Festivals & Fairs

Are you looking for Fall Festivals in Missouri?  There’s nothing better than a Missouri Fall Vacation in the country!  Take a fall foliage drive and observe the best fall color in Missouri.  We’re near St. Louis and the autumn leaves turn bright shades of red, orange, yellow and crimson in the crisp cool weather here in the Arcadia Valley Region and Black River Recreation Area.  Stay in one of our Bed and Breakfast Inns for a romantic fall getaway escape, or choose a log cabin, cottage, lodge or resort for your Fall adventure.  Missouri canoeing on the Black River is especially exciting and beautiful when the dazzling leaves blanket the hillsides.  Quite simply, we believe there’s no better place in Missouri to see the leaves change in Autumn.  Many people return year after year, just to take the best fall foliage drive in Missouri.

October is the month for Fall Festivals and autumn celebrations in our region. Planning and preparations begin weeks in advance for the community Fall Festivals and parades. The parade in Arcadia Valley is the longest running parade in the state of Missouri. . . . 82 years and counting!  The incredible floats are built by parents and students in a heavy competition which starts early in the school year as students and their parents work feverishly on fund raisers to earn money for the floats and talent competition. Then, the float building takes place. Investments in float materials runs into the thousands of dollars.  Following the parade a float viewing event is held at the historic Iron County Courthouse, Enjoy a gathering of many delightful artisans, crafters and cuisine vendors along with live entertainment outdoors. It’s an old fashioned “hometown” celebration rarely found these days.   This year, the Arcadia Valley Mountain Music Festival will be held in conjunction with the Fall Festival and parade.  Click the banner below to read about this year’s Fall Mountain Music Festival schedule and lineup of entertainers.

In addition, don’t miss Old Miner’s Day in Viburnum, which highlights the area’s rich history in lead mining.  The festival features a parade, Miss Viburnum contest, games, food, auto show, and mine tours. Fun for the whole family is available annually in October.

Each year, the dates and information about the Fall Festivals can be found right here.  Make your lodging reservations early . . .You don’t want to miss it!  If you are interested in vending for our Fall Festivals, please go to the Arcadia Valley Mountain Music Festival website as autumn approaches, or read our Blog as Fall approaches to learn more about our Fall Festivals.

Don’t miss the Arcadia Valley Mountain Music Festival now held every Spring in May, and every Fall in October.  These are FREE family events with great music, period vendors and FUN, FUN, FUN!

County Fairs

Can’t you just smell the corn dogs and popcorn? Do you already hear the children screeching with delight as they take their first ride on the ferris wheel or win that stuffed bear when beating the odds at the carnival game?  The Reynolds County Fair held every Labor Day Weekend and the Iron County Fair held each summer here in the Arcadia Valley Region and Black River Recreation Area are sure to delight any family looking for a safe, fun and memorable experience every family member will cherish for a lifetime.

Throughout the summer season, there’ll be fairs, rodeos and summer events including the Annual Fourth of July Fireworks Display at Fort Davidson State Historic Site in Arcadia Valley and other fireworks displays which are held throughout the region.  There’s always fun and excitement for the entire family when you spend your Missouri vacation on Black River or anywhere in the Arcadia Valley Region.  Watch for this summer’s fairs and summer events at these websites: Arcadia Valley Chamber and/or Black River Chamber.