Bismarck Fall Festival another hit
The sun was bright and the air crisp Saturday when the annual Bismarck Fall Festival returned for another round of fun, music and games, along with around 30 craft and food vendors that lined the front parking lot of the Bismarck School campus.
Previously held in Sundale Park, the Bismarck Chamber of Commerce-sponsored festival was moved to the school to allow for a bigger venue, according to President Matt Jarvis. The event featured several new activities and events to help usher in the fall season, as well as music provided by Sheriff & The Deputies, South Bound Exit and Roy Whaley and the Ambush Band.
Jarvis said that the event was every bit the success his civic organization had hoped it would be.
“I thought it went really well,” he said. “The weather was about as perfect as you can get and the crowds seemed to be there the whole time. It was a lot of work, but it was worth it.”
Jarvis stressed that one of the most important goals of the Bismarck Fall Festival, as well as other activities sponsored by the chamber throughout the year, is to promote a unity of purpose.
“The festival definitely brings the community together,” he said. “It puts a positive spin on our town and the good things we are wanting to accomplish. That’s what we want to provide — a positive influence to the younger generation. Whenever I was growing up, I remember going to the Irondale homecoming and West County’s homecoming. It was just a big community event. It was a lot of fun.”
Bismarck High School’s junior class also sponsored a number of activities this weekend that included a car show and Zombie Run, as well as an assortment of games aimed at children — a Punkin’ Chuckin’ Contest, Seed Spitting Contest, Bubble Gum Blowing Contest, Pumpkin Toss and Sucker Pull.
“Everybody had a good time with it,” Jarvis said. “All the vendors said they’d done pretty good and the people of our community liked being able to get together to have a good time. We’re aiming to hold another fall festival this next year on Oct. 21 and we hope folks will put it on their calendars to come out then.”
The next chamber of commerce-sponsored activity is Christmas at the Depot which is set for Dec. 3 at the city’s old train depot.
“It was a lot of work, but it was worth it.” — Matt Jarvis, Bismarck Chamber of Commerce president
A Bismarck teenager looks on as firefighter Tim Edmond aims for a balloon with his dart in an attempt to win a prize while his 3-year-old daughter, Hannah, stands by his side. Edmond’s wife was none too pleased when her husband aimed so well that he won a live bunny rabbit to take home and care for.
View additional photos online at dailyjournalonline.com” width=”800″ /> Five-year-old Trevor is having a great time riding on a pony at Saturday’s Bismarck Chamber of Commerce-sponsored Fall Festival held on the school grounds. Helping to steady her son during his ride was “Sam” Kress, a former Bismarck resident.
View additional photos online at dailyjournalonline.com
Kevin Jenkins is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-518-3614 or kjenkins@dailyjournalonline.com
