bank & Trust-Willow Springs, Shelter Insurance-Robert Hollis, Mid-Ozark Insurance, Main Street Wellness Center, Roscoe T’s BBQ and Willow Healthcare.
This year’s festival has over 100 craft booth, food vendors, community organizations and activities, said McCormick, adding an invitation: “So come on down to Willow Springs on Saturday Oct. 7 from 9 to 3 and enjoy the Bear City Fall Festival, we’ll have something for everyone!”
