Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1211133
By Randy Rice McDonald County Directory 2020 MCDONALD COUNTY sDIRECTORY | 21 Although small, Goodman still has a lot to offer residents as well as out of town visitors. The city has retail stores, professional businesses, convenience stores and more. From railroads to fruit orchards, to fun-filled festivals and the beautiful surroundings of Southwestern Missouri, the City of Goodman takes an active role in providing for and supporting their evolving community. Goodman was once covered in more than 2,500 acres of fruit orchards, earning it the reputation of being one of the most successful fruit enterprises in this part of the country. The premier business was the Ozark Orchard Company, founded in 1895 by Lowell Goodman—the man the town was eventually named after. Lowell was responsible for acres and acres of fruit trees and berry fields that covered what is now the city limits of Goodman in the late 1800s. He had originally started by planting fruit trees on his own property and then expanded exponentially when his company bought half of the town. The local industry experienced a steep decline in the mid 20th century and the verdant orchards and fruitful fields mostly disappeared. In 2016, however, the city established the Annual Ozark Orchard Fest to honor their town's namesake, Lowell Goodman, and celebrate his legacy. The festival has become an attraction for people coming from all over the region. Families make the journey to Goodman for games and inflatables for the children, vendors who display and sell their handmade crafts, and lots of free food supplied by the city. Another annual event Goodman has been hosting for nearly 30 years is the Annual City Wide Garage Sale, where members of the community sell and buy each other's unwanted items, living up to the old adage: one man's trash is another man's treasure. And if you are planning a visit to the city you might want to keep in mind the Annual Christmas Parade. It's fun for the whole family with a variety of colorful floats, music and, of course, Santa riding on top of a fire engine. You'll also enjoy drawings and raffles for various prizes, great food and photos with Santa (once he disembarks his bright red ride). Every year different members of the Goodman community serve as Grand Marshall of the Parade. Small but mighty celebrates its fruitful past Goodman