Fall Festival Saturday in Whitehall

Ann Palmer can remember several years ago when the Whitehall area community would come together on an annual basis to celebrate a large fall festival.

This weekend a similar event will return to Whitehall with Saturday’s Homegrown 406 Fall Festival. Palmer who is helping to organize the September 21 event, also helped out with the prior fall festival. She said while the new festival is smaller than ones in the past, it will be a fun time with a lot planned throughout the day. The Homegrown 406 Fall Festival is sponsored by the Whitehall Open Air Famer’s Market and will take place in Legion Park from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Palmer said the packed schedule would include a harvest bake sale, numerous demonstrations, Native American dancing, belly dancing and music from Gary and Annie Rose Moran.

The schedule includes “Creative Squash Critters – Hands on by Karen” at 9:30 a.m., “Grinding Grains – Wheat and Barley with Elena” at 10:00, “Juicing Fruit & Veggies with Betty” at 10:15, “Spiral Squash Cooking with Dorie” at 10:30, “Belly Dancing with Ann” at 11:00, “Guitars, Music, and Songs with Gary and Annie Rose” from 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. and “Native American Dancing and Drums with Savannah” at 12:30 p.m.

The festival will coincide with the Farmer’s Market, which Palmer said has been going really well in 2018. She said the prices are lower than those in Butte and they have had an average of 13 vendors, as well as good attendance in 2018. She said the late September markets are one of the best times to come and get “bountiful products, adding there will be pumpkins, squash, and zucchini for sale.

Free cookies and cider will also be available through the day.

Other events include “Squash Critters” where those in attendance are asked to bring in their most imaginatively decorated “squash critters” by 10 a.m. for display and photo opportunities.

A Scarecrow Contest is also scheduled with a People’s Choice Award handing out $20 for first, $10 for second, and $5 for third place. Please bring decorated/designed scarecrows to the Whitehall Garden Club “scarecrow bales” to get a number to compete.

Palmer is very encouraged with the feedback on the event so far and all of those who have signed up to take part in the festival.

She said in the Whitehall area all you have to do is ask and people are willing to help out.

Palmer added the festival is a way to thank all those who have made the weekly market a success.

GUESS THE WEIGHT

Saturday Mornings Located at 7 N. Main is also taking part with the day’s festivities. The Whitehall based business is hosting a “Pumpkin Weight Guess” contest.

Store owner Shannon Scheffel said a large pumpkin was donated and they will have door prizes, snacks, drinks, and a prize for the guess that’s closest to the size of the pumpkin.