The Cole County Master Gardeners' fall festival attracted vendors of handcrafted goods and food, as well as people of all ages to the community gardens in the north Jefferson City area on Saturday afternoon.
"This was our 10th anniversary of these gardens, and we decided that we wanted to do something special," said Don Whitener, 10-year veteran of the Master Gardeners. We have done something every weekend in the month of October. It started off with free classes, and we had a sip and stroll one evening ... and we ended up with this Big River City Fall Festival. We are going to make it an annual event."
Fischer Farms and the Jefferson City Department of Parks and Recreation were also involved in the festival, Whitener said, thanking them for providing the land and some of the attractions such as a corn maze and pumpkin patch.
Also at the event were booths for face painting, spray tattoos and petting zoos. The sounds of the live band covered the laughter of kids and bleating of sheep, while many of the 60-plus vendors sat in the shade.
"I think this is pretty good for the first year," said Emmit Coots Jr. as he relaxed in the shadow of a trailer that he referred to as his mobile display room. The 27-year retiree creates wooden tables, stools, benches and tables. He has been doing it for roughly 14 years.
"I got to do something. I can't just sit around the house and do nothing," Coots said with a smile.
He normally sells his wares at festivals like the one he was attending, but they are also available at his home, he said.
"Everything here is handcrafted," Whitener said. "We have a lot of really cool handcrafted furniture, there is some beautiful pottery, there are handcrafted toys and kids items, and hand made jewelry."
Artist Ann Grotjan had a particularly busy booth. She was peddling stoneware with intricate impressions of leafs and other outdoor-themed designs.
"It is ideal right now: The location is good, there is plenty of space and good parking," said her husband, Lloyd, who does photography and photo restoration. Her work can be seen at AweNaturel.com.
The festival had some stand-alone attractions like a giant chess and checkers set and a booth that sold painted pumpkins with a Halloween theme.
"I am really impressed; they have done a fantastic job. Of course the weather couldn't be any better," said Kathy Johnson, who was selling jewelry and clothing items she crocheted. "There are a variety of things. It looks like all the booths are different and there is not a whole of repetition. That is good for all of us."