01 Oct 2017 Three festivals planned Oct. 7 at Fairfield Bay

Fairfield Bay will welcome fall with three special events on Saturday, Oct. 7 – OktoberFest, StoryFest and KidsFest.

Don your best lederhosen and dirndls, bring a hearty appetite and join Fairfield Bay on Oct. 7 for a family-friendly traditional OktoberFest.
“We’re now in our fourth year of kicking off the fall season with this amazing fall festival,” said Fairfield Bay Mayor Paul Wellenberger. “The music, the food and the family-friendly atmosphere make Fairfield Bay ‘the’ place to be this weekend.  We’re excited to once again host these events and share what we love about the Bay.” 

Visitors will find a traditional German OktoberFest celebration full of authentic German fare and Biergarten, a one-of-a-kind Storyfest, which is a celebration of professional storytelling and a focus on family with the engagement of KidsFest, holding plenty of free, family fun. It is a day full of traditional music, food, arts and crafts, and so much more.

Free and open to the public, OktoberFest begins at 7:30 a.m. with a pancake breakfast at the Lion’s Club Den. Beginning at 9 a.m., local arts and crafts will be displayed for show and sale until 6 p.m. 

The bigger and better KidsFest will kick off at 9 a.m. with bounce houses, face painting, princess carriage rides, pony rides, games and prizes, and a special appearance by Truffles the Clown. There will even be a petting zoo. Tricky the Magician’s show starts at 4:30 p.m.

The musical festivities kick off at 11 a.m. with the Heber Springers Square Dance Club. At noon, grab a brat, pull up a chair outdoors and enjoy the music from “Left of Center.” There will be a traditional “Roll Out the Barrel" Grand March, kicking off the evening’s music, provided by the Sean Sikes Band.

At the center of a traditional OktoberFest is mouth-watering German fare, such as brats, German potato salad and more. Open throughout the festival, the authentic German event boasts plenty of seating and room to dance. The food sales open at 11 a.m. and are hosted by the VBC Board of Realtors, with all proceeds benefiting a local animal shelter.  

Along with OktoberFest, Fairfield Bay will host the Seventh Annual StoryFest. A unique and truly memorable family experience, Fairfield Bay invites some of the best national story tellers to share their talents and bring a smile and laugh. 

Story teller sessions this year will feature Laura Simms and Michael Reno Harrell. Activities for StoryFest are suitable for any age and will captivate all. Story teller sessions begin at 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. All performances will be at the Fairfield Bay Conference and Visitor Center.

Laura Simms has a reputation of sharing her tales by combining personal experience and performance art, creating a storytelling experience like none other. As recipient of the Brimstone Award for Applied Storytelling (2010) she developed this work in Nepal, Winnipeg, Romania, Austria and New York City. She is the American representative of Tellers Without Borders (originated in Germany). She continues to work in Haiti, presently supporting the Girls Write Haiti: Creativity for Change endeavor. For more information, visit laurasimms.com.

Michael Reno Harrell’s performances have been described as like "his granddaddy’s pocketknife: well warn and familiar feeling, but razor sharp and with a point," appealing to audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Earning accolades and awards in many genres – country, folk and Americana circles – he mesmerizes audiences with his wit, music and ability to bring stories to a new life. For more information about Michael, visit michaelreno.com.

OktoberFest, StoryFest and KidsFest are held at the Fairfield Bay Conference and Visitor Center, located at 110 Lost Creek Parkway in Fairfield Bay. Tickets for StoryFest are $10 in advance and $15 at the door, and are good for entrance to both the morning and afternoon performances. To purchase tickets, call 501.884.4202. For a complete list of events and times, as well as other information, go to VisitFairfieldBay.com/Oktoberfest or FairfieldBayConferenceCenter.com.

Event sponsors are CSI Roofing, Landry Insurance and Nestlehut Insurance & Financial Services. Corporate sponsors are Noacon, Ozark Resort Homes, Goodwin & Herman Real Estate, Brown & Brown Insurance, Regions Bank, Red River Boating Center and Petit Jean Electric.

For more information on weekend accommodations, call a personal concierge to create a unique trip at 501.884.4202.