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The fall season is loaded with fun fairs, festivals and events at the Lake of the Ozarks. For more information about fall getaway packages, lodging, dining, shopping, events and attractions throughout the Lake area, contact the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau at 800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253) or visit the Bureau's website, FunLake.com.
OCT. 12
FALL HARBOR HOP
Harbor Hop is traditionally the end of the boating season at the Lake of the Ozarks. Visitors enjoy the breathtaking fall scenery as they draw cards at more than 40 lakeside locations around the Lake of the Ozarks to make a winning poker hand. Enter at any of the Harbor Hop locations and enjoy the stops around the Lake before turning in your hand by 7 p.m. For more information, visit FunLake.com or call 800-FUN-LAKE.
NOV. 8 to DEC. 22
CHRISTMAS ON MAIN STREET HOLIDAY SHOW
The Christmas show at the Main Street Music Hall in Osage Beach is one of the Lake of the Ozarks' most entertaining holiday traditions. This rollicking variety show features a cast of musicians and singers belting out Christmas carols, gospel hymns, musical impersonations and comedy. The show is presented Friday and Saturday evenings in November. Performances are held Tuesday through Saturday evenings in December, along with Sunday matinees. For more information and a full list of show dates and times, call the Main Street Music Hall box office at 800-348-9501 or visit LakeMusicHall.com.
NOV. 9
LAKE STOCK FALL CRAWL
Much like the Mardi Gras Pub Crawl, this event will cover multiple venues around the Lake, giving participants the opportunity to experience the best of the Lake's nightlife. Shuttle buses will take participants to sponsored locations giving them a great opportunity to enjoy the beautiful fall scenery along the way. Each of the participating restaurants and bars will have live entertainment. Find out more a LakeStockFallCrawl.com .
NOV. 16, 2013, to JAN. 1, 2014
ENCHANTED VILLAGE OF LIGHTS
Visitors will be delighted to see more than 200 holiday displays at the 20th Annual Enchanted Village of Lights at Laurie's 27-acre fairgrounds. These animated displays are dazzling creations designed to celebrate the holiday season, Lake of the Ozarks style. This activity delights kids of all ages. Admission is free of charge, although donations are accepted. For more information, call the City of Laurie at 573-374-8776 or visit the city's website at CityofLaurie.com.
NOV. 22-23
HOLIDAY MARKET PLACE
Open each day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Camden County Museum in Linn Creek is the place to come for unique holiday gifts. Vendors will be offering a variety of Christmas crafts and gifts and lunch will be available, as well. For more information call the museum office at 573-346-7191.
DEC. 7
CHRISTMAS ON THE SQUARE
The Courthouse Lawn in Camdenton is the venue for a free event for the whole family. Games, crafts, entertainment, a petting zoo and more will be available from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. A free lunch of hot dogs and hot chocolate will be served and Santa will visit, as well. For more information, visit the Camdenton Chamber of Commerce website at: CamdentonChamber.com or call the chamber at 573-346-2227.
DEC. 14
"CSI: CHRISTMAS SCENE INVESTIGATORS"
The Young Museum Players will present this holiday play by Houston playwright Pat Cook at the Camden County Museum in Linn Creek. When Santa Claus goes missing from a high school's annual Christmas show, a group of students find themselves becoming Christmas Scene Investigators to ensure the show goes on. The curtain goes up on this Christmas mystery at 4:30 p.m. and light refreshments will be provided. Admission is just $5 per family. For more information, contact the Camden County Museum at 573-346-7191.
DEC. 14
29TH ANNUAL LAKE AREA CHRISTMAS PARADE
One of the Lake of the Ozarks' favorite Christmas traditions, this parade features floats with a decidedly Lake-inspired flair. This year's theme is "An Old-Fashioned Christmas." The parade begins at 1 p.m. on Bagnell Dam Blvd. at the Route 242 intersection and heads east down Bagnell Dam Blvd. More information is available at FunLake.com.
# # # The history and heritage of the small towns and their signature festivals make great fall stories. For more information, media assistance or high-resolution photography, please call The Beenders-Walker Group toll-free at 800-544-8474 or email Deb, Marjorie, Jo, or Kyle. | 
When asked why the town of Versailles chose apples as the centerpiece for its fall festival, a chamber spokesperson said they chose apples because of a large apple orchard which used to be located just south of the community. Begun in 1980, 
Competition is fierce, but friendly, as apple pie bakers bring their best creations to be judged on taste and appearance. Bragging rights are on the line, plus prizes are awarded for the top three finishers. Contest entries later are auctioned off to festival attendees.
The Olde Tyme Apple Festival 5K run gets an early start at 7 a.m. on Saturday and is followed by the annual parade at 10 a.m. The parade features bands, street performers and floats decorated to incorporate this year's theme, "A Taste of the Country." There will be one boy and one girl winner in the Baby Dumplings contest for babies up to age 2 and the Apple Tarts contest for toddlers. 
A week later, Oct. 11-12, apples are celebrated in Linn Creek at 
Re-enactors are on hand, all in period costumes, representing Missouri residents from the Civil War era, early settlers and Osage Indians. Ladies will demonstrate what life was like as a Civil War laundress, scrubbing clothes clean on washboards. Stories will be told about one of the nation's first businesses - fur trapping and trading. 
