10/04/2026
Boy we sure had a great time dancing today!
WHAT A DAY in Willow Springs! The weather was gorgeous, the energy was high, the food was delicious and the crowds were AMAZING!
It was a fabulous day and I have a ton of things to post. I know some have beat me to the punch already and that is ok, because tonight, I am only going to make one post. Tomorrow will be all the things, but tonight, tonight is a night of gratitude.
This was one of the best festivals we have had yet. Everyone was happy, the energy was high and folks really were having a great time. BUT, events like this don't just happen. It takes a literal army to put these things together.
So I want to thank everyone who had a hand in putting this together and pulling it off, THANK YOU.
To the City of Willow Springs crews...you guys show up and bring your "A" game every time and without you, we'd be lost!
To the Willow Springs FFA & Willow Springs FFA Alumni, THANK YOU for always giving your 1000% (yes I meant the extra 0). Coming out at 530 in the morning AFTER a Homecoming night, unloading, moving, setting up and generally doing anything that needed done including setting up your own petting zoo is truly impressive! Grant Talburt and Tony & Melanie Buster...great job teaching and leading these kids!
Willow Springs High School FBLA and Bear Media Productions you kids also showed up and did a great job manning the Chamber booth and being present whenever you were needed as well!
Myles Smith and Stephanie Beltz-Prize of Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative, Inc. stepped up when I put out a HUGE ask to Emcee for the day. They did a great job and we can't thank them enough.
The Willow Springs Chamber of Commerce Board and Ambassadors are the team behind the scenes that makes all the things happen, and they do it seamlessly as a cohesive team.
To all our sponsors, THANK YOU! Your support means the world to us.
Robert Hollis Shelter Insurance
West Plains Bank and Trust Company
Simmons Bank
Pie.ology.missouri
WPH Ranch
Willow Springs church of Christ
G & W Foods
Pizza Americana
Restore the Joy LLC
Hollis Roofing & Restoration
Willow Health Care Inc
United Country Real Estate - The Ozarks
Mid-Ozark Insurance Agency
C&R Gun Ammo & Pawn / Chris & Rachel Wood
Lee's Tire Service LLC
County Fuels, LLC
Homegrown Propane
Thank you!
To our vendors who showed up in a big way (total 152 spaces -tied the record) you make this event what it is! There is SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE! This year we had a lot of new vendors and I hope you had a positive experience and will return for years to come. We loved having you!
To all our entertainment, you bring the energy and excitement that only live music can bring. Thank you!
Cornerstone Dance Studio
Amelia Deluna
Brandy Lee
Bella Brown
Ed & Friends
Whetsone Band
Stringed Union
You all did a fabulous job! Thanks you so much!
To our local businesses, thank you for your patience and grace as we take over the town and we truly hope that you saw an increase in sales as a result of the influx of people in town. You guys are why we do this!
To our police, fire and ems partners, thank you for keeping us safe and having fun, whether it was a clogging police officer or an hourly duck race, the joy you brought today was appreciated!
Finally, a huge thank you to every single person who attended, participated, entered, wandered through, listened to some music, supported a vendor or business or just soaked it all in. THANK YOU. Without you, this would be pointless. Bringing crowds to our town to share with what we think is a pretty special place is just one of the reasons we do this, but without your attendance, it would be pointless.
The attached photo was one I snapped when I got to the office early this morning. It was quiet, calm and peaceful. I knew that in just a few short hours that would change to organized chaos with high energy and tons of fun. It was an exciting morning, but tonight, it is all about gratitude to the people who make these events come together, from the first discussion to the last traffic cone of the day being picked up, I appreciate each person who makes these things successful.
So Gratitude is the emotion tonight and the subject of the only post I will make. Tomorrow the fun posts start, but tonight, THANK YOU ALL.
