Fall Festival brought pie, food, music, cars, and fashion

WAITSBURG-It was a beautiful sunny day for the annual Pioneer Fall Festival at the Bruce House in Waitsburg on Sunday, September 17. An occasional gust of wind blew through, but it did not deter visitors from all the festival had to offer.

After the morning community church service on the front lawn of the Bruce House, the Waitsburg Historical Society recognized Barbara Danforth as the 2023 Pioneer of the Year. Danforth, a lifelong resident of the area, was accompanied by her daughter Susie as she spoke to the community.

Twenty-seven vendors attended the festival, offering food, crafts, education, and books. Visitors could enjoy snow cones, learn about quilting, watch candle making, judge homemade pies, eat ice cream, eat bison burgers, eat hot dogs, try steer roping, and buy local crafts. There were also vintage cars and a horse-drawn carriage rides.

Jack McCaw, Paul Gregrett, and Barb Abbey were the official judges for the Laurette McCaw pie-baking contest. All proceeds from the pies benefitted the Waitsburg Friends of the Pool in its quest to raise funds for a feasibility study on a Waitsburg City Pool.

After tasting sixteen different pies, the judges awarded Angela Potts first place in the adult category and first place for Cedar Stegall in the 12-18 age group. Scarlett Scott won the top prize in the 12 and under group.

An audience gathered to enjoy live music from musicians including Coyote Gulch Family Band, Fiddl'n Ranger & Friends, and Big Joe from Whitman College. Kate Hockersmith's Bluegrass Kids Daniel Foley and Chastity Paddock performed, and Robert Walsh ran the sound system for the day before playing a few tunes.

The annual style show took the stage after the musical performances. Linda Hermann once again pulled together beautiful vintage looks from the museum's collection. With the help of local models, eight different designs were walked down the outdoor catwalk.

The Waitsburg Historical Society's President, Tom Land, and his volunteers coordinate the Pioneer Fall Festival each year. Land has been President since 2017, and this will be his last year in that position.

"I have appreciation for everyone attending the event and all of the volunteers who help make this event possible,"  Land said, adding,"I have enjoyed it."