One of our Missouri Life ambassadors, Rickie Maples, encourages you to come and enjoy the fantastic Ozarks at Van Buren at a fall festival and concert on October 8-9. 

Small Van Buren, population 1,200, has a big festival planned. They have more than 100 arts and crafts vendors, a food truck court, demonstrations, and live music. Live animals, bounce houses, and more await kids. 

This year for the first time, the festival adds a River Jam concert on the banks of the beautiful Current River. There’s also a car show with cash prizes, and hayride shuttles will take you to and from each location. 

The festival is open Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The River Jam concert opens at 4 p.m. on October 8 and features country star Tyler Farr as the headliner. 

About Tyler Farr:

The country rocker has three No. 1 songs to his credit and has topped the  Billboard Country Albums Charts with his albums, Redneck Crazy and Suffer in Peace. The Missouri native was trained in opera before he broke through in the country genre. He grew up in Garden City and earned a degree at Missouri State University in voice.  

Other opening acts include Bottoms Up, Jesse Hammock and John D. Hale before Farr starts at 9:15 p.m.  Tickets are available here. 

This is the fifth annual festival. It started and still honors Donald Lee Black,  who started Pop’s ‘tiques&fleas, an Antique Flea Market when he was 87. He passed away in September 2021, but the little festival he started with 20 vendors and 750 visitors has grown to 100 vendors and 7,000 visitors last year. 

Van Buren is about 2.5 hours from either Springfield or St. Louis, and about 2 hours from Rolla, and you can enjoy the beautiful Ozarks on the way.

Check out more things to do in Missouri or add your own event here.