There is only one week until the 40th Annual Black Gold Walnut Festival in Alton, Missouri. Vendors are preparing items to sell, the Alton Chamber of Commerce is finishing last-minute preparations, and locals are excited for the activities planned. So you know exactly what’s happening, here’s the schedule for Friday, October 3, 2025, and Saturday, October 4, 2025.
Friday
On Friday night, Ben Oesch and Chris Whitten will be performing live music. Huckabee’s Groom and Board is providing glow sticks for runners as part of a “Glo” night.
- 5:00 PM- Cruise-In sponsored by Alton Public School Foundation
- 5:30 PM- Bicycle and Tricycle Races
- 6:15 PM- 1 Mile Run/Walk
- 6:30 PM- 5K Run/Walk
Saturday
The Walnut Festival is sponsored by the Alton Area Chamber of Commerce and GFWC Alton Culture Club. The 2025 financial supporters are Alton Bank, Fuel Express, Harp’s Food, Quick Connection, Rich and Teresa Wallace, West Plains Bank, and Young’s Produce.
- 10:00 AM- Festival starts
- 10:00 AM- Registration opens for pumpkin carving contest (sponsored by Southern Bank), and baking a woodworking contests.
- 10:15 AM- Alton High School Choirs and Band performances
- 11:00 AM- Registration deadline for baking and woodworking contests.
- 11:30 AM- Vikki McGee and Friends performance
- Noon hour- Contest prizes awarded. Quilt drawing and other drawing winners announced.
- 1:00 PM- Universal Groove Society performance
- 2:30 PM- Walnut Idol singing competition (register at the Chamber booth by 1:00 PM)
- 3:00 PM- 40th Annual Ozarks Black Gold Walnut Festival closes!
