2005 Hollister Grape and Fall Festival kicks off the fall season for the Branson area

The “fall” season in Branson and the Ozarks kicks off with the 2005 Hollister Grape and Fall Festival, sponsored by the Hollister Area Chamber of Commerce, on September 9 and 10, Friday, 12 pm-9 pm and Saturday 10 am-9 pm. The Festival is held on historic Downing Street, in downtown Hollister.

Downing Street itself is unique area of shops, restaurants, etc. based on the “old English style architecture.” So unique in fact that it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

One of the main features of the festival is the “entertainment stage.” Throughout the festival entertainment will be provided by a variety of entertainers. The entertainment stage will have continuous entertainment from 12:30 to 9:00 pm on Friday and Saturday. Various local and Branson entertainers will featured with Tony Orlando scheduled to appear at 8:00 pm on Saturday, Sep. 10.

Of course the main event of a Grape Festival would have to be the Grape Stomp which is scheduled to start at 12:00 pm on Saturday and run to 1:30 pm. It’s always neat to see just who will on the teams doing the stomping and their style of stomping. Unlike most stomping contests where it is the amount of juice that determines the winter in this contest it is style that counts most and, if it runs true to the past there will be some outrageous styles to see.

Other featured attractions include a Classic Car Show and a Children’s Activity Tent. The Classic Car Show will be on Saturday only at the Hollister Town Hall. The Children’s Activity Tent will feature activities games and prizes for children ages 5-13.

The Ralph Foster Museum, on the campus of College of the Ozarks, is offering free admission to everyone with a Grape Festival Stamp. Ride the Ducks will be providing free transportation from the festival to and from the museum. The museum, started in the 1920’s, primarily focuses on the historical preservation of items relating to the Ozarks region. It also has other diverse exhibits from all over the world, one being the One of its more famous exhibits is the original car from the Beverly Hillbillies television series.

The Hollister Grape and Fall Festival will also feature local foods and crafts. Speaking of food, see the Ole Seagull’s review of The Japanese Kitchen. It is located just north of the Post Office on Business 65.

Admission is free. For more information e-mail the Hollister Area Chamber of Commerce at info@hollisterchamber.net or call 334-3050.