West Plains, MO. – Halloween is less than two weeks away now, and this West Plains Arts Alliance Update with Terry Hampton is all focused on the upcoming Josiah Howell-O-Ween Day this coming Saturday, October 26th.
In addition to posting audio from Terry Hampton, we’ll also post the full, unedited release she wrote for Explore West Plains going through a full description of the coming event.
The Josiah Howell-O-Ween Day Festival will be held 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 26 at the Yellow House Community Arts Center, 209 W. Trish Knight St., West Plains. The festival committee has announced that the Gold Sponsor for the event is Pizza Inn of West Plains. The festival features live music, a variety of vendors, costume and pumpkin decorating contests, games, storytelling and more. Information about the Howell Family, founders of West Plains, will be available, and all descendants of Josiah Howell are invited to attend and share family history. Admission is free, but some activities will have a small cost, and additional donations to The Yellow House are encouraged.
In addition to its generous contribution to be the marquee event sponsor, festival representatives say that Pizza Inn will be on site with a booth offering $1 pizza slices, with all proceeds going to the West Plains High School Zizzer Speech and Debate Team. The Pizza Inn team will also be passing out the restaurant’s Sandworm Pizzert, which they describe as a “spooky, smash hit treat,” as well as coupons for future visits. Attendees can also spin an instant-win prize wheel at the Pizza Inn booth for the chance to win a variety of prizes, from free buffets to pizza parties for group events.
“We’re so excited to support our community at this event that honors one of West Plains’ founders,” said Jeff Hicks, West Plains Pizza Inn owner. “The festival organizers are bringing together the community with music, food, games and fun, and adding a bit of history. We can’t wait to celebrate this special day with our neighbors!
In addition to Pizza Inn, other sponsors of the festival, who are the “Sunshine Contributors,” include The Book Nook, Bartlett Moving & Storage, Dave Thomas Shelter Insurance, ServiceMaster of West Plains and ABC Carpet One Floor & Home.
Tracy Fenske, Yellow House Board member and chair of the festival, says, “We are extremely grateful to Pizza Inn and the other sponsors, and we appreciate everyone who is contributing to make this event a success, especially our volunteers. The Yellow House Community Arts Center is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, and as we move forward, we’re excited to be even more active in, and supportive of, the community than ever before. This is a special opportunity for folks to come join us in a fun, family-friendly event and support the local arts.”
For more information on the festival, visit “The Yellow House” page on Facebook.
The Yellow House Community Arts Center provides a space for artists to share their work and operates as a live music venue and a meeting place. It is a 501(c)3 non-profit, volunteer organization devoted to promoting arts and education in the Ozarks. Like and follow The Yellow House on Facebook to stay up to date on programming.
FULL ACTIVITY SCHEDULE
11 a.m.-5 p.m. vendors, food and KB’s Lemonade
11 a.m. “Scary Things in the Ozarks” storytelling presentation by Danette House (inside the Yellow House)
11 a.m. carnival-style games for kids begin and will continue until prizes run out (tickets 4 for a $1.00, small prizes awarded)
11 a.m.-3 p.m. check-in for pumpkin contest
11:30 a.m. “Causes, Culprits, and Mysteries of the West Plains Dance Hall Explosion” storytelling presentation by Lin Waterhouse (inside the Yellow House)
12-4 p.m. check-in for costume contest
1 p.m. Live Music – Justin Larkin (Yellow House side porch)
2 p.m. Live Music – Steve & Adie Ames (side porch)
3:30 p.m. Pumpkin contest winners announced
3 p.m. “Josiah Howell and West Plains” storytelling presentation by Danette House (inside the Yellow House)
3:30 p.m. “Causes, Culprits, and Mysteries of the West Plains Dance Hall Explosion” storytelling presentation by Lin Waterhouse (inside the Yellow House)
4:30 p.m. Costume parade and announcement of winners
