2015 Delavan Fall Festival makes memories for family and friends

[September 11, 2015]  DELAVAN - In many people's minds, Labor Day traditionally marks the start of fall. School is back in, harvest is near, the days are getting shorter and soon temperatures will drop. On Friday evening, September 4th, Delavan led the area in fall festivals.

The packed four-day event in Delavan is designed to bring people together, lots of people, and all ages. There is something for every everyone with an emphasis on family activities. And with so many people wanting to enjoy the still favorable temperatures, the festival has served as a homecoming of sorts with numerous family and friends returning to the community to visit over the event and food filled weekend.

The theme for 2015 "Planning for tomorrow, today" is poignant as this year's event was literally held on the heels of a mid-July EF-2 tornado. The twister struck near mid-night damaging 51 homes, six a total loss, but spared human lives. The fire department and emergency services displays held more significance this year.

Also fitting to the theme, a new high school is on the horizon and many are wanting to help make sure our kids can get the education they need in rural America.

While the central hub of activity for the festival is hosted in lovely, shaded Lake Park, several events take place not too far away throughout town.

This year's featured events included Tour de Delavan Bike Race; also a 5K or 10K Road Race Fun Walk/Run, Fishing Derby, and Quilt Show. Immensely popular and drawing competition from the region pulls - 4X4 Truck Pull, Antique Tractor Pull, and the Kiddie Tractor Pull. Other attractions - a Car Show, carnival, and BINGO. Food vendors, Common Ground Walleye Fish Fry, Methodist Women's Chicken Dinner, wood-fired oven baked pizza, homemade strawberry shortcake, famous grilled pork chop sandwiches rounded out the food offerings. A special treat on a hot weekend was the annual old-fashioned Ice Cream Social.

Entertainment included memory-making Family Movies Under the Stars, a parade, and Sunday morning Community Church at the park.
Live bands for this year - Sunset, River City Country Opry, Bridges, Stephanie Cunningham, the Crosswalk Fellowship Worship Team, Spring Creek Station, and more. The festival also included a Fireworks Extravaganza; and, lots of kids activities.

While a bit warm, and a few Monday afternoon rain storms dampened or postponed some activities, for the most part the weather was near ideal throughout the weekend.

[Jan Youngquist]