Heritage Festival pays tribute to Fruit Station’s 125 years and decommissioned Poultry Station

There are less than 40 days until this year’s “Fruit and Feathers” Mountain Grove Heritage Festival.
This year’s event celebrates the history of both the Fruit Station’s 125 years and the decommissioned Poultry Station. Many do not know that Mountain Grove even had a Poultry Station or what happens at the beautiful campus of the Fruit Station.
Come to the Farmer’s Market pavilion on the square on Saturday, Aug. 10, where there will be displays of both stations past and present. Learn what local farmers have known about farming in our area since the early 1900s and a sample of what thrives in the Ozarks.
The Wright County Farm Bureau will have demonstrations and displays that include live chicks for the kids to pet, various species of live chickens, and information about eggs that may surprise folks.  What is the difference in the nutritional value found in the various colors of eggs?  And, did you know there are more colors than just brown and white eggs? Come find out.  In addition, the Farm Bureau plans to sponsor the “Dress Your Pet Chicken” contest.
Also, beneath the pavilion, the Missouri State Fruit Experiment Station will have a table with displays and information on fruit growing and fruit science. There will be large posters of the current research being conducted. This research campus has been committed to the fruit industry and economic development of Missouri since its inception in 1899.
The Fruit Station will display antique grape and apple presses, which are part of our fruit history, along with grape varieties if they ripen by Aug. 10. A few items of the antique lab equipment will also be on loan and displayed at the historic 1938 City Hall (often known as the Old Jail) at 301 E. 1st St. along with pictures of the campus as it developed and changed through the years. 
Come to the square Friday, Aug. 9 at 5:30 p.m. to listen to the Preston Ary Band kick off the festival.  Then, stay for Confederate Railroad at 7 p.m. Return Saturday morning at 9 a.m. as the Policeman/Fireman Honor Guard raise Old Glory,  the Boy Scouts lead in the Pledge of Allegiance, and the Mountain Grove High School Marching Band leads the event with the National Anthem. 
Folks can chicken dance their way through Saturday morning. Then, the Petersens will entertain a Branson-style beginning at noon.  The Finley River Boys will round out the musical festivities starting at 3 p.m. Bring lawn chairs and umbrellas for shade or rain.
During all this, there will be a Mountain Grove gymnastics demonstration, the “Dress Your Pet Chicken”  contest, fruit dessert contest, pony rides, bounce houses galore, vendors and food trucks all around the square. The antique motorcycle club will return for the third year. The Farmer’s Market will be in the Pavilion on Saturday morning as usual. In addition, there will be a Quilt Show in the MGHS old gym on Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. both days. 
As the saying goes, “There will be something for everyone!”