The 41st annual Ozark Black Gold Walnut Festival will fill the historic Court Square in Alton on Oct. 3, bringing expanded contests, live entertainment and a maxed-out vendor layout to the community.
Organized by the Alton Area Chamber of Commerce and co-sponsored by the Alton Culture Club, the festival expects to draw between 1,200 and 1,500 attendees. While the main festival runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 3, the weekend will officially kick off Friday evening with a special tribute to a longtime community fixture.
Tom Clary Cruise-In
The festival weekend begins with the Tom Clary Cruise-In from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Friday on the square.
Organized by the Alton School Foundation, the annual car show was renamed by the planning committee this year in honor of Clary, longtime Oregon County Coroner and husband of Diana Clary, one of the festival’s longtime organizers.
“Sometimes, when someone dies unexpectedly, the much-deserved accolades for all they did for a community come too late,” the committee wrote. “For more than 40 years, Clary served our community in many roles. One of his passions was for well-built automobiles and fast engines. We hope to see the square full of these cars and trucks on Oct. 2 in his honor.”
Clary first coordinated the cruise-in a few years ago, organizers noted. Known for his passion for well-built automobiles and fast engines, Clary's love for cars stretched back to his youth.
There is no entry fee for the cruise-in, though the school foundation will accept donations. Organizers hope to see the square filled with classic cars and trucks in his honor.
Expanded Contests
Events planned for the main event feature a revamped competitive lineup, beginning with the annual baking contest. Open to cookies, cakes and pies, and breads, all entries must be prepared with black walnuts. Prize money has been increased this year to $40 for first place, $30 for second and $20 for third in each category.
A new People’s Choice Award, sponsored by West Plains Bank, will allow festivalgoers to sample entries and vote for their favorite from noon to 1 p.m. The winner will receive a gift basket. Baked goods must be entered by 10:30 a.m. at The Local Chapter Coffeehouse and Market on the southeast corner of the square.
The festival has also replaced its traditional Walnut Idol vocal competition with a broader talent contest open to all ages and any type of performance. Limited to the first 10 entries, the contest will award $50 each to winners in three categories: Showstopper, Rising Star and Most Entertaining. Participants must sign up by 10:30 a.m.at the Chamber of Commerce booth in front of Alton Florist at 5 Court Square.
Other contests through the day include pumpkin carving, woodworking and a best-decorated booth competition.
Live Entertainment
The main stage will feature two prominent musical acts this year.
At noon, The Creek Rocks will take the stage. The Creek Rocks are a folk group from the Ozarks led by banjoist Cindy Woolf and guitarist Mark Bilyeu. Together they perform a mix of Ozarks-inspired original songs and unique arrangements of traditional Ozarks folksongs. The duo recently released a new album, "Wonderful Days, Wonderful Country," in August.
Sarah Jo Sample and the Tonedaddys will follow at 1:30 p.m., bringing a mix of rock, blues and good times to the square to close out the afternoon's entertainment.
This year’s festival is sponsored by Alton Bank, Fuel Express, Harp’s Grocery Stores, Quick Connection, West Plains Bank and Young’s Produce. Additional event sponsors include Southern Bank, Farm Bureau and Pack Mule.
