Fall Festivals in Missouri

Now is the time to make plans for fall festivals and activities in Missouri.   My husband and I like to plan a variety of weekend trips to attend Missouri’s apple butter festivals, craft shows music and farmers markets during the fall season.  

Many events are offered in small towns and large cities during the fall season in Missouri.

 

Missouri has many wide-open spaces, parks, and woods with maple, oaks and hickory trees that are beautiful during the fall season. The leaves normally turn in October starting in north Missouri, then to the west before the leaves turn in the south and the east.

 

We always go to Piece City for their fall festival on September 21^st. We enjoy the hometown activities that this city has to offer.  This event is held in a park like setting where you can walk around.  There are craft booths, farmers market, music, games for the kids, food and fun.  View the Facebook page for more information.

 

Our friends tell us that the apple butter festival is one we must attend.    So, we have marked our calendar with the two-day event date (October 26^th and 27^th).   and time (10 to 5) The Apple Butter Festival in Kimmswick Missouri is a very large celebration as it has drawn over 100,000 visitors.  

The festival is in a small town with historic buildings and tree lined streets.   The festival will feature a variety of booths that offer food, drinks, and crafts. There will also be live entertainment and fun activities for kids. Such as petting zoo, pony rides, face painters and more.    

 

If you like apple butter know that you will find no better than what is made at Kimmswick.  The historical society peels and cuts and cooks the apples over a wood fire on Saturday and Sunday at dawn. Yes, they freshly prepare the apple butter to be sold at the festival.    

 

If you are interested in the apple butter festival in Missouri then go to their website to learn more   

 

 

Seasonal Train Tours Branson

 For a day of family fun reserve a seat on the Branson Scenic Railway.  This seasonal train is a great way to view the Ozark Mountains fall foliage and scenic landscapes.

Teach your children about the types of trees that produce beautiful colors and take keepsake photographs for memories of your day on the train.

 Reserve comfortable seating with skylights or if you prefer reserve the fine dining train that features a 3-course dinner.  Not only is this dinner train romantic but it is also a great way to “get away” and enjoy the scenery at dusk.  The colorful autumn trees look beautiful when the sun's rays shine on the leaves.

So if you are planning to visit Branson during the fall season be sure to check out the Branson Scenic Railway.

FUN with Family Harvesting Fresh Pears

I am not an expert in harvesting pears, however, can share only what I have learned over the years. To tell you the truth I have only been participating in this fall family activity for the past four years. 

Most of what I have learned comes from my brother, he has a D'Anjou pear tree orchard and has taught me the basics. Unlike other types of pears the D'Anjou does not change color when it ripening, instead, it stays green but does get dull color, not as shiny. He said to check the pears to see if they are ripe by pressing down by the neck of the pear, if there is a slight give, then it is ready to be harvested.

Another thing my brother taught me is when to harvest the pears. He suggested that I choose a day after a hard rain or harvest on a breezy day. His reason is that it is easier to pick the pears off the ground than it is to take them from the tree branches.

Harvesting pears is a fun activity for families. The kids love to gather the fallen pears, the parents and other adults will climb the trees or go up ladders to harvest the fruit off the tree branches. 

Products Needed

Harvesting pears aren't difficult to do as long as you wear garden gloves to protect your hands. A long sleeve shirt to protect your arms from getting scratched from the tree branches. 

I bring along a branch cutting shears/pruner to remove the pear from the tree branch. This hand tool is helpful when harvesting pears from the tree branches.    

Know that a crossover bag does come in handy. For me, it is easy to pick the pears and put them into the bag. When the bag is full I lower it down to be emptied. This eliminates going up and down ladders.

No Pear is Wasted

All of the pears are divided according to how ripe they are and put into cardboard boxes. None of the pears are left behind if they are too ripe we will take and add them to the compost