Time for Moses Austin Festival

It’s the little festival that could. When the Moses Austin Heritage Festival first began, it was a relatively small collection of some craft tables and baked goods with the occasional splash of color from someone either wearing a heritage outfit or a really colorful T-shirt.

But now, 20 years later, this festival has grown and there is really a lot to see and do. The festival is set for Sept. 19 and includes the traditional parade as well as face-painting and balloons, roasted corn and Four a Pain bread oven, crafts, retail vendors, chili cookoff, trike race, homemade pie contest, 4×4 truck and jeep show, a Classic Car Cruise-In Parade, tours of the Long Banta home, music, the largest S’mores event by area churches and yes, of course, more … much, much more.

Here’s a schedule of events:

9 a.m.  — VFW/Legion flagraising and opening ceremony at Washington County Courthouse

10 a.m. — Traditional parade. Route is west down HIgh Street to South Lead St. They will disband at Potosi High School. (Lineup at 9:30 a.m. on Casey Farm Road)

10:45 a.m. — The traditional parade is followed by a pet parade which starts at the old Potosi Hotel and heads west to the County Courthouse lawn for a pet show. There’s also a largest S’Mores hosted at Peppers Restaurant at 301 E. Jefferson with area churches immediately after the morning parade.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Truck and Jeep Show at Moore Funeral Home. There will be a 50/50 to benefit the Potosi Skate Park. Pre-register or register at 9 a.m. Sept. 19. Cash prizes. Dealer displays welcome.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Classic Car Cruise-in Show by Boo’s Market and Boyer Lumber Co. at the new Town Square Courthouse Parking lot.

11:15 a.m. —  Chili Cookoff at Sinclair Florist Parking Lot. Cooking begins at 8 a.m. Chili will be available for sale from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

1 p.m. — Classic Car Cruise-in parade.

3 p.m. —  Tricycle Races on Jefferson Street. Signup at Sinclair Florist.

4 p.m. —  Homemade pie contest with judging. Enter pies from 9 to 11 a.m. at Sinclair Florist. Judging is at 11:30 a.m.

5 p.m. —  Pie-eating contest.

All day activities include face painting and balloons from Ozarks Federal Savings & Loan, roasted corn from the Washington County Democrat Club, craft, retail vendors, food and concessions, Potosi High School FFA barbecue stand, tours of the Long Banta House, Church/Museum and Lucas House/Austin Store at Heritage Park, Four a Pain bread, more face-painting and other activities by Pharmax Pharmacy, musical entertainment (Call 438-7777 if interested in performing) and inflatables.