Looking for some family-friendly activities for your family this October? We’ve put together a list of local festivals for you and your family to enjoy. Have fun!

2009 Fall Festivals:

Every Friday, Saturday & Sunday in October

Rutledge-Wilson Farm is proud to present a 10-acre corn maze that is fun for the whole family. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to get an earful of information about corn! To learn more, call 417-837-5949. Located at 3825 West Farm Road 146 in Springfield.
Fridays- 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
• Saturdays & Sundays - Noon – 9 p.m.
Cost for the Corn Maze:
• $5 adults (12 years and older)
• $3.50 children (5 years – 11 years/ 4 years and younger are free)
Cost: $4/pumpkin • Potted Mums $6/plant
Cost for the Hayrides:
• $3/rider (5 years and older/4 years and younger free of charge).

October 17

Fall Family Fun Festival Carnival Fundraiser at Willard North Elementary, 409A Farmer Rd. in Willard from 4-8 p.m. A great night of fun games and activities! Food will include large all-beef hot dogs, Philadelphia soft pretzels and Sno-Kones! Ride the Wizzer, try The Joust, Sandy Candy and get your picture taken in the Fantasy Photo Booth!

October 22-31

McDonald’s and Friends of the Zoo present the 26th Annual Halloween Spooktacular at the Dickerson Park Zoo, 3043 N. Fort, 6:30-9 p.m. nightly for all ages. Hand-carved jack-o-lanterns, lit decorations and candy treats for children 12 and under. Cost is $5 at the gate or $4 advance tickets available at area McDonalds’s (beginning mid-October). FOZ members are free. For info, call 864-1800 or see www.dickersonparkzoo.org.

October 23 – Friday

The Goddard School’s Fall Festival begins at 6:30 p.m. Chili cook off, trunk-or treat and candy hunt – fun for the whole family! Located at 2238 W. Kingsley in Springfield. For more info, call 886-6565.

October 24 – Saturday

Pets and Pumpkins 2009 on Historic Commercial Street from 2-6 p.m. Trick-or-treating for kids & pets at participating shops on the street. Parade for kids and pets. Costume contest for kids and pets. Off-leash dog play area. Vendor display booths with games. Activities at Pets and Pumpkins for 2009 will directly benefit animal charities. 100% of tickets sales will go to animal charities. Tickets will cost 25¢ each or five for $1 and games will be one or two tickets each. Info, see www.petsandpumpkins.com. Presented by Tame Magazine.

The 24th Annual Fall Fun Fest and Hayride at Doling Family Center, 301 E. Talmage,
5-7 p.m. Enjoy a wonderful fall evening with a hayride through Doling Park. Then, go inside for games and activities. Everyone is a winner with prizes and candy at each activity. In the case of inclement weather, the hayride will be canceled with other activities taking place as scheduled. For families with children ages 12 and under. Cost: $1 each or bag of candy donation for Park Board Accessible Program. For info, visit www.parkboard.org or call 837-5900.

University Heights Baptist Church, located at the corner of Grand and National in Springfield hosts the 7th Annual Rountree Roundup from 2-4 p.m. Free admission. All ages welcome. Activities will include kids games, a jump castle, costume contest, great fair food as well as bake and craft sales. For info, call 862-0789 or visit www.uhbc.org.

"Spook-Trunk-ular" at Christ Church Unity, 2214 E. Seminole at 5:30pm. Safe environment for children to come and trick or treat out of trunks. For more info, call 887-2214.

October 25 – Sunday

Willard Community Christian Church, located at 300 W. Proctor Road in Willard, will be hosting a Trunk-or-Treat event from 6 to 7:30 p.m. All ages are invited and it’s FREE! Call the church at 417-742-1222 for more details. If it’s raining or too cold, festivities will be inside the church building.

October 28 – Wednesday

Brookline Church of Christ will be hosting a Trunk-or-Treat event on their grounds, located at 3086 N. Brookline Ave., from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. The public is invited – call 417-862-0551 for more info.

Oct. 29 & 30 – Thurs. & Fri.

Springfield Nature Center hosts its annual Halloween Happening from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Theme is “Little Red Riding Hood’s Forest Foray.” Red faces her fears to learn some important lessons about how animals survive. Guided hikes will be led on a first-come, first-served basis – last hike leaves at 9 p.m. Indoor activities include games, exhibits and crafts. For all ages and guaranteed to be insightful, not frightful! No registration required. Call 888-4237 for info.

October 30 – Friday

High Street Baptist Church is hosting their Annual Fall Festival, Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. Activities for all ages including inflatables and candy. Join us for Dinner-for-$1 (hot dog, chip & drink). The church is located at 900 N. Eastgate in Springfield. Call 417-862-5502 for more info.

New Hope International Ministries presents its October Festival at the corner of Prospect & Central in Springfield across from OTC. Carnival, games, free hotdogs & fun from
5-8 p.m. Call 894-1142 for more information.

Southland Christian Church hosts “Heavenly Hollow Fest: A Family Alternative to Trick-or-Treat" from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Carnival games, candy, moon walk, photo booth, face painting, balloon animals and fun for the whole family. Located at 1630 W. Republic Road in Springfield. For info, call Carmen at 881-7405.

Trinity Lutheran Church hosts its Pumpkin Patch Party at 1415 S. Holland in Springfield. A giant party for families featuring a chili supper, inflatables, cookie decorating, a black light room, candy lane trick or treating, games, pumpkin painting and more. Everyone welcome! Come dressed in a costume and enjoy the fun! $2 per person or $6 per family. For times and more info, please contact Angela at 866-5878.

October 30 - November 1st

Ready for persimmon cookies and old-fashioned fun? Then you'll want to be in Sparta for the annual Persimmon Days Festival! This year's attractions include arts and crafts, food, games, and a costume parade. As usual, you'll find persimmons and persimmon-based goods available as well. Festivities will be at the new Sparta City Park property at 837 Division St. Admission is free. Hours 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. For more info, visit www.spartamo.com and click on Persimmon Days 2009.

October 31 – Saturday

Trunk-or-Treat at Asbury United Methodist Church, 1559 S. Campbell in Springfield.
Children are invited to come in costume, eat free hot dogs and enjoy Trunk-or-Treating.
Begins at 4:30 p.m. Call 865-1335 for info.

First Baptist Church, located at 525 South Ave. in Springfield, will host a Trunk-or-Treat event from 2-5 p.m. Free admission. Activities include games, food, inflatables and of course, candy! Info, call 866-7202.

King’s Way Christian Church in Mount Vernon, located at 900 W. Sloan, is hosting a fall carnival from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. They’ll have bouncers, treats, games and fun – and everything is FREE! Call 417-466-3311 for more info.

Annual Trunk or Treat at Grace Chapel Church on Plainview Road, 6-9 pm. There will be tons of candy, food, music, inflatables, balloon artist and more! It's all free! For more info, visit www.gracechapelchurch.org or contact the church at 887-5625.

Trunk or Treat at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 911 Mt. Vernon in Nixa from 3-5 p.m. Come enjoy some fun in a safe environment for trick-or-treaters! For info, call 725-4288.

Check out  our web calendar for  more festivals not included here.