If southwest Missouri is good for anything, it is fall festivities. From caramel apples to corn mazes to fall crafts, 417-land has it all. Consider The Mirror your official source for all things ‘fall festival’ this year. The following events are listed in chronological order.

State of the Ozarks (SOTO) Fall Festival
Saturday, Sept. 16 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Downing Street in Historical Hollister
Free admission

The SOTO Fall Fest is a celebration of culture in the Ozarks. There will be a conglomeration of activities to enjoy: yoga, cosplay, crafts, food, shopping, live music, beer tasting, and more. There will even be a beard competition. With dozens of vendors in attendance, there is surely something for everyone there. If that is not enough, the Chick-fil-A food truck will be there.

For more information, visit their website: http://stateoftheozarks.net/showcase/soto-fest-17/

Party in the Park: Oktoberfest Edition
Saturday, Sept. 16 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
605 S Pickwick Ave in Springfield
Free admission

Pickwick Park, Cherry Picker Package x Fare, Homegrown Food and B + B Boulangerie, local businesses that dominate the quaint Pickwick Street, have teamed up to offer a fall-themed ‘party in the park’. They will be serving up Oktoberfest-style foods like pretzels, beer, and kraut.

For more information, see the event page on Facebook.

Cider Days on Historic Walnut Street

Saturday, Sept. 16 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Walnut Street, Springfield
Admission is $4

Cider Days is hands-down one of the most anticipated fall events for Springfieldians. This year, the fest is celebrating its 20th year in operation. Historical Walnut Street will be shut down for several blocks and vendors will line the streets. Artists are always there selling everything from artwork to jewelry. The live entertainment is the best part; there are three stages where acts are almost continuously performing throughout the weekend.

For more information, visit their website: http://ciderdaysonwalnut.com

Campbell’s Maze Daze
Opens Saturday, Sept. 23 and runs through Sunday, Oct. 29
Sept. hours: open Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 7 p.m.
Oct. hours: open Friday nights 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturdays from noon to 11 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 7 p.m.
177 Carob Rd, Clever
Admission is $9 at the gate, $8 online

Campbell’s Maze Daze is a childhood staple for any native of the Springfield area. They have a ‘daytime’ corn maze and a haunted maze, which is only open Friday and Saturday nights in Oct. They offer numerous activities in addition to the mazes, including pumpkin painting, hayrides, bounce houses and play areas for kids, karaoke, bonfires, and more.

For more information, visit their website: https://campbellsmazedaze.com/

Sertoma Oktoberfest
Friday, Sept. 29 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 30 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Springfield Exposition Center (635 E. St. Louis St., Springfield)
Admission is $3 with your student ID
(Want to save $3 and look good doing it? Your admission fee is waived if you wear traditional Bavarian costume to the event)

This year marks the 4th year of the Heart of the Ozarks Sertoma’s Oktoberfest. This event is all about food (especially German), drinks and games. Friday night kicks off the event with beer sampling, live music and a brat eating contest. The next morning, there is a bike ride that benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield and throughout the day teams compete in challenges. There will also be more brat contests and live music to be enjoyed throughout Saturday. Have a good time for a good cause: proceeds from the event will be donated to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield.

For more information, visit their website: http://sertomaoktoberfest.com/

Harvest Fest at Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park
Every weekend starting Saturday, Sept. 30 until Sunday, Oct. 29
Times vary depending on the day and the activity
Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park (3825 W Farm Rd 146, Springfield)
Free admission (activities have small fees)

Rutledge-Wilson’s biggest event of the year is Harvest Fest, five weekends of fall fun. During the day, there are many activities for kids to enjoy. There is a pumpkin patch, a corn maze, carnival games, inflatables, hay rides, and trains. In the evenings, the farm turns haunted to entertain the adults. Take a hayride and then a spooky stroll through the ‘Haunted Trail of Horrors’. The haunted trail is $5 and is open Friday and Saturday nights from Friday, Sept. 29 to Saturday, Oct. 28 from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

For more information, visit their website: http://parkboard.org/531/Harvest-Fest

Apple Butter Makin’ Days 2017
Friday, Oct. 13 to Sunday, Oct. 15
Courthouse square in Mt. Vernon

If you have not had apple butter, you are seriously missing out. Apple butter is essentially applesauce, but much better. Take your chance to try genuine apple butter at Apple Butter Makin’ Days’ 50th anniversary festival. At the festival, people come to watch the apple butter being made in big kettles over the fire. While you wait for the butter, you can entertain yourself with other food and games.

For more information, visit their website: http://www.mtvchamber.com/apple-butter-makin-days.html

Fall Carnival Drury Music Alliance
Friday, Oct. 20 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Clara Thompson Hall
Free admission

One of Drury’s clubs, the Drury Music Alliance, will be bringing fall festivities to campus. The group is hosting a carnival, open to the public. There will be booths of other student organizations. The main attraction is the haunted house into which they will be transforming Clara Thompson Hall.

Pets & Pumpkins Festival and Parade
Saturday, Oct. 21 noon to 5 p.m.
202 E. Commercial St., Springfield
Admission is $2 per person or pet

Even fur babies like to celebrate fall and Halloween. The 10th annual Pets and Pumpkins event shuts down two blocks of Historical Commercial Street so that pets and their owners can have a safe and fun ‘Howl’-oween. There will be trick or treating for humans and non-humans, food, games, music, marshmallow roasting, and, most importantly, a parade and costume contest. Both pets and their humans are welcome to participate in the parade. The admission fee is donated to local non-profits, especially those who save the lives of homeless pets and educate the public about the importance of spaying and neutering your animals.

For more information, visit their website: http://www.petsandpumpkins.com/

The fall festivals and other festivities in the area should keep your weekends booked now until Halloween. Check out one, two or all of the festivals to experience a truly Midwestern autumn.