CALIFORNIA, Mo. -- The 26th annual California Ozark Ham and Turkey Festival took place Saturday.
A 5K walk/run and a disc golf tournament were held around town, and shows for antique cars and tractors preceded a Tuff Truck Challenge and Compact Figure 8 Scramble at the Moniteau County Fairgrounds.
The remainder of the activities were centered around the courthouse square, including the annual building of the "world's largest turkey sub sandwich."
Following the "Anthing Goes" parade, a formal flag-raising ceremony took place on the courthouse lawn.
Traditional events included the barbecue contest, washerboard tournament and diaper derby. Four stages provided for a day of music and entertainment.
A sweet contest benefits historical society
Although wet and dreary outside Friday, inside the Moniteau County Historical Society warm apple pies filled the room with the smell of cinnamon.
In all, 23 pies were dropped off for the society's first-time apple pie contest, said volunteer Dolores Burger. The event was added in honor of the society's 50th anniversary.
"I thought this was a great idea," said pie-baker Wanda Carey. "I've wanted to donate to the historic society in some way and thought this was a nice gesture."
Winners were Mary Oesterly, first place; Dorothy Baughn, second, and Beth Jungmeyer, third.
After the 23 pies were judged first-thing Saturday, they were sliced for guests to sample at the Apple Pie Shoppe along with another nine donated pies.
Cloth table and chair covers gave the room a feeling of elegance, as pie was served on ceramic plates. And a collection of authentic, century-old garments and hats hung as a display.
Having only three preregistrations at the beginning of the month, Burger said she was surprised at the final number of entries.
The homemade pies were judged on four criteria - appearance, crust, filling and taste.
"We had to have a few rules ahead of the tasting," Burger said. "But we didn't want appearance to have much of a factor.
"If it tastes good, it can look horrible."