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Community Calendar

The Willow Springs Community has many different events for you and your family!

 

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Bear City Fall Festival

Saturday October 5, 2024
9am-3 pm
Downtown Willow Springs

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Don't miss out on our

50th Anniversary Commemorative

T-shirt!

Vendor Information - Spots Still Available

The vendor application has a new option this year!  Yes, you asked, we delivered.  We have several options to sign up to be a vendor this year!  Our application is fillable and submittable online here After submitting your form it will redirect you to the online payment form.

If you would rather print the form and mail it in with a check, the printable form is here.  If you would like you can print and email it in and make your online payment here also.

If you select either online option, you will need to go here for the vendor letter as it is not included in either of those downloads.

And finally, you can stop in the office and there are good old-fashioned paper copies of the form there you can fill out and make payment.

CHANGES FOR 2024:

As a result of comments made from the survey we have made an effort to get more vendors on Main Street.  The only way to do this was to decrease the space size.  So please make note that spaces are now 10 X 10 .  Our own observations and comments from vendors made us realize that many spaces were under-utilized and we could put more vendors on Main Street by reducing the size.  As always, you may reserve as many sites as you like, but please realize that this year's booth spaces are not the traditional 10 x 20, they are now 10x10, so please plan accordingly.

The Food Vendor spaces on Harris St that run north/south and will remain 10x20 to accomodate Food trucks/trailers, that locations sizes have not changed.

Be a contestant in the 1st Annual Bear City Pizza Championship!

Get ready to unleash your inner pizza chef!

Pizza Americana is hosting an exciting Pizza-Making Championship at the 50th Annual Bear City Festival. The first 10 entrants to register will get the chance to impress our judges with their pizza-making skills.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just love to get creative in the kitchen, this is your moment to shine.

Each team will be able to chose from one of Pizza Americana’s Signature or Artisan pizzas and make it their own, leveraging the spiceology spices or any other creative toppings available.

Your mission is to create a pizza full of flavor, an appearance that is appetizing, give it a name that is menu worthy and add your own creative flare.

 

 

Rules:

  • Teams of 1 or 2 individuals max must register.

  • The first 10 teams to register will be allowed to participate.

  • Completed pizzas will be sold by the slice for charity after judges have their piece, so bring an audience of supporters ready to buy your creation.

  • Event time will begin at 8:00 am

Winners will be recognized on the Main Stage at 10 am.

Pizza will be featured as the Pizza of the Month in October.

Everyone loves a good Chicken Pageant!  I mean who doesn't love dressed up chickens on a leash strutting their stuff up and down the catwalk?

If you are a chicken person, grab your favorite gal, dress her up pretty, put her on a leash and sign up at the Simmons Bank  booth by 11 am on October 5th during Bear City Fall Festival, or save some time and register ahead of time online.

The Chicken Pageant will be held at 11:30 on October 5th at a new location this year.  It will be held at the Center St Event Area.  This will be at Center and Main in downtown Willow Springs right near G&W Foods.

Rules:

  • No Roosters

  • Chickens must be on a leash and in owner’s control at all times

Return completed forms to:

  • Simmons Bank- Willow Springs

  • Willow Springs Chamber office - 120 W Main St

  • Bear City Fall Festival by 11:00 a.m. to the Simmon’s Bank booth.

Prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place

Do you have a Mini-Me?  Well here is your chance to win a FREE photo session for you and your Mini-Me with Blush Candids Photography.

There is no age requirement.  This can be any two people who look alike.

Mother/daughter; Father/son; Father/daughter; Mother/son; Grandparent/grandchild...the list is endless.

The only requirement is that you look so much alike people have no problem seeing each other in you!

This contest will be held at 2:20 at the Center St. Event Area during Bear City Fall Festival on October 5th.

This are is near G&W Foods in downtown Willow Springs.

To register for this event you can fill out a registration online below, or you can register at the Willow Springs Chamber of Commerce booth at Bear City Fall Festival by 2:00 pm.

This contest is sponsored by Blush Candids Photography.

This race is open to Dachshund breeds only.
It will be held at Bear City Fall Festival on Saturday October 5, 2024 at 10 am. 
Please check in at the Willow Springs Chamber of Commerce booth by the Main Stage.
$10 entry fee.

Owners must provide a record of current Rabies vaccine.

