Fall fun fest
Ronan kicks off fall with Harvest Fest
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RONAN — The Ronan Chamber of Commerce enjoyed an usually cool Harvest Fest on Saturday, while tasting the local fares of the harvest season.
Harvest Fest Vendor Coordinator Roland Godan from the Lake County Community Development Corporation said the event was almost canceled, and three chili cook-off contestants were scared off by the morning’s tumultuous weather.
But the event carried on, despite the threat of rain, with a record 30 vendors and various locals donating music and a plethora of desserts.
“We just want to cover our bills and hope there’s some left over for the chamber,” Godan said, noting that he hopes 50 vendors attend next year.
At the Third Annual Harvest Fest he plans to assist in that endeavor, using marketing techniques and the media to broadcast the event.
Vendors’ wares ranged from fresh produce to Pampered Chef kitchen supplies and reported a steady stream of sales all day.
“It’s been wonderful,” said vendor Nancy Williams. “I’ve been here since 7:30 a.m., and it’s so fun to be here and see people.”
Businesses and local institutions competed in a straw bale and scarecrow contests, transforming straw into shapes that resembled people, spiders and even a camera.
St. Joseph Medical Center displayed a scare girl clad in a breast cancer awareness shirt and jeans, designed to increase breast cancer awareness and to encourage women to get annual breast exams.
Children had the opportunity to participate in an array of games that spanned from fish racing to pumpkin bowling, while adults enjoyed shopping, tasting chili, and nibbling on deserts.
“There’s beer and chili,” Godan said. “What more could a guy want?”
Results
Straw Bale Contest
Judges’ Choice: Grace Sager’s Spider
People’s Choice: Westland Seed’s Cowboy
Scarecrow Contest
Judges’ Choic: Harvest Foods
People’s Choice: St. Joseph’s Community Hospital, The Ronan Flower Mill, and John Deere
Chili Contest
1st place: Amanda Blea
2nd place: Tie between Wade Culp from the Ronan Telephone Company and Jamie Buhr from Valley Bank
Chicken Wing Ding Contest
1st place: Wade Culp
Dessert Contest
People’s Choice: 1st place: Fudge Toffee Bar by Ky Bartels
2nd place: Strawberry Crepes by Abigail Mohle
