Planning for Goodman's first Ozark Orchard Festival is under way.
Greg Richmond, mayor of Goodman, conducted meetings Thursday, Sept. 1 and Sept. 8 with some Goodman residents to plan the event.
It was decided that the festival will be from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at the ball field at 224 E. Gardner, so mark your calendars.
Richmond wanted to incorporate Goodman's rich heritage of being the home of one of the most successful fruit-growing enterprises in this section of the country, so the group made that the underlying theme of the festival.
Goodman was named after Lowell A. Goodman (1845-1917). Goodman founded the Ozark Orchard Company, which planted orchards at the Heart of the Ozarks on t2,500 acres which is where Goodman stands today.
Those present at the meeting were very enthusiastic and came up with many ideas and demonstrated they are ready to go to work on the festival.
Some of their ideas were: dunk the mayor, car show, chili cook-off, pie auction, scarecrow contest, petting zoo, carnival games, raffle, battle of the barrels.
The planning group is also working on getting entertainment and vendors.
There will be plenty of good food including hot dogs, chicken and hamburgers.
Richmond said he will research the need for any necessary insurance coverage.
It came up that the local churches would most likely want to be involved, which is always a great contribution and any help from local businesses would be appreciated, the agreed.
It is a perfect time of year for the orchard festival because it is harvest time for apples and other fruits.
According to the Missouri Extension Service, Missouri produces about 1 million bushels of apples every year. Jonathan, Red Delicious and Golden Delicious are the three most commonly grown apples in Missouri.
The Jonathan apples have been grown in Missouri for more than 150 years and is the most widely grown apple in the state. Harvest for Jonathan applies usually starts at the beginning of September, accoridng to the Extension Service.
Another meeting is planned to finalize the plans for the festival at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15, at City Hall.
Community on 09/15/2016