Willow Springs, MO. – The Willow Springs Chamber of Commerce recently released the full list of vendors and competitions that they have scheduled for their annual Bear City Fall Festival so far. The Bear City Fall Festival is scheduled to take place on October 5, 2024, from 9 to 3 p.m. in downtown Willow Springs.
They also announced that all Food Vendor slots have been closed, though there is still space for any other vendors, such as crafts, organizations, churches, political groups, government groups, local businesses, fundraising groups, non-profit groups, school groups, etc. They have limited electric spots left. T-shirts to commemorate the 50th Anniversary celebration will be available online to order for $20.
Right now all the food vendors include Big O Fish, Native Son’s Grill, Mom & Pop’s BBQ, Big Poppa’s Kettle Corn, Roscoe T’s BBQ, The Hunger Hive, Alpine Shaved Ice, KB’s Lemonade, Get Roasted Coffee, and several snack and fun food vendors. As always there will be homebaked goods and this year they will have a new good: Freeze Dried Candy.
The entertainment lineup is Lonesome Road Bluegrass, The Gospel Hymnals, Brady Walton, Impact Dance Studio, Stringed Union, Cornerstone Dance Studio, and New Grass Attack. The entertainment was made possible through the support of these sponsors: Missouri Home Realty, Robert Hollis Shelter Insurance, Latigo Home Design, American Family Insurance – Donnie Wells, Mid Ozark Insurance, West Plains Bank & Trust, Willow Healthcare, Willow Funeral Homemade, and Michelle’s U-Lock & Store.
The contest lineup includes (all details and sign-ups will be given on wschamber.net under events):
- G&W Chili Cook-off – Bring your best pot of chili to G&W Foods by 9:45 a.m. on October 5, 2024. The judging will begin at 10 a.m. Prizes and bragging rights will be awarded to the winners.
- Simmons Bank Chicken Pageant – If you are a chicken person, grab your favorite chicken, dress her up, and put her on a leash to sign up at the Simmons Bank booth by 11 a.m. on October 5th. You can register online ahead of time. The pageant will be held at 11:30 a.m. at the booth at the Center St Event Area. No roosters are allowed.
- Ozarks Sweetest Bakeshop Baking Contest – The baking contest will be held at Ozarks Sweetest Bakeshop booth by 11:00 a.m. Bring all baked goods to the booth by 10:45 a.m. They all must be homemade and have no refrigerated items. Ages 16 and under must bake 1 dozen brownies and they will be judged on taste, appearance, and creativity. 17 and up must bake one pie (no cream) and it will be judged on appearance, crust, and filling. Unjudged portions will be raffled off to support Bears for a better Christmas.
- Mainstreet Wellness Center Canning Contest – All canning entries must be turned in by 10 a.m. for judging at the Mainstreet Wellness Booth. Everything must be home-canned by the entrant. Each entry must include a 3×5 card with the following information: item canned, recipe, and processing method. All rings must be removed. One item per category. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places will be awarded in each category.
- Willow Springs Church of Christ Quilt Contest – Pull out your creations and drop them off upstairs at the Ferguson Building between 8 to 10 a.m. Judging and public viewing will be held from 10 to 1 p.m. and people can pick the quilts up from 1 to 2 p.m. The categories are traditional, modern, and other (bags, purses, wall hangings, and table runners). Prizes and ribbons will be awarded in all categories.
- Pizza Americana’s Bear City Pizza Championship – Bring your pizza skills to Pizza Americana by 8:00 a.m. to build your pizza. The pizzas will be judged and winners will be announced at 10:00 a.m. on the Main Stage. The winner’s pizza will be featured as the Pizza of the Month in October. The first 10 teams of 1 to 2 people will complete the competition.
- Doxie Dash Race – This race is for dachshunds only. Check-in will be done at the Willow Springs Chamber of Commerce booth by the Main Stage will a $10 entry fee. Canines must have rabies documentation before the race. No spectator canines are allowed. The owner must have a leash before and after the race. Humans must be able to catch or carry the dog. One human at the starting line and one at the finish line. The owners are allowed to bring treats and toys to coax their dogs to the finish line. No dog whistles or other whistles are allowed.
- Blush Candid’s Photography Mini-Me Contest – Do you have a Mini-Me? Well here is your chance to win a FREE photo session for you and your Mini-Me with Blush Candids Photography. There is no age requirement. This can be any two people who look alike. Mother/daughter; Father/son; Father/daughter; Mother/son; Grandparent/grandchild…the list is endless. This contest will be held at 2:20 at the Center St. Event Area during the Bear City Fall Festival on October 5th. This area is near G&W Foods in downtown Willow Springs. To register for this event you can fill out a registration online below, or you can register at the Willow Springs Chamber of Commerce booth at Bear City Fall Festival by 2:00 pm.
