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Mt. Vernon, Missouri

Upcoming Events in Mt. Vernon Missouri


August

27 - 28 ERNTE FEST - The Ernte Fest, which stands for "End of the Harvest," is held the third weekend of August in Freistatt, a small farming community southwest of Mt. Vernon. The Lions Club has sponsored this event since its inception in 1963 raising thousands of dollars annually for eye research and various local charities. This event draws thousands of people from across the four-state area.

The German festival serves Bratwurst and Sour Kraut as their specialty, along with apple strudel. There is a large beer garden where many people spend time socializing. You will find many of your friends dancing the polka to the German band. Need a rest? Try your luck while you relax in the bingo tent. For the kids there are children's games and a horse drawn merry-go-round.

Address: Freistatt, a small farming community southwest of Mt. Vernon. , Mt. Vernon, Missouri
Ph: 417-466-7654 (Always call and confirm events)

September

31 Ozarks Berry Festival - 4th Saturday - Fun for the entire family! This annual event, sponsored by the Missouri Baptist Children's Home located in Mt. Vernon, is a perfect way to spend a beautiful fall day. Crafts, quilts, entertainment and homemade cobblers and ice cream make this a family event. Crafts donated statewide are auctioned off to raise operating funds for the home. 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Address: Missouri Baptist Children's Home. , Mt. Vernon, Missouri
Ph: 417-466-7844 (Always call and confirm events)
Fee: Free Admission and parking.

October

20 - 22MO0706036e003 - Mt. Vernon Apple Butter Makin' Days - Apple Butter Makin' Days is held the 2nd weekend of October each year on the courthouse square in Mount Vernon, Missouri. Join us for three days of Food, Fun and Music!

Apple Butter Makin' Days, one of Missouri's most popular festivals, has been held on the courthouse square in Mount Vernon since 1967. The cooking takes place on the lawn of the Lawrence County Courthouse. Local people famous for making apple butter were first approached about cooking their product on the lawn during the festival. The practice became a tradition and a major attraction of the festival that has grown to be one of the largest in the state.

The apple butter is made the same way our ancestors made it. Baskets filled with apples are peeled, and before dawn open fires are built on the courthouse lawn and the long, ardurous cooking procedure begins. The huge copper kettles used have histories of their own. Some are over a hundred years old and may hold as much as 60 gallons of apple butter.

Water is added to the raw apples in the kettles, then the aromatic mixture is stirred constantly until it cooks into "butter: - anywhere from eight to 12 hours later, depending on the weather and the apples. Sugar and spices are added near the end, and the apple butter is jarred and sold to the thousands who visit each year, rain or shine, until the supply is exhausted.

Kids of all ages enjoy Apple Butter Makin' Days! The three-day schedule is designed to involve and entertain the youngsters and a wide variety of foods are provided by local organizations and churches. Hundreds of booths featuring handcrafts and artwork surround the square and adjoining side streets, along with live entertainment and old-fashioned games. The annual Apple Butter Makin' Days parade makes its rounds on Saturday morning.

Ph: 417-466-7654 (Always call and confirm events)

November

2 - 3MO0706036e004 - Mt. Vernon Village of Lights Festival - Weekend after Thanksgiving - Local residents open their homes for a Christmas Homes Tour on Saturday. Other highlights include the Christmas Parade, entertainment, and carriage rides on Saturday; and open houses at the local businesses and churches on Sunday.

The Chamber of Commerce Village of Lights festival began in 1991 to kick-off to the Christmas Season. It begins with a Holiday Homes Tour, which consists of approximately 5-6 homes that open their doors
to share their special seasonal decor. Tickets are $5.00 in advance
and $7.00 the day of the tour. Proceeds from the tours have been
spent in recent years to purchase lights to illuminate the Historic
Lawrence County Courthouse located in the center of the town square.

Throughout the day on Saturday there are various activities which include carriage rides, entertainment, Christmas parade, sing-a-long, awards, and to top off the evening, the lighting ceremony of the Courthouse and businesses throughout the town.

On Sunday, the Chamber of Commerce, Mt. Vernon businesses, and churches have an Open House. This is free to the public with many of the churches providing special holiday music.

Ph: 417-466-7654 (Always call and confirm events)

December

21 Fun Auction - Christmas Season - Local residents collect their receipts from participating local merchants and turn them in for bidding points. Then an auction is held of items donated by local merchants. Individuals are allowed to bid on the items according to the number of points they have collected just as if they were cash.

Ph: 417-466-7654 (Always call and confirm events)

Attractions and Upcoming Events

Big Spring

When the Moore family first settled there, there were Indian camps all along the bottom land. This spring puts out up to 13 million gallons of water a day, and has been a popular family picnic site for over a hundred years. It is located just beyond Rebel's Bluff and Old Shepherd'

Mt. Vernon, MO Archaeology

The 3rd "Old Jail"

This imposing structure on the north side of the square was built at a cost of $16,000 in 1874 (two years before Custer's Last Stand)

Mt. Vernon, MO Pioneer Life



The 2nd "Old Jail"

The county's first log jail burned in 1854, and a brick structure was built on Walter Street a block west of the square. It is presently undergoing reconstruction for historical preservation. It was used until 1868, and had an original cost of $3,500.

Mt. Vernon, MO Pioneer Life

Things to do near Mt. Vernon, MO