Hosted by the Vicksburg Historical Society, the popular, family-friendly Harvest Festival returns for its eighth consecutive year and brings with it bushels of fall fun. The event is scheduled for Sunday, September 25 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the grounds of the Historical Society and the Community Pavilion. It includes a wide range of harvest time activities, entertainment and food.
Guests can cruise around town in a 1931 Model A or board a wagon for a hay ride. They can meet a bull, camel, sheep, and many other animal friends at the Animal Zone and Binder Park’s Zoomobile. They can gather around the gazebo to hear the song stylings of the kid-pleasing Susan Harrison, “Bluesy Suzy” from 1-2 p.m.; she will raffle off a musical instrument. The bluegrass sounds of Franklin, Meade, and Webster are set for 2:30-3:30 p.m. at the gazebo in the center of the Historical Society grounds.
Adults can try their luck in the 50/50 drawing, enter their finest pie in the pie baking contest, and compete in the pumpkin weight-guessing contest. Kids can compete for prizes in the event-wide secret message hunt and enter the pumpkin-decorating contest. Both contests require entry forms, available online and at participating locations. Completed pumpkins should be delivered in advance of the event. Contact April Bryan at 269-649-1733 or see vicksburghistory.org for details.
If drawings, contests and other activities don’t keep everyone busy, visitors can explore a variety of antique tractors provided by the Kalamazoo Valley Antique Engine and Machinery Club, check out the portable saw mill demonstration, preserve Harvest Festival memories with Old Time Photography or try freshly pressed apple cider.
There will be Farmers’ Market vendors, carefully selected antiques and specialty product vendors. All sorts of eats and treats will be available for the noon meal. Best of all, people are invited to stroll through the historic village buildings and special exhibitions. There is no charge, the event and parking are free.
A committee headed by John Polasek and Don Wiertella has been working to bring a whole new look to the Festival in their first year of chairing the effort. They are assisted by Gail Reisterer, Regina Richardson, April Bryan, Sue Harper-Grieger, Ron Wilson, Mary Ann Kudary, Randy Seilheimer, June Kuchs and Ted Vliek.