The 40th Annual Ozarks Black Gold Walnut Festival, held on the historic Court Square in Alton, will continue its tradition of arts and craft booths, a variety of food booths, contests, races, and live music on October 3 and 4.
Activities on Friday, October 3 begin at 5:00 PM. A Cruise-In, sponsored by Alton School Foundation, will be located on the north side of the square. There is no entry fee, but donations to the Foundation will be accepted. On the south side of the square, children, teens, and adults will gather for tricycle and bicycle races and the annual one mile and 5k runs. Bike and trike races will begin at 5:30 and be divided into three age categories: 7 and under, 8-10, and 11-17. The one-mile race will begin at 6:15, and the 5k, at 6:30. Proceeds from the foot races will benefit the cross-country programs from both the Alton and Couch high schools. Those who do not register early, may register that evening in front of Court Square Café. Huckabee’s Groom and Board is providing glow sticks, bracelets, etc. to light up the night.
Live music will also be a highlight of Friday’s activities. Alton’s own, Ben Oesch and Chris Whitten, will entertain the crowd with their eclectic mix of music.
Saturday morning kicks off at 10:00 AM with a flag ceremony and National Anthem. Alton Junior and Senior High School Choirs and Band will perform several selections. Approximately 100 vendors will offer everything from arts and crafts to a variety of food, to contests, to pony rides. Those entering the baking and woodworking contests should register their items at the Chamber of Commerce booth by 11:00 AM. Registration for the annual pumpkin carving contest, sponsored by Southern Bank, will start at 10:00 AM. Winners will receive cash prizes and will be announced during the noon hour.
For Saturday’s entertainment, the festival committee welcomes back Vikki McGee and friends. McGee, of Jonesboro, AR, is a favored musician in the area and has entertained in Alton several times over the years. New to the festival this year is Universal Groove Society (UGS) of St. Louis. They describe themselves as a five-member band that plays family friendly world music – Celtic, blues, renaissance, middle eastern, English, and some original. A UGS spokesperson said, “Our goal is to entertain folks with toe tapping, body swaying music.”
Events will close with the annual Walnut Idol singing contest, held at 2:30. Contestants for the contest should register at the Chamber of Commerce booth by 1:30. The winner will receive a $100 prize. Booths will close at 3:00 PM.
The Ozarks Black Gold Walnut Festival was started in 1985 by Alton Area Chamber of Commerce. The organization sponsored a contest for naming an annual fall festival, and Jane McGibney was the winner. The event has been a success story each year and has grown to welcome approximately 100 vendors. This year’s event is sponsored by Chamber of Commerce and GFWC Alton Culture Club. Financial supporters for the festival are Alton Bank, Fuel Express, Harp’s Foods, Quick Connection, Rich and Teresa Wallace, West Plains Bank, and Young’s Produce.
