Posted in Events

30+ Halloween and Fall Events Happening in East Central Missouri in October

Posted on by Amanda

From family-friendly trick-or-treating, to adult block parties and celebrations, to spooky-themed markets, haunted houses and other frightening experiences, there’s no shortage of Halloween-themed events happening this month! So mark your calendar, grab your costume, and get ready for some spine-tingling fun.

Thursday, Oct. 15
Head to Hermann for the town’s annual Witches & Wine event from 5-9 p.m. This 21+ event will have music, wine, shopping, and food trucks.
Get all the info.

Friday, Oct. 16
Free Halloween Carnival and Trunk or Treat at St. Gertrude Parish & School in Krakow. Bring the whole family for games, candy, costumes, and community from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Learn more.

Friday, Oct. 16
It’s the 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat at The Sage Bee in Washington. Open to the public, anyone is welcome!
Find out more.

Friday, Oct. 16
St. Vincent De Paul School in Marthasville is hosting a Trunk or Treat event from 6:30-9 p.m. Find food, candy, and prizes for the best trunk!
More info.

Friday, Oct. 16
The New Haven 2026 Scarecrow Festival and Pumpkin Glow will be held from 5-9 p.m.
Find out more.

Friday, Oct. 16
Andy’s Produce is hosting its first Night Market event at its WashMo location. The event will begin at 5 p.m. and will feature fall-themed fun like pumpkin painting and a pumpkin carving contest, as well as a caramel apple bar, fire pits, s’mores, and a lot more.
Get the info.

Friday, Oct. 16 & Saturday, Oct. 17
The Rt. 66 Harvest Festival is happening at Liberty Field in Pacific. Expect live music, food, vendors, a kids zone, and more.
Get more details.

Friday, Oct. 16 & Saturday, Oct. 17
The 64th Annual Cuba Fest fall craft festival is happening for two days and will include an arts & crafts show, a car cruise, live music, and food and drink tasting at various businesses throughout town, and includes a chili cook-off and apple butter making.
Get the festival schedule.

Saturday, Oct. 17
Meramec State Park in Sullivan is hosting a Halloween Spooktacular. Head to the campground area of the park for pumpkin carving, trick or treating, games, and more.
Find out more.

Saturday, Oct. 17
The Ladies, Littles, and Lattes 3rd Annual Trick or Treat Trail is happening from noon – 3 p.m.
Find out more.

Saturday, Oct. 17
Head to Andy’s Produce in Union for Cocktails and Cauldrons from 4-8 p.m. This outdoor fall vendor event will feature over 20 local vendors, drinks, live music, food trucks, dirty sodas, and a lot more.
Get more details on Facebook.

Saturday, Oct. 17
It’s Hallowine at St. James Winery. This ticketed event will include wine, costumes, cocktails, and a little mystery.
Learn more.

Friday, Oct. 23
Head to Pacific for the Witches and Warlocks, adult street party. This event will feature vendors, food trucks, live music, raffles, and more.
Learn more.

Friday, Oct. 23
St. Ann’s Catholic Church is hosting a Halloween bash and Trunk or Treat starting at 6:30 pm. Activities include bounce house, face painting, goat petting zoo, pumpkin painting, coloring pages, snacks and drinks.
Get more info.

Friday, Oct. 23
Witches Night Out in Steelville will feature food, drinks, and vendors, along the sidewalks of Main Street.
Learn more on Facebook.

Friday, Oct. 23
Witches in Rosebud will feature shopping, treats, drinks & a little bit of witchy magic, and it’s all happening at The Midwest Chick in Rosebud from 4-9 p.m.
Find out more.

Friday, Oct. 23
Head to Union for the Halloween Boo Bash, which will be the city’s annual Trunk or Treat event happening at Union City Park.
Get more info.

Saturday, Oct. 24
The Washington Elks and local businesses are hosting their Annual Trunk or Treat event.
Find out more.

Saturday, Oct. 24
The St. Clair Police Department is hosting its annual Trunk or Treat from 5-7 p.m. Expect lots of candy, Halloween decor, and a family-friendly environment.
Find out more.

Saturday, Oct. 24
Muddy Banks Brewing in Sullivan is hosting its annual OpeTober Fest. This celebration will feature a chili cook-off, kids activities, live music, adult competitions like stein hoisting and keg chucking, as well as an adult costume contest in the evening. The fun begins at 11 a.m. and continues until close.
Get more info.

Saturday, Oct. 24
Downtown Union is again hosting Scare on the Square from 5-10 p.m. The event will include a scary movie, haunted hayride, a spooky maze, drinks, and more.
Find out more.

Saturday, Oct. 24
Downtown Washington’s annual Pumpkin Palooza event is happening from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Expect a full of family fun like pony rides, story time, a balloon artist, trick-or-treating, and more.
Get the full scoop.

Saturday, Oct. 24
The St. Clair Historical Museum is hosting its annual fall chili cook-off and pie supper. The event begins at 5 p.m. and also features a cake walk, games, music, a pie auction and more.
Get more info.

