Kalona celebrates 50th Fall Fest

KALONA — Crowds eager for apple fritters, entertainment and historical perspective flocked to Kalona over the weekend as the community's annual fall festival celebrated a half-century of tradition.

With 50 years on the books, those in attendance said they had a wide variety of reasons to keep coming back, year after year.

Jeff Coss, a chain saw carver at the festival, said the family appeal was a big draw.

“There’s a lot of entertainment, there’s stuff for kids to do,” he said. “My daughter, she’s 8, has been running around constantly all day playing games, having fun … and every time I come here there’s different vendors, different tents set up, nothing’s always the same.”

Others verified the weekend’s appeal to all ages.

"My students were going to go, and they were like, ‘You should come,’“ said Sarah Roy, a teacher at Mid-Prairie West elementary who attended Fall Fest for the first time this year. ”I definitely am having a good time, it’s cool to see all the historical stuff and all the homemade stuff here.“

While the historical village prides itself on keeping track of traditions, the festival has become a tradition of its own for countless families that attend.

“My grandma, when she was here, and my great aunts, they all made the apple butter,” said Tracy Brenneman, whose family has attended for at least the last 20 years. “My aunt is still over there as well, doing that … this is the one place people come and see people that they don’t see any other time of the year.”

Mennonite Museum Board Member Ruby Miller said organizers knew the people were a major appeal of the two-day event.

“They just love the feeling of community,” she said. “It’s a great place to see people and support good causes, there’s a lot of fundraisers … my favorite part is seeing people, it really is.”

For those who remember when it started, Fall Fest looks a little different from its origins.

“There used to be not very many vendors, not very much music,” said Jelene McCain, who has attended the event since its first year. “the music has all changed, and I don’t remember it being quite this cold … I kind of like the old ways, but this is nice. The reason you come is to see friends, and there are lots of old friends to see here.”

Many said they were in town for the cuisine.

"I get apple fritters from my alma mater, and I get pretzels from my wife’s alma mater,“ Jeremy Blauvelt said.

“I’m the same as everybody else, it’s just the homemade food,” said Sterling Anderson, a vendor who said his favorite was the apple fritters.

Amy Connoly agreed, in fewer words.

“Pretzels!” was her enthusiastic, only reply when asked what made Fall Fest special.

Sheila Ours was among those on-duty making apple fritters, volunteering on behalf of Hillcrest Academy.

“I’ve been going here since I was a little girl,” she said. “It’s fun to see everybody you don’t always see, and the food is delicious, and I always have to work at the fritter booth too!”

Aric Blauvelt said he was there for the historic village buildings.

“I like the train station, and when they talk when you hit a button,” he said. “I like to go to every single one.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com