StateoftheOzarks Festival 2026 filled Downing Street on Saturday

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Attractions at SOTO Festival (Photos by AJ Fahr)

Thousands braved the scattered rain showers, humidity and heat on Saturday, Sept. 12, to attend the 9th Annual StateoftheOzarks Festival.

The day was filled with all types of feasts for the eyes and stomach. The festival vendors lined historic Downing Street with offerings of their wares which included homemade bread, art, home decor, handmade wands, bags, books, all natural cleaning supplies, local honey and homemade ice cream. Several food vendors served up a wide choice of delicious eats.

Entertainment came from musical acts on both stages on Downing Street; fighting from 15th century-based full contact steel combat and reenactment group “The Order of the Red Boar: De Orde van de Rode Everzwijn”; the Missouri Ghostbusters and more. The Voices of Taney County Animal even had dogs up for adoption at the event. 

Festival attendee Machele Young, from Tulsa, Oklahoma, said her and her friends came up to the area for the bike rally in Branson and had heard about the StateoftheOzarks Fest on Facebook.

“We have been in town since Thursday and were looking at something close to hop over to do while we took a break from the rally,” Young said. “We saw this on Facebook and decided to stop by on our way on our cruise. We are glad we did. We didn’t even have to fight about what to eat for lunch cause there was something for all of us. I had Pop’s Smoke Shack’s BBQ and it was so good. I was able to get a few Christmas gifts for my grandkids while here. It’s such a fun festival.”

StateoftheOzarks Editor-in-Chief Joshua Heston said the event was a great day. “Despite a little rain, we had a great day,” Heston said. “I got to put on armor and fight alongside the Red Boars, which was fun for me. We had a good turnout.”

The event was possible through months of hard work and volunteers on the day, according to Heston. He thanked the city of Hollister, the Hollister FFA and the StateoftheOzarks members who put in so much work to make the event happen.