Annual festival rallies community
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RONAN – Hearty chili to judge and taste, zucchini to dress and race, and decorated scarecrows were on the agenda Saturday, Sept. 24, as the Ronan Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the third annual Harvest Festival at the Ronan Visitors Center. According to Ronan Area Chamber member Brennin Grainey, the main purpose of the annual festival is to say "thank-you" to area farmers and celebrate the beginning of fall.
“Mainly Harvest Fest is geared towards being a fun fall event to celebrate our local farmers and to bring people into town to have fun on a Saturday.”
Grainey says he’s excited at how big the event has grown throughout the past three years, judging by the large vendor turnout and a large crowd of people.
“We had a great vendor turnout, and they’ve given us a lot of support,” Grainey said. “There is also lots of produce, craft goods, woodworking, and homemade jewelry for sale.
"We’re very appreciative of our vendors,” Grainey added. “They are what really make this event.”
According to Grainey, this year’s festival offered multiple new events and contests for the whole family to enjoy. Children competed in the zucchini 192 race, a downhill race named after its length in inches. Other community members vied for top honors of best-dressed zucchini, while others took a ride on the “spud train."
“The games have grown a lot,” Grainey said. “Denny and Patti Winter have done a great job with adding kid games.”
Other child favorites returned from previous years, as pumpkin bowling and hula hooping brought smiles to the large crowd of eager youngsters.
Of all the fun additions to the event, the giant pumpkin contest added a unique new competition for area farmers. Pumpkins ranging from 60 to more than 1,000 pounds were on display for visitors to admire and try their luck at guessing the fruits' weights.
The closest guess won a prize.
“The new big thing is the pumpkin contest,” Grainey said. “It’s an official weighing for a nationally registered competition.”
Ronna Walchuk and friends worked tirelessly to transform the visitor center into a life-size Hansel and Gretel house to add festive flare to the autumn event.
According to Grainey, the affair is not about fundraising. Rather the idea is to create a family-friendly atmosphere for the community to enjoy together.
“It’s been a success,” Grainey said. “One of the biggest Harvest Festivals ever.”
