Springfield Falling into Fun

We’re so lucky in Springfield! Each season, we have the wonderful experience of a new time of year and the changes that result. Coming soon is one of the best seasons: autumn. That’s when the temperatures cool and we get the pleasure of watching the leaves change from green to brilliant reds, oranges and yellows.

Along with the outdoor changes, fall brings a plethora of festivals and events. Here’s a small sample of what’s coming up in September in Springfield:

• Sept. 10-11 – The Greater Ozarks Blues Festival is a great weekend of entertainment featuring a mix of up-and-down comers and blues legends.
• Sept. 10-12 – Bass Pro Shops Outdoor Days at Lake Springfield includes a pre-1840s mountain man rendezvous, skills villages, canoe and kayak races, camping, geocaching, cookouts and more.
• Sept. 10-12 – The 3^rd Annual Greek Festival includes authentic Greek cuisine, music and dancing.
• Sept. 10-12 – The 15^th Annual Japanese Fall Festival takes place at the beautiful Mizumoto Stroll Garden and features authentic Japanese art and culture, including taiko drummers, dancers, a hands-on area and candlelit walks in the evening.
• Sept. 11-12 – The annual Wickman’s Fall Festival & Open House showcases crafters at work, a petting zoo and train, along with old-fashioned scarecrows and lots of pumpkins.
• Sept. 18-19 – The Gray/Campbell Farmstead 19^th Annual 1860s Lifestyle Exposition lets you experience the life and times of Americans in the mid-19th century with demonstrations, contests and family activities.
• Sept. 18-19 – The annual Cider Days on Historic Walnut Street features more than 100 juried artists and crafters, three performance stages, a free hands-on children’s activity area, a historic homes tour, scarecrow village, food and more,
• Sept. 25 – Dog lovers will love Dog Fest, an all-canine-related festival featuring commercial vendors, non-profit organizations and demonstrations.
• Sept. 25 – The 2^nd Annual Justice Jewelers Diamond Dash is a high-tech treasure hunt centered around Downtown Springfield. The grand prize is a $10,000 diamond engagement ring.
• Sept. 25-26 – Harvest Fest at the Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park celebrates the harvest season and lets you experience life on the farm through horse-drawn wagon rides, local bluegrass music by the campfire and you can pick a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch. Don’t get lost in the corn maze!

There are many more activities and events taking place this fall in Springfield. Be sure to check out the online calendar at www.SpringfieldAdventures.com, or call the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-678-8767 for more information and plan your visit today.

We’re looking forward to sharing the season with you!

Written by Susan Wade, public relations manager for the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau.