By Dave Woods
dwoods@joplinglobe.com
BRANSON, Mo. — Millie Messer said there’s no place she would rather spend the fall than in the Ozarks.
“I wish we were going to be here when the leaves start to change,” the 81-year-old former Pittsburg, Kan., resident explained as she and her friend, Gail Bishop, rested on a bench at Silver Dollar City.
The two longtime friends trekked to Branson on a Nazarene Church bus tour from their home in Garden City, Calif., to attend the National Harvest Festival, shop the $1 stores and take in a few shows on the Branson strip.
“It is so fun, I love it,” said Bishop, 71, a first-time visitor to Silver Dollar City. “I can’t remember when I have seen so many different crafts. I wish I could have one of each.”
Her friend of more than 20 years agreed.
“It’s gorgeous down here with all of the colorful fall decorations they put out,” Messer added. “We don’t have fall in California.”
Care for their craft
Through Oct. 25, thousands of fans of American craftsmanship will come from all over the country to the hills and hollows of Silver Dollar City to watch more than 200 American crafters — including many “Best of Missouri Hands” juried artists — create their one-of-a-kind jewelry, quilts, bronze and copper crafts, woodcrafts, metal work, baskets, pottery and stained-glass creations.
Mike Dierking, 49, and his wife, Vickie, 47, make the 3 1/2 hour drive from New Haven, Mo., to Branson each fall to take in the crafts.
“We just love to come down here in the fall,” Vickie explained as she purchased a set of hand-made wooden spoons from a vendor. “We spend a little too much money when we come down here, though.”
Vickie said that her husband’s love of woodworking is the main reason they make the trip every fall.
“It’s real good craftsmanship … real good,” Mike said as he pointed to the set of spoons Vickie picked out. “You can tell who takes pride in their craftsmanship and who doesn’t,” he added. “These people here care about their craft. Sometimes we see ideas and take them back with us to use.”
Mike said that the crafts are the primary attraction to Branson for him and his wife, but there is another reason he likes to come.
“It’s just a relaxing time down here. It lets you unwind a little,” he sighed.
A best seller
Rex Morton, who has hammered out his copper creations at Silver Dollar City since 1981, said the fall crafts festival is not a time for him to relax or rest. In fact, he said, it’s one of his busiest times of his year.
“The people who come to visit us during the crafts festival are interested in how things are made,” he said as he wrapped up one of his signature moon-shaped copper oil lamps for a waiting customer.
“It’s a great time to get together with other craftsmen,” Morton said. “I always learn a lot from the people who demonstrate their crafts here.”
During his more than two decades peddling his wares at Silver Dollar City, Morton said he has made and sold thousands of the whimsical hanging oil lamps.
“I’ve been making this lamp for over 20 years. It’s my best seller,” he said. “I can make it in my sleep … and I have several times.”
Tribute
Silver Dollar City’s “Tribute to the American Farmer” will continue through Oct. 25. The event includes border collie sheep-herding demonstrations, an antique John Deere tractor show, Future Farmers of America cattle show and life-sized dairy sculpture and cow-milking demonstrations. Daily performances by the “Touch of Ear” Draft Mule Hitch are featured and “Lassie” star Jon Provost will appear with the ninth generation of the famous TV canine family. Country music artist John Conlee will take the stage on Oct., 11.
Details: (800) 831-4FUN or www.silverdollarcity.com.
