For more than 35 years, the annual Olde Tyme Apple Festival in Versailles has seen visitors enjoy its fun-filled activities and contests, delicious apple-inspired and old-fashioned food, and true small-town atmosphere.
It has grown in popularity, attracting thousands of attendees from across the state and beyond. In 2013, the Olde Tyme Apple Festival was named "Best Festival" in Rural Missouri Magazine, the official publication of the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives.
With a few events Thursday, Friday and Sunday, most activities for the 2016 Olde Tyme Apple Festival will take place Saturday in downtown Versailles.
Today, guests can see the opening night of the 2016 Apple Festival Musical, "Beauty and the Beast" at 7 p.m. at the Royal Theatre.
Pre-festival activities start Friday, with an apple pie-baking contest from 5:30-7:30 p.m.; the Baby Dumplin' and Apple Tarts contest at 6 p.m. and Apple Dumplin' and Darlin' contests at 6:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church; a presentation of the musical "Beauty and the Beast" at 7 p.m. at the Royal Theatre; car cruise at 6:30 p.m.; and sock hop from 7-11 p.m. at B&B Drive-In, with the crowning of the king and queen of the festival also at the B&B Drive-in.
The festival officially kicks off at 6:30 a.m. Saturday with a pancake breakfast at the Westminster Presbyterian Church. The 5K and Super Senior 5K runs start at 7 a.m., as well as the 2-mile walk at 7:15 a.m. and half-mile kids fun run at 8:15 a.m. at Versailles High School.
The Fun Zone for kids will open at 9 a.m. at the corner of Jasper and Krekel streets, boasting pony rides, bounce houses, face painting and other children's activities. Also at 9 a.m., approximately 300 vendors will open in downtown Versailles for Saturday's festival, remaining open until 5 p.m.
The Olde Tyme Apple Festival parade is full of clowns, Shriners, bands, floats, horses, emergency and law enforcement vehicles, and more. The parade begins at 10 a.m. and travels throughout the downtown area.
Apple-themed events include an apple sculpture contest for artists and an apple pie-baking contest auction, where festival-goers can buy some of the award-winning pies. Other events during the day include the a car show at Versailles City Park (with registration from 8 a.m.-noon), a tractor and engine display along Newton Street, street musicians, and the popular Olde Tyme Apple Festival Fiddlers' Contest at 1 p.m. at the Royal Theatre. A variety of entertainment will also perform throughout the day, including Changed by Grace after the parade and again 1-5 p.m. at the main stage, Finley River Boys from 12:30-5 p.m. on the North Monroe Street stage, and Me and Jim from 1-5 p.m. on Jasper and Fisher streets.
Festival attendees can choose their own festival finale at 7 p.m. - either a Compact Figure 8 Race at 7 p.m. at the Morgan County Fairgrounds or an encore showing at of "Beauty and the Beast" at 7 p.m. at The Royal Theatre.
A post-festival golf tournament is at noon Sunday at Rolling Hills Country Club. If festivalgoers missed their chance to see "Beauty and the Beast," they can still see one of three performances at 7 p.m. Oct. 6-8 at the Royal Theatre.
For more information about the Olde Tyme Apple Festival, contact the Versailles Chamber of Commerce at 573-378-4401 or visit VersaillesChamber.com.
Also this weekend: Downtown Jefferson City Multicultural Festival