Last year, the Neosho Autumn Harvest Fall Festival returned to the Square.
This year, it grew.
A wagon filled with passengers circled the Square while festival-goers strolled along shopping craft offerings and snacking on the offerings of local organizations. Artists and craftspeople displayed their wares. Pets brought their masters along and children lined up for the inflatable games.
“It’s been great,” said Sherry Sprenkle.
Her group of three rode the free rides and went on the extreme trampoline.
“They have enjoyed themselves so much,” she said.
“The best part would be the bungee jump,” said Garrett Musgrave.
His thoughts were echoed by buddy Cooper Sprenkle, who noted he liked jumping and the “whole thing.”
Organizers also pronounced the event a success.
“There hasn’t been a slow period,” said Doreen Finnie, events coordinator for the city.
“The growth in one year’s time has just been phenomenal.”
Last year, there were 45 booths; this year they hit 65. The festival had been gone from the Square for six years before last year’s return. Long lines for the extreme trampoline and wagon told the story and, in the future, Finnie expects the fall festival to grow.
“Everything is going up to that next level,” she said.
“Saturday turned out to be a perfect day for a fall festival,” said City Manager Jan Blase, praising the efforts of city staff. “ Crowds were strong all day.”
When the fall festival came back to the Square last year, it added a new component to the mix: fine art.
Some 24 artists were exhibiting their work in storefronts around the Square.
Volunteer Janet Penn said adding the fine art to the children’s games, arts and crafts, food and strong showing from local organizations gives the fall festival a new dimension.
“I just think it adds a whole new realm to the show,” Penn said.
Neosho, she said, attracted some first rate artists for the show. One artist recently sold a piece for $20,000.
“One of our artists has an agent and a publisher and some of his work is in Kirklands nationwide,” Penn said. “The talent is out here without even having to be a juried show.”
She would like to see a similar artists-in-residence program on the Square more than once a year.
We’re not just after art, we’re after the arts,” she noted, pointing out that exhibits were not only paintings, but jewelry, pottery, sculpture and bronzes.
