Newtonia Fall Festival

The sign on the south entrance to Newtonia announcing the Fall Festival. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)

Visitors at the Newtonia Fall Festival learned about the historic significance of the two Civil War battles fought in the small Newton County community near Monett. Tom Higdon, treasurer of the Newtonia Battlefield board of directors, at right, explained the site and the nearby Ritchey family cemetery, at rear. Higdon chatted next to the markers that explain details of the battles. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)

The historic Ritchey Mansion, dating to the 1850s, was a key site in the middle of the Civil War battles in the town. The house was owned by the family of "Ragtime Bob" Darch from 1960 to 1998. The Battlefield Organization hopes restoration can continue once the battlefield becomes part of the National Park Service, a proposal that is pending. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)

A tour of the historic Ritchey Mansion in Newtonia was a must stop for visitors at the Newtonia Fall Festival on Saturday. Jim Ridenour, of Neosho, at right, a Civil War re-enactor, served as a tour guide inside the house that was built in the 1850s and served as a headquarters for federal officers during the historic battle. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)

A painting hanging in the museum in the Ritchey Mansion in Newtonia shows a native America fighter on horseback during the Civil War battle of Newtonia. The Newtonia battles were historically significant in that both sides had units of native Americas in their ranks. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)

Visitors at the Newtonia Fall Festival on Saturday had opportunities to explore the community's place in history. Paul Kash, at right, a major in the Third Missouri Field Medical Services of Civil War re-enactors, explained how a door was taken off the Ritchey home to serve as an operating table for the surgeon at the battle. Kash displayed his complete set of tools that a Civil War field surgeon carried to Judy Long, of Neosho. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)

Several classic cars were on display in the car show at the Newtonia Fall Festival. Jim Jordon, at center, from Stark City, brought the 1988 Mustang GT convertible, shown at left, and the 1935 Plymouth flat fender, five-window coupe, at right. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)

Perfect weather for the Newtonia Fall Festival made traditional rural activities like wagon rides a big attraction for festival goers. According to a veteran observer, the event on Sept. 24 drew one of the larger crowds in recent years. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)

The Newtonia Fall Festival serves as a fundraiser for the town's community center. The facility was buzzing with activity on Saturday serving lunch to festival goers. The center is available for rental for reunions and other gatherings. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)

The yard next to the Newtonia Fall Festival was filled with crafts vendors, serving as the center of activities for the event. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)

Among the vendors at the Newtonia Fall Festival was Tony Thomas, of Neosho, who has his own import business, Umbika, which means "Be Beautiful" in Swahili. Thomas imports handmade materials from three African tribes and does both direct sales and distribution to regional vendors in the U.S. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)

A wide range of crafts products could be found at the Newtonia Fall Festival. Lucy Byrd, at left, offered a variety of birdbath soaps. Vea McDonald represented the Battlefield Quilters and had creations available as well as quilting supplies. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)

Among the vendors at the Newtonia Fall Festival was Jane Middleton, from Stark City, offering computerized embroidery products. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)

Among the performers at the Newtonia Fall Festival was the Keith family, providing gospel music during Saturday afternoon. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)

A show of 34 quilts by the Newtonia Battlefield Quilters Day Guild filled the Newtonia Methodist Church for a show during the Newtonia Fall Festival. Quilts were made by group members, neighbors and friends. Among the group were antique quilts and new memorable creations, such as one quilt made by Dick Harris, 92, from material left by his late wife. Harris passed away shortly before the show, so it was the only quilt he made. Guild members provided tours and shared stories about the pieces on display. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)

Another view of the Newtonia Battlefield Quilters Day Guild quilt show at the Newtonia Methodist Church during the Newtonia Fall Festival. (Times Photo by Murray Bishoff)