A demonstrator shares a traditional Ozarks craft during a previous Hootin an Hollarin festival in Gainesville. The annual celebration features demonstrations, music, contests, food and other longtime Ozarks traditions.
GAINESVILLE, Mo. — One of Ozark County’s longest running traditions will return to the Gainesville square Sept. 17 through 19, bringing three days of music, contests, demonstrations, food, crafts and old fashioned fun to the heart of the community.
The 2026 Hootin an Hollarin festival will open Thursday evening and continue through Saturday night, with events spread across the Gainesville square and nearby locations.
Thursday’s activities begin with quilt show viewing from 5 to 7 p.m. in the building on the southwest side of the square. The National Anthem and Gainesville mayor’s welcome are scheduled from 5:30 to 6 p.m., followed by Ozark Thunder from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on the main stage.
The Hootin an Hollarin Queen Pageant will take place from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday. During the tallying of votes, the citizen of the year and parade marshal will be honored. Square dancing will follow from 9 p.m. to midnight on the platforms in front of the main stage.
Friday’s schedule begins at 10 a.m., with the quilt show open until 7 p.m. A children’s area sponsored by Shelter Insurance will be open from 10 a.m. to noon on the southwest corner of the square, with free balloon animals available.
Terrapin races begin at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Shelter Insurance kids corner, followed by the Mammoth Worship Team from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the main stage.
The traditional gazebo pickin’ will take place Friday afternoon on the northwest courthouse lawn.
Cedar Pete and Addie Lee will compete at 1 p.m. on the main stage, followed by the princess pageants at 1:45 p.m. Blayd and Tara Law are scheduled to perform from 3:30 to 5 p.m.
Old fashioned children’s games will take place from 4 to 5 p.m. near City Hall. Bed races begin at 5 p.m. on the southwest corner of the square near Molly’s Salon, and the outhouse race will follow at 5:30 p.m. near City Hall.
New Grass Attack will perform from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, while the Ozark County FFA Bull Blast begins at 7 p.m. at the Gainesville Saddle Club on Main Street. Psychobilly Cadillac will take the main stage from 7:30 to 9 p.m., followed by square dancing from 9 p.m. to midnight.
Saturday will be packed with activities beginning with the Hillbilly 5K run and walk at 8:30 a.m. near City Hall.
An archery and shotgun shoot begins at 9 a.m. in the grassy area across U.S. Highway 160. The pet show follows at 9:30 a.m. on the main stage.
The third annual Hootin’ & Hollarin’ Ol’ Auto Roundup car show will also begin Saturday morning. Check in starts at 8:30 a.m., with the show running from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Third Street west of the Highway 160 Pit Stop.
The show carries a $20 entry fee at the door, with proceeds benefiting Gainesville High School’s auto mechanics program.
Vehicles will compete in four specialty categories, including Stylin’ Classics for 1975 through 1994 vehicles, Anne Teaks for 1962 through 1974 vehicles, the Cedar Pete Special for 1961 and earlier vehicles and a custom division for customized vehicles of any age.
The top two People’s Choice vehicles in each category will receive plaques. Car show participants are also invited to take part in Saturday afternoon’s Hootin an Hollarin parade.
The Shelter Insurance kids corner returns from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, and terrapin races will again be held at 10:30 a.m. Registration for the races begins at 10 a.m. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three racers each day.
The festival’s quilt show will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Quilters planning to participate may check in their entries Tuesday, Sept. 15, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. The quilt show will be held in the building next to Ozark’s Wi-Fi on the southwest corner of the Gainesville square. Additional information is available from Lily Branco at 417-989-1313.
The Ozark County Historium is also marking the festival with a handmade patriotic quilt raffle inspired by the nation’s America 250 celebration.
The approximately 91 inch by 91 inch quilt was created by Historium Quilters, with original blocks made by about 10 quilters. It is currently on display at the Ozark County Historium.
Raffle tickets are $1 each or six for $5, and the winner will be drawn during Hootin an Hollarin. All proceeds will be used to assist area schools with special needs. The Historium is open Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Saturday’s competitive events will also include a cornhole tournament at 10 a.m. near City Hall, a costume contest at 11 a.m. on the main stage and a pie baking contest at 11:30 a.m. at the Douglas Hawkins Agency on the southwest corner of the square.
Pie entries may be dropped off beginning at 10 a.m. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place, as well as grand champion. Free pie tasting will follow after the winners are selected.
Calling contests begin at noon on the main stage, followed by afternoon gazebo pickin’.
Buckshot will perform from 12:30 to 2 p.m., followed by the Hootin an Hollarin parade at 2 p.m. The parade will travel from Main Street around the square to Third Street. The Ozark County Farm Family and Century Farm will be recognized from the main stage before the parade.
A magic show is scheduled from 3:15 to 4 p.m., and the Simply Southern Cloggers will perform from 4 to 4:30 p.m. Old fashioned children’s games return from 4 to 5 p.m. near City Hall.
Stringed Union will perform from 5 to 6:30 p.m., followed by Hannah Harper and her band from 7 to 8:45 p.m. Square dancing will close the festival from 9 p.m. to midnight.
Throughout the three day festival, the square will also be filled with food vendors, craft booths, demonstrations and community organizations.
Food offerings are expected from Alpine Shave Ice, Andrea’s Pies and More, Big O Fish, Billy Jack Home Brew, Boss Hog’s Street Eats, Curtright Catering Services, Chiggar Ridge Fudge and Farm, Drips and Dips Loaded Tators, Hillbilly Grub Shack, Hillbilly Kettle Corn, Tin Lizzie’s Tonic Truck, Whip It Good, Snider’s Family Restaurant, Our Place, Sno Biz, The Canteen Grille, The Pink Flamingo, The Juan and Only and The Stable at Shook Farms, among others.
Visitors will also find handmade jewelry, leather goods, candles, soaps, woodwork, crafts and other locally produced items from dozens of vendors.
Festival demonstrations are expected to include chainsaw carving, glass work, flint knapping, traditional broom making and fiddle making, along with other Ozarks crafts and skills.
Several area fire departments and organizations will operate booths during the weekend, including Brixey-Rockbridge Volunteer Fire Department, Caney Mountain Volunteer Fire Department and Lick Creek Volunteer Fire Department. Other participating organizations include the Missouri Department of Conservation, Ozarks Healthcare, White River Connect and Unite the Light.
Author Sid Pierce is scheduled to have books available at a booth beside the stage Saturday, while author Tina Riffey is expected at Booth 37 during the festival.
With activities ranging from turtle racing and outhouse racing to quilting, clogging, live music and pie judging, the annual celebration will once again turn downtown Gainesville into a gathering place for Ozark County residents and visitors alike.