Race Rules and Regulations:
Participating canines must be real dachshunds. There are no weight restrictions.
• All racers must complete this registration form and submit rabies documentation prior to race.
• NO SPECTATOR CANINES WILL BE ALLOWED.
• Dachshund’s may wear and are encouraged to be in costume during the race to add to the entertainment.
• Each participating dachshund will need to bring to humans. Humans must be able to catch and/or carry the dog.
• One human will carry the dachshund to the starting line. The other human will stand at the finish line and catch the racing dachshund. Decision of judges will be final.
• Humans may coax their dachshund with a favorite chew toy, scarf or treat. No dog whistles or other whistles will be allowed.
• Dachshunds must be on a leash when they are not in the race arena and must be removed from the event area (downtown) following the race per city ordinance.
• Humans must clean up after their dogs.
• Owner accepts full responsibility for any and all incidents involving their pet before, during or after the race. Bring a leash and water/treats for your pet.

 

REMEMBER: The only serious thing about this race is the FUN!

You can register ahead of time by using the button below.  You can register the day of the event at the Willow Springs Chamber of Commerce booth.

This will be held at the Center St Event Area located near G&W Foods in downtown Willow Springs.

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G&W Foods

Chili Cook-Off

Bring your best pot of Chili to G&W Foods by 9:45 Saturday October 5 during

Bear City Fall Festival.

Judging begins at 10 am.

Prizes and bragging rights will be awarded!

Rules:
1. All containers will not be returned.
2. No refrigerated items.
3. Must be homemade.
Bring to Ozarks Sweetest Bakeshop booth by 10:45.
Judging starts at 11:00.


Age Groups:
16 & Under:

Brownies -
1 doz brownies
Judged on taste, appearance &creativity.


17 & Up:
Pies -
1 full pie (no cream or refrigerated)
Judged on appearance, crust and filling.

Unjudged portions will be raffled off & the proceeds will go to

Bears for a Better Christmas.

Purchase Raffle tickets at Ozarks sweetest bakeshop booth

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Calling all Quilters!

Pull out those beautiful creations and get them ready for the Bear City Fall Festival Quilt Show!

Entry Process:

8-10 am - Drop off upstairs at Ferguson Bldg

10-1 pm - Judging & Public viewing

1-2 pm - Pick up quilts

Entry Form is available by clicking download button.

 

Categories:

Traditional - Classic patterns, old fashion, hand-sewn, etc.

Modern - Contemporary, bright, fun etc.

Other - Anything self-sewn, bags, purses, wall hangings, table runners, clothes, stuffed animals, books etc.

 

Prizes and ribbons will be awarded in all categories.

 

Event sponsored by : Willow Springs Church of Christ Quilt Ladies

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The Willow Springs Fire Department will be holding a coloring contest for the kiddos.

Age groups will be:
2yo - Pre K
K-2nd grade
3rd - 5th grade


1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes will be awarded in each age group.

The contest form is available online below for those who want to get a head start on their creations!  Just print it off and bring it to SAFETY TOWN at the Bear City Fall Festival on October 5th to enter.

There will be forms available to color there if you forget to print it or bring it with you!

WSFD Coloring Contest

WSFD
Code Red
Scavenger Hunt

Adults (with the help of the kiddos) can participate in the

Willow Springs Fire Department Code Red Scavenger Hunt.

  • Visit Safety Town and pick up a scavenger hunt sheet.

  • Visit vendors in the festival and find all 10 items on the list.

  • Return it to Safety Town to be entered into a drawing for 1 of 3 gift cards to local businesses!

Howell County News
Drench 'Em Fundraiser

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Saturday October 5, 2024
9am-3 pm
Downtown Willow Springs

 

Tradition continues with the DRENCH 'EM contest sponsored by the Howell County News to benefit Bears for a Better Christmas!

This year two competing teams from the Willow Springs Schools will raise money for this program!

Make sure you head down to the are of the Howell County News during the

2024 Bear City Fall Festival - 50 years to drench your favorite school employee!

Jasper Engines & Transmissions
Bear City Fall Festival Car Show

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9am-3 pm
Downtown Willow Springs

 

This is a favorite tradition of our festival!

If you want entry information click the button below for the entry form and more information.

ABOUT US

A chamber membership offers your business many opportunities for marketing that will help build your business in the community through networking and advertising.

 

Many of these are provided to chamber members for free and all are exclusive to chamber members. Becoming a chamber member isn’t just a great investment in your community, it is also a great investment in your business.

CONTACT US

P.O. Box 322
120 W. Main Street
Willow Springs, MO 65793

willowspringschamber@gmail.com  Tel: 417-469-5519

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