Lake of the Ozarks Festivals
Great family entertainment abounds in the region year round, but the summer and fall days are filled with concerts, festivals, and exhibitions that seem to run from one to the next. The hardest part about all the festivals in the Ozarks is figuring out which ones to go to and which ones you have to miss! In Spring the Great Lake of the Ozarks Gospel Sing draws fans from throughout the country and then as soon as that wraps up comes the Annual Dixieland Jazz Festival, Blues concerts, and of course the free shows that come with Aquapalooza.
The on water boat show draws boat enthusiasts and the Annual Magic Dragon Street Meet Nationals Car Show draws car lovers. Both events involve finely tuned machines, special custom vehicles, and more than a few speed exhibitions. The Annual Marine Dealer Boat Show brings hundreds of the latest, greatest, and of course classic boats to one of America's great water playgrounds.
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Festivals at the Lake of the Ozarks -- Continue
Those really wanting to experience high speeds should make sure not to miss Captain Ron's Shootout or the Lake of the Ozarks Super Series boat races. While these events aren't specifically festivals, they certainly feel like they are with tons of booths, exhibitions, and entertainment for the whole family.
Of course, the one thing that you won't find in the Lake of the Ozarks is boredom. With over 55,000 acres of surface area, nearly 1,100 miles of shoreline, and a four season climate that is filled with both outdoor and indoor activities, you are more likely to be exhausted from trying to fit as much into your vacation as possible than looking for something to fill your time. Still, the many festivals of the region provide a nice break to all the outdoor fun and entertainment and for the kids, it's nice to have a chance to understand the history and culture of the region. The festivals often provide that and more.
Fairs and carnivals start during the summer months and continue through the fall. Art and Ambiance, Apple Butter Festival, the Mountain Man Rendezvous, and one of the most popular draws in the region, the Annual Osage River Pow Wow which celebrates the unique Native American cultural heritage of the region with the Osage tribe. All of these events have great food, lots of exhibitions, reasonable prices, and a variety of arts and crafts for visitors to sample and take home as souvenirs.
Before European and American Settlers came to the Ozarks, the Osage Tribe lived here for hundreds of years. They welcomed the first visitors with open arms. These hardy frontiersmen proved themselves to be more than capable of handling the rigors of the wilderness, they called themselves Mountain Men, and opened the way for those settlers who followed. The traditions of both the Native Americans and the Mountain Men live on every year with the annual Osage River Mountain Man Rendezvous and Muzzleloader shoot. Visitors flock to the Lake of the Ozarks region for this event and take time out from all the water activities the lake offers to reconnect with the glorious past of the region.
Have you ever bitten into a cold delicious, crisp apple? Feeling the juice on your face and crunching a delicious apple is part of having a wonderful time in the outdoors. The apples in the Ozarks are special and whether they were brought by Johnny Appleseed or Osage Indians isn't known for sure, but one thing is sure...they make great apple butter! The Ozarks celebrates this great product each year with the Apple Butter Days Fall Festival. When you come from the lake after a busy day of water skiing and lounging on a houseboat, why not celebrate something simple and delicious, like apple butter!
The region surrounding the Lake of the Ozarks is not only a fantastic place to enjoy the great outdoors, it is also the kind of environment that fosters artistic expression and is famous for handcrafts, the peaceful calm that artists seek, and a certain 'je ne sais que' that artists thrive in. One way to experience the artistic legacy of the Ozark region is to take a break from fishing, sun bathing, and jet skiing and head to the Annual Art and Ambiance Fair in the Ozarks. This yearly event draws artists and art lovers from throughout the region and gives visitors a chance to pick up unique memories that will last a lifetime.
Oma Noma? What in the world is Oma Noma? Oma Noma Days are a celebration of some of the Lake of the Ozarks pioneers. While today, the Lake of the Ozarks is one of the favorite places in the Midwest to boat, fish, swim, and enjoy watersports, back in 1931 when the Bagnell Dam was first finished, it was just an idea. Oma and Noma Deegraffenreid were the first local residents to cross the now famous Bagnell Dam and each year the Lake of the Ozarks celebrates their brave decision with Oma Noma Days. It was probably scary to cross the dam back then but today you can do it and enjoy the stunning views and rest easy since Oma and Noma took the brave first steps.