Saturday, Oct. 24
The Union Moose Lodge is hosting a trunk or treat from 1-3 p.m.
More details on Facebook.

Thursday, Oct. 29
The Boo & Book event in St. Clair will happen from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. at the grassy area next to The Roundup Event Space, on the corner of Main and Hibbard in downtown St. Clair. Kids can visit the local businesses that are set up to get candy, freebies, and other goodies, and to get their Boo Cards stamped. After visiting the businesses, kids take their completed Boo Cards to the library to receive a book and enter to win prizes.
Find out more.

Friday, Oct. 30
Eagan Design + Build is teaming up with Franklin County Area United Way with its Hard Hats and Can Stacks event. Happening from 2-7 p.m. at the Washington K of C Hall, a canned food sculpture building competition benefiting the Franklin County Area United Way campaign will take place, as well as a trunk or treat event happening from 5-7 p.m. Entry to the trunk or treat event is a canned food donation, and attendees will find a number of food trucks, as well as activities like face painting, a petting zoo, and more.
Get all the details online.

Friday, Oct. 30
The Washington YMCA Trunk or Treat is happening from 6-7:30 p.m.
Find out more.

Friday, Oct. 30
The Garage Bar in Treloar is having a Trunk or Treat in its parking lot. The event begins at 6 p.m., and the establishment will also offer live music and food and drink specials.
Find more on Facebook.

Friday, Oct. 30
Meramec Ambulance District is hosting its 3rd Annual Halloween Carnival. Come out to the District’s Station 1 in Pacific from 5-8 p.m. for drinks, snacks, pumpkin painting, and more.
Get address and other details.

Friday, Oct. 30
St. John the Baptist School in Villa Ridge will have a Trunk or Treat along with a haunted trail and hayride beginning at 6 p.m.
Get the details.

Friday, Oct. 30
Bookmark This Bar in Rolla is hosting a Books and Boo(ze) event from 7-9 p.m. With a costume contest, a raffle, and Halloween gift basket prize, this event is perfect for those looking for a bookish celebration.
Find out more.

Friday, Oct. 30
The Witches and Warlocks gathering at Wenwood Bay Winery & Restaurant in Hermann will feature wine, food, vendors, costumes, and more.
Get the info.

Saturday, Oct. 31
The Spooktacular Festival in Sullivan is packed with thrills, treats, and family fun! This free community event (food & drinks available for purchase) is a must-attend celebration of fall that includes trunk or treating, games, and bounce houses.
Get all the details.

Saturday, Oct. 31
Zombie Prom at The Alley in Washington will feature themed cocktails and mocktails, Halloween trivia, music, dancing, and a costume contest.
Learn more.

Multiple dates in Oct.
The Washington Historical Society is hosting a series of haunted walking tours.
Find out more info and purchase tickets.

Multiple dates and times in Oct.
Think you’re brave enough to venture into Terror on Route 66? Step into this haunted attraction in Sullivan for the ultimate in spine-tingling entertainment.
Get more info.

Multiple dates and times until Nov. 1
Mid America Adventures, formerly known as Six Flags St. Louis in Eureka, is the home of Fright Fest, happening on select nights until Nov. 2. Find haunted mazes, scare zones, live shows, and more.
Learn more.

Posted in News and Features

Get to Know Writer and Ozarks Enthusiast John Gibson

Posted on by Amanda

A few weeks ago I sat down with St. James, MO. writer John Gibson. John’s professional background is in physics (he attended MIT), but he has a passion for writing and sharing the stories, legends, and lore from the Ozarks region.

I came across John on a subreddit in the Rolla, MO. area and learned a little about his writing and his love of the culture and history of the Ozarks area from an article he’d shared. While reading his remarks about the Ozarks, particularly the legend of the “Granny Woman” in Ozarks culture, I felt I already knew John even though we’d never met.

Since I grew up in Southern Illinois and some of my relatives came from Appalachia, I found several similarities between Ozarks and Appalachian culture in John’s remarks. And, in my interview with John, he goes into a little detail about the legends of mythical creatures in the Ozarks area, as well as how some of his fondest memories from childhood center around Ozarks cuisine.

Although John and I grew up several years apart and hundreds miles away from each other, when he described his memories of his grandma’s cooking I shared similar memories from my grandparents and great-grandparents. I hope our conversation reminds you that we all have a lot in common, and we’ll only recognize that if we take the time to speak with each other.

Posted in Events

What’s Happening in East Central Missouri Oct. 5 – Oct. 18, 2026

Posted on by Amanda

Fall themed events like chili cook offs and Halloween events like trick or treat and pumpkin events are happening over the next two weeks. This month is also a great time to visit outdoor markets like the Labadie Fall Market, Andy’s Night Market, and the final Market off Main event of the season in Union.

If you can’t get enough of spooky season, stay tuned for a special Halloween-themed event roundup, which will be published later this month.

