Events are an important part of the hospitality culture of the Ozarks. Mansfield enjoys entertaining visitors from all over the world at the annual Wilder Days each September, while nearby communities have selected their particular event to celebrate.

I had to smile at the chart I found in a recent issue of Bloomberg Businessweek (Aug 29-Sept.4, pg 76) in the Etc. – Spinoffs | No FetishUnexploited.

The wheel that shows how no ‘fetish’ goes unexploited in the plan to have a community event doesn’t mention Wilder Days, Apple Days, Hootin & Hollerin, Glade Top Trail or Kickin’ Country or several others that provide community entertainment in the Ozarks.

Although some of the activities at the regional events come pretty close with the fun they offer.

Events give folks a chance to meet new people and re-connect with those who are so close and are valued neighbors. Just for a day or two, the burdens piled on by the media are put aside and some wholesome activities take precedence.

I hope you too can find a smile at thewheel’s examples. And that you will be able to enjoy Wilder Days with the folks at Mansfield. Or one of the other Ozarks events that will give you a personal smile to carry in your pocket all through the coming year.

One of the activity choices that families visiting Mansfield want to work into their schedule is the Laura’s Memories pageant held at the pavilion in the Recreation Park.

During the Wilder Days weekend, there are three performances.

Friday evening: 7:30 pm

Saturday morning: 10:00 am

Saturday evening: 7:30 pm

The Saturday morning performance is at the same time as the Little Laura and Little Farmer Boy Look-A-Like contest, but children who want to be in the contest can still enjoy a relaxing evening performance of Laura’s Memories on either Friday or Saturday evening.   Just a Win-Win all the way around.

View a brochure for the 2011 performances of Laura’s Memories

The Vendor committee tells me that there are booth spaces available. As you can see viewing the video of past Wilder Days celebrations, the booths have a cheerful, busy environment to work with.

Vendors from the past two years have reported good business at their little shops. Even during the rainy year!

You can download the Vendor Sign-up form and contract information at this link WILDER DAYS FORMS

That same link is in the sidebar if you are at the website, but not at this blog post.

This is my personal opinion, but I see that the committee has kept the prices very reasonable for the booth spaces.  The committee has lots of experience working with booths and vendors — they provide exceptional ‘customer service” before the event and during the Big Day.

If you have a festival product please consider coming to Wilder Days in Mansfield.  Or if you know someone with a festival product, please pass the information on to them.

The Wilder Days Committee met last evening at the New Chapter Book Store in Mansfield.  Among other items discussed and planned, the musical entertainment for Friday night and Saturday afternoon on September 16 and 17 was confirmed and settled.

The plan is for the Quilt Show to be invited to display at the Engrave-A-Crete facility which is within walking distance or easy access for the shuttle from the Square and will provide the quilts with clean, secure display options.

The preliminary meeting for the 2011 Wilder Days event has been scheduled.

Planners will meet at the Mansfield Historical Society Museum in Mansfield on April 7 and 6:15 pm to begin setting committees and determining which events will be included for this year’s event.

People who are interested in being part of the good time are invited to attend.

The Quilt Show at Wilder Days 2010 was held in the building right next to United Country Ridgeway Real Estate.

Coordinator Sue Fuge said that when she lets area quilters know that she is having a show, they generously let their work be on display.

This year there were 65 quilts on display.  There were three vintage friendship quilts.  The racks lined up very well in the store building, but it was really full!

A beautiful show.  View More Beautiful Quilts

The big weekend came and went with much enjoyment!   The vendors were absolutely THICK around the square.  If a person couldn’t find something to buy, they didn’t need it.  The food was tasty and some sold out.  Gifts were available and many were doing some pre-Christmas shopping — boy, that is thinking ahead and positive.

Plans are already ‘cookin’ for next year.  The website has been overhauled and purged of a lot of stale information, ready for fresh stuff in the next decade.

There is a link to the Look-A-Like Contest Entry Form Sample in the Side bar.

Look-A-Like Contest

There will be entry forms available at the Town Square tomorrow too. The children are not judged by their answers to the questions. The questions are simply for them to share their interests.

A Wilder Home Schedule – Wilder Days 2010

There will be special activities all day at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Home on September 18.  Some events will be offered during the morning AND the afternoon — especially those pertaining to children.  That way the children can participate in the morning activities of 19th Century Children’s Games, Little Laura/Little Farmer Boy and maybe even a bed race, then go to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Home and Museum to enjoy a story time, listen to Pa’s fiddle and tour Laura’s homes at a special discounted admission for that day.

The supposed-t0-be final meeting for the committee planning Wilder Days 2010 is scheduled at 5:30 pm tonight in the beautiful Weaver Inn in downtown Mansfield.

I am excited/sad to be writing some of these last messages for the season!  I have enjoyed writing to you and am so pleased at how large this list has become.

Everyone should have their committees all set and ready to go.   The emails have gone out to lists of everyone interested locally, reminding them of the Big Event a positive plan, not the scary EVENT that the commercials on TV keep yapping about.  Follow that link and learn more!

We’ve gotten the Little Laura/Little Farmer Boy Contest addressed, the Parade routes are ready, Sho-Me Your Wheels car/mechanical show has some great prizes, the bands are hired, the port-a-pots and hand-washing stations reserved.  The Bedrace obstacle course is ready to set up.  The vendors are signing up.  It is all coming together.  Posters and maps of Mansfield showing the location of Chamber members are all ready.

There are schedules and vendor forms at the WilderDays-MansfieldMo.com website.  Also rules for the Bedraces and posters for the bedraces and car show that you can print out.

Please remember to bring your lawn chairs.