At Central Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks, we celebrate mountain men and Native Americans … wine and barbecue … dogwood trees and Christmas trees … apples and apple butter … boats, cars and motorcycles … and a lot more. You’ll find there’s always something to celebrate at the Lake!
“We offer a wonderful array of festivals and special events throughout the year,” says Tim Jacobsen, executive director, Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau. “A lot of people come for a particular festival or fair and frequently end up coming back to the Lake for a longer stay to enjoy our lodging, dining, shopping, golf, boating or fishing and other attractions.”
Here’s a look at Lake-area festivals, fairs and special events, now through the end of the year:
Summer Events
Summertime is prime time for Lake-area fairs and festivals, including these favorites:
JULY 31-AUG. 1, 17th ANNUAL LAURIE HILLBILLY BBQ COOK-OFF. Sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society, this popular event offers prizes and bragging rights for the best BBQ. A dance, beer garden, prizes, raffles and a kids’ BBQ contest—as well as the delicious aromas--attract the crowds to Laurie.
AUGUST 8-9, 3RD ANNUAL ART & AMBIANCE FESTIVAL. One of the newer festivals at the Lake, this event, held at Stone Crest Mall, brings together some of the fine artists, artisans, authors, galleries, museums and culinary experiences representing the Lake-area’s 95-mile Art & Ambiance Trail. Visitors will enjoy wine tastings, book signings, museum exhibits and live music.
AUGUST 28-30, 21st ANNUAL LAKE OF THE OZARKS SHOOT-OUT BOAT RACE. Named one of the nation’s eight must-see boating events by Powerboat magazine, the Shoot-Out is largest unsanctioned boat competition in the U.S., as more than 100 boats individually race to be named the Lake’s fastest boat. This thrilling spectacle takes place at Captain Ron’s, just south of the Hurricane Deck Bridge.
Fall Events
Autumnal events at the Lake of the Ozarks kick off with a busy weekend featuring four fun festivals.
SEPT. 17-20, 3rd ANNUAL LAKE OF THE OZARKS BIKEFEST. Thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts will gather at the Lake for an action-packed weekend featuring poker runs, scenic rides, vendors, contests and concerts. Area bars, restaurants and attractions take part by offering special activities for participants.
SEPT. 18-20, 40th ANNUAL HILLBILLY FAIR. Laurie’s Hillbilly Fair in Laurie offers good-old-fashioned family fun with a parade, carnival rides, arts and crafts, live entertainment, horseshoe pitching, tractor pulls and yummy festival fare.
SEPT. 18-20, 22nd ANNUAL OSAGE MOUNTAIN MAN RENDEZVOUS & MUZZLELOADER SHOOT. This fascinating and educational event in Lake Ozark pays tribute to the mountain men who opened the West in the 19th century. It’s a living-history re-enactment that brings together traders, trappers, gunsmiths, artisans and storytellers in a frontier encampment circa 1800-1840. An eclectic Traders Row offers a variety of wares and gifts. Cover your ears during the French Artillery cannon shoots and the amazing anvil toss!
SEPT. 19-20, OMA & NOMA DAYS. Named for the sisters who were the first to drive across Bagnell Dam in 1931, this family-friendly festival offers historical displays and pony rides, a vintage auto show and frog-jumping contest, a talent show and dog show, checkers matches, Little Miss and Mister pageants, even a peanut spitting contest. Area shops, attractions and restaurants also will offer specials and merchants will be dressed in period fashions.
SEPT. 25-27, OFFSHORE SUPER SERIES NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POWER BOAT RACE. The world’s fastest boats compete in eight classes for the national championship near the Horny Toad Entertainment Complex in Lake Ozark. A full array of concerts, parties and other fun events are planned, but the spotlight will be on the 45-plus boats running up to 185 miles per hour on a six-mile course.
OCT. 3, 30th ANNUAL OLDE TYME APPLE FESTIVAL. Juicy red apples, crisp fall weather and fall colors are the ingredients of this family-friendly fall favorite in Versailles. The festival a-peels to kids of all ages, and at its core is the historic Morgan County Courthouse, where continuous entertainment will be presented throughout the day. A parade, apple pie auction, craft and food booths, car show, fiddle contest and museum tours round out this fun event.
OCT. 9-10, FALL FESTIVAL & APPLE BUTTER DAYS. Autumn and apples go together like families and fun and that’s what visitors can expect at this charming annual festival at the Camden County Museum in Linn Creek. The highlight is watching—and helping—museum volunteers make apple butter the old-fashioned way in a big copper kettle. Visitors can purchase the delicious results and also shop the crafts booths and purchase raffle tickets for a hand-made quilt.
OCT. 10, 24th ANNUAL FALL HARBOR HOP. This on-the-water poker run offers boaters and visitors one more opportunity to cruise the Lake of the Ozarks and provide a late-season economic boost to Lake-area businesses. More than 2,500 people and 45 waterfront bars and restaurants participate.
‘Tis the Season…
Mid-NOVEMBER, 2009 - JAN. 1, 2010, THE LAKE OF THE OZARKS CELEBRATES THE HOLIDAYS. The Lake area up lights the season with a variety of special events, including the Lake Holiday Lights Drive-Thru Light Park in Osage Beach; Enchanted Village of Lights and St. Patrick’s Festival of Lights in Laurie; and the Versailles Unity Circle of Lights. Visitors also will enjoy the Main Street Music Hall Christmas Show, plus numerous Lake-area Christmas parades, dances and concerts.
And Beyond…
In 2010, visitors to the Lake of the Ozarks can look forward to another calendar full of exciting events and festivals, including the Mardi Gras Pub Crawl, Polar Bear Plunge & Strut, St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Great Lake of the Ozarks Gospel Sing, Dogwood Festival, Magic Dragon Street Meet Nationals Car Show, Spring Harbor Hop and Crossover Christian Music Festival, just to name a few!
Remember, no matter what time of the year you visit the Lake of the Ozarks, you’re sure to catch a fun festival or special event. For complete information about festivals and events, as well as Lake-area lodging, shopping, dining and attractions, please contact the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau at (800) FUN-LAKE or visit www.funlake.com.
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