Even though it's a rural community between Kansas City and Columbia, Concordia, Missouri, knows how to have a good time. Hearkening back to its German heritage, Concordia puts on a free Fall Festival that acknowledges both its roots in Europe and its distinctly rural-American character. The combination of German tradition and down-home fun has made Concordia's Fall Festival a popular event for more than 100 years. First held as a public Market Day in 1898, the Concordia Fall Festival draws crowds of several thousand each year.
Events and Attractions
- The festival includes quintessential fair activities like a queen contest and parades. The Fall Festival Queen Contest crowns a woman ages 16 to 21, who also wins a scholarship to continue her education. The Kids Parade, Religious & Decorated Float parade and the local Super Starz Dance Troupe provide live and local entertainment. Each year, the festival also sets up a carnival with rides such as a carousel, a giant slide and a Ferris wheel, as well as contests for kids and adults. Also on hand is a country store that sells handcrafted items from local artisans, including baked goods, crocheted rugs, jewelry and candles.
Exhibits
- The festival includes traditional and new exhibits. The livestock show stars cattle that are awarded first- through fourth-place honors in breed, steer, female and bull categories. Vehicle enthusiasts can show off their tractors in a cruise or their motorcycles and classic cars in a showcase. In 2013, the festival included the Vietnam Traveling Wall's first visit to Concordia and a "Through the Eyes" combat photography exhibit. The wall is a three-fifths-size replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.
German-Inspired Features
- Sponsored by the Lions Club, Heidelberg Gardens is an outdoor restaurant and beer garden serving German specialties. With beer on tap along with traditional food like bratwurst, sauerkraut and peppered beef dinners, the venue also includes live German music for dancing during festival afternoons and evenings. Further, the Fünf K Laufen, meaning "5K Run" in German, benefits Concordia's local schools. The 5K Run/Walk requires a registration fee that can be paid early or on the day of the race.
Concordia
- After your time at the festival, there are other activities, dining and lodging available in Concordia. Sponsored by the Concordia Area Heritage Society, the Concordia Area Museum displays historical farm and household wares, including spinning wheels, along with military gear and equipment from local businesses. If you're planning on staying the night, the town is home to national chain hotels like Travelodge and Days Inn and offers dining at the China Dragon and ice cream at the Cree-Mee Freeze.
