Willow Springs, MO. – The year 2024 marks the 50th year of the Bear City Fall Festival in Willow Springs. Since 1974, the city festival has changed its name multiple times and changed its focus many times, but the festival has always been about showcasing the community.
In the past, agriculture was the highlight of the event. During this time Willow Springs was known as the national capital of purebred hog producers and this industry was spotlighted by many farmers in the area. Local farmers also sold jams, jellies, and dairy products. They had chainsaw competitions, log chopping and crosscut saw competitions. The original festival was called Food & Forest Day and in 2009 the festival underwent a dramatic change and was determined to be “Oz Fest”. This festival focused on all things Wizard of Oz, including a yellow brick road, a costume contest, and many Oz-themed events. Then it changed to Bear Fest, and then finally to the Bear City Fall Festival when Willow Springs was deemed “Bear City”.
Go and enjoy the festival and celebrate 50 years on October 5, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in downtown Willow Springs. The local FFA chapter will be there to support the farming industry. There will be local vendors selling and displaying creative, progressive, and commerce-driven pieces and products from local workers and businesses. There will also be a Pizza Championship Competition held by Pizza Americana as part of the Bear City Fall Festival. There is a Baking Contest held by the Ozarks Sweetest Bakeshop with all proceeds going to Bears for a Better Christmas. G&W Foods is also holding a Chili Cookoff for the festival with judging starting at 10 a.m. at the G&W Foods building.
