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Festivals, Fairs and Fun Events Make 2009 a Year to Celebrate at Central Missouri 's Lake of the Ozarks
Here’s a brief sampling of family fun for 2009, just to get you started. For a complete list, please go to www.funlake.com.
FEB. 28 - 14th ANNUAL POLAR BEAR PLUNGE
Large groups of “polar bears” (hardy folks, many in creative costumes) will be spotted taking the plunge into the Lake’s chilly waters in support of Special Olympics Missouri. The frigid fun happens at Lake of the Ozarks State Park in Osage Beach, at Public Beach #2. The Plunge – and 7th Annual Polar Bear Strut 5K run/walk – will raise money to support year-round athletic activities for the 14,000-plus children and adults who participate in Special Olympics programs. Call 800-846-2682. www.somo.org.
APRIL 2-4 - THE GREAT LAKE OF THE OZARKS GOSPEL SING
Acclaimed artists of Southern Gospel take center stage for three days of praise and worship at the Main Street Music Hall in Osage Beach. The event, presented by CrossOver Inc., is an offshoot of the CrossOver Christian Music Festival. For prices, times, performers, etc., call 800-FUN-LAKE. www.funlake.com.
APRIL 16-19 - 59th ANNUAL DOGWOOD FESTIVAL
Camdenton has paid tribute to spring’s arrival by hosting the great-granddaddy of Lake-area festivals for more than a half century. The music festival will feature musical performances by entertainers from around the region. The art show will feature a fine art exhibit and sale, and as many as 100 artisans will be on hand to participate in a juried craft show and sale. Other activities include live entertainment, children’s activities, a carnival, parade, golf tournament and a variety of delectable festival fare. For details call 800-769-1004 or 573-346-2227. www.camdentonchamber.com.
MAY 1-3 - 21st ANNUAL MAGIC DRAGON STREET MEET NATIONALS CAR SHOW
The largest show of its kind in central Missouri features more than 600 street rods, customs, trucks, street machines and motorcycles from throughout the U.S. Held on historic Bagnell Dam Boulevard in Lake Ozark, the show features entries in more than 30 show classes, plus auto parts vendors/booths, live entertainment and other auto-related fun. Free admission. For details, call 800-451-4117. www.lakeareachamber.com.
MAY 2 - 12th ANNUAL SPRING HARBOR HOP
As many as 2,000 participants hit the water for this semi-annual on-the-water “poker run” event. More than 40 lakeside restaurants, bars and marinas provide cards as boaters travel from site to site, building their best possible poker hand. The fun event is the unofficial kick-off for the Lake boating season and helps raise money for the promotional efforts of the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau. For details call 800-FUN-LAKE. www.funlake.com.
JUNE 12-13 - 11th ANNUAL CROSSOVER CHRISTIAN MUSIC FESTIVAL
Nationally and internationally-known Contemporary Christian and Christian Rock performers gather to entertain at the Stoneridge Amphitheater in Camdenton. This tenth annual festival, the premier Christian music event in America’s Heartland, attracts as many as 10,000 Christian music fans from throughout the state and nation. For admission prices, times, performers and other information, go to www.crossoverfestival.org or www.spiritfm.org.
JULY 31-AUGUST 1 - 17th ANNUAL LAURIE HILLBILLY BBQ COOK-OFF
Sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society, this popular eventoffers cash prizes and bragging rights for the best BBQ. A dance, beer garden, prize raffles and kids’ BBQ contest—as well as the delicious aromas--attract the crowds to Laurie. For more information, call (573) 216-9358 or (573) 374-8776, or send an e-mail to laurievents@aol.com
AUGUST 8-9 - 3RD ANNUAL ART & AMBIANCE FESTIVAL
One of the newer festivals at the Lake, this event brings together at Stone Crest Mall some of the fine artists, artisans, authors, galleries, museums and culinary experiences visitors will find along the 95-mile Art & Ambiance Trail. Wine tastings, book signings, museum exhibits, live music and much more. For more details visit www.artandambiance.com or call 573-348-4053.
AUGUST 28-30 - 21st ANNUAL LAKE OF THE OZARKS SHOOT-OUT BOAT RACE
The largest unsanctioned boat rate in the United States, this fast-moving event has been listed by Powerboat Magazine as one of the eight must-see boating events in the nation. Come see more than 100 boats compete for the title of the Lake’s fastest boat. The new location is near the 34.5 mile marker, just south of the Hurricane Deck Bridge. For details, call Captain Ron’s at 573-374-5852
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 by major artists. Area bars, restaurants and attractions take part by offering special activities for participants. For details, call 573-216-1336. www.lakeoftheozarksbikefest.com.
SEPT. 18-20 - 40th ANNUAL HILLBILLY FAIR
The Hillbilly Fair in Laurie offers good-old-fashioned family fun with a parade, carnival rides, arts and crafts, live entertainment, horseshoe pitching, tractor pulls, sumptuous festival fare and more. For details call 573-374-8776.
SEPT. 18-20 - 21st ANNUAL OSAGE MOUNTAIN MAN FESTIVAL & RENDEZVOUS
The Osage Mountain Man Rendezvous in Lake Ozark pays tribute to the mountain men who opened the West in the 19th century and features black powder shoots and other skills contests, a trader’s row and demonstrations including anvil tossing! For details call 800-451-4117 or 573-964-1008. www.lakeareachamber.com.
SEPT. 19-20 - OMA & NOMA DAYS
Named for the two sisters who were the first people to drive across Bagnell Dam in 1931. Festival activities will include historical displays and pony rides, a vintage auto show and a frog-jumping contest, a history cruise and talent show, plus a dog show, checkers matches, Little Miss and Mister and a peanut spitting contest. Area shops, attractions and restaurants also will offer specials and merchants will be dressed in period fashions. And of course, Oma and Noma re-enactors will be on hand.
SEPT. 25-27 - HORNY TOAD OFFSHORE SUPER SERIES NAT’L 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+ boats running up to 16 laps at speeds up to 185 miles per hour on a six-mile course between the 6 and 9 Mile Markers. For information, call 573-216-1336 or email info@toadcove.com.
OCT. 3 - 30th ANNUAL OLDE TYME APPLE FESTIVAL
Juicy red apples, crisp fall weather and a rainbow of autumn colors surrounding the Lake of the Ozarks 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 there will be continuous entertainment throughout the day, a parade, apple pie auction, craft and food booths, car show, a fiddle contest, museum tours and much more. For details call 573-378-4401. www.versailleschamber.org.
OCT. 9-10 - FALL FESTIVAL & APPLE BUTTER DAYS
Autumn and apples go together like families and fun and that’s what you can expect at this charming annual festival at the Camden County Museum in Linn Creek. The highlight of the festival is watching—and helping—museum volunteers make apple butter the old-fashioned way in a big copper kettle. Visitors can purchase the yummy results and also shop the crafts booths and purchase raffle tickets for a hand-made quilt. For details visit www.funlake.com.
OCT. 10 - 24th ANNUAL FALL HARBOR HOP
Fall “poker run” on the water helps mark the end of the warm-weather boating season at the Lake. Call 800-FUN-LAKE or 573-348-1599. www.funlake.com.
Mid-NOVEMBER, 2009 - JAN. 2, 2010 - THE LAKE OF THE OZARKS CELEBRATES THE HOLIDAYS
The Lake area lights up for the season with a host of special events, including the Lake Holiday Lights Drive-Thru Light Park in Osage Beach, Enchanted Village of Lights in Laurie, St. Patrick’s Festival of Lights in Laurie, Versailles Unity Circle of Lights, Main Street Music Hall Christmas Show, Lake-Area Christmas parades, dances, concerts and more. For a complete listing, check out the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau’s website, www.funlake.com.
Event dates and details are subject to change. Please contact the event organizers at the numbers listed, or check online at www.funlake.com. For additional information and assistance, contact Marjorie Beenders or Pam Jones at 800-544-8474 or 573-636-8282.
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