As a reminder, always double check with event venues before heading out just in case an event gets canceled, rescheduled, or experiences weather delays.

Did I miss an event? Tag me on Facebook or Instagram and I can share the event in my stories.

Franklin & Gasconade Counties (plus neighboring communities)

Thursday, Oct. 8
Pumpkin Palooza is a fun event for all kids happening at New Haven Library at 4 p.m. Children will paint their own pumpkin, get creative with colors and designs, and take their masterpiece home.
Register for the event.

Friday, Oct. 9
The final Market off Main of the season is happening from 4-7 p.m. in downtown Union. Shop from area makers, farmers, and producers, and find food from food vendors, or stop into one of the local small businesses before or after the market.
Learn more.

Friday, Oct. 9
Andy’s Produce Too in Union is hosting another night market from 5-9 p.m. Expect food trucks, a seafood boil, vendors, live music, and fall themed food and fun.
Get more details on Facebook.

Saturday, Oct. 10
Head to the lower parking lot at ECC for the monthly stargazing event from 6-8 p.m. Bring your stargazing equipment and chairs if you have them.
Find out more on Facebook.

Saturday, Oct. 10
Join me at Red, White, and Brew Coffee Co. in Union from 9-11 a.m. for my next Coffee with The Socialite event. We’ll chat, sip on our favorite drinks, and support a local business. I’ll have an open tab of $50 available on a first come, first serve basis so you can have a coffee on me at the event.
Learn more.

Saturday, Oct. 10
The 4th Annual Great Pumpkin Seed Hunt is happening at the St. Clair VFW from 6:30 – 11 p.m.
Get more details.

Saturday, Oct. 10
St. Clare Catholic Church in St. Clair is hosting its annual Oktoberfest event from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. There will be a sandwich stand as well as a fried chicken dinner and a snack shack selling nachos and other small items. There will also be a DJ, beer garden, and more.
Find out more.

Saturday, Oct. 10
The Labadie Fall Market is happening from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Front Street in Labadie. The town’s Chili Cook Off is also happening that day, there will be lots of vendors at the market, as well as local businesses open during the event.
Learn more.

Saturday, Oct. 10
The Rosebud Country Music Festival is happening from 3-10 p.m. The amazing line up of seven musical artists hailing from Nashville, as well as a local and a band from New Jersey. Cost is $15 in advance and 13 years and younger are free.
Get more info.

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Friday, Oct. 16
The New Haven 2026 Scarecrow Festival and Pumpkin Glow will be held from 5-9 p.m.
Find out more.

Friday, Oct. 16 & Saturday, Oct. 17
The Rt. 66 Harvest Festival is happening at Liberty Field in Pacific. Expect live music, food, vendors, a kids zone, and more.
Get more details.

Saturday, Oct. 17
The Ladies, Littles, and Lattes 3rd Annual Trick or Treat Trail is happening from noon – 3 p.m.
Find out more.

Phelps County

Saturday, Oct. 10
Rolla’s monthly Cruise-In is happening this Saturday. This will be the final cruise-in of the year and will feature cars, food, and lots of fun.
Get more info.

Saturday, Oct. 17
The It’s Fall Y’all Boutique Crawl is happening at a number of boutiques in Rolla and St. James.
Learn more.

Crawford & Dent Counties

Friday, Oct. 16 & Saturday, Oct. 17
The 64th Annual Cuba Fest is happening for two days and will include an arts & crafts show, a car cruise, live music, and food and drink tasting at various businesses throughout town.
Get the festival schedule.

Saturday, Oct. 17
Head to the Crawford County Historical Society Museum in Cuba for the Chili Cook Off fundraiser that will help maintain the town’s murals. The event happens from 11-1 p.m.
Find out more.

Have a public event coming up? Submit your event details like time, location, and cost to attend. Be sure to include your website and social media details so I can help spread the word about your event!

Posted in Events

Let’s Brew Up Community at the Next Coffee with The Socialite Event

Posted on by Amanda

The next Coffee with The Socialite event is happening in less than two weeks, on Saturday, Oct. 10 at Red, White, and Brew Coffee Co. in Union. I hope to see you there from 9-11 a.m. If you can’t stay for the whole event, you’re always welcome to sit and chat for as long as your schedule allows.

The menu features drip coffee, lattes, smoothies, a wide selection of herbal teas, dirty sodas, yummy baked goods, and more. As a reminder, you’re welcome to stay and chat for the whole event, or stop in and say hi for as long as your schedule allows.

Also, if you want to come, but don’t have any wiggle room in your budget for a latte, don’t worry! I’m putting $50 on a tab at Red, White, and Brew, available on a first come, first serve basis, so you can have a coffee on me at the event!

More about the event:

I spend a lot of time online and the same question keeps getting shared: how can I meet people and make friends as an adult? I’ve asked that question too, so I decided to do something about it.

So what’s Coffee with The Socialite? It’s a chance for people to come together and support local businesses and meet new people.

Feel free to RSVP to event on Facebook or Nextdoor.