For Immediate Release Media Contact: Pam Jones or Marjorie Beenders
September 9, 2010 Phone: 573-636-8282 « Email: pam@tbwgroup.net
Fall Travel Tips & Story Starters
Autumn Means Art, Apples and Atmosphere
at Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks
NEWS MEDIA NOTE: A lot of travelers think fall is the best time to visit Central Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks. And it’s no wonder, since most of the area’s lodging, restaurants, attractions and golf courses are still open…the weather is fantastic…the crowds are gone…and your budget goes a long way! Best of all, the scenic Ozarks hills surrounding the shimmering Lake create a colorful picture-postcard backdrop. Read on for some timely topics and tips to get you started on Lake of the Ozarks stories, set in the fall. We have beautiful images, so please contact us.
♦ Explore the Art & Ambiance Trail … Like the famed artists’ communities of Door County, Wisc., Santa Fe, N.M. and Carmel, Calif., the Lake of the Ozarks has attracted a diverse and vibrant group of artists, galleries, museums and unique wineries and eateries. Many of them are easily found along the Art & Ambiance Trail. Autumn is a glorious season to explore the Trail’s 95 miles of country roads and highways that wind around the Lake area. A free map, available throughout the Lake, pinpoints the studios and galleries of more than 20 fine artists, photographers, a blacksmith, potters and makers of jewelry, candles, hand-made paper, log furniture and more. The Trail’s culinary experiences offer places where visitors can relax and reflect on the things they’ve seen along the Trail, including a cozy coffee shop, heavenly aroma-filled bakery and bistro, chic tea room, tropical lunch spot and a must-see cake shop where the one-of-a-kind cakes truly are works of art. The Art & Ambiance Trail also features two distinctive wineries: Grey Bear Vineyards & Winery, Stover, housed in a unique, round open-space structure and offering popular wines made primarily with home-grown or other Missouri grapes; and Seven Springs Winery, Linn Creek, set on 160 acres with a panoramic view of the scenic Ozarks countryside from its veranda. Don’t miss the Trail’s four fascinating museums, including the Morgan County Historical Society Museum, Versailles, set in a 28-room, circa-1877 hotel; the rustic Willmore Lodge, Lake Ozark, with exhibits about the building of Bagnell Dam; and the Camden County Museum, Linn Creek, located in a former school.
♦ A Pair of A-Peeling Fall Festivals … What is it about autumn and apples? Visitors will find out at two fun and family-friendly fall festivals that are all about apples at the Lake of the Ozarks. One of the Lake area’s most popular events, the 31st Annual Old Tyme Apple Festival, Saturday, Oct. 2 in downtown Versailles, is expected to attract more than 30,000 visitors. It’s consistently voted the best festival in Central Missouri by readers of Rural Missouri—and that’s not surprising since this festival has it all! This year’s theme is “American As Apple Pie” so visitors can expect an apple pie bake-off and auction, Apple King and Queen crowning, Baby Dumpling, Apple Dumplin & Darlin’ contests and lots of apple-oriented goodies to eat among the hundreds of food and crafts booths--plus a gala parade, sock hop and car cruise, “White Christmas” performed in the restored 1930s Royal Theatre, kids’ activities, pancake breakfast, German dinner, live music, museum tours, quilt and car shows, fiddlers’ contest, tractor display, runs and walks and a compact car Figure 8 race. The following weekend, the 14th Annual Apple Butter Days Fall Festival will take place Friday and Saturday, Oct. 8-9, at the Camden County Museum, located on V Road just off Highway 54 in Linn Creek. Visitors always enjoy stirring the big copper pot to help volunteers make delectable apple butter which can be purchased by the pint, and fresh-baked apple pies also will be available. Food and craft booths, a quilt raffle and museum tours also will attract autumn travelers.
♦ Turkey of a Festival … It’s silver anniversary time for the famed Eldon Turkey Festival, Saturday, Sept. 25, sponsored by the Eldon Area Chamber of Commerce. Come watch festival favorites, those turkey lovebirds Sassy and Strutter, renew their vows (no, they’re not real turkeys but humans dressed like them—in wedding outfits). That’s just part of the fun as Eldon and Miller County celebrate their position as one of the nation’s top-producing areas for domestic turkeys (more than 2 million raised annually!) during this popular festival that typically attracts up to 15,000 visitors. Activities will include a one-hour parade, frozen turkey bowling, turkey-calling contest, turkey trot and gobble wobble 5K run and walk, kids’ activities, live music, fiddler contest, quilt show, turkey races and a bang-up demolition derby--plus more than 200 craft and food booths (turkey legs and strips will be available, naturally). Exhibits and demonstrations by the Missouri Department of Conservation, the University of Missouri Extension and Runge Nature Center also will educate the public about domestic turkey production, safe hunting practices, turkey farming, the health benefits of turkey-food products and more.
