Community supports a hot Licking Fall Festival

By Editor | September 24, 2026 |

Photo by Shari Harris
More than 70 people gathered at the historic Licking Mill Saturday for a community photo.

Licking Downtown Inc. held their annual Fall Festival on Saturday, September 19, at the Historic Licking Mill. A very hot Missouri September held on through the weekend, however, and activities were moved from afternoon times to cooler morning slots, with all heading for cooler locations by 2 p.m. The community did show up to support the event, however, and 78 people gathered on and in front of the porch of the mill for a community photo.

The day began with a military tribute, with flags carried and placed by members of the Licking FFA Chapter. The Missing Man Table was read by Veteran Michael Mas in honor of those missing in action. The morning featured craft vendors, information booths, food and drink vendors, and the annual quilt turning. Suzie Blackburn, Pam Ogden, Tammy Ramsey, Connie Wallace and Carolyn Barnes joined Christy Paxston to share some truly beautifully crafted quilts. Some were created by the narrators, some gifted to them or to family members, and others were purchased or loaned just for the show. Several gathered around the stack of quilts in their lawn chairs, on the porch, and on benches to enjoy the creative designs.

A little after noon, the community photo was captured, and shortly thereafter, activities wrapped up with a hog calling contest. Then with the heat of the day bearing down (temperatures reached 100 degrees that afternoon), FFA members helped as vendors packed away their goods and called it a day.