Apple Butter Makin' Days in Mt. Vernon

The banner greeting those arriving for the big annual festival in Mt. Vernon. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

The square in Mt. Vernon was packed last weekend for the annual Apple Butter Makin' Days celebration. Due to rain, the Mt. Vernon Chamber of Commerce estimated the crowd at 40,000 people, down from 52,000 last year. Over 400 vendors packed the square and adjacent streets and parking lots with crafts and food items for sale. The above view is from the southeast corner. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

In their colorful purple and gold tent, the Monett Lions Club did a brisk business selling apple butter. Lions President Robbie Davis said for the second year, the Monett club has had two tents to make up for the Mt. Vernon Lions Club pulling out of apple butter sales last year. Shown completing a sale behind the counter, from left, are: Doug Wallner, Robbie Davis and Kris Johnson. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

A view across the north side of the Mt. Vernon square during Apple Butter Makin' Days showed the size of the crowd. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

There were many things for children to do at Apple Butter Makin' Days, including riding one of the horses on the merry-go-round, like Mylee Robinson, 4, of Mt. Vernon, above. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

Spangle the Clown, of Springfield, made balloon animals for children at Apple Butter Makin' Days. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

A view across the east side of the Mt. Vernon square during midday on Saturday at Apple Butter Makin' Days showed practically shoulder-to-shoulder visitors. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

Many autumn decorating items were available for sale at Apple Butter Makin' Days. Gene Halbert, of Purdy, a regular at the Mt. Vernon farmer's market, brought a large supply of pumpkins and gourds. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

To stand out among the more than 400 vendors at Apple Butter Makin' Days, one marketing genius, shown above, got on stilts to stand above the crowd. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

A view looking east across the parking lot across from City Hall in Mt. Vernon showed the density of the Apple Butter Makin' Days crowd. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

Christiana Baer and Sunny Shay, from Fair Play, tried out marionette puppies from one of the vendors during Apple Butter Makin' Days. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

One of the main eating attractions at Apple Butter Makin' Days in Mt. Vernon was the steak sandwich meal served by the Southwest Missouri Cattlemen's Association. Eldon Cole, livestock specialist with the University of Missouri Extension Service, at right, said the longest line at midday on Saturday was about 10 minutes long as customers came in a steady stream. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

Brightwater Junction, the popular bluegrass band from Cassville, played at Apple Butter Makin' Days. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

Brightening the scene with colorful mums was the Mennonite group from the Miller area, who also sold pies, bread and baked goods for Apple Butter Makin' Days. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

The size of the crowd sitting down to eat on the courthouse lawn in Mt. Vernon covered ever inch, including the cannon, during midday on Saturday, Oct. 13. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

Many people brought their dogs to Apple Butter Makin' Days. This man's English and French bulldogs drew much attention and many petting opportunities. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

Representatives of Lawrence County Sheriff Brad DeLay handed out literature and completed identification records on children for future reference. (Times photos by Murray Bishoff)

Many marching bands came to Mt. Vernon to perform in the Apple Butter Makin' Days parade. Shanteal Wicklund and Courtney King, members of the Fair Play High School Band, donned balloon hats to enjoy their Saturday morning at the big event in Mt. Vernon.

This year's game that every kid had to have with the "Ozarks yo-yo," which was a ball tied to a rubber band. Getting one for himself was Chance Noll, of Aurora. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

The Round Grove Baptist Church was back cooking apple butter over an open fire on the Mt. Vernon square for Apple Butter Makin' Days. Dale Richardson, stirring the fall treat, said a batch usually takes six to seven hours to cook. A batch is done when it reaches the right thickness, a feeling that an experienced cook knows how to recognize, Richardson added. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

People came from all over to enjoy sights and to shop at Apple Butter Makin' Days. Christina Scanlon, a former Mt. Vernon resident who now lives in West Plains, brought her children to enjoy the day. Pictured is daughter Allisa, center, with a Gause headpiece from one of the vendors, and her brothers Acadia, at rear, wearing butterfly wings, and Titus, at right. (Times photos by Murray Bishoff)