 Village of Lights Festival
The Village of Lights festival is sponsored by the Mt. Vernon Chamber of Commerce and is held each year on the weekend following Thanksgiving. Local residents open their homes for a Christmas Homes Tour on Saturday. Other highlights include the Christmas Parade, entertainment, and carriage rides on Saturday; and open houses at the local businesses and churches on Sunday.
Apple Butter Makin' Days
 Since 1967, one of Missouri's most popular festivals has been held on the courthouse square each year in Mt. Vernon on the second weekend of October. The main attraction is apple butter, cooked using century-old methods in huge copper kettles over open fires. That craft is demonstrated on the southeast corner of the courthouse lawn starting shortly after dawn and continuing until early- to mid- afternoon each day of the festival. Booth hours are 9am - 5pm on Friday & Saturday and 11am - 5pm on Sunday. The sale of apple butter has helped fund numerous charitable projects. Over 350 booths feature hand-crafted items with craftsmen demonstrating their work, games and food, from caramel apples to roasted peanuts. Your first stop at the festival should be the Chamber of Commerce's information booth, which is located on the southeast corner of the square near Hickory Street. You can pick up a free program book and check out the wealth of information available. You might also want to add to your collection Mt. Vernon collector pins, Apple Butter Makin' Days sweatshirt, T-shirt or coffee mug.
Ernte Fest
Ernte Fest is held in Freistatt, Missouri, which is approximately eight miles west of Mt. Vernon, on H Highway. It is held the third weekend in August, with activities on Friday evening, and activities beginning Saturday afternoon into the evening. The Freistatt Lions Club hosts the event and offers an assortment of German foods, games, and a bier-garten.
Fun is had by all, so try to attend! |
