Trade show, cattle sale set

By Mindy Honey
Society Editor
Originally published Nov. 25, 2009

While it will be a short week for many thanks to Thanksgiving, weekend activities revolve around the Christmas holiday and shopping.

Christmas in the Ozarks, a trade show at Branson Convention Center, starts today and runs through Sunday with vendors, entertainment, children’s activities and even a Santa’s workshop.

“It is just going to be a fantastic trade show,” said Diane Johnsen, assistant trade show manager for Burch Productions. “It is going to be a lot of fun.”

The free show runs from 3-8 p.m. today; noon-6 p.m. Thanksgiving; 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday; and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

A variety of vendors with goods ranging from apparel, log furniture and skin care will be on hand, as well as several local crafters.

There will also be numerous giveaways throughout the five-day trade show with one of the prizes being a $2,000 shopping spree at Tanger Outlet Center, a sponsor of the trade show.

During the event, children will be able visit with Santa and parents are encouraged to bring a camera to snap a picture of it all.

College of the Ozarks’ agriculture department will hold its own sale Saturday.

The department will hold its biennial cattle production sale at 11 a.m. Lunch will be available free beginning at 10:30 a.m.

“This sale is a great opportunity for producers to take home quality cattle with outstanding genetics,” said Adam Harms, a student worker at the C of O beef farm.

A variety of cattle will be available, including polled hereford bulls, registered angus females, registered hereford females and crossbred females. Also, several high-quality show steer prospects will be for sale.

“This year’s sale is especially meaningful for the department as it will be the last for longtime Professor of Agriculture and Beef Farm Supervisor Roy Johnson,” said Dan Swearengen, agriculture department head.