Halloween Bash

10/26/2024 | Stockton State Park | Dadeville, MO

Stockton State Park, in conjunction with Stockton State Park Marina, is hosting a day of competitions during our Halloween Bash this year.

Archery contest; 10 a.m. to noon

The day will start with an archery contest at the South Shelter from 10 a.m. to noon. This competition is open to everyone ages 13 to 17. Participants may bring their own compound bow, although some will be available for use at the park. More details will be available closer to the date of the event. This is a friendly competition with volunteer judges, not an official competition.

Games, activities and art contest; 1-3 p.m.

From 1-3 p.m., several games and activities will be held in the grassy areas near the showerhouse in the East Campground. These will include cornhole, face painting and a doughnut-eating contest.

During this time, there will also be local art on display for the elementary school art contest. Volunteer judges will select the top five pictures prior to the display. During the display, a jar will be placed in front of each of the top pictures, and guests will be encouraged to vote for their favorite picture by placing a quarter in the jar. The winner will receive the jar of quarters as well as a small prize from the park. The runners-up will also receive a small prize from the park. The winner will be announced at 3:30 p.m.

Pumpkin decorating contest; decorated pumpkins due by 7:45 p.m.

A pumpkin decorating contest will be held in the campground. Bring your own decorated pumpkins to the judging table near the check station by 7:45 p.m. Judging will start at 8 p.m. There will not be separate categories for this competition. Prizes will be awarded for the top three pumpkins. No registration will be necessary for this competition.

Dutch oven cooking contest; completed dishes due at 6:45 p.m.

Next will be a Dutch oven cooking competition in which participants will cook using their own equipment and ingredients at their campsites or in any of the day-use areas of the park. The food must be cooked in the state park, and fires can only be in designated areas. There will be a youth division (under 18 years of age) and an adult division (18 and older) with a sweet category and a savory category in each division. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place in each category per division. Participants will need to register online prior to the event. Completed dishes need to be presented to the judges near the check station at 6:45 p.m. Judging will begin at 7 p.m.

Campsite decorating contest; judging begins at 8:30 p.m.

Finally, there will be a Halloween campsite decorating contest. Participants are encouraged to decorate their campsite for Halloween and hand out candy for trick-or-treaters. A group of judges will score participating campsites based on theme, originality, lights and attention to detail. Prizes will be awarded for top three campsites. Judging will begin at 8:30 p.m.

ALL PARK RULES STILL APPLY! Nailing items to trees or buildings, damaging resources, or violating park rules in any other way will result in immediate disqualification.

Participation in the campsite decorating contest is limited to registered campers; the other activities are open to both campers and day users. All activities are free.

For more information, call the park at 417-276-4259.

Click here for a complete list of fall fun events in Missouri State Parks.

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