2007 Apple Butter Makin' Days will be held on October 12 thru October 14. In 2008, the dates will be October 10 thru 12.

Apple Butter Makin' Days, one of Missouri's most popular festivals, has been held on the courthouse square in Mt. Vernon each October since 1967. The main attraction is apple butter, cooked using century-old methods in huge copper kettles over open fires. That craft is demonstrated on the southeast corner of the courthouse lawn starting shortly after dawn and continuing until early to mid-afternoon each day of the festival.

The sale of apple butter has helped fund numerous charitable projects. While the cooking of apple butter is the prime attraction of Apple Butter Makin' Days, other activities compliment the event and provide entertainment and fun for those who attend. Businesses decorate their store windows with displays of antique furniture and collectibles, and some people still dress in costumes of the era.

The juried festival also includes games, food and entertainment for all ages. The festival draws an estimated 40,000 to 45,000 people for the three day weekend!

Contests
Contests are patterned after the fun of yesteryear and include such things as nail driving and a terrapin race. Other activities that have been favorites for years include the Pet Parade, Bubble Gum Blowing Contest, apple pie eating contest and an apple biting contest. Between the nail driving contest and the fiddlers contest you can be guaranteed to smile.

Cooking on the Courthouse Lawn
Large copper kettles, many of which are over 100 years old, are placed on open fires hours before daybreak. Then, apples which are peeled the day before, are placed in the kettles along with water , and the mixture is stirred with long wooden paddles to prevent sticking and burning. Toward the end of the twelve-hour cooking time, sugar and spices are added to give the distinctive taste. In the mid-afternoon, the apple butter is ladled into jars and sealed.

Fun for the Kids!
Kids of all ages enjoy Apple Butter Makin' Days! The three-day schedule is designed to involve and entertain the youngsters. By the end of the festival the children will have had numerous opportunities to enter the contests and compete for the many prizes available.

Nothing makes people smile more than watching the youngsters participate in the activities provided! All children enjoy the bubble gum blowing contest, terrapin race, pet parade apple pie eating contest, etc.

The Food
A wide variety of food is provided by local organizations and churches to make sure that none of the thousands of visitors arriving daily experience hunger pains! With all the choices available, the decision of what to eat becomes a difficult one! The best thing to do is to eat a little of everything!
Kettle Corn
Apple Dumplings
Caramel Apples
Apple Cider
Bratwurst and polish sausage
Funnel cakes
Hot roasted peanuts
Turkey drumsticks
Stuffed Baked Potatoes
Taco Salads
Hamburgers and hot dogs
And more!

Entertainment
Be prepared to be entertained when you arrive at the Apple Butter Makin' Day festivities! Musical and dramatic entertainment abounds. A Saturday morning parade has always been a highlight of the festival. Not only will you see the Apple Butter Queen crowning, you will listen to country, folk, bluegrass and Christian singers sharing their favorite songs with you! Your foot will tap and your hands will clap in rhythm with the old time fiddle and folk music. A gun fight on the square, an apple peeling contest, baby show and much more provide entertainment that you won't want to miss!

Booth Rental
Over 350 craftsmen from throughout the country traditionally set up booths featuring hand-crafted items, with many craftsmen demonstrating their work.

Booth spaces are available for hand-crafted items made by the exhibitor. We encourage people to demonstrate their craft at the booth. For information about whether your craft qualifies, rental and jury fees, etc., contact: Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 373, Mount Vernon, MO 65712, (417) 466-7654, Booth spaces are limited, so be sure to contact us as early as possible!

For more information, please contact us at 417-466-7654 or by Email.