Hootin an Hollarin
September 17-19, 2015
The third Thursday of September, Ozark County's Hootin an Hollarin is held in Gainesville, MO.
The three-day annual event began in 1961, bridging generations of traditions and ol-time fun.  Highlights of the festival include:

THURSDAY NIGHT- On Thursday evening, young ladies from the county make their appearance on stage in old-fashioned dresses and tell the audience about our Ozarks Heritage.  Judges select the queen based on poise, personality and appearance. Preceding the pageant at 4:30 pm, local talent is spotlighted during the Ozark County Gospel Hour.  A fine country music band will open for the pageant which starts at 7:30 pm.  Craft and Quilt Shows and food booths open in the afternoon. Special music, the Queen Pageant and square dancing follow in the evening.

FRIDAY- Craft and Quilt Shows, food booths, along with the afternoon Costume Parade are followed by the Cedar Pete, Little Miss Addie Lee and other Princess Pageants, kids games, bed races , a special music show and square dancing.

SATURDAY- Craft and Quilt Shows, outhouse races, horseshoe pitching, turkey shoot, pet show, pie bake-off, Citizen of the Year Award, the big Float and Band Parade, calling contests, kids games, music , music, music and square dancing. Queens Court
 
MUSIC-  Each day of the festival there are wonderful sounds of gospel, country, bluegrass, and folk music to enjoy.  Special guests are scheduled to perform throughout the day and each evening of the festival.  Everyone is invited to do their own pickin' and grinnin' under a shade tree or in the gazebo (when available)  The "Singing in the Gazebo" will take you back in time to the days when you could hear grandpappy's voice as he sang his favorite gospel tunes at the ol'brush arbor.

SQUARE DANCING- The sound of feet on the wooden square dance platforms fills the air each evening of the festival.  Join in the square dancing or just sit and watch for a spell.  It's a hand clappin' toe tappin' good time from 9:00 pm to midnight each night. 

GAMES AND CONTESTS-  There is something for everyone to do at Hootin an Hollarin.  Local school and civic groups offer a variety of games at booths set up around the square.  On Friday and Saturday afternoons there are old-fashioned games for  kids that include a turtle race, marble shoot, rubber band guns, and other games of skill.  Saturday morning is host to the horseshoe pitching contest and the turkey shoot.  The pet show is a real crowd pleaser. There are even calling contests: hog, cow and husband!

RACES-Imagine seeing people dressed in their night clothes, running furiously down the street pushing a bed on wheels, with someone on board!  That's what happens at the Bed Races.  But the laughter doesn't stop there.  The Outhouse Races are just as much fun.  Team members must guide the outhouse down the raceway to the finish line.  They also must have someone inside! For more information on Hootin an Hollarin please visit their website at:
www.ozarkcounty.net/hootin.html .

To watch a short video on the festival click on link below:

http://www.hootinanhollarin.com/dvd/