A ‘picture perfect’ 2023 Pike County Fall Pickin Days in the books
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By DAVID CAMPHOUSE

David Camphouse/Pike Press
This past weekend was the third weekend of October, which means it was time for Pike County’s annual shopping event – Fall Pickin Days. Communities throughout the county hosted vendors and activities throughout the weekend, which attracted visitors from near and far. Pictured are Amber and Cora Anderson shopping for antiques in Perry. The antique stand is set up at 301 W Main in Perry each year by brothers Joe and Jeff Yurisch.
This past weekend was the third weekend of October, which means it was time for Pike County’s annual shopping event – Fall Pickin Days.
Each year during Pickin Days, every corner of Pike County becomes a destination for locals and visitors seeking flea market finds, unique antiques, and food vendors.
This year was no different, as sixteen communities across the county — Atlas, Barry, Detroit, El Dara, Fishhook, Griggsville, Hull, Kinderhook, New Canton, New Hartford, Pearl, Perry, Pittsfield, Pleasant Hill, Rockport and Summer Hill — hosted vendors and activities throughout the weekend.
Business owners and vendors reported that 2023’s Fall Pickin Days was particularly successful, bringing many visitors and shoppers to the area.
In fact, Judi Sutton, owner of Judi’s Country Store of El Dara, said her store had its best Fall Pickin Days yet.
“We had a phenomenal year,” Sutton said. “It was the best year we’ve ever had financially. We did even better than last year, which had been our best year before this year.”
Pickin Days, Sutton said, drew visitors from across the midwest to Pike County. It also drew visitors from communities closer to home.
“There were some people in from Minnesota,” Sutton said. “And some from out near Kansas City. Of course, we had several from Springfield, and we always have a lot from Hannibal.”
Sutton said that the success enjoyed by her business and other vendors in El Dara was helped by the cooperative fall weather and picturesque fall foliage.
“It was just fantastic,” Sutton said. “We just couldn’t have asked for any better. The wind was a little factor for some of our vendors on Saturday, but it was a beautiful weekend.”
“The trees and the fall color were picture perfect.”
