This past weekend's 41st Annual Cole County Extension Fall Festival saw its best turnout since 2003.
"We had around 160 vendors and 3,664 visitors on Saturday," said Chris Thompson, business development specialist at the Cole County Extension. "Most of our vendors want to come back. The amount varies from year to year, but I'd say it's usually around two-thirds. We do have new vendors every year, though."
Thompson said the Extension does limited advertising for the event, so most of those who attend hear about it through word of mouth.
"There's a lot who faithfully attend," he said. "They know the Saturday after Labor Day each year it's festival time."
Next year's event is scheduled for Sept. 8 at the Jefferson City Jaycees Fairgrounds.
Thompson said vendors can register for the same space they had this year, but new vendor registration won't start until April.
"It is a fundraising event, and the money is used to continue the programs we offer such as 4-H, business development and health and nutrition," he said. "We get tremendous support from Cole County government, but we're not fully funded by them, nor do we expect that. The funds also help to maintain our office building on Tanner Bridge Road."