♦ Haunted Ozarks … Ghosts and goblins will be out in force throughout the Lake of the Ozarks this coming Halloween season. Here are two “un-ghoul-sual” events to keep in mind: First, the Lake West Chamber will sponsor the Haunted Hayride, Oct. 22-23 in Laurie. Hop on board the hay wagon for a fun and unforgettable trip through the spooky woods at the Laurie Fairgrounds! Geared for kids and families, this thrilling trip features skits, screams and scary stuff galore. Rides begin at 7 p.m. There will be a small admission fee. Come back the following week, on Oct. 29, for the Ha Ha Haunt at Ha Ha Tonka State Park, Camdenton. Follow the ghoulish decorations and ghostly jack-o-lanterns lining the one-quarter-mile trail leading to the park’s famed, forbidding castle ruins--they create quite a creepy silhouette after dark! Open from 5-8 p.m., the free event, sponsored by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, also will feature treats and activities.
♦ The Pleasures of Fall Golf … For a lot of visitors to the Lake of the Ozarks, the “great outdoors” means golf—that is, playing golf along the Lake of the Ozarks Golf Trail. The Trail’s 13 world-class courses offer stunning views, challenging elevations, and all the amenities and services you can expect from first-rate facilities. Many courses incorporate the natural Ozarks landscape into their design. The Trail also features 11 lodging properties, from cozy cabins to full-service resorts, plus vacation condos and homes—even villas right along the fairway. Best of all, fall golf along the Lake of the Ozarks Golf Trail means beautiful weather, lower fees and fewer crowds. As the days grow shorter, even if you get in only 12 or 13 holes, it’s still worthwhile to take advantage of autumn golf along the Trail.
♦ Autumn Attractions … Autumn is one of the busiest times at the Lake of the Ozarks, with festivals and celebrations throughout the season. Following are some highlights that are sure to inspire all kinds of travel stories about this centrally located, family (and wallet) friendly destination. For more information on any of these upcoming events, plus lodging, dining, attractions, shopping and more, please call the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau toll-free at (800) FUN-LAKE or visit www.funlake.com.
Sept. 10 * Hot Summer Nights, Historic Bagnell Dam Strip, Lake Ozark
It’s the final summer night to cruise down to The Strip to check out vintage, classic and souped-up cars and motorcycles, enjoy live music and soak up the atmosphere of a summer night at the Lake of the Ozarks. As a final farewell until next year, this night will pay tribute to the wounded warriors of the area and the state. 6-11 p.m., free admission.
Sept. 16-19 * 4th 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 will offer special activities and rates for participants. Headline concerts will include Molly Hatchet, Bad Company and Blackfoot, at the Lake Expo Center in Osage Beach. Other events will take place at Toad Cove and Lake of the Ozarks Harley-Davidson in Osage Beach.
Sept. 17-20 * Annual Osage River Antique Power & Tractor Show
EldonAntique tractors and balers are true engineering marvels! See some in action and take a journey to the past as you watch tractor pulls, a tractor parade and demonstrations of gas engines, steam engines, hay balers, blacksmithing, trashing and much, much more. $5 admission (good for three days); free, under age 12.
Sept. 17-19 * 41st Annual Hillbilly Fair, Laurie
Young and old will “Let It Shine” at this good-old-fashioned fair, featuring a parade, bands, carnival rides, food and crafts vendors, horseshoe pitching, demonstrations of dancing, martial arts and firefighting, and a whole lot more. It’s the perfect way to say farewell to summer!
Sept. 23-26 * Osage River Mountain Man Festival
NEW LOCATION – Roach, MO (15 Miles NW of Camdenton)
This much-anticipated festival will move (this year) to Little Niangua Campground but the experience of an authentic 19th century mountain man and trader encampment will be the same. Watch black powder shoots, tomahawk and knife throwing competitions, fire-starting contests, tall-tale-telling, with an array of artisans, gunsmiths, blacksmiths and re-enactors to guide you through a journey to America’s past. For details visit www.gorvcamping.com/mountain.man/htm or call (866)-269-1342
.Oct. 9 * 24th Annual Fall Harbor Hop
On-the-water poker run offers boaters and visitors some post-summer cruising action and brings late-season business to Lake-area restaurants and bars. More than 2,500 people and 45 waterfront bars and restaurants will participate.
Oct. 16-17 * 26th Annual Missouri State Buddy Bass Championship
LaurieThe state’s premier bass fishing tournament at Bear Bottom Resort offers greater than 100% payback in cash and prizes. Get a good night’s sleep and get ready to drop your line at 6 a.m.!
Oct. 30-31 * 15th Annual Fall Classic Buddy Bass Tournament, Lake Ozark Another Lake-area fishermen’s favorite, this well-attended tournament at offers 100% cash payback. The host lodging property, Alhonna Resort, offers comfortable rooms with boat slips, boat rentals, bait and fishing licenses and a complimentary breakfast at the on-site Bobbers Restaurant before the 7 a.m. take-off.
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Note to News Media: For your convenience, you may download an electronic version of this article. Simply go to www.funlake.com. At the bottom of the home page, click on “Professional Media” to access this article and other Lake of the Ozarks